<PAGE>
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JULY 1, 1998
REGISTRATION NO. 333-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
---------------
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
---------------
APPLIED POWER INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
---------------
WISCONSIN 3444 39-
(STATE OR OTHER (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL 0168610
JURISDICTION CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER) (I.R.S.
OF INCORPORATION EMPLOYER
OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NO.)
13000 WEST SILVER SPRING DRIVE
BUTLER, WISCONSIN 53007-1093
(414) 781-6600
(ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
ROBERT C. ARZBAECHER
VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
APPLIED POWER INC.
13000 WEST SILVER SPRING DRIVE
BUTLER, WISCONSIN 53007-1093
(414) 781-6600
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
COPIES TO:
BRUCE C. DAVIDSON PETER F. ZIEGLER
QUARLES & BRADY GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP
411 EAST WISCONSIN AVENUE 333 SOUTH GRAND AVENUE
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53202 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90071
(414) 277-5000 (213) 229-7000
---------------
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE OF THE SECURITIES TO THE
PUBLIC: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes
effective.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance
with General Instruction G, check the following box. [_]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [_]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [_]
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PROPOSED
TITLE OF EACH CLASS PROPOSED MAXIMUM
OF AMOUNT MAXIMUM AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF
SECURITIES TO BE TO BE OFFERING PRICE OFFERING REGISTRATION
REGISTERED REGISTERED(1)(4) PER UNIT PRICE(2) FEE(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Class A Common Stock,
$.20 par value 11,174,998 shs. N/A $361,133,222 $106,535
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Based upon the maximum number of shares and options to acquire shares of
ZERO Corporation ("ZERO") Common Stock, par value $.01 per share ("ZERO
Common Stock"), to be converted into shares and options to acquire shares
of Applied Power Inc. ("API") Class A Common Stock, par value $.20 per
share ("API Common Stock"), at the exchange ratio of 0.85 of a share of
API Common Stock for each share of ZERO Common Stock pursuant to the
Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") to which this
Registration Statement relates.
(2) Estimated pursuant to Rules 457(f)(1) and 457(c) under the Securities Act
of 1933, solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, based
upon the $27.46875 average of the high and low sales prices for shares of
ZERO Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite
Transactions Tape on June 24, 1998, multiplied by 13,147,057, the maximum
number of shares of ZERO Common Stock, assuming the exercise of all
outstanding options to purchase ZERO Common Stock, to be converted into
API Common Stock under the Merger Agreement.
(3) Includes the fee of $81,308 paid to the Commission on May 6, 1998, upon
the joint filing of preliminary proxy materials of API and ZERO with
respect to this transaction. Pursuant to Rule 457(b), the $25,227 balance
of the registration fee is being paid to the Commission upon filing of
this Registration Statement.
(4) To the extent that less than the maximum number of shares registered
hereby are issued at closing pursuant to the Merger Agreement, API may use
the remaining shares to cover the exercise of ZERO stock options assumed
pursuant to the Merger Agreement by filing one or more post-effective
amendments hereto on the appropriate registration form.
---------------
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
This Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus will be in two forms to be delivered
separately to shareholders of Applied Power Inc. ("API") in connection with a
Special Meeting of API shareholders and to stockholders of ZERO Corporation
("ZERO") in connection with a Special Meeting of ZERO stockholders,
respectively. The Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus to be delivered to API
shareholders will contain a letter to API shareholders and a Notice of the API
Special Meeting. The Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus to be delivered to ZERO
stockholders will contain a letter to ZERO stockholders and a Notice of the
ZERO Special Meeting. The content of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus
otherwise will be the same.
<PAGE>
LOGO
July 1, 1998
Dear Fellow Shareholder:
On behalf of the Board of Directors and management, I cordially invite you
to attend a Special Meeting of Shareholders of Applied Power Inc. ("API") to
be held at API's offices located at 13000 West Silver Spring Drive, Butler,
Wisconsin, on Friday, July 31, 1998, at 11:00 a.m., local time.
At the Special Meeting, you will be asked to approve the issuance of API
Class A Common Stock (the "Share Issuance") pursuant to an Agreement and Plan
of Merger, dated as of April 6, 1998 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and among
API, ZERO Corporation ("ZERO") and STB Acquisition Corporation, a wholly owned
subsidiary of API ("Acquisition"). The Merger Agreement provides for the
merger of Acquisition into ZERO (the "Merger"), with ZERO surviving as a
wholly owned subsidiary of API. Subject to the terms and conditions of the
Merger Agreement, each share of ZERO common stock outstanding immediately
prior to the effective time of the Merger will be converted into 0.85 of a
share of API Class A Common Stock. Any resulting fractional share interests
will be paid in cash.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF API HAS UNANIMOUSLY DETERMINED THAT THE MERGER AND
THE SHARE ISSUANCE ARE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF API AND ITS SHAREHOLDERS AND
HAS APPROVED THE MERGER AGREEMENT. THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU
VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE SHARE ISSUANCE AT THE SPECIAL MEETING.
The Merger, the Merger Agreement and the Share Issuance are described in the
accompanying Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, to which a copy of the Merger
Agreement is attached as Appendix A. We urge you to read this material
carefully. If you have any questions about the Special Meeting or the Merger,
please call Georgeson & Company Inc., our proxy solicitation agent, toll-free
at (800) 223-2064 or collect at
(212) 440-9800.
Your vote is important no matter how many shares you hold. PLEASE COMPLETE
AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE
SPECIAL MEETING. If you do attend and you wish to vote in person, you can
revoke your proxy at that time.
Sincerely,
LOGO
Richard G. Sim
Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer
<PAGE>
APPLIED POWER INC.
13000 WEST SILVER SPRING DRIVE
BUTLER, WISCONSIN 53007
(414) 781-6600
----------------
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING
OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD
ON JULY 31, 1998
----------------
To the Shareholders of Applied Power Inc.:
A Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Special Meeting") of Applied Power
Inc., a Wisconsin corporation ("API"), will be held at the offices of API
located at 13000 West Silver Spring Drive in Butler, Wisconsin, on Friday,
July 31, 1998, at 11:00 a.m., local time, to consider and vote on a proposal
to approve the issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock, $.20 par value, of
API ("API Common Stock") pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as
of April 6, 1998 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and among API, ZERO Corporation,
a Delaware corporation ("ZERO"), and STB Acquisition Corporation
("Acquisition"), a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of API
(the "Share Issuance"), to effect the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement.
A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached to the accompanying Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus as Appendix A. The Merger Agreement provides for the
merger of Acquisition into ZERO (the "Merger"), with ZERO surviving as a
wholly owned subsidiary of API. Subject to the terms and conditions of the
Merger Agreement, each share of ZERO Common Stock, $.01 par value, outstanding
immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger will be converted into
0.85 of a share of API Common Stock, with cash being paid in lieu of any
fractional share of API Common Stock.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on June 19, 1998, are
entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting and any
adjournment or postponement of the meeting. Approval of the Share Issuance
requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the Share
Issuance, provided that the total number of votes cast on the proposal
represents more than 50% of the outstanding shares of API Common Stock
entitled to vote thereon at the Special Meeting.
It is important that your shares of API Common Stock be represented at the
Special Meeting regardless of the number of shares you hold. You are urged to
specify your voting preference by marking, dating and signing the enclosed
proxy card and returning it in the enclosed business reply envelope. No
postage is required if mailed in the United States. If you wish to vote in
accordance with the recommendations of the API Board of Directors, you need
only date and sign the proxy card and return it in the enclosed envelope.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Anthony W. Asmuth III
Secretary
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
July 1, 1998
WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE SPECIAL MEETING, PLEASE SIGN, DATE
AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD USING THE ENCLOSED SELF-
ADDRESSED ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
IF FOR ANY REASON YOU SHOULD DESIRE TO REVOKE YOUR PROXY, YOU MAY DO SO AT ANY
TIME BEFORE IT IS VOTED AT THE SPECIAL MEETING.
<PAGE>
LOGO
July 1, 1998
Dear Stockholder:
We are pleased to extend to you an invitation to attend the Special Meeting
of Stockholders of ZERO Corporation ("ZERO") to be held at the Los Angeles
Marriott Downtown, Concourse 3, 333 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles,
California, on Friday, July 31, 1998, at 9:00 a.m. local time (the "Special
Meeting").
The purpose of the Special Meeting is to consider a proposal to approve the
merger of STB Acquisition Corporation ("Acquisition"), a wholly owned
subsidiary of Applied Power Inc. ("API"), with and into ZERO (the "Merger")
pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of April 6, 1998 (the
"Merger Agreement") among API, ZERO and Acquisition, as a result of which ZERO
will become a wholly owned subsidiary of API.
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, each share of
Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, of ZERO ("ZERO Common Stock")
outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger will be
converted into 0.85 shares of Class A Common Stock, $.20 par value per share,
of API ("API Common Stock"). Cash will be paid in lieu of any fractional share
of API Common Stock.
It is intended that ZERO stockholders will have a "tax-free transaction"
(i.e. will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes) to the
extent API Common Stock is received in the Merger in exchange for ZERO Common
Stock, although the receipt of cash in lieu of fractional shares will be
taxable.
A Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus accompanies this letter. It will provide
you with a detailed description of the Merger Agreement and the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement. It also includes other important
information relating to ZERO, API and Acquisition. Please read the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus carefully and in its entirety. If you have any questions
about the Special Meeting, please telephone Morrow & Co., our proxy
solicitation agent, toll free at (800) 662-5200 or collect at (212) 754-8000.
YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY (I) HAS DETERMINED THAT THE MERGER IS IN
THE BEST INTERESTS OF ZERO AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS, (II) HAS APPROVED THE MERGER
AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREIN, AND (III) RECOMMENDS THAT
YOU VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE MERGER AT THE SPECIAL MEETING. THE BOARD'S REASONS
ARE DESCRIBED IN THE ACCOMPANYING JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, UNDER THE
CAPTION "THE MERGER AND THE MERGER AGREEMENT--ZERO'S REASONS FOR THE MERGER;
RECOMMENDATION OF THE ZERO BOARD." SEE ALSO, "THE MERGER AND THE MERGER
AGREEMENT--INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER."
In determining that the Merger is in the best interests of ZERO and its
stockholders and to recommend approval of the Merger, the Board of Directors
has carefully reviewed and considered the terms and conditions of the Merger
Agreement, as well as numerous other factors. The Board has also received the
opinion dated April 6, 1998 of Salomon Smith Barney, ZERO's financial advisor,
to the effect that, based upon and subject to the various considerations set
forth in their opinion, the consideration to be paid to ZERO's stockholders in
connection with the Merger was fair from a financial point of view to ZERO's
stockholders. The full text of the opinion is set forth as Appendix C to the
accompanying Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
ZERO Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Pacific
Exchange and API Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. As a
result, holders of ZERO Common Stock will not be entitled to dissenting
stockholders' appraisal rights under the Delaware General Corporation Law in
connection with the Merger.
<PAGE>
Your vote is important to us, regardless of the number of shares owned by
you. Approval of the Merger requires the affirmative vote of holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of ZERO. Therefore, we urge you to complete,
date and sign the accompanying proxy and return it promptly in the enclosed
postage-paid envelope. This will not prevent you from attending the Special
Meeting or voting in person, but will assure that your vote is counted if you
are unable to attend the Special Meeting. You may revoke your proxy at any time
by filing a written notice of revocation with, or by delivering a fully
executed proxy bearing a later date to, the Corporate Secretary of ZERO at
ZERO's main office prior to the Special Meeting, or by attending the Special
Meeting and voting in person.
HOLDERS OF ZERO COMMON STOCK SHOULD NOT RETURN TO ZERO ANY STOCK CERTIFICATES
WITH THEIR PROXY CARDS. After the Merger has been consummated, stockholders
will receive instructions and a letter of transmittal for the submission of
their stock certificates.
On behalf of your Board of Directors, thank you for your support. We urge you
to vote "FOR" approval of the Merger.
Sincerely,
LOGO
LOGO
Howard W. Hill Wilford D. Godbold, Jr.
Chairman of the Board President and Chief Executive
Officer
<PAGE>
ZERO CORPORATION
444 SOUTH FLOWER STREET, SUITE 2100
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90071-2922
----------------
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING
OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD
ON JULY 31, 1998
----------------
To the Stockholders of
ZERO Corporation:
A Special Meeting of Stockholders (the "Special Meeting") of ZERO
Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("ZERO"), will be held on Friday, July 31,
1998, at 9:00 a.m., local time, at the Los Angeles Marriott Downtown,
Concourse 3, 333 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, California, to consider
and vote on a proposal to approve and adopt an Agreement and Plan of Merger,
dated as of April 6, 1998 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and among Applied Power
Inc., a Wisconsin corporation ("API"), ZERO and STB Acquisition Corporation
("Acquisition"), a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of API,
and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached to the accompanying Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus as Appendix A. The Merger Agreement provides for the
merger of Acquisition into ZERO (the "Merger"), with ZERO surviving as a
wholly owned subsidiary of API. Subject to the terms and conditions of the
Merger Agreement, each share of ZERO Common Stock, $.01 par value ("ZERO
Common Stock"), outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the
Merger will be converted into 0.85 of a share of API Class A Common Stock,
$.20 par value ("API Common Stock"), with cash being paid in lieu of any
fractional share of API Common Stock.
Stockholders of record at the close of business on June 19, 1998 are
entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting and any
adjournment or postponement of the meeting. The affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of ZERO Common Stock entitled
to vote at the Special Meeting is required for approval of the Merger
Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
It is important that your shares of ZERO Common Stock be represented at the
Special Meeting regardless of the number of shares you hold. You are urged to
specify your voting preference by marking, dating and signing the enclosed
proxy card and returning it in the enclosed business reply envelope. No
postage is required if mailed in the United States. If you wish to vote in
accordance with the recommendations of the ZERO Board of Directors, you need
only date and sign the proxy card and return it in the enclosed envelope.
In accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law, a complete list of
the holders of record of ZERO Common Stock entitled to vote at the Special
Meeting will be open for examination by any stockholder, for any purpose
germane to the Special Meeting, for a period of 10 days prior to the date of
the meeting during ordinary business hours at the executive offices of ZERO,
444 South Flower Street, Suite 2100, Los Angeles, California 90071.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Howard W. Hill Anita J.
Chairman of the Board Cutchall
Los Angeles, California Corporate
July 1, 1998 Secretary
WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE SPECIAL MEETING, PLEASE SIGN, DATE
AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD USING THE ENCLOSED SELF-
ADDRESSED ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
IF FOR ANY REASON YOU SHOULD DESIRE TO REVOKE YOUR PROXY, YOU MAY DO SO AT ANY
TIME BEFORE IT IS VOTED AT THE SPECIAL MEETING.
<PAGE>
JOINT PROXY STATEMENT
OF
APPLIED POWER INC.
AND
ZERO CORPORATION
---------------
PROSPECTUS
OF
APPLIED POWER INC.
---------------
This Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus is being furnished to the holders of
Class A Common Stock, $.20 par value ("API Common Stock"), of Applied Power
Inc., a Wisconsin corporation ("API"), in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by the Board of Directors of API (the "API Board") for use at a
Special Meeting of Shareholders of API to be held at the offices of API
located at 13000 West Silver Spring Drive in Butler, Wisconsin, on July 31,
1998, and at any and all adjournments or postponements thereof (the "API
Special Meeting").
This Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus is also being furnished to the holders
of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share ("ZERO Common Stock"), of ZERO
Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("ZERO"), in connection with the
solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of ZERO (the "ZERO Board")
for use at a Special Meeting of Stockholders of ZERO to be held at the Los
Angeles Marriott Downtown, Concourse 3, 333 South Figueroa Street, Los
Angeles, California, on July 31, 1998, and at any and all adjournments or
postponements thereof (the "ZERO Special Meeting" and, together with the API
Special Meeting, the "Special Meetings").
This Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus relates to the Agreement and Plan of
Merger, dated as of April 6, 1998 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and among API,
ZERO and STB Acquisition Corporation ("Acquisition"), a Delaware corporation
and a wholly owned subsidiary of API, which provides for the merger of
Acquisition with and into ZERO (the "Merger"), with ZERO surviving as a wholly
owned subsidiary of API. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger
Agreement, each share of ZERO Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time of the Merger (as hereinafter defined) will be converted
into 0.85 (the "Exchange Ratio") of a share of API Common Stock. Cash will be
paid in lieu of any fractional share of API Common Stock.
The consummation of the Merger is subject, among other things, to (i) the
approval of the issuance of API Common Stock pursuant to the Merger in
accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement (the "Share Issuance") by
the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the Share Issuance
proposal at the API Special Meeting, provided that the total number of votes
cast on such proposal represents more than 50% of the outstanding shares of
API Common Stock entitled to vote thereon at the API Special Meeting; (ii) the
approval of the Merger Agreement by holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of ZERO Common Stock entitled to vote thereon at the ZERO Special
Meeting; and (iii) certain other conditions as provided in the Merger
Agreement. A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached hereto as Appendix A.
This Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus also constitutes the Prospectus of API
filed as part of a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration
Statement") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), relating to the
shares of API Common Stock constituting the Share Issuance. It is anticipated
that up to approximately 11,175,000 shares of API Common Stock will be issued
in the Share Issuance, representing approximately 29% of the shares of API
Common Stock expected to be outstanding after the Merger based on the number
of shares outstanding at the date hereof.
API Common Stock is listed for trading under the symbol "APW" on the New
York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"), and ZERO Common Stock is listed for trading
under the symbol "ZRO" on the NYSE and the Pacific Exchange (the "PCX"). On
April 6, 1998, the last trading day prior to the execution of the Merger
Agreement (which occurred after the close of trading on that day), the last
reported sale prices of API Common Stock and ZERO Common Stock, as reported on
the NYSE Composite Transactions Tape, were $38.1875 per share and $28.875 per
share, respectively. The averages of the last reported sale prices for the 20
consecutive trading days prior to April 6 were $36.88 for API and $27.68 for
ZERO. On June 30, 1998, the last trading day prior to the date of this Joint
Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the last reported sale prices of API Common Stock
and ZERO Common Stock, as reported on the NYSE Composite Transactions Tape,
were $34.375 per share and $28.375 per share, respectively, and the equivalent
pro forma sale price of ZERO Common Stock (determined by multiplying the last
reported sale price of API Common Stock by the Exchange Ratio) was $29.21875
per share.
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON P. 20 FOR A DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN MATTERS
THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN CONNECTION WITH THE MERGER.
This Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the respective forms of proxy are
first being mailed to shareholders of API and stockholders of ZERO on or about
July 2, 1998.
---------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS JOINT PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
---------------
The date of this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus is July 1, 1998.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION...................................................... 4
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE............................ 4
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT....................................................... 5
SUMMARY.................................................................... 6
The Parties.............................................................. 6
The Special Meetings..................................................... 7
The Merger and the Merger Agreement...................................... 8
Comparison of Shareholder Rights......................................... 11
API Selected Consolidated Financial Data................................. 12
ZERO Selected Consolidated Financial Data................................ 13
API Selected Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Data................. 14
Comparative Per Share Data of API and ZERO............................... 16
Comparative Market Prices and Dividends.................................. 18
Recent Developments...................................................... 19
RISK FACTORS............................................................... 20
THE SPECIAL MEETINGS....................................................... 23
API Special Meeting...................................................... 23
ZERO Special Meeting..................................................... 24
Absence of Dissenters' Rights of Appraisal............................... 26
THE MERGER AND THE MERGER AGREEMENT........................................ 27
General.................................................................. 27
Background of the Merger................................................. 27
API's Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the API Board............ 30
Opinion of API's Financial Advisor....................................... 32
ZERO's Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the ZERO Board.......... 36
Opinion of ZERO's Financial Advisor...................................... 37
Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger............................... 41
Employee Plans........................................................... 45
Management and Operations of ZERO After the Merger....................... 46
Conduct of Business Pending the Merger................................... 46
Representations, Warranties and Covenants................................ 47
Conditions to Consummation of the Merger................................. 48
No Solicitation; Special Fee............................................. 49
Termination; Amendment; Waiver........................................... 50
Standstill Provisions.................................................... 52
Fees and Expenses........................................................ 52
Conversion of Shares in the Merger....................................... 52
Exchange of ZERO Certificates; No Fractional Shares...................... 53
Assumption and Conversion of ZERO Stock Options.......................... 54
Governmental and Regulatory Approvals.................................... 55
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences.................................. 55
Resale of API Common Stock............................................... 57
Accounting Treatment..................................................... 57
BUSINESS OF THE PARTIES.................................................... 58
API...................................................................... 58
Acquisition.............................................................. 59
ZERO..................................................................... 59
DESCRIPTION OF API CAPITAL STOCK........................................... 60
Preferred Stock.......................................................... 60
Common Stock............................................................. 60
General.................................................................. 61
Certain Statutory Provisions............................................. 61
COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS........................................... 63
Comparison of API Articles and Bylaws to ZERO Certificate and Bylaws..... 63
Comparison of Delaware and Wisconsin Law................................. 72
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION......................... 79
CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING API AND ZERO................................ 89
LEGAL OPINIONS............................................................. 89
EXPERTS.................................................................... 89
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS...................................................... 89
APPENDIX A: MERGER AGREEMENT
APPENDIX B: OPINION OF CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
APPENDIX C: OPINION OF SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
</TABLE>
3
<PAGE>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
API and ZERO are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC.
Such reports, proxy statements and other information may be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at Room 1024,
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the
following Regional Offices of the SEC: Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison
Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661; and 7 World Trade Center, Suite
1300, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such material may also be obtained
from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The SEC also maintains a World
Wide Web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and
other information regarding registrants (including API and ZERO) that file
electronically with the SEC (http://www.sec.gov). API Common Stock is listed
on the NYSE and reports, proxy statements and other information relating to
API can be inspected at the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
ZERO Common Stock is listed on the NYSE and the PCX and reports, proxy
statements and other information relating to ZERO can be inspected at the
NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005 or the PCX, 301 Pine Street,
San Francisco, California 94104.
This Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus does not contain all of the
information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which
are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. Reference
is made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto for further
information. Exhibits to the Registration Statement that are omitted from the
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus may also be obtained at the SEC's World Wide
Web site described above. Statements contained or incorporated by reference
herein concerning the provisions of any agreement or other document filed as
an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the SEC are
not necessarily complete, and readers are referred to the copy so filed for
more detailed information, each such statement being qualified in its entirety
by such reference.
THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
THAT ARE NOT PRESENTED HEREIN OR DELIVERED HEREWITH. COPIES OF SUCH DOCUMENTS
(OTHER THAN EXHIBITS THERETO WHICH ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE HEREIN) ARE AVAILABLE, WITHOUT CHARGE, TO ANY PERSON, INCLUDING ANY
BENEFICIAL OWNER OF SHARES OF API COMMON STOCK OR ZERO COMMON STOCK TO WHOM
THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IS SENT, UPON WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST
TO, IN THE CASE OF DOCUMENTS RELATING TO API, INVESTOR RELATIONS, APPLIED
POWER INC., 13000 WEST SILVER SPRING DRIVE, BUTLER, WISCONSIN 53007
(TELEPHONE: (414) 781-6600) AND, IN THE CASE OF DOCUMENTS RELATING TO ZERO,
ANITA J. CUTCHALL, CORPORATE SECRETARY, ZERO CORPORATION, 444 SOUTH FLOWER
STREET, SUITE 2100, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90071-2922 (TELEPHONE: (213) 629-
7000). IN ORDER TO ENSURE DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS PRIOR TO THE APPLICABLE
SPECIAL MEETING, ANY SUCH REQUEST SHOULD BE MADE NOT LATER THAN JULY 24, 1998.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents heretofore filed with the SEC pursuant to the
Exchange Act by API (File No. 1-11288) or ZERO (File No. 1-5260) are
incorporated herein by reference:
1. API's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31,
1997 (as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto on Form 10-K/A filed June 19,
1998);
2. API's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended November
30, 1997 and February 28, 1998;
3. API's Current Reports on Form 8-K reporting events occurring on
October 3, 1997 (as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto on Form 8-K/A filed
December 17, 1997), November 4, 1997, April 6, 1998, April 16, 1998 and
June 5, 1998 (as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto on Form 8-K/A filed
July 1, 1998).
4. ZERO's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31,
1998;
5. ZERO's Current Reports on Form 8-K reporting events occurring on April
6, 1998 and May 1, 1998; and
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6. The description of ZERO Common Stock contained in ZERO's Registration
Statement on Form 8-B filed on September 7, 1988, including any amendments
or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.
In lieu of incorporating by reference the description of API Common Stock
contained in API's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 28, 1991, filed
for the purpose of updating the description of API Common Stock contained in
API's registration statement filed with respect thereto under the Exchange
Act, such description is included in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
See "Description of API Capital Stock."
All reports and other documents filed by either API or ZERO pursuant to
Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date
of this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and prior to the date of its Special
Meeting shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a
part hereof from the dates of filing of such reports and documents. Any
statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of
this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained
herein, or in any other subsequently filed document that also is incorporated
or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes the
earlier statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be
deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS
WITH RESPECT TO THE MATTERS DESCRIBED IN THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN, AND, IF GIVEN
OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING
BEEN AUTHORIZED BY EITHER API OR ZERO. THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY
ANY SECURITIES, NOR DOES IT CONSTITUTE THE SOLICITATION OF A PROXY IN ANY
JURISDICTION TO OR FROM ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE ANY SUCH
OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS JOINT
PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS NOR ANY DISTRIBUTION OF SECURITIES HEREUNDER SHALL,
UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE
IN THE AFFAIRS OF API OR ZERO SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION
CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
WHEN USED IN THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS WITH RESPECT TO API AND
ZERO, THE WORDS "ESTIMATE," "PROJECT," "INTEND," "BELIEVE," "EXPECT" AND
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS ARE INTENDED TO IDENTIFY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS.
READERS ARE CAUTIONED NOT TO PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE ON THESE FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS, WHICH SPEAK ONLY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS JOINT PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. SUCH STATEMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE CONTEMPLATED
IN SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. SUCH RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES INCLUDE THOSE
RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND RISK FACTORS IDENTIFIED UNDER THE HEADING "RISK
FACTORS" IN THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, UNDER THE HEADING "RISK
FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS" IN "MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND
ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" IN API'S ANNUAL
REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1997, AND UNDER THE
HEADING "SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT" ACCOMPANYING "MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND
ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" IN ZERO'S ANNUAL
REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1998, OR UNDER SIMILAR
CAUTIONARY CAPTIONS IN OTHER DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE. API
AND ZERO DO NOT UNDERTAKE ANY OBLIGATION TO PUBLICLY RELEASE ANY REVISIONS TO
THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS TO REFLECT EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES AFTER THE
DATE HEREOF OR TO REFLECT THE OCCURRENCE OF UNANTICIPATED EVENTS.
----------------
As used in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, unless the context
otherwise clearly requires: "API" refers to Applied Power Inc. and its
consolidated subsidiaries, and "ZERO" refers to ZERO Corporation and its
consolidated subsidiaries. All information contained in this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus with respect to API and Acquisition has been provided by
API. All information contained in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus with
respect to ZERO has been provided by ZERO.
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SUMMARY
The following is a summary of certain important terms and conditions of the
Merger and related information. This summary does not purport to be complete
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more detailed information
appearing in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the Appendices hereto and
the documents incorporated herein by reference. Shareholders are urged to read
this Joint Proxy Statement/ Prospectus and the Appendices in their entirety.
Unless otherwise indicated, all financial and other data contained in this
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus have been restated to give retroactive effect
to API's two-for-one stock split in the form of a 100% share dividend effected
on February 3, 1998. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this
Summary have the meanings given to them elsewhere in this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus or in the Merger Agreement.
THE PARTIES
API. API is a diversified global company engaged in the business of providing
tools, equipment, systems, and supply items to a variety of end-users and
original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") in the manufacturing, computer,
semiconductor, telecommunication, datacom, construction, electrical,
transportation, recreational vehicle, natural resources, aerospace, defense,
and other industries. API's operations are divided into three segments: (i)
Technical Environments and Enclosures ("TEE")--Technical environment solutions
for computer rooms, offices, laboratories and manufacturing, and enclosures for
electronic equipment; (ii) Tools and Supplies--Industrial and electrical tools
and supplies sold primarily through distribution; and (iii) Engineered
Solutions--Motion and vibration control products and systems customized and
primarily sold to OEM customers. API has had an active acquisition program and
regularly reviews acquisition opportunities in the ordinary course of its
business, some of which may be potentially material. See "--Recent
Developments." Such opportunities may be under investigation, discussion, or
negotiation at any particular time or from time to time. API and its
subsidiaries are sometimes referred to in the Merger Agreement and herein as
the "API Companies." API's principal executive offices are located at 13000
West Silver Spring Drive, Butler, Wisconsin 53007 (telephone: (414) 781-6600).
API was incorporated in Wisconsin in 1910. See "Business of the Parties-- API."
Acquisition. Acquisition, a wholly owned subsidiary of API, is a Delaware
corporation which was incorporated by API for the purpose of consummating the
Merger. Acquisition will have no operations except as contemplated by the
Merger Agreement. At the Effective Time of Merger (as defined below),
Acquisition will be merged with and into ZERO, which will be the surviving
corporation in the Merger (the "Surviving Corporation"). As a result,
immediately following the Merger, Acquisition will cease to exist and ZERO will
be a wholly owned subsidiary of API. Acquisition's principal executive offices
and telephone number are the same as API's. See "Business of the Parties--
Acquisition."
ZERO. ZERO's operations have two business segments: "Enclosures and
Accessories" for the electronics industry and "Other." ZERO's primary business
is "Enclosures and Accessories" for the system packaging, thermal management
and engineered case requirements of the telecommunications, instrumentation and
data processing markets of the electronics industry. ZERO's "Other" segment
serves the air cargo and consumer/other markets. Air Cargo designs,
manufactures and markets a broad range of specialized and general-purpose cargo
containers as well as a patented telescoping baggage/cargo system. In addition,
ZERO produces and markets the well-known line of ZERO Halliburton(R) luggage,
carrying cases and attaches for consumers worldwide, food service containers
and other specialized enclosures. ZERO and its subsidiaries are sometimes
referred to in the Merger Agreement and herein as the "ZERO Companies." ZERO's
principal executive offices are located at 444 South Flower Street, Suite 2100,
Los Angeles, California 90071-2922 (telephone: (213) 629-7000). ZERO was
incorporated in Delaware in 1988 as a successor to a California corporation of
the same name that was originally incorporated in 1952. See "Business of the
Parties--ZERO."
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THE SPECIAL MEETINGS
API SPECIAL MEETING
Purpose. The API Special Meeting will be held at the offices of API located
at 13000 West Silver Spring Drive, Butler, Wisconsin, on Friday, July 31, 1998,
to consider and vote on a proposal to approve the Share Issuance (defined above
as the issuance of API Common Stock pursuant to the Merger in accordance with
the terms of the Merger Agreement). The Wisconsin Business Corporation Law (the
"WBCL") provides that only business within the purpose described in the Notice
of the API Special Meeting may be conducted at the API Special Meeting.
Record Date. Only holders of record of API Common Stock at the close of
business on June 19, 1998 (the "API Record Date") are entitled to receive
notice of and to vote at the API Special Meeting. At the close of business on
the API Record Date, there were 27,937,056 shares of API Common Stock
outstanding and entitled to vote. Each such share entitles the registered
holder thereof to one vote.
Quorum. A majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the shares entitled to
vote must be represented in person or by proxy at the API Special Meeting in
order for a quorum to be present.
Required Vote. If a quorum exists, approval of the Share Issuance will
require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the Share
Issuance, provided that the total number of votes cast on such proposal
represents more than 50% of the outstanding shares of API Common Stock entitled
to vote thereon at the API Special Meeting.
Share Ownership of Management. At the close of business on the API Record
Date, directors and executive officers of API and their affiliates were the
beneficial owners of an aggregate of 1,031,026 (approximately 3.7%) of the
shares of API Common Stock then outstanding and eligible to vote. All of the
directors and executive officers of API have indicated their intention to vote
their shares FOR approval of the Share Issuance.
See "The Special Meetings--API Special Meeting."
ZERO SPECIAL MEETING
Purpose. The ZERO Special Meeting will be held at the Los Angeles Marriott
Downtown, Concourse 3, 333 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, California, on
Friday, July 31, 1998, to consider and vote on a proposal to approve and adopt
the Merger Agreement.
Record Date. Only holders of record of ZERO Common Stock at the close of
business on June 19, 1998 (the "ZERO Record Date") are entitled to receive
notice of and to vote at the ZERO Special Meeting. At the close of business on
the ZERO Record Date, there were 12,451,958 shares of ZERO Common Stock
outstanding and entitled to vote. Each such share entitles the registered
holder thereof to one vote.
Quorum. A majority of the outstanding shares of ZERO Common Stock entitled to
vote must be represented in person or by proxy at the ZERO Special Meeting in
order to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Required Vote. Approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement will require the
affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of ZERO
Common Stock entitled to vote thereon at the ZERO Special Meeting.
Share Ownership of Management. At the close of business on the ZERO Record
Date, directors and executive officers of ZERO and their affiliates were the
beneficial owners of an aggregate of 277,731 (approximately 2.2%) of the shares
of ZERO Common Stock then outstanding and eligible to vote. All of the
directors and executive officers of ZERO have indicated their intention to vote
their shares FOR approval of the Merger Agreement.
See "The Special Meetings--ZERO Special Meeting."
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<PAGE>
ABSENCE OF DISSENTERS' RIGHTS OF APPRAISAL
Under the WBCL, the shareholders of API are not entitled to dissenters'
rights with respect to the Share Issuance. Under the Delaware General
Corporation Law (the "DGCL"), the stockholders of ZERO are not entitled to
appraisal rights with respect to the Merger. See "The Special Meetings--Absence
of Dissenters' Rights of Appraisal."
THE MERGER AND THE MERGER AGREEMENT
General. At the Effective Time of Merger (as defined below), Acquisition will
be merged with and into ZERO, with ZERO surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary
of API. As a result of the Merger, the separate corporate existence of
Acquisition will cease and ZERO will succeed to all the rights and be
responsible for all the obligations of Acquisition in accordance with the DGCL.
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, each share of ZERO
Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time of Merger will
be converted into 0.85 of a share of API Common Stock. Cash will be paid in
lieu of any fractional share of API Common Stock. See "The Merger and the
Merger Agreement--Conversion of Shares in the Merger."
The Merger will become effective upon the filing of the Certificate of Merger
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware unless API and ZERO agree
to, and the Certificate of Merger provides for, a later date of effectiveness
(not to exceed 90 days after the date that the Certificate of Merger is so
filed). The filing of the Certificate of Merger will occur as soon as
practicable following the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in
the Merger Agreement. The date and time on which the Merger shall become
effective is referred to herein and in the Merger Agreement as the "Effective
Time of Merger." See "The Merger and the Merger Agreement--Conditions to
Consummation of the Merger."
Recommendation of the API Board. The API Board has unanimously determined
that the Merger and the Share Issuance are in the best interests of API and its
shareholders and has approved the Merger Agreement. THE API BOARD UNANIMOUSLY
RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS OF API VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE SHARE ISSUANCE AT
THE API SPECIAL MEETING. See "The Merger and the Merger Agreement--API's
Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the API Board."
Opinion of API's Financial Advisor. Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
("CSFB") has acted as exclusive financial advisor to API in connection with the
Merger and has delivered its written opinion dated April 6, 1998 to the API
Board that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the limitations,
qualifications and assumptions set forth therein, the Exchange Ratio was fair
to API from a financial point of view. CSFB delivered to the API Board its
updated opinion, dated the date of this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, that
as of such date and based upon and subject to the limitations, qualifications
and assumptions set forth therein, the Exchange Ratio is fair to API from a
financial point of view. The full text of the written opinion of CSFB dated the
date hereof, which sets forth a description of the assumptions made, matters
considered and limitations on the review undertaken in connection with such
opinion, is attached hereto as Appendix B and should be read carefully in its
entirety. CSFB has consented to the use of its opinion in this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and a copy of its consent is filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus forms a
part. The opinion of CSFB is directed to the API Board and relates only to the
fairness to API of the Exchange Ratio from a financial point of view, and does
not address any other aspect of the Merger or any related matters. See "The
Merger and the Merger Agreement--Opinion of API's Financial Advisor."
Recommendation of the ZERO Board. The ZERO Board has unanimously determined
that the Merger is in the best interests of ZERO and its stockholders and has
approved the Merger Agreement. THE ZERO BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE
STOCKHOLDERS OF ZERO VOTE IN FAVOR OF
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APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT AT THE ZERO SPECIAL MEETING. For
a discussion of the interests that certain directors and executive officers of
ZERO have with respect to the Merger in addition to their interests as
stockholders of ZERO generally, and information regarding the treatment of
options to purchase shares of ZERO Common Stock held by members of the ZERO
Board, see "The Merger and the Merger Agreement--Interests of Certain Persons
in the Merger." Such interests, together with other relevant factors, were
considered by the ZERO Board in making its recommendation and approving the
Merger Agreement. See "The Merger and the Merger Agreement--ZERO's Reasons for
the Merger; Recommendation of the ZERO Board."
Opinion of ZERO's Financial Advisor. Salomon Brothers Inc and Smith Barney
Inc. (collectively, "Salomon Smith Barney" or "Salomon") has acted as financial
advisor to ZERO in connection with the Merger and has delivered its opinion
dated April 6, 1998 to the ZERO Board to the effect that, based upon and
subject to the various considerations set forth therein, as of the date of such
opinion, the Exchange Ratio was fair from a financial point of view to ZERO
stockholders. The full text of Salomon's written opinion, which sets forth a
description of the assumptions made, matters considered and limitations on the
review undertaken in connection with such opinion, is attached hereto as
Appendix C and should be read carefully in its entirety. Salomon has consented
to the use of its opinion in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and a copy
of its consent is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which
this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus forms a part. Salomon's opinion is
directed to the ZERO Board and relates only to the fairness of the Exchange
Ratio to the ZERO stockholders from a financial point of view. Salomon's
opinion does not address any other aspect of the Merger or related transactions
and does not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder of ZERO as to how
such stockholder should vote with respect to the Merger. See "The Merger and
the Merger Agreement--Opinion of ZERO's Financial Advisor."
Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger. In considering the recommendation
of the Merger by the ZERO Board, the stockholders of ZERO should be aware that
certain directors and executive officers of ZERO have certain interests in the
consummation of the Merger other than solely as holders of ZERO Common Stock.
Such interests, together with other relevant factors, were considered by the
ZERO Board in recommending the Merger to the stockholders of ZERO and approving
the Merger Agreement. Generally, (i) ZERO will, immediately prior to the
Merger, enter into one-year employment agreements with its executive officers
and certain other executives, (ii) prior to the "change in control" that will
occur as a result of the Merger, rabbi trusts will be funded with respect to
ZERO's Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, Directors' Deferred Compensation
Plan and Joint Life Insurance Plans, and (iii) at the Effective Time of Merger,
each outstanding option to purchase shares of ZERO Common Stock, including the
options held by directors and executive officers, will be assumed by API and
converted into an option to purchase shares of API Common Stock on terms
adjusted to reflect the Exchange Ratio. In the case of options held by
nonemployee directors of ZERO (who will cease to be directors of ZERO as of the
Effective Time of Merger as provided in the Merger Agreement), each such option
which has not been fully vested will become fully vested at that time.
Nonvested options held by executive officers of ZERO will become fully vested
if the executive officer's employment with ZERO is terminated by the executive
or is terminated by ZERO without Cause (as defined) within one year after the
Effective Time of Merger as provided in the option documents. In addition, ZERO
directors and officers will continue to have the benefit of indemnification, as
well as directors' and officers' insurance protection for six years after the
Effective Time of Merger. See "The Merger and the Merger Agreement--Interests
of Certain Persons in the Merger."
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences. The consummation of the Merger is
conditioned upon the receipt by ZERO of an opinion of its counsel, Gibson, Dunn
& Crutcher LLP, dated prior to the date of this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, to the effect that the Merger will be treated for federal
income tax purposes as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and that API,
Acquisition and ZERO will each be a party to that reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code, which opinion shall not have been
withdrawn or modified in any material respect as
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of the Closing Date (as defined in the Merger Agreement) or the Effective Time
of Merger. Such opinion has been delivered and is filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. As a reorganization under Section 368, no gain or loss
will be recognized by the holders of ZERO Common Stock upon the conversion of
shares of ZERO Common Stock into shares of API Common Stock, except with
respect to cash, if any, received in lieu of fractional shares of API Common
Stock. See "The Merger and the Merger Agreement--Certain Federal Income Tax
Consequences."
Accounting Treatment. The Merger is expected to be accounted for as a pooling
of interests in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. It is
a condition to the consummation of the Merger that API receive an opinion from
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. to the effect that the Merger qualifies for pooling-
of-interests accounting treatment if consummated in accordance with the Merger
Agreement. See "The Merger and the Merger Agreement--Accounting Treatment."
Management and Operations of ZERO After the Merger. At the Effective Time of
Merger, ZERO, as the Surviving Corporation in the Merger, will become a wholly
owned subsidiary of API. The other ZERO Companies will become indirect
subsidiaries of API. The directors and officers of Acquisition immediately
prior to the Effective Time of Merger, who will be officers of API, will be the
directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation. See "The Merger and the
Merger Agreement--Management and Operations of ZERO After the Merger."
Conditions to Consummation of the Merger. The respective obligations of API,
Acquisition and/or ZERO to effect the Merger are subject, among other things,
to the fulfillment of certain conditions, including without limitation: (i)
approval of the Merger Agreement by the requisite vote of the stockholders of
ZERO and approval of the Share Issuance by the requisite vote of the
shareholders of API; (ii) the absence of any suit, action or other proceeding
in which the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement is restrained or enjoined; (iii) the performance of and compliance by
the respective parties with their respective obligations under the Merger
Agreement, except for a failure to perform or comply that would not result in a
ZERO Material Adverse Effect or an API Material Adverse Effect (as defined in
the Merger Agreement), respectively; (iv) the accuracy of the representations
and warranties of the respective parties made in the Merger Agreement, except
for breaches which would not result in a ZERO Material Adverse Effect or an API
Material Adverse Effect, respectively; (v) the non-existence on the Closing
Date of any ZERO Material Adverse Effect or any API Material Adverse Effect,
respectively; (vi) the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and the
absence of a stop order suspending such effectiveness; (vii) the expiration or
termination of any waiting period applicable to the consummation of the Merger
under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the
"HSR Act") (which condition was satisfied on May 5, 1998); (viii) the listing
on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance, of the shares of API
Common Stock constituting the Share Issuance; (ix) API having received an
opinion from Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. to the effect that the Merger qualifies
for pooling-of-interests accounting treatment if consummated in accordance with
the Merger Agreement; and (x) the tax opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
received by ZERO having not been withdrawn or modified in any material respect.
No Solicitation; Special Fee. The Merger Agreement provides that ZERO shall
not solicit, initiate, facilitate, encourage, negotiate with respect to,
discuss or agree to any Other Transaction or Other Proposal (as defined in the
Merger Agreement), subject to exceptions which permit the ZERO Board to furnish
information and participate in discussions and negotiations with a person
making a Superior Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement) if the ZERO
Board determines to do so in good faith, upon the advice of outside legal
counsel that such action is required by its fiduciary duties under applicable
law and permit ZERO to comply with its obligations under the Exchange Act with
respect to an Other Proposal by means of a tender offer. ZERO may, by notice to
API at any time prior to the Effective Time of Merger, terminate the Merger
Agreement if ZERO enters into, executes or agrees to an Other Transaction
following a good faith determination by the ZERO Board (after compliance by
ZERO with the applicable provisions of the Merger Agreement), based upon the
advice of
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outside legal counsel, that such action is required by its fiduciary duties
under applicable law. The Merger Agreement also provides that if the Merger is
not consummated by reason of the occurrence of certain events, such as the
consummation of or ZERO's pursuit of an Other Transaction (such as a Superior
Proposal), ZERO will pay API a special fee of $15,000,000. See "The Merger and
the Merger Agreement--No Solicitation; Special Fee."
Termination or Amendment of the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement may be
terminated at any time prior to the Closing Date, whether before or after
approval by the shareholders of API of the Share Issuance or approval by the
stockholders of ZERO of the Merger Agreement:
(a) by mutual written agreement of API and ZERO, duly authorized by the
API and ZERO Boards;
(b) by either API or ZERO by written notice to the other party if: (i)
any court of competent jurisdiction shall have permanently restrained,
enjoined or otherwise prohibited the Merger by a final and nonappealable
action; or (ii) the Effective Time of Merger has not occurred by September
30, 1998 (but the right to terminate under clause (ii) will not be
available to any party whose failure to fulfill any obligation under the
Merger Agreement has caused or resulted in the failure to consummate the
Merger by that date);
(c) by API by written notice to ZERO if one or more of the circumstances
permitting such termination under Section 9.1(c) of the Merger Agreement
shall have occurred or exist; and
(d) by ZERO by written notice to API if one or more of the circumstances
permitting such termination under Section 9.1(d) of the Merger Agreement
shall have occurred or exist.
The Merger Agreement may be amended by the parties at any time before or
after approval of the Merger Agreement by the holders of ZERO Common Stock or
the Share Issuance by the holders of API Common Stock, except that after such
approval, no amendment may be made without the further approval of such holders
if such amendment changes the Exchange Ratio or materially adversely effects
the rights of such holders.
See "The Merger and the Merger Agreement--Termination; Amendment; Waiver."
Percentage Ownership Interest of ZERO Stockholders After the Merger. Based on
the number of shares of API Common Stock outstanding on the date hereof and
assuming the issuance of up to approximately 11,175,000 shares of API Common
Stock constituting the Share Issuance, after giving effect to the consummation
of the Merger there will be approximately 39,112,000 shares of API Common Stock
issued, of which the former stockholders of ZERO will own approximately 29%.
Risk Factors. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN MATTERS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED
IN CONNECTION WITH THE MERGER, SEE "RISK FACTORS."
COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS
API is incorporated in the State of Wisconsin and is governed by Wisconsin
law. ZERO is incorporated in the State of Delaware and is governed by Delaware
law. For a discussion of certain differences in the rights of shareholders
under Wisconsin law and Delaware law, and under the respective charters and
bylaws of API and ZERO, see "Comparison of Shareholder Rights."
11
<PAGE>
APPLIED POWER INC.
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth selected historical consolidated financial
data for API as of and for each of the five years in the period ended August
31, 1997 and for the six-month periods ended February 28, 1998 and 1997. Such
data as of August 31, 1997 and 1996 and for each of the three years in the
period ended August 31, 1997 have been derived from, and should be read in
conjunction with, the audited consolidated financial statements and other
financial information contained in API's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended August 31, 1997, including the notes thereto, incorporated by
reference herein. Such data as of February 28, 1998 and 1997 and for the six-
month periods ended February 28, 1998 and 1997 have been derived from, and
should be read in conjunction with, the unaudited consolidated interim
financial information contained in API's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended February 28, 1998, including the notes thereto, incorporated by
reference herein. See "Available Information" and "Incorporation of Certain
Documents By Reference." Such data as of August 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 and for
each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 1994 have been derived
from audited consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto,
not incorporated by reference herein.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS
ENDED
FEBRUARY 28, FOR THE YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31,
------------- ----------------------------------
1998 1997 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales.................. $425.8 $310.3 $672.3 $571.2 $527.1 $433.6 $398.7
Gross Profit............... 149.2 121.1 252.9 219.9 201.4 163.5 151.0
Operating Earnings......... 46.4 33.7 72.9 57.3 48.8 37.1 21.1(1)
Net Earnings from
Continuing Operations..... $ 24.1 $ 19.0 $ 42.0 $ 33.7 $ 25.0 $ 16.9 $ 7.1(1)
Diluted Net Earnings from
Continuing Operations Per
Share..................... $ 0.82 $ 0.67 $ 1.46 $ 1.21 $ 0.91 $ 0.64 $ 0.27(1)
Dividends Per Common Share. $ 0.03 $ 0.03 $ 0.06 $ 0.06 $ 0.06 $ 0.06 $ 0.06
<CAPTION>
FEBRUARY 28, AUGUST 31,
------------- ----------------------------------
1998 1997 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Total Assets............... $679.4 $440.8 $463.6 $381.2 $332.9 $317.4 $306.3
Long-term Obligations...... $272.3 $120.3 $101.7 $ 76.5 $ 74.3 $ 88.7 $ 97.5
Shareholders' Equity....... $227.7 $184.2 $204.1 $168.5 $131.7 $107.3 $ 88.0
Actual Shares Outstanding.. 27.8 27.6 27.6 27.3 26.8 26.3 26.0
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Operating Earnings and Net Earnings from Continuing Operations for 1993
reflect after-tax restructuring charges of $5.0 ($0.19 per share)
12
<PAGE>
ZERO CORPORATION
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth selected historical consolidated financial
data for ZERO as of and for each of the five years in the period ended March
31, 1998. Such data as of March 31, 1998 and 1997 and for each of the three
years in the period ended March 31, 1998 have been derived from, and should be
read in conjunction with, the audited consolidated financial statements and
other financial information contained in ZERO's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, including the notes thereto, incorporated
by reference herein. See "Available Information" and "Incorporation of Certain
Documents By Reference." Such data as of March 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 and for
each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 1995 have been derived from
audited consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, not
incorporated by reference herein.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31,
-------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales.................... $258.7 $225.4 $206.2 $179.7 $171.8
Gross Profit................. 87.4 74.3 70.5 61.6 55.9
Operating Income............. 31.9(1) 28.8 26.6 21.8 19.4
Net Income................... $ 24.4(2) $ 15.9 $ 17.0 $ 14.8 $ 12.9
Diluted Earnings Per Share... $ 1.93(2) $ 1.28 $ 1.07 $ 0.93 $ 0.81
Dividends Per Common Share... $ 0.12 $ 0.12 $ 0.44 $ 0.41 $ 0.40
<CAPTION>
MARCH 31,
-------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Total Assets................. $217.0 $186.0 $165.8 $171.5 $158.7
Long-term Debt............... $ 50.6 $ 51.5 $ 51.5 $ -- $ --
Stockholders' Equity......... $126.1 $101.3 $ 84.8 $145.6 $136.5
Actual Shares Outstanding.... 12.4 12.3 12.1 16.0 15.9
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Operating Income in 1998 includes a $4,500,000 pretax provision for
estimated loss on sale of subsidiary.
(2) Net Income includes approximately $3,900,000 ($7,024,000 pretax) of special
items (gain from life insurance and sale of property net of provision for
estimated loss on sale of subsidiary) recognized by ZERO during 1998.
13
<PAGE>
APPLIED POWER INC.
SELECTED UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth selected unaudited pro forma combined
financial data for API as of and for each of the three years in the period
ended August 31, 1997, and as of and for the six-month periods ended February
28, 1998 and 1997, which are presented to reflect the estimated impact on the
historical consolidated financial statements of API of the Merger, which will
be accounted for as a pooling of interests, and the issuance of approximately
11,175,000 shares of API Common Stock constituting the Share Issuance. The
income statement data assume that the Merger had been consummated at the
beginning of the earliest period presented. The balance sheet data assume that
the Merger had been consummated on February 28, 1998. The unaudited pro forma
combined financial data do not reflect any costs savings and other synergies
nor merger related expenses anticipated by API management as a result of the
Merger and are not necessarily indicative of the results of operation or the
financial position which would have occurred had the Merger been consummated at
the beginning of the earliest period presented, nor are they necessarily
indicative of API's future results of operations or financial position. The
unaudited pro forma combined data should be read in conjunction with the
historical consolidated financial statements of API and ZERO and the Unaudited
Pro Forma Combined Financial Information, including the notes thereto,
incorporated by reference or appearing elsewhere in this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus. See "Available Information," "Incorporation of Certain
Documents By Reference" and "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
Information."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS ENDED
FEBRUARY 28, FOR THE YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31,
-------------------- ----------------------------------
1998(1) 1997(1) 1997(1) 1996(1) 1995(1)
---------- -------- ----------- ---------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS:
Net Sales............... $ 650,466 $422,199 $ 1,175,401 $ 777,462 $ 706,752
Cost of products sold... 429,273 264,546 761,160 486,991 443,705
---------- -------- ----------- --------- ---------
Gross profit........... 221,193 157,653 414,241 290,471 263,047
Engineering, selling and
administrative
expenses............... 141,747 105,549 271,227 201,332 187,954
Amortization of
intangible assets...... 8,636 3,903 16,274 5,140 4,394
---------- -------- ----------- --------- ---------
Operating earnings..... 70,810 48,201 126,740 83,999 70,699
Other Expenses(Income):
Net financing costs.... 18,880 7,849 39,471 7,892 9,250
Other--net............. (2,327) (1,421) (2,699) (1,307) 350
---------- -------- ----------- --------- ---------
Net Earnings from
Continuing Operations
Before Income Tax
Expense................ 54,257 41,773 89,968 77,414 61,099
Income Tax Expense...... 19,802 14,843 34,598 26,735 21,269
---------- -------- ----------- --------- ---------
Net Earnings from
Continuing Operations.. $ 34,455 $ 26,930 $ 55,370 $ 50,679 $ 39,830
========== ======== =========== ========= =========
FINANCIAL POSITION (END
OF PERIOD):
Total assets............ $1,127,114
Total liabilities....... $ 781,749
Long-term debt.......... $ 526,470
Shareholders' equity.... $ 345,365
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The API consolidated statements of earnings for the six months ended
February 28, 1998 and 1997 (both unaudited) and for the fiscal years ended
August 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 have been combined with the ZERO
consolidated statements of income for the six months ended December 31,
1997 and 1996, for the twelve months ended June 30, 1997 (all unaudited)
and for the fiscal years ended March 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. This
presentation has the effect of excluding ZERO's results of operations for
the three-month period ended June 30, 1996 in the unaudited pro forma
combined statements of operations. Unaudited net sales and net income for
ZERO were $54,664,000 and $3,800,000, respectively, for the three-month
period ended June 30, 1996. ZERO's results of operations for this period
are reflected in shareholders' equity in the pro forma combined balance
sheet at February 28, 1998. API's February 28, 1998 unaudited consolidated
balance sheet has been combined with ZERO's December 31, 1997 unaudited
consolidated balance sheet and VERO's December 31, 1997 audited
consolidated balance sheet.
14
<PAGE>
On April 23, 1998, API announced that it had reached an agreement with the
Board of Directors of VERO Group plc ("VERO") on the terms of a recommended
cash offer (with a guaranteed loan note alternative) to be made by Applied
Power Limited, a United Kingdom subsidiary of API, to acquire the entire
issued share capital of VERO at a price of 157 pence per VERO share. On May
5, 1998, Pentair, Inc. announced the terms of a competing cash offer with a
guaranteed loan note alternative), to be made through a wholly owned
subsidiary, to acquire the entire issued share capital of VERO at a price
of 170 pence per VERO share. On May 12, 1998, in response to the offer by
Pentair, Inc., API increased its cash offer to 192 pence per VERO share.
Pentair, Inc. subsequently withdrew its offer. On May 15, 1998, the Applied
Power Limited offering documents were sent to the VERO shareholders. On
June 5, 1998, the initial tender offer period expired, and API announced
that Applied Power Limited had accepted for payment the VERO stock
tendered, which totaled over 72% of the outstanding VERO shares. Applied
Power Limited had previously acquired approximately 10% of VERO's shares,
so that after accepting the shares tendered, Applied Power Limited owned or
had accepted over 82% of VERO's shares. The shares accepted were paid for
on June 19, 1998. The tender offer remained open. On June 19, 1998, Applied
Power Limited announced that the additional shares tendered brought the
total of the shares it owned or had accepted for payment to over 90% of all
VERO's shares, sufficient to invoke procedures under the U.K. Companies Act
of 1985 which, when completed, will result in Applied Power Limited owning
all of the outstanding shares of VERO. The unaudited pro forma combined
financial data for the six months ended February 28, 1998 includes the
operating results of Versa Technologies, Inc. ("Versa/Tek"), which was
acquired by API on October 6, 1997, for the period from September 1, 1997
to February 28, 1998 and the operating results of VERO for the six months
ended December 31, 1997. The unaudited pro forma combined financial data
for API for the year ended August 31, 1997 includes the operating results
of Everest Electronics Equipment, Inc. ("Everest"), which was acquired by
API on September 26, 1996, for the period from September 1, 1996 to August
31, 1997, and the operating results of Versa/Tek and VERO for their
respective twelve months ended June 30, 1997. The operating results of
Versa/Tek and Everest subsequent to their acquisition dates, are included
in API's historic results (presented in the first column of the
accompanying combined financial statements) for the six months ended
February 28, 1998 and the year ended August 31, 1997.
VERO's reporting currency is the pound sterling and its financial
information in the accompanying pro forma combined financial statements has
been translated to the U.S. dollar in accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 52, "Foreign Currency Translation."
VERO's historic financial statements are prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles in the United Kingdom ("UK GAAP"),
however, VERO's financial information in the accompanying pro forma
combined financial statements has been adjusted to conform with generally
accepted accounting principles in the United States ("US GAAP"). The only
material adjustment required to conform with US GAAP related to goodwill.
Under UK GAAP purchased goodwill may be written off on acquisition directly
against reserves. Under US GAAP, goodwill is capitalized and amortized by
charges against income over the period during which it is estimated it will
be of benefit subject to a maximum of 40 years. Accordingly, goodwill, net
of amortization, was recorded in the pro forma combined balance sheet at
February 28, 1998 and the related amortization expense included in the pro
forma combined statements of earnings for the six months ended February 28,
1998 and the twelve months ended August 31, 1997.
15
<PAGE>
COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA OF API AND ZERO
The following table sets forth certain earnings, dividend and book value per
share data for API and ZERO on historical and pro forma bases. The unaudited
pro forma combined financial data for the six months ended February 28, 1998
includes the operating results of Versa/Tek, which was acquired by API on
October 6, 1997, for the period from September 1, 1997 to February 28, 1998 and
the operating results of the pending VERO acquisition, as described in
"Selected Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Data", for the six months
ended December 31, 1997. The unaudited pro forma combined financial data for
the year ended August 31, 1997 includes the operating results of Everest, which
was acquired by API on September 26, 1996, for the period from September 1,
1996 to August 31, 1997, and the operating results of Versa/Tek and VERO for
their respective twelve months ended June 30, 1997. The pro forma operating
income data are derived from the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statements of
Earnings appearing elsewhere herein, which give effect to the Merger as a
pooling of interests as if the Merger had been consummated at the beginning of
the earliest period presented. The pro forma dividend data assume dividend
payments consistent with API's historical payments. Book value data for all pro
forma presentations is based upon the number of outstanding shares of API
Common Stock, adjusted to include the shares of API Common Stock constituting
the Share Issuance. The information set forth below should be read in
conjunction with the historical consolidated financial statements of API and of
ZERO and the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information, including the
notes thereto, incorporated by reference or appearing elsewhere in this Joint
Proxy Statement/Prospectus. See "Available Information," "Incorporation of
Certain Documents By Reference" and "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
Information."
The pro forma data do not reflect any cost savings and other synergies or
merger related expenses anticipated by API management as a result of the
Merger.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS
ENDED
FEBRUARY FOR THE YEARS
28, ENDED AUGUST 31,
----------- -----------------
1998 1997 1997 1996 1995
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
API HISTORICAL
Basic earnings per share (1)............. $0.87 $0.69 $1.53 $1.25 $0.94
Diluted earnings per share (1)........... 0.82 0.67 1.46 1.21 0.91
Cash dividends paid per share............ 0.03 0.03 0.06 0.06 0.06
Book value per share (2)................. 8.19 7.39
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS
ENDED FOR THE YEARS
DECEMBER ENDED
31, MARCH 31,
----------- -----------------
1997 1996 1998 1997 1996
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ZERO HISTORICAL
Basic earnings per share (1)............. $0.95 $0.65 $1.98 $1.30 $1.08
Diluted earnings per share (1)........... 0.93 0.64 1.93 1.28 1.07
Cash dividends paid per share............ 0.06 0.06 0.12 0.12 0.44
Book value per share (2)................. 9.49 10.15
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS
ENDED
FEBRUARY FOR THE YEARS
28, ENDED AUGUST 31,
----------- -----------------
1998 1997 1997 1996 1995
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
API UNAUDITED PRO FORMA (3)(6)
Basic earnings per share from continuing
operations.............................. $0.92 $0.71 $1.49 $1.26 $0.99
Diluted earnings per share from
continuing operations................... 0.87 0.69 1.44 1.22 0.97
Cash dividends paid per share............ 0.03 0.03 0.06 0.06 0.06
Book value per share (5)................. 9.00 8.14
PRO FORMA ZERO EQUIVALENT (4)
Basic earnings per share................. $0.78 $0.60 $1.27 $1.07 $0.84
Diluted earnings per share............... 0.74 0.59 1.22 1.04 0.82
Cash dividends paid per share............ 0.03 0.03 0.05 0.05 0.05
Book value per share..................... 7.65 6.92
</TABLE>
16
<PAGE>
- --------
(1) The historical earnings per share information is based on the weighted
average number of common shares (basic EPS) and the weighted average number
of common and equivalent shares (diluted EPS) of API and ZERO for each
period.
(2) The historical book value per share is computed by dividing shareholders'
equity by the number of common shares outstanding at the end of each
period.
(3) The API unaudited pro forma per share information is based upon the pro
forma weighted average number of common shares (basic EPS) and the pro
forma weighted average number of common and equivalent shares outstanding
(diluted EPS) of API and ZERO for each period at the Exchange Ratio of 0.85
shares of API Common Stock for each share of ZERO Common Stock. Net
earnings from continuing operations of API for the six months ended
February 28, 1998 and 1997 and for the fiscal years ended August 31, 1997,
1996 and 1995 has been combined with the net earnings of ZERO for the six
months ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, for the twelve months ended June
30, 1997 and for the fiscal years ended March 31, 1996 and 1995,
respectively. The presentation has the effect of excluding ZERO's results
of operations for the three-month period ended June 30, 1996 in the
unaudited pro forma combined statements of earnings. Net sales and net
income for ZERO were $54,664,000 and $3,800,000, respectively, for the
three-month period ended June 30, 1996. ZERO's results of operations for
this period are reflected in shareholders' equity in the pro forma combined
balance sheet at February 28, 1998. The pro forma and equivalent pro forma
book value per share data reflect API's per share data as of February 28,
1998 and ZERO's per share data as of December 31, 1997.
(4) The unaudited pro forma combined net earnings per equivalent ZERO share
amounts and the unaudited pro forma book value per equivalent ZERO share
amounts are calculated by multiplying the respective unaudited pro forma
combined API per share amounts by the Exchange Ratio of 0.85 shares of API
Common Stock for each share of ZERO Common Stock.
(5) The unaudited pro forma combined book value per share is computed by
dividing unaudited pro forma combined shareholders' equity by the unaudited
pro forma number of common shares outstanding at the end of the period
giving effect to the Exchange Ratio of 0.85 shares of API Common Stock for
each share of ZERO Common Stock.
(6) API's diluted earnings per share on an unaudited pro forma basis, excluding
ZERO, are $0.79 for the six months ended February 28, 1998 and $1.38 for
the year ended August 31, 1997. See "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
Information."
17
<PAGE>
COMPARATIVE MARKET PRICES AND DIVIDENDS
API Common Stock is listed for trading on the NYSE under the symbol "APW."
ZERO Common Stock is listed for trading on the NYSE and the PCX under the
symbol "ZRO." The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the
range of the high and low sales prices of API Common Stock and ZERO Common
Stock, as reported on the NYSE Composite Transactions Tape, and the dividends
paid per share of API Common Stock and dividends paid per share of ZERO Common
Stock. API's information gives effect to the two-for-one split of API Common
Stock effected on February 3, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
API
COMMON STOCK
API FISCAL YEARS ----------------------------
ENDED AUGUST 31 HIGH LOW DIVIDEND
- ---------------- --------- --------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1995
First Quarter $12 9/16 $10 13/16 $0.015
Second Quarter 12 7/8 10 3/8 0.015
Third Quarter 13 1/2 11 5/8 0.015
Fourth Quarter 16 11/16 12 1/4 0.015
1996
First Quarter $17 9/16 $14 3/8 $0.015
Second Quarter 16 3/16 13 3/8 0.015
Third Quarter 16 1/2 14 7/16 0.015
Fourth Quarter 15 3/16 13 9/16 0.015
1997
First Quarter $18 3/4 $14 11/16 $0.015
Second Quarter 21 7/16 18 3/16 0.015
Third Quarter 22 9/16 19 9/16 0.015
Fourth Quarter 31 3/4 21 7/8 0.015
1998
First Quarter $34 1/16 $29 5/8 $0.015
Second Quarter 36 11/16 30 7/16 0.015
Third Quarter 39 3/4 33 13/16 0.015
Fourth Quarter 34 11/16 31
(through June 30,
1998)
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ZERO
COMMON STOCK
ZERO FISCAL YEARS -------------------------
ENDED MARCH 31 HIGH LOW DIVIDEND
- ----------------- -------- ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1995
First Quarter $14 1/4 $11 3/8 $0.100
Second Quarter 13 1/2 12 1/8 0.100
Third Quarter 14 12 1/8 0.100
Fourth Quarter 14 3/4 12 5/8 0.110
1996
First Quarter $15 1/4 $13 $0.110
Second Quarter 16 7/8 14 5/8 0.110
Third Quarter 17 7/8 14 7/8 0.110
Fourth Quarter 18 1/4 15 1/8 0.110
1997
First Quarter $22 7/8 $16 5/8 $0.030
Second Quarter 22 1/8 17 7/8 0.030
Third Quarter 20 7/8 17 1/8 0.030
Fourth Quarter 23 3/4 18 3/4 0.030
1998
First Quarter $26 1/2 $17 3/4 $0.030
Second Quarter 29 3/16 24 5/8 0.030
Third Quarter 32 1/16 24 5/8 0.030
Fourth Quarter 29 7/8 25 0.030
1999
First Quarter $33 1/4 $26 1/4 $0.030
(through
June 30, 1998)
</TABLE>
Set forth below are the last reported sale prices of API Common Stock and
ZERO Common Stock on April 6, 1998, the last trading day prior to the execution
and public announcement of the Merger Agreement (which occurred after the close
of trading on that day), and on June 30, 1998, the last trading day prior to
the date of this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, as well as the equivalent
pro forma sale prices of ZERO Common Stock on such dates, as determined by
multiplying the applicable last reported sale price of API Common Stock by the
Exchange Ratio.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
API ZERO
COMMON COMMON ZERO
STOCK STOCK EQUIVALENT
-------- ------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
April 6, 1998 $38 3/16 $28 7/8 $32 7/16
June 30, 1998 $34 3/8 $28 3/8 $29 7/32
</TABLE>
18
<PAGE>
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
ACQUISITION OF VERO
On April 23, 1998, API announced that it had reached agreement with the Board
of Directors of VERO Group plc ("VERO") on the terms of a recommended cash
offer (with a guaranteed loan note alternative) to be made by Applied Power
Limited, a United Kingdom subsidiary of API, to acquire the entire issued share
capital of VERO. VERO stock is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange.
Pursuant to the tender offer, which would be made by Schroders, an investment
banking firm, on behalf of Applied Power Limited, Applied Power Limited would
pay 157 pence in cash for each of VERO's approximately 60 million issued
shares. On May 5, 1998, Pentair, Inc. ("Pentair") announced the terms of a
competing cash offer (with a guaranteed loan note alternative), to be made
through a wholly owned subsidiary, to acquire the entire issued share capital
of VERO at a price of 170 pence per VERO share.
On May 12, 1998, API announced that Applied Power Limited would increase the
amount of its tender offer to 192 pence for each VERO share. This values VERO's
issued share capital at approximately ^(Pounds)115.5 million, or approximately
$193 million. Pentair subsequently withdrew its offer. On May 15, 1998, the
Applied Power Limited offering documents were sent to the VERO shareholders. On
June 5, 1998, the initial tender offer period expired, and API announced that
Applied Power Limited had accepted for payment the VERO stock tendered, which
totaled over 72% of the outstanding VERO shares. Applied Power Limited had
previously acquired approximately 10% of VERO's shares, so that after accepting
the shares tendered, Applied Power Limited owned or had accepted over 82% of
VERO's shares. The shares accepted were paid for on June 19, 1998.
The tender offer remained open. On June 19, 1998, Applied Power Limited
announced that the additional shares tendered brought the total of the shares
it owned or had accepted for payment to over 90% of VERO's issued share
capital. Applied Power Limited also announced that it would invoke Section 429
of the U.K. Companies Act of 1985, as amended, to acquire the remaining
outstanding shares of VERO stock, so that after the required procedures are
completed, Applied Power Limited will own all of the issued share capital of
VERO. The purchase of the VERO shares is being funded through expanded credit
facilities of API.
VERO is a United Kingdom company that manufactures electronic enclosures,
racks, backplanes and power supplies. The acquisition of VERO will broaden
API's electronic enclosures capabilities in Europe, and VERO's backplanes and
power supplies products will strengthen API's overall product offerings. In
calendar year 1997, VERO earned (Pounds)10.3 million of operating profit
(approximately $17 million) on sales of (Pounds)101.2 million (approximately
$170 million). Of those 1997 sales, 19% were outside Europe.
RECENTLY COMPLETED ACQUISITIONS
On May 1, 1998, API announced that it had acquired Premier Industries, Inc.,
which manufacturers enclosures and provides integration services for electronic
equipment OEMs and is located in Hudson, New Hampshire, and Product Technology,
Inc., which provides electronic manufacturing and integration services for a
diverse customer base and is located in Irvine, California. The total
consideration paid in these transactions was approximately $21.8 million and
$17 million, respectively. Funding was provided through API's existing credit
facilities.
API THIRD QUARTER EARNINGS
On June 23, 1998, API reported sales and net earnings for the third quarter
ended May 31, 1998. Sales for the third quarter were $241.7 million, an
increase of 39% over the comparable prior year period. Net earnings for the
quarter were $14.9 million, or $0.51 on a diluted per share basis, an increase
of 31% over the $11.1 million, or $0.39 per share, reported in third quarter
fiscal 1997. Third quarter operating profit grew 50% to $29.0 million over the
comparable prior year period.
For the first nine months of fiscal 1998, earnings were $1.33 on a diluted
per share basis, an increase of 27% over the $1.05 per share reported for the
same period in fiscal 1997. Sales were $667.5 million, an increase of 37.9%
over the comparable prior year period. Year-to-date operating profit for the
nine month period increased to $75.4 million from $53.1 million in fiscal 1997,
an increase of 42%.
19
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS
In considering whether to approve the Share Issuance or to approve and adopt
the Merger Agreement, as the case may be, the shareholders of API and
stockholders of ZERO should consider, among other things, the following
matters:
FIXED EXCHANGE RATIO DESPITE CHANGE IN RELATIVE STOCK PRICES. The Exchange
Ratio is expressed in the Merger Agreement as a fixed ratio. Accordingly, the
Exchange Ratio will not be adjusted in the event of any increase or decrease
in the price of either API Common Stock or ZERO Common Stock. The price of API
Common Stock at the Effective Time of Merger may vary from its price at the
date of this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and at the date of the Special
Meetings. Such variations may be the result of changes in the business,
operations or prospects of API or ZERO, market assessments of the likelihood
that the Merger will be consummated and timing thereof, regulatory
considerations, general market and economic conditions and other factors.
Because the Effective Time of Merger will occur at a date later than the
Special Meetings, there can be no assurance that the price of API Common Stock
on the date of the Special Meetings will be indicative of its price at the
Effective Time of Merger. The Effective Time of Merger will occur as soon as
practicable following the Special Meetings and the satisfaction or waiver of
the other conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. Shareholders of API
and stockholders of ZERO are urged to obtain current market quotations for API
Common Stock and ZERO Common Stock. See "The Merger and the Merger Agreement--
Conditions to Consummation of the Merger."
UNCERTAINTIES IN INTEGRATING BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND ACHIEVING COST SAVINGS.
In determining that the Merger is in the best interests of API or ZERO, as the
case may be, each of the API Board and the ZERO Board addressed the cost
savings, operating efficiencies and other synergies that may result from the
consummation of the Merger. The consolidation of functions, the integration of
departments, systems and procedures, and relocation of staff present
significant management challenges. There can be no assurance that such actions
will be successfully accomplished as rapidly as currently expected. Moreover,
although the primary purpose of such action will be to realize direct cost
savings and other operating efficiencies, there can be no assurance of the
extent to which such cost savings and efficiencies will be achieved.
RAPID GROWTH AND EXPANSION. API is currently experiencing significant
growth, both from internal sales efforts and from acquisitions. API sales in
fiscal year 1997 were $671 million and its pro forma sales for fiscal year
1998 will be approximately $1.2 billion, an increase of approximately 79%. At
the end of API's fiscal year 1997, it had 4,235 employees and the pro forma
number of employees at the end of fiscal year 1998 will be approximately
9,650, which represents an increase of approximately 128%. As API continues to
experience rapid growth, demands on API's technical, operational and
administrative resources will continue to increase. API believes the
combination of its existing personnel plus the level of management experience
gained through the acquisitions will enable it to manage its growth, but this
cannot be assured.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH LEVERAGE. The unaudited pro forma combined balance
sheet as of February 28, 1998 included herein reflects a debt to total capital
ratio of approximately 61.1%, compared to approximately 30.5% for ZERO prior
to the Merger. API's pro forma indebtedness could pose several risks to the
holders of API's Common Stock, including but not limited to: (i) increased
costs due to the vulnerability to increases in interest rates; (ii) lack of
assurance that existing bank debt can continue to be refinanced on terms as
favorable as those for current debt; and (iii) unavailability of additional
financing for future acquisitions and expansion of the existing businesses.
The ability of the combined company to satisfy its debt obligations will
depend primarily on its future performance, which will be subject to economic,
financial and other factors, many of which are beyond its control. The ratio
of EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and
amortization) to interest is one measure of API's ability to satisfy its debt
obligations. The EBITDA to interest expense ratio of the combined company for
the six months ended February 28, 1998, based on the pro forma combined
balance sheet and statement of earnings, would have been approximately 5.3
times. Although EBITDA is not a measure of performance calculated in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, management believes
that it is useful to an investor in evaluating a company's ability to service
its debt obligations. See "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
Information."
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INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION. The Merger, coupled with the acquisition of VERO,
presents the combined API/ZERO enterprise with greater global opportunities
for its products and engineered solutions. However, global expansion also will
present challenges including greater regulatory barriers, the necessity of
adapting to new regulatory systems, and problems related to entering new
markets with different cultural bases and political systems. Operating in
broader international markets also exposes the combined enterprise to certain
risks including, among other things: (i) changes in or interpretations of
foreign regulations that may limit the enterprise's ability to sell certain
products or repatriate profits to the United States; (ii) exposure to currency
fluctuations; (iii) the potential imposition of trade or foreign currency
exchange restrictions or increased tariffs; and (iv) political instability. As
the combined enterprise expands its international presence, these and other
risks associated with international operations are likely to be encountered.
POTENTIAL DILUTION. Voting. The shares of API Common Stock to be issued to
ZERO stockholders at the Effective Time of Merger are expected to represent up
to approximately 29% of the number of shares of API Common Stock outstanding
immediately after the Effective Time of Merger. Accordingly, the Merger will
have the effect of reducing the percentage voting interest in API represented
by a share of API Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time of
Merger, and the percentage voting interest represented by a share of ZERO
Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time of Merger. However, as a
result of the Merger, shareholders of API and stockholders of ZERO will each
own a voting interest in a significantly larger enterprise.
Earnings Per Share and Book Value. See "Summary--Comparative Per Share Data
of API and ZERO" for a table setting forth certain earnings, dividend and book
value per share data for API and ZERO on historical and pro forma bases. For
the holders of API Common Stock, on a pro forma basis, the Merger and the
other acquisitions reflected in the pro forma data would have had a dilutive
effect on diluted earnings per share for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1997
(from $1.46 per share to $1.44 per share) and an accretive effect for the six-
month period ended February 28, 1998 (from $0.82 per share to $0.87 per share)
and an accretive effect on book value per share for the fiscal year ended
August 31, 1997 (from $7.39 per share to $8.14 per share) and for the six-
month period ended February 28, 1998 (from $8.19 per share to $9.00 per
share). However, when compared to the API pro forma data reflecting such other
acquisitions excluding the Merger, the Merger would have had an accretive
effect on pro forma diluted earnings per share for the fiscal year ended
August 31, 1997 (from $1.38 per share to $1.44 per share) and for the six-
month period ended February 28, 1998 (from $0.79 per share to $0.87 per
share). For the holders of ZERO Common Stock, on a pro forma basis, the Merger
would have had a dilutive effect on diluted earnings per share for the six-
month period ended December 31, 1997 (from $0.93 per share to $0.74 per share)
and a dilutive effect on book value per share for the six-month period ended
December 31, 1997 (from $9.49 per share to $7.65 per share). Excluding the
effect of the life insurance proceeds of $1,709,000 included in Other Income--
net in the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Earnings for the six
months ended February 28, 1998 (see "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
Information"), the Merger would have had a dilutive effect on diluted earnings
per share for the six-month period ended December 31, 1997 (from $0.79 per
share to $0.71 per share) and a dilutive effect on book value per share for
the six-month period ended December 31, 1997 (from $9.36 per share to $7.61
per share).
The pro forma data do not reflect any cost savings or other synergies or
merger related expenses anticipated by API management as a result of the
Merger. Whether the Merger will in fact be accretive or dilutive to API
shareholders with respect to future earnings per share and book value will
depend on the actual results achieved by the combined company in the future as
compared to the results that could have been achieved by API on a stand-alone
basis over the same period, given the number of shares of API Common Stock to
be issued in the Share Issuance. No assurance can be given as to such future
results, and, accordingly, as to whether the Merger will be accretive or
dilutive to API shareholders with respect to future earnings per share or book
value.
Price-Earnings Multiples. Holders of API Common Stock should note that,
prior to the date of the Merger Agreement, ZERO Common Stock has generally
been valued at a lower price-earnings market trading multiple than API Common
Stock. There are many reasons different trading multiples are accorded to
different companies, including differences in their businesses, financial
performance, management, size, acquisition activity and other factors. To the
extent that the Merger represents a possible diversification by API into
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businesses which the market has historically valued at lower multiples than
API's, the Merger could possibly have the effect of lowering the price-
earnings multiple accorded to API Common Stock after the Merger. Holders of
ZERO Common Stock, in considering the accretive or dilutive effect of the
Merger, should note that the comparability from a valuation perspective of
historical earnings per share for ZERO Common Stock to pro forma earnings per
share for API Common Stock would be affected by any difference in the price-
earnings multiples accorded to API Common Stock and ZERO Common Stock. Holders
of ZERO Common Stock should also review "The Merger and the Merger Agreement--
Opinion of ZERO's Financial Advisor" for an analysis of ZERO's contribution on
a pro forma basis to the combined entity resulting from the Merger of, among
other things, cash flow and net income.
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE TRANSACTION. In considering the
recommendation of the Merger Agreement by the ZERO Board, the stockholders of
ZERO should be aware that certain directors and executive officers of ZERO
have certain interests in the consummation of the Merger other than solely as
holders of ZERO Common Stock. These interests relate to employment agreements,
change of control provisions that impact certain benefit plans, option
agreements and indemnification agreements. Such interests, together with other
relevant factors, were considered by the ZERO Board in recommending the Merger
to the stockholders of ZERO and approving the Merger Agreement. See "The
Merger and the Merger Agreement--Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger."
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THE SPECIAL MEETINGS
This Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus is being furnished to the holders of
API Common Stock in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the API
Board from the holders of API Common Stock for use at the API Special Meeting,
and to the holders of ZERO Common Stock in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by the ZERO Board from the holders of ZERO Common Stock for use at the
ZERO Special Meeting.
API SPECIAL MEETING
Purpose. At the API Special Meeting, the shareholders of API will consider
and vote on a proposal to approve the Share Issuance to effect the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
The API Board has unanimously determined that the Merger and the Share
Issuance are in the best interests of API and its shareholders and has
approved the Merger Agreement. THE API BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE
SHAREHOLDERS OF API VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE SHARE ISSUANCE AT THE API SPECIAL
MEETING. See "The Merger and the Merger Agreement--API's Reasons for the
Merger; Recommendation of the API Board."
The API Board is not aware, as of the date of mailing of this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, of any other matters which may properly come before the
API Special Meeting. The WBCL provides that only business within the purpose
described in the Notice of the API Special Meeting may be conducted at the API
Special Meeting. If any other matters properly come before the API Special
Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof, it is the intention of
the persons named in the proxy to vote such proxies in accordance with their
best judgment on such matters.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, consummation of the Merger is conditioned
upon approval of the Share Issuance by the shareholders of API. Although API
is not a party to the Merger, the approval of API shareholders is required
under the NYSE's shareholder approval policy because the number of shares of
API Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger Agreement will exceed 20%
of the number of shares outstanding before such issuance.
Record Date; Voting Rights. Only holders of record of API Common Stock at
the close of business on the API Record Date, June 19, 1998, are entitled to
receive notice of and to vote at the API Special Meeting. At the close of
business on the API Record Date, there were 27,937,056 shares of API Common
Stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Each such share entitles the
registered holder thereof to one vote. A list of shareholders of record
entitled to vote at the API Special Meeting will be available for inspection
by API shareholders at API's principal office at 13000 West Silver Spring
Drive, Butler, Wisconsin prior to the API Special Meeting. A list will also be
available on the day of the API Special Meeting at the meeting site.
Quorum. A majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the shares entitled
to vote must be represented in person or by proxy at the API Special Meeting
in order for a quorum to be present. Shares of API Common Stock represented by
proxies that are marked "abstain" will be counted as shares present for
purposes of determining the presence of a quorum. In the event that a quorum
is not present at the API Special Meeting, it is expected that the meeting
will be adjourned or postponed to solicit additional proxies.
Proxies. All shares of API Common Stock represented by properly executed
proxies that are received in time for the API Special Meeting and have not
been revoked will be voted in accordance with the instructions indicated in
such proxies. If no instructions are indicated, such shares will be voted in
favor of the Share Issuance. In addition, the persons designated in such proxy
will have discretion to vote on matters incident to the conduct of the API
Special Meeting. If API proposes to adjourn the API Special Meeting, the
persons named in the enclosed proxy card will vote all shares for which they
have voting authority (other than those that have been voted against the Share
Issuance) in favor of such adjournment. Any proxy in the enclosed form may be
revoked by the shareholder executing it at any time prior to its exercise by
giving written notice thereof to the Corporate Secretary of API, by signing
and returning a later-dated proxy or by voting in person at the API Special
Meeting; however, mere attendance at the API Special Meeting will not in and
of itself have the effect of revoking the proxy.
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Shares held for the accounts of participants in API's Employee Stock
Purchase Plan and 401(k) Plan will be voted in accordance with the
instructions of the participants or otherwise in accordance with the terms of
such plans.
Proxies will be received by API's independent transfer agent, Firstar Trust
Company. Firstar Trust Company has been appointed inspector of election for
the API Special Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof, and will
conduct and tabulate the results of the voting at such meeting.
If the API Special Meeting is postponed or adjourned for any reason, at any
subsequent reconvening of the API Special Meeting, all proxies will be voted
in the same manner as such proxies would have been voted at the initial
convening of the API Special Meeting (except for any proxies that theretofore
effectively have been revoked or withdrawn), notwithstanding that they may
have been effectively voted on the same or any other matter at a previous
meeting.
Solicitation of Proxies. Proxies are being solicited hereby on behalf of the
API Board. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the entire cost of proxy
solicitation for the API Special Meeting, including the reasonable expenses of
brokers, fiduciaries and other nominees in forwarding solicitation material to
beneficial owners, will be borne by API, except that API and ZERO will share
equally all printing expenses and filing fees. In addition to solicitation by
mail, officers and regular employees of API may solicit proxies personally or
by telephone, facsimile transmission or otherwise. Such officers and regular
employees will not be additionally compensated for such solicitation, but may
be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection therewith. If
undertaken, the expense of such solicitation would be nominal. API has
retained Georgeson & Company Inc., at an estimated cost of approximately
$7,500, plus reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses, to assist in its
solicitation of proxies. Arrangements will be made with custodians, nominees
and fiduciaries for the forwarding of proxy solicitation materials to
beneficial owners of shares of API Common Stock held of record by such
custodians, nominees and fiduciaries, and API will reimburse such custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred
in connection therewith.
Required Vote. If a quorum exists, approval of the Share Issuance will
require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the Share
Issuance, provided that the total number of votes cast on such proposal
represents more than 50% of the outstanding shares of API Common Stock
entitled to vote thereon at the API Special Meeting.
An abstention with respect to the Share Issuance will have no effect on the
vote so long as enough votes are cast to satisfy the 50% requirement referred
to above. Brokers who hold shares of API Common Stock as nominees will not
have discretionary authority to vote such shares on the Share Issuance in the
absence of instructions from the beneficial owners thereof. Any votes that are
not cast because the nominee-broker lacks such discretionary authority will
not be counted as votes cast on such proposal and will have no effect on the
vote.
Share Ownership of Management. At the close of business on the API Record
Date, directors and executive officers of API and their affiliates were the
beneficial owners of an aggregate of 1,031,026 (approximately 3.7%) of the
shares of API Common Stock then outstanding and eligible to vote. All of the
directors and executive officers of API have indicated their intention to vote
their shares for approval of the Share Issuance.
ZERO SPECIAL MEETING
Purpose. At the ZERO Special Meeting, the stockholders of ZERO will consider
and vote on a proposal to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement.
The ZERO Board has unanimously determined that the Merger is in the best
interests of ZERO and its stockholders and has approved the Merger Agreement.
THE ZERO BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS OF ZERO VOTE IN
FAVOR OF APPROVAL AND
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ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT AT THE ZERO SPECIAL MEETING. See "The Merger
and the Merger Agreement--ZERO's Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the
ZERO Board." For a discussion of the interests that certain directors and
executive officers of ZERO have with respect to the Merger in addition to
their interests as stockholders of ZERO generally, and information regarding
the treatment of options to purchase shares of ZERO Common Stock held by
members of the ZERO Board, see "The Merger and the Merger Agreement--Interests
of Certain Persons in the Merger" and "--Assumption and Conversion of ZERO
Stock Options." Such interests, together with other relevant factors, were
considered by the ZERO Board in making its recommendation and approving the
Merger Agreement.
The ZERO Board is not aware, as of the date of mailing of this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, of any other matters which may properly come before the
ZERO Special Meeting. If any other matters properly come before the ZERO
Special Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof, it is the
intention of the persons named in the proxy to vote such proxies in accordance
with their best judgment on such matters.
Record Date; Voting Rights. Only holders of record of ZERO Common Stock at
the close of business on the ZERO Record Date, June 19, 1998, are entitled to
receive notice of and to vote at the ZERO Special Meeting. At the close of
business on the ZERO Record Date, there were 12,451,958 shares of ZERO Common
Stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Each such share entitles the
registered holder thereof to one vote. As noted in the Notice of the ZERO
Special Meeting, a list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the Special
Meeting will be open for examination by any stockholder, for any purpose
germane to the Special Meeting, for a period of 10 days prior to the date of
the Special Meeting at the executive offices of ZERO.
Quorum. A majority of the outstanding shares of ZERO Common Stock entitled
to vote must be represented in person or by proxy at the ZERO Special Meeting
in order to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Shares of
ZERO Common Stock represented by proxies that are marked "abstain" will be
counted as shares present for purposes of determining the presence of a
quorum. In the event that a quorum is not present at the ZERO Special Meeting,
it is expected that the meeting will be adjourned or postponed to solicit
additional proxies.
Proxies. All shares of ZERO Common Stock represented by properly executed
proxies that are received in time for the ZERO Special Meeting and have not
been revoked will be voted in accordance with the instructions indicated in
such proxies. If no instructions are indicated, such shares will be voted in
favor of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. In
addition, the persons designated in such proxy will have discretion to vote on
any matters incident to the conduct of the ZERO Special Meeting. If ZERO
proposes to adjourn the ZERO Special Meeting, the persons named in the
enclosed proxy card will vote all shares for which they have voting authority
(other than those that have been voted against approval of the Merger
Agreement) in favor of such adjournment. Any proxy in the enclosed form may be
revoked by the stockholder executing it at any time prior to its exercise by
giving written notice thereof to the Corporate Secretary of ZERO, by signing
and returning a later-dated proxy or by voting in person at the ZERO Special
Meeting; however, mere attendance at the ZERO Special Meeting will not in and
of itself have the effect of revoking the proxy.
Shares held for the accounts of participants in the ZERO Corporation
Retirement Savings Plan will be voted in accordance with the instructions of
the participants or otherwise in accordance with the terms of such plan.
Proxies will be received by ZERO's independent transfer agent, ChaseMellon
Shareholder Services, and the vote will be certified by independent
inspectors.
If the ZERO Special Meeting is postponed or adjourned for any reason, at any
subsequent reconvening of the ZERO Special Meeting, all proxies will be voted
in the same manner as such proxies would have been voted at the initial
convening of the ZERO Special Meeting (except for any proxies that theretofore
effectively have been revoked or withdrawn), notwithstanding that they may
have been effectively voted on the same or any other matter at a previous
meeting.
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Solicitation of Proxies. Proxies are being solicited hereby on behalf of the
ZERO Board. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the entire cost of proxy
solicitation for the ZERO Special Meeting, including the reasonable expenses
of brokers, fiduciaries and other nominees in forwarding solicitation material
to beneficial owners, will be borne by ZERO, except that ZERO and API will
share equally all printing expenses and filing fees. In addition to
solicitation by mail, directors, officers and employees of ZERO may solicit
proxies personally or by telephone, facsimile transmission or otherwise. Such
directors, officers and employees will not be additionally compensated for
such solicitation, but may be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred
in connection therewith. If undertaken, the expense of such solicitation would
be nominal. ZERO has retained Morrow & Co., at an estimated cost of
approximately $5,000, plus reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses, to assist
in its solicitation of proxies. Arrangements will be made with custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries for the forwarding of proxy solicitation materials to
beneficial owners of shares of ZERO Common Stock held of record by such
custodians, nominees and fiduciaries, and ZERO will reimburse such custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred
in connection therewith.
HOLDERS OF ZERO COMMON STOCK SHOULD NOT RETURN TO ZERO ANY STOCK
CERTIFICATES WITH THEIR PROXY CARDS. After the Merger has been consummated,
stockholders will receive instructions and a letter of transmittal for the
submission of their stock certificates.
Required Vote. Approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement will require
the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
ZERO Common Stock entitled to vote thereon at the ZERO Special Meeting.
An abstention will have the effect of a vote cast against the Merger
Agreement. Brokers who hold shares of ZERO Common Stock as nominees will not
have discretionary authority to vote such shares in the absence of
instructions from the beneficial owners thereof. Broker non-votes will have
the same effect as votes cast against the Merger Agreement.
Share Ownership of Management. At the close of business on the ZERO Record
Date, directors and executive officers of ZERO and their affiliates were the
beneficial owners of an aggregate of 277,731 (approximately 2.2%) of the
shares of ZERO Common Stock then outstanding and eligible to vote. All of the
directors and executive officers of ZERO have indicated their intention to
vote their shares for approval of the Merger Agreement.
ABSENCE OF DISSENTERS' RIGHTS OF APPRAISAL
Under the WBCL, the shareholders of API are not entitled to dissenters'
rights with respect to the Share Issuance. Under the DGCL, the stockholders of
ZERO are not entitled to appraisal rights with respect to the Merger.
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THE MERGER AND THE MERGER AGREEMENT
The description of the Merger and the Merger Agreement contained in this
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus describes the material terms of the Merger
Agreement, but does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached
hereto as Appendix A and incorporated herein by reference.
GENERAL
At the Effective Time of Merger, Acquisition will be merged with and into
ZERO, with ZERO surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of API. As a result of
the Merger, the separate corporate existence of Acquisition will cease and
ZERO will succeed to all the rights and be responsible for all the obligations
of Acquisition in accordance with the DGCL. Subject to the terms and
conditions of the Merger Agreement, each share of ZERO Common Stock
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time of Merger will be
converted into 0.85 of a share of API Common Stock. Cash will be paid in lieu
of any fractional share of API Common Stock. See "--Conversion of Shares in
the Merger" below.
The Merger will become effective upon the filing of the Certificate of
Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware unless API and
ZERO agree to, and the Certificate of Merger provides for, a later date of
effectiveness (not to exceed 90 days after the date that the Certificate of
Merger is so filed). The filing of the Certificate of Merger will occur as
soon as practicable following the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set
forth in the Merger Agreement. See "--Conditions to Consummation of the
Merger" below.
BACKGROUND OF THE MERGER
ZERO. At a meeting of the ZERO Board on October 23, 1996, the ZERO Board
reviewed with management in general terms a number of strategic alternatives
available to ZERO, including: (1) continuing with ZERO's then current business
plan--i.e., achieving internal growth and making smaller acquisitions; (2)
acquiring larger companies valued at $50 million to $200 million; (3)
repurchasing outstanding shares of ZERO Common Stock; (4) restructuring ZERO
via a leveraged buy-out; (5) entering into joint ventures or partnerships with
larger companies; (6) merging with a larger company; and (7) combinations
thereof. The ZERO Board agreed that ZERO management should examine each of
these strategic alternatives in further detail to determine which strategy or
combination of strategies would be most likely to increase stockholder value.
The Board agreed to retain Salomon to assist ZERO in its analysis of such
alternatives.
During the period from October 23, 1996 to January 16, 1997, ZERO management
held several meetings with representatives of Salomon to discuss ZERO's
business, markets and prospects and the various growth strategies available to
ZERO. At a meeting of the ZERO Board on January 22, 1997, Salomon made a full
presentation outlining each of the strategic alternatives. While the ZERO
Board thoroughly discussed with Salomon the viability of each strategic
option, no decision was made at that time to pursue any particular strategy.
The ZERO Board held a telephonic meeting with Salomon's participation on
January 28, 1997 to further discuss the strategic alternatives available to
ZERO. At that meeting, the ZERO Board authorized ZERO to continue its current
business strategy and to pursue at least two strategic alternatives in
parallel: to (1) seek larger acquisition targets and (2) establish a process
to test the attractiveness of ZERO as an acquisition candidate and possibly to
pursue merger discussions with one or more larger companies.
From February to April 1997, ZERO, with the assistance of Salomon, solicited
the interest of approximately ten companies regarding a possible business
combination with ZERO, which resulted in five companies evidencing a desire to
receive further confidential information and to pursue discussions with ZERO.
API was not among these companies. ZERO then held discussions with each of
these companies regarding a possible business combination with ZERO. In May
1997, ZERO received preliminary indications of value from three of the five
companies that had been active in the process.
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On April 25, 1997, the ZERO Board held a meeting at which the ZERO Board
discussed the status of the various strategic alternatives that ZERO was
pursuing and received a status report from Salomon regarding several meetings
with companies that had expressed an interest in a possible business
combination with ZERO.
In May 1997, the ZERO Board evaluated each of the potential business
combinations and their respective potential impact on ZERO's stockholders. The
ZERO Board concluded that, given the expressed value levels, ZERO could
achieve higher value for stockholders by remaining independent, aggressively
seeking larger acquisitions and joint ventures and continuing its current
business plan. Therefore, ZERO terminated discussions with each of the three
companies.
API. Business combinations have been a significant part of the business
strategies of both API and ZERO. Both API and ZERO have active corporate
development programs to review and evaluate potential business acquisition
opportunities, strategic alliances, joint ventures and other strategic
transactions involving other participants in the electronic and electrical
enclosure market with the goal of obtaining and developing access to
complementary production capabilities, products, and distribution channels.
Over the past three years, API has completed seven transactions in the
electronic and electrical enclosure market, while ZERO has completed six
transactions. API also completed six other transactions which complement API's
other business segments.
In 1996, API decided to expand the business of its Wright Line subsidiary by
entering through acquisition the electronic enclosures business. At the time,
the Wright Line subsidiary manufactured and sold furnishings utilized in
technology intensive business environments, including modular workstations
used in the computerized office. Management believed that electronic
enclosures was a fast growing market which would complement the existing
Wright Line business.
In September 1996, API acquired Everest Electronic Equipment Inc., located
in Anaheim, California, a manufacturer of custom and standard electronic
enclosures used by the computer, telecom, datacom and other industries. In
January 1997, C Fab Group Limited, a manufacturer of electronic enclosures
headquartered in Dublin, Ireland was acquired. In June 1997, Hormann Security
Systems Limited, which assembles electronic equipment for a variety of
customers and is located in Cork, Ireland was acquired. In January 1998,
Performance Manufactured Products, Inc., a manufacturer and integrator of
custom electronic enclosures located in San Jose, California, was acquired. In
February 1998, AA Manufacturing, Inc., a manufacturer and integrator of custom
electronic enclosures located in Garland, Texas, was acquired. On May 1, 1998,
API announced that it had completed the acquisitions of Premier Industries,
Inc., which manufactures enclosures and provides integration services for
electronic equipment OEMs and is located in Hudson, New Hampshire and Product
Technology, Inc., which provides electronic manufacturing and integration
services for a diverse customer base and is located in Irvine, California.
On June 5, 1998, API announced that Applied Power Limited, a United Kingdom
subsidiary of API, had agreed to acquire through a tender offer and made
market purchases totaling, in the aggregate, 82% of the shares of VERO. The
shares accepted were paid for on June 19, 1998. The tender offer remained
open. On June 19, 1998, Applied Power Limited announced that the additional
shares tendered brought the total of the shares it owned or had accepted for
payment to over 90% of all VERO's shares, sufficient to invoke procedures
under the U.K. Companies Act of 1985 which, when completed, will result in
Applied Power Limited owning all of the outstanding shares of VERO. VERO is a
United Kingdom company that manufactures electronic enclosures, racks,
backplanes and power supplies. The acquisition of VERO will broaden API's
electronic enclosures capabilities in Europe, and VERO's backplanes and power
supplies products will strengthen API's overall product offerings. See
"Summary--Recent Developments--Acquisition of VERO."
ZERO/API. In its pursuit of acquisitions in the electronic enclosures
business, in 1997, API analyzed other companies in the electronic enclosure
business that would fit into API's strategy profile. ZERO was one of the
companies identified. There were some initial telephone contacts made in late
1997, and on January 21, 1998, Richard G. Sim, the Chief Executive Officer of
API, met with Wilford D. Godbold, Jr., the Chief Executive Officer of ZERO, at
ZERO's headquarters in Los Angeles. At that meeting, the possibility of API
acquiring
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ZERO was discussed and Mr. Godbold indicated a willingness to review any
transaction which significantly enhanced ZERO stockholder value.
API began to assess the desirability of acquiring ZERO and decided to
formally retain CSFB, which had been advising API on this potential
transaction since the fall of 1997. A formal engagement letter between API and
CSFB with respect to the possible acquisition of ZERO was executed on February
16, 1998.
On March 2, 1998, Mr. Sim called Mr. Godbold and indicated API's interest in
acquiring ZERO in a stock transaction qualifying as a pooling of interests for
accounting purposes. He further indicated that API had determined a
preliminary value for ZERO of $31.50 per share, but the price could increase
depending upon the results of the due diligence process.
On March 16, 1998, Mr. Godbold called Mr. Sim and indicated that the parties
should execute customary confidentiality agreements so that a further exchange
of information could occur and stated that he thought a transaction might be
possible at a price level of $33.00 to $34.00 per ZERO share for purposes of
determining an exchange ratio.
On March 21, 1998 Mr. Sim called Mr. Godbold to discuss entering into the
confidentiality agreements and the due diligence process. On March 23, 1998,
API and ZERO entered into mutual confidentiality agreements (the
"Confidentiality Agreements"). Thereafter, there was an exchange of
information between the parties. On March 27, 1998, Mr. Sim and Robert C.
Arzbaecher, the Chief Financial Officer of API, and their CSFB advisors met
with Mr. Godbold, George A. Daniels, the Chief Financial Officer of ZERO, and
their Salomon advisors to discuss the proposed acquisition, including the
structure of the transaction as a stock-for-stock exchange qualifying for
pooling-of-interests accounting treatment, a pricing range, and a break-up
fee. The meeting concluded with API willing to establish a price of $32.50 per
share for ZERO stock for exchange ratio purposes and ZERO requiring a higher
price per share. Over the next week, there were further exchanges of
information, API executives visited the primary ZERO facilities in the United
States, and counsel for the parties worked on preliminary drafts of the Merger
Agreement.
On March 29, 1998, there was a telephonic meeting of the API Board. At that
meeting, the API Board considered the strategic fit of ZERO with API's
enclosure businesses, information on ZERO's businesses and ZERO's recent
financial results, the status of the initial negotiations, the prospects for
ZERO's thermal management businesses, the possibility of cost savings, the
pricing of the exchange ratio, the possibility of using collars and a break-up
fee. At the conclusion of the meeting, the API Board indicated its approval of
continuing the exchange of information, due diligence and further negotiation
with ZERO.
On March 30, 1998, the ZERO Board held a telephonic meeting, in which
Salomon and ZERO's legal counsel participated. At that meeting, the ZERO Board
discussed the tax-free nature of the proposed transaction with API, the
ability to treat the merger with API as a pooling of interests for accounting
purposes and the potential synergies and cost savings to be achieved upon the
consummation of a merger with API. ZERO's legal counsel discussed with the
ZERO Board its fiduciary duty obligations in connection with the proposed
transaction with API. In addition, the ZERO Board reviewed the various other
strategic alternatives that ZERO had considered during the previous year.
Specifically, the ZERO Board reviewed ZERO's recent conversations with the
corporation which had expressed the highest level of value during ZERO's
earlier merger discussions, and concluded that ZERO should continue to analyze
the proposed transaction with API as well as any other indications of interest
from any other corporations.
On March 30, 1998, Mr. Godbold called the Chief Executive Officer of the
corporation which had expressed the highest level of value during ZERO's
earlier merger discussions to determine if that corporation had a continuing
interest in ZERO. The CEO indicated that the corporation did have an interest.
Mr. Godbold informed him that if he desired to explore a merger with ZERO he
needed to express that interest by the morning of April 3, 1998. The CEO
stated that he would be meeting with the management of the corporation that
next morning and would contact ZERO. On April 2, 1998, an investment banker
for the corporation contacted Salomon and
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stated that the corporation's interest in ZERO was "at the market," which at
that time was approximately $28.50 per share. Upon receiving such information,
ZERO indicated that it was not interested in further pursuing discussions.
On April 1, 1998, Howard W. Hill, Chairman of the Board of ZERO, and Mr.
Godbold met with officers of API in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, including Messrs.
Sim and Arzbaecher, and Messrs. Theodore Lecher, President of API's Gardner
Bender subsidiary, Gustav Boel, President of API's Enerpac division, and
Phillip Malliet, General Manager of API's Engineered Solutions Americas
business, to discuss the business of API, its history and its prospects. They,
and other officers of ZERO, visited a number of plants of API both in
Wisconsin as well as in California and Massachusetts.
On April 3, 1998, there was a meeting between Mr. Sim, Mr. Arzbaecher and
their CSFB advisors, and Mr. Godbold, Mr. Hill and their Salomon advisors. At
this meeting, the parties negotiated the major outstanding issues including
the exchange ratio, the break-up fee and certain terms of the definitive
agreement.
On April 4, 1998, there was a meeting of the ZERO Board. All of the
directors, outside legal counsel and Salomon were present. At that meeting,
the ZERO Board considered the status of the negotiations with API, API's
financial position, operations and prospects, ZERO's financial position,
operations and prospects, the strategic fit of ZERO and API, the future
prospects of combining ZERO and API, the proposed Exchange Ratio, the terms of
the definitive merger agreement and other matters relating to the combination
of ZERO and API. Salomon made a full presentation regarding its assessment of
API and its preliminary conclusions as to the fairness of the Exchange Ratio
from a financial point of view. ZERO's management and legal counsel reviewed
the final terms of the transaction and discussed the due diligence conducted.
The ZERO Board authorized continued data exchange, due diligence and further
negotiations with API to attempt to finalize outstanding issues on the
definitive agreement.
On April 6, 1998, the API Board met to consider the proposed transaction.
API's management and legal counsel reviewed the final terms of the transaction
and discussed the due diligence conducted. There was a discussion regarding
the valuation of the transaction and synergies that could be achieved.
Representatives of CSFB made a presentation and delivered the written opinion
of CSFB to the API Board that, as of the date thereof and based upon and
subject to the limitations, qualifications and assumptions discussed therein,
the Exchange Ratio was fair to API from a financial point of view.
On the afternoon of April 6, 1998, there was a telephonic meeting of the
ZERO Board. At that meeting, the ZERO Board reviewed the final terms of the
transaction and Salomon delivered its written opinion to the effect that the
Exchange Ratio was fair to the ZERO stockholders from a financial point of
view. The ZERO Board unanimously approved the Merger, Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereunder and recommended that the ZERO
stockholders approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereunder. On the same afternoon, there was a telephonic meeting
of the API Board. At that meeting, the API Board unanimously approved the
Merger, the Merger Agreement, and the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement and recommended that the API shareholders approve the Share Issuance
to effect the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
Immediately following these telephonic Board meetings, API and ZERO executed
the Merger Agreement. The terms of the Merger were announced in a joint press
release issued immediately after the execution of the Merger Agreement.
API'S REASONS FOR THE MERGER; RECOMMENDATION OF THE API BOARD
THE API BOARD HAS UNANIMOUSLY DETERMINED THAT THE MERGER AND THE SHARE
ISSUANCE ARE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF API AND ITS SHAREHOLDERS AND HAS
APPROVED THE MERGER AGREEMENT. THE API BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE
SHAREHOLDERS OF API VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE SHARE ISSUANCE AT THE API SPECIAL
MEETING.
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The API Board believes that the Merger represents a unique opportunity to
create a stronger company with a broader base in electronic enclosure systems
and that ZERO's thermal management business also presents new opportunities
for API within its engineered solutions segment, potentially by expanding into
the recreational vehicle, industrial and other associated markets. Both API's
and ZERO's management believe that the enclosure systems industry is
consolidating and that to be successful companies need a broad product
offering, multiple manufacturing locations, a global capability and additional
content that can be integrated into enclosures. Both API's and ZERO's
management believe that the Merger is a significant step toward building a
critical mass capability in North America and Europe that is responsive to and
takes account of the changes occurring in the industry. The combined company
would have approximately $1.4 billion in sales, with the electronic and
electrical enclosure sales representing approximately $.5 billion in
annualized sales. The API Board believes that while the Merger has some cost
saving synergies in the areas of corporate headquarters and certain
manufacturing efficiencies, the major value created is the ability to increase
sales of enclosure systems and the opportunity to increase sales of thermal
management products associated with enclosures and in other markets where API
has an established presence. The Merger will consolidate API's position in
North America and bring increased presence in Europe. API's goal is to emerge
as an important player in the industry on a global basis. API expects that the
immediate cost savings combined with increased sales will enhance API's future
cash flow and earnings, and by so doing, deliver additional value to its
shareholders.
For the foregoing reasons, the API Board believes that the terms and
conditions of the Merger Agreement are in the best interests of API and its
shareholders. The following are the material factors considered by the API
Board in reaching its conclusions, certain of which factors contain both
positive and negative elements:
. ZERO and API share the vision of creating a worldwide company which can
support customers with a broad spectrum of electronic packaging products
and services on a global basis.
. The Merger will enhance API's ability to provide electronic packaging to
a wide variety of end users, from standard to highly customized and from
basic to fully integrated with connectors, cables, printed circuit
boards, backplanes, power management and thermal management systems.
. The Merger, through ZERO's thermal management businesses, will position
the combined company as a leader in North America in providing thermal
management and air handling systems. API believes climate control
technology will have broad applications within both its Technical
Environments and Enclosures and Engineered Solutions business segments.
. Given the continued consolidation in the electronic enclosure industry,
it is in the shareholders' best interests that the company maintain its
leadership position through strategic acquisitions in the highly
fragmented electronic enclosure industry.
. API has adopted a strategy to diversify its risk in its electronic
enclosure businesses by focusing on different end user markets served by
its customers. The Merger will further strengthen the company's ability
to participate in the computer, telecom and datacom industries which are
the principal customers of both ZERO's and API's electronic enclosure
businesses.
. The judgment, advice and analysis of its management with respect to the
strategic, financial, and operational benefits of the Merger was
supported by the business, financial, accounting and legal due diligence
investigations performed with respect to ZERO.
. There are certain synergies, cost reductions and operating efficiencies
that become available to the combined enterprise as a result of the
Merger, as well as challenges associated with successfully integrating
the businesses, cultures and managements of the two companies.
. The express terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement are viewed as
providing an equitable basis for the Merger from the standpoint of API.
. The advice of, and financial analyses prepared by, CSFB (see "--Opinion
of API's Financial Advisor") concludes with the opinion that the
Exchange Ratio is fair to API from a financial point of view based on
the results of all such analyses taken as a whole.
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. API analyzed both the historical and projected pro forma financial
statement impact of the Merger. Because the Merger consideration is API
stock, API analyzed the historical market prices and trading information
with respect to both API and ZERO Common Stock and their respective
effects on the Merger.
. API's independent auditors advised management that the Merger would be
eligible to be accounted for as a pooling of interests.
. The number of shares of API Common Stock to be issued will increase
API's outstanding shares by approximately 38%. This increase in shares
creates more equity market value, better visibility of API to its
institutional shareholder base and higher share float available in the
marketplace.
The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered and given
weight by the API Board is not intended to be exhaustive. In view of the
variety of factors considered in connection with its evaluation of the Merger,
the API Board did not find it practicable to and did not quantify or otherwise
assign relative weights to the specific factors considered in reaching its
determination. In addition, individual members of the API Board may have given
different weights to different factors.
THE API BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS OF API VOTE IN
FAVOR OF THE SHARE ISSUANCE AT THE API SPECIAL MEETING.
OPINION OF API'S FINANCIAL ADVISOR
GENERAL
CSFB has acted as exclusive financial advisor to API in connection with the
Merger. CSFB is an internationally recognized investment banking firm and is
regularly engaged in the valuation of businesses and securities in connection
with mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, negotiated underwritings,
competitive biddings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted
securities, private placements and valuations for estate, corporate and other
purposes.
In connection with CSFB's engagement, API requested that CSFB evaluate the
fairness of the Exchange Ratio to API from a financial point of view. At a
meeting of the API Board held on April 6, 1998, CSFB delivered its written
opinion to the API Board that, as of such date and based upon and subject to
the limitations, qualifications and assumptions discussed therein, the
Exchange Ratio was fair to API from a financial point of view. CSFB delivered
to the API Board its updated opinion, dated the date hereof, that, as of such
date and based upon and subject to the limitations, qualifications and
assumptions discussed therein, the Exchange Ratio is fair to API from a
financial point of view (the "CSFB Opinion").
In arriving at its opinion, CSFB (i) reviewed the Merger Agreement and
certain publicly available business and financial information relating to
ZERO, (ii) reviewed certain other information, including financial forecasts,
provided to CSFB by API and ZERO's financial advisor, (iii) met with the
managements of API and ZERO and ZERO's financial advisor to discuss the
businesses and prospects of ZERO, (iv) considered certain financial and stock
market data of ZERO and compared those data with similar data for other
publicly held companies in businesses similar to ZERO, (v) considered the
financial terms of certain other business combinations and other transactions
which have recently been effected, and (vi) considered such other information,
financial studies, analyses and investigations and financial, economic and
market criteria which CSFB deemed relevant.
In connection with the CSFB Opinion, CSFB did not assume any responsibility
for independent verification of any of the information provided to or
otherwise reviewed by CSFB and relied upon its being complete and accurate in
all material respects. With respect to the financial forecasts reviewed, CSFB
assumed that they were reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best
currently available estimates and judgments of the respective managements of
API and ZERO as to the future financial performance of ZERO. CSFB also
assumed, with the consent of API, that the Merger will be accounted for as a
"pooling of interests" under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 16 and
will qualify as a tax-free reorganization pursuant to Section 368 of the Code.
In
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addition, CSFB was not asked to make, and did not make, an independent
evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise)
of ZERO, nor was CSFB furnished with any such evaluations or appraisals. The
CSFB Opinion is necessarily based on information available to it and
financial, economic, market and other conditions as they existed and could be
evaluated on the date of the CSFB Opinion.
CSFB expressed no opinion as to what the value of the API Common Stock
actually would be when issued pursuant to the Merger or the prices at which
the API Common Stock would trade subsequent to the Merger. Although CSFB
evaluated the fairness to API from a financial point of view of the Exchange
Ratio, CSFB was not requested to, and did not, recommend the Exchange Ratio,
which was determined by API and ZERO through arm's-length negotiation. No
other limitations were imposed by API on CSFB with respect to the
investigations made or procedures followed by CSFB.
The full text of the CSFB Opinion, which sets forth the assumptions made,
matters considered and limitations on the review undertaken by CSFB in
connection with the opinion, is attached as Appendix B to this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference. CSFB has
consented to the use of the CSFB Opinion in this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, a copy of which has been filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus forms a
part. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE CSFB OPINION CAREFULLY IN ITS
ENTIRETY. The CSFB Opinion is directed only to the fairness of the Exchange
Ratio to API from a financial point of view and does not address any other
aspects of the Merger or any related transaction and does not constitute a
recommendation to any shareholder as to how such shareholder should vote with
respect to the proposed Merger or the approval of the issuance of shares of
API Common Stock in the proposed Merger. The summary of the CSFB Opinion set
forth in this Joint Proxy Statement/ Prospectus is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the full text of the CSFB Opinion.
SUMMARY OF ANALYSES
The following is a summary of the material financial analyses performed by
CSFB in connection with its presentation to the API Board on April 6, 1998,
and delivery of the CSFB Opinion. Such description does not purport to be a
complete description of the analyses concluded by CSFB in arriving at its
opinion.
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. CSFB performed a discounted cash flow
analysis of the projected unlevered free cash flows of ZERO for the fiscal
years ended March 31, 1999 through 2008, based upon earnings per share ("EPS")
estimates of $1.88 and $2.20 for ZERO for fiscal years 1999 and 2000 provided
by ZERO's financial advisor, the historical financial performance of ZERO and
discussions with both ZERO and API managements regarding the outlook for the
business (the "Base Case"). The Base Case resulted in an enterprise value
reference range for ZERO of $550 million to $650 million. In addition, CSFB
developed a sensitivity case reflecting decreased revenue growth and operating
margin assumptions (the "Reduced Margin & Growth Case"). The Reduced Margin &
Growth Case resulted in an enterprise value reference range for ZERO of $405
million to $505 million. Based on the foregoing discounted cash flow analyses
an enterprise value reference range for ZERO was determined to be $475 million
to $575 million.
Comparable Company Analysis. CSFB performed a comparable company analysis in
which it compared certain publicly available financial data and operating and
stock market information of selected publicly traded companies engaged in the
enclosures for the electronic and consumer markets business (the "Enclosures
Comparables") and in the thermal management products business (the "Thermal
Management Comparables") which were considered by CSFB to be reasonably
comparable to certain business units of ZERO with similar financial data of
ZERO. The Enclosures Comparables included: Altron Incorporated; API; Kent
Electronics Corporation; Pentair, Inc.; and Plexus Corp. The Thermal
Management Comparables included: Aavid Thermal Technologies, Inc.; Altron
Incorporated; API; EFTC Corporation; The JPM Company; Pentair, Inc.; Plexus
Corp.; and Sanmina Corporation. The foregoing comparable company analysis
resulted in an enterprise value reference range for ZERO of $455 million to
$605 million.
Comparable Acquisition Analysis. Using publicly available information, CSFB
reviewed selected business combinations involving companies in the enclosure
and electronic supplier business (the "Enclosures
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Comparable Acquisitions") and in the thermal management products business (the
"Thermal Management Comparable Acquisitions"). The group of transactions
comprising the Enclosures Comparable Acquisitions included: Kohlberg Kravis
Roberts & Co./Amphenol Corporation; Thomas & Betts Corporation/Augat Inc.;
API/Everest Electronic Equipment, Inc.; Kuhlman Corporation/Communication
Cable, Inc.; Thomas & Betts Corporation/Amerace Corporation; Pentair,
Inc./Schroff Group; Thomas & Betts Corporation/FL Industries Holdings, Inc.;
and Pentair, Inc./Federal-Hoffman, Inc. The Thermal Management Comparable
Acquisitions included: Computer Products, Inc./Zytec Corporation; Kohlberg
Kravis Roberts & Co./Amphenol Corporation; API/Versa Technologies, Inc.;
Thomas & Betts Corporation/Augat Inc.; MicroTel International, Inc./XIT
Corporation; Kuhlman Corporation/Communication Cable, Inc.; General Signal
Corporation/Best Power Technology, Incorporated; Eaton
Corporation/Distribution and Control Business Unit (Westinghouse); and Thomas
& Betts Corporation/FL Industries Holdings, Inc. The foregoing comparable
acquisition analysis resulted in an enterprise value reference range for ZERO
of $390 million to $590 million.
Equity Value Reference Range. Based upon the foregoing analyses, CSFB
determined an overall enterprise value reference range for ZERO, and then made
adjustments based on amounts reported in ZERO's financial statements for
ZERO's Air Cargo Equipment Corporation and Samuel Groves & Co. Ltd. business
units, as well as for cash, debt, corporate overhead, potential tax benefits,
and other outstanding liabilities, to determine an equity valuation range for
ZERO. For purposes of calculating the appropriate per share reference range
CSFB assumed the exercise of all the outstanding options of ZERO. The
foregoing analysis resulted in an implied equity value reference range per
share of ZERO Common Stock of $30.28 to $42.03.
Additional Information. CSFB also reviewed with the API Board the following:
(i) the per share daily closing market price of ZERO Common Stock over the
three-year period ended April 3, 1998; (ii) the relative closing market prices
of the API Common Stock, the ZERO Common Stock and the Standard & Poor's 400
Industrial Index over the one year and three year periods ended April 3, 1998;
and (iii) ZERO's stockholder profile, executive officers and board of
directors.
CSFB reviewed with the API Board certain summary historical and projected
financial information, including projections for ZERO for fiscal years ending
March 31, 1999 and 2000 developed from earnings estimates provided by ZERO's
financial advisor, Salomon, and reviewed in subsequent discussions between
ZERO management and CSFB in which ZERO indicated it was not uncomfortable with
the estimates utilized (the "Base Case Forecasts"). The Base Case Forecasts
included: (i) revenues of $287.7 million and $322.4 million in fiscal years
1999 and 2000, respectively; (ii) earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") of $53.6 million and $61.3 million in
fiscal years 1999 and 2000, respectively; and (iii) earnings before interest
and taxes ("EBIT") of $42.9 million and $49.4 million in fiscal years 1999 and
2000, respectively. CSFB also reviewed with the API Board certain projections
(the "Reduced Margin & Growth Case Forecasts") for ZERO for fiscal years 1999
and 2000 developed by CSFB which reflected decreased revenue growth and
operating margin assumptions. The Reduced Margin & Growth Case Forecasts
included: (i) revenues of $282.7 million and $311.1 million in fiscal years
1999 and 2000, respectively; (ii) EBITDA of $45.0 million and $50.5 million in
fiscal years 1999 and 2000, respectively; and (iii) EBIT of $34.3 million and
$38.5 million in fiscal years 1999 and 2000, respectively.
In addition, CSFB reviewed with the API Board a comparison of certain market
trading multiples derived by CSFB based upon the closing prices of the ZERO
Common Stock and the API Common Stock as of April 3, 1998, certain publicly
available financial information of ZERO and API, and, for ZERO, the Base Case
Forecasts, and, for API, certain projections provided to CSFB by management of
API which included sales increases of approximately 19% and 13% and EPS
increases of approximately 29% and 21% for the years ending August 31, 1999
and 2000, respectively. CSFB derived enterprise value (share price multiplied
by shares outstanding (including options) plus total debt less cash and
marketable securities and option proceeds) as a multiple of projected fiscal
year ending March 31, 1999 ("ZERO Forward") and latest twelve months ended
March 31, 1998 ("ZERO LTM") revenues, EBITDA and EBIT for ZERO and enterprise
value as a multiple of projected fiscal year ending August 31, 1998 ("API
Forward") and latest twelve months ended February 28, 1998 ("API LTM")
revenues, EBITDA and EBIT for API. This analysis resulted in: (i) an
enterprise value to
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ZERO Forward revenues multiple of 1.3x for ZERO and an enterprise value to API
Forward revenues multiple of 1.6x for API; (ii) an enterprise value to ZERO
Forward EBITDA multiple of 7.1x for ZERO and an enterprise value to API
Forward EBITDA multiple of 9.9x for API; (iii) an enterprise value to ZERO
Forward EBIT multiple of 8.8x for ZERO and an enterprise value to API Forward
EBIT multiple of 13.2x for API; (iv) an enterprise value to ZERO LTM revenues
multiple of 1.5x for ZERO and an enterprise value to API LTM revenues multiple
of 1.8x for API; (v) an enterprise value to ZERO LTM EBITDA multiple of 8.1x
for ZERO and an enterprise value to API LTM EBITDA multiple of 12.5x for API;
(vi) an enterprise value to ZERO LTM EBIT multiple of 10.0x for ZERO and an
enterprise value to API LTM EBIT multiple of 16.6x for API. As part of such
analysis, CSFB also derived the share price of ZERO as a multiple of ZERO
Forward and ZERO LTM EPS and the share price of API as a multiple of API
Forward and API LTM EPS, as well as share price of each of ZERO and API as a
multiple of projected 1998 calendarized EPS (based upon publicly available
calendarized analysts' estimates). This analysis resulted in: (i) a share
price to ZERO Forward EPS multiple of 15.5x for ZERO and a share price to API
Forward EPS multiple of 21.6x for API; (ii) a share price to ZERO LTM EPS
multiple of 18.0x for ZERO and a share price to API LTM EPS multiple of 24.9x
for API; and (iii) share price to 1998 calendarized EPS multiples of 16.3x and
20.2x for ZERO and API, respectively.
CSFB also reviewed with the API Board certain multiples derived by CSFB
based upon the Exchange Ratio, the closing price of the API Common Stock as of
April 3, 1998, certain publicly available financial information of ZERO and
the Base Case Forecasts. CSFB derived enterprise value as a multiple of
projected fiscal year 1999 and latest twelve months revenues, EBITDA and EBIT
for ZERO. This analysis resulted in: (i) an enterprise value to projected
fiscal 1999 revenues multiple of 1.5x; (ii) an enterprise value to ZERO
Forward EBITDA multiple of 8.2x; (iii) an enterprise value to ZERO Forward
EBIT multiple of 10.3x; (iv) an enterprise value to ZERO LTM revenues multiple
of 1.7x; (v) an enterprise value to ZERO LTM EBITDA multiple of 9.4x; (vi) an
enterprise value to ZERO LTM EBIT multiple of 11.7x. As part of such analysis,
CSFB also derived share price of ZERO as a multiple of ZERO Forward and ZERO
LTM EPS as well as a multiple of projected 1998 calendarized EPS (based upon
publicly available calendarized analysts' estimates). This analysis resulted
in: (i) a share price to ZERO Forward EPS multiple of 18.1x; (ii) a share
price to ZERO LTM EPS multiple of 21.0x; and (iii) a share price to 1998
calendarized EPS multiple of 19.0x. In addition, CSFB derived an equity value
to tangible book value multiple for ZERO of 5.3x.
The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process and is not
necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. Selecting
portions of its analyses and factors, without considering all analyses and
factors as a whole, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the
processes underlying such analyses and the CSFB Opinion. In performing the
foregoing analyses in order to determine the reference range set forth above,
CSFB did not form a conclusion as to whether any individual analysis,
considered singly, supported or failed to support an opinion as to fairness
from a financial point of view. Rather, in reaching its conclusion, CSFB
considered the results of each analysis and ultimately reached its opinion as
to fairness based on the results of all such analyses taken as a whole.
Furthermore, in arriving at its fairness opinion, CSFB did not attribute any
particular weight to any analysis or factor considered by it, but rather made
qualitative judgments as to the significance and relevance of each analysis
and factor. No company or transaction used in the above analyses as a
comparison is identical to API, ZERO, or the Merger. The analyses were
prepared solely for the purposes of CSFB providing its opinion to API as to
the fairness of the Exchange Ratio from a financial point of view, and do not
purport to be appraisals or necessarily reflect the prices at which businesses
or securities actually may be sold. Analyses based upon forecasts of future
results are not necessarily indicative of actual future results which may be
significantly more or less favorable than suggested by such analyses. Such
analyses are based upon numerous factors or events beyond the control of API,
ZERO, their respective advisors or any other person and are inherently
uncertain. Actual future results may be different from those forecasts.
FEE AND OTHER INFORMATION
Pursuant to the terms of CSFB's engagement, for its services in connection
with the Merger, API paid to CSFB a financial advisory fee of $50,000. In
addition, API has agreed to pay CSFB a transaction fee of
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$3,000,000, payable upon consummation of the Merger. API also has agreed to
reimburse CSFB for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including the fees
and expenses of its counsel, and to indemnify CSFB and certain related persons
against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the federal
securities laws.
In the ordinary course of business, CSFB and its affiliates may actively
trade the debt and equity securities of both API and ZERO for their own
account and for accounts of customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a
long or short position in such securities.
ZERO'S REASONS FOR THE MERGER; RECOMMENDATION OF THE ZERO BOARD
The ZERO Board has unanimously approved and adopted the Merger Agreement,
determined that the Merger is fair to, and in the best interests of, ZERO and
its stockholders, and recommends that holders of shares of ZERO Common Stock
vote FOR approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement.
In reaching its conclusions, the ZERO Board considered a number of factors,
including the following:
. The value of the investment of ZERO's stockholders should be enhanced by
the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. In this regard,
the ZERO Board reviewed a number of strategic alternatives including:
continuing the path ZERO was currently following--i.e. achieving
internal growth and making smaller acquisitions; acquiring larger
companies in the $50 million to $200 million purchase price range;
repurchasing additional outstanding shares of ZERO Common Stock;
restructuring the company through a leveraged buy-out; joint venturing
with larger companies; combining with a larger company; or combinations
of the foregoing. Based upon API's history of operations, markets
served, management, perceived future potential, and the level of the
Exchange Ratio, the Board determined it was in the best interests of the
stockholders to pursue the API strategic alternative.
. ZERO and API share the vision of creating a worldwide company which can
support customers with a broad spectrum of electronic packaging products
and services on a global basis. The combination of ZERO and API creates
a leader in North America in providing thermal management systems,
electronic enclosures and other systems packaging products to the
telecommunications, instrumentation, and data processing markets. Given
the continued consolidation in the electronics packaging industry, which
may result in the establishment of several larger world-wide companies,
the continued growth and profitability of ZERO might have become
increasingly more difficult as a smaller independent company conducting
business primarily in the United States.
. The API Common Stock has a broader trading market and a larger public
float than the ZERO Common Stock which, will be further enhanced upon
the issuance of API Common Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement. The
compounded annual growth rate of API Common Stock over the past five
years, three years and one year ended April 3, 1998 has exceeded that of
ZERO's Common Stock. The exchange of API Common Stock for ZERO Common
Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement will provide current ZERO
stockholders with an ownership interest in a leading company in the
electronics packaging industry, the same industry in which ZERO occupies
a smaller market position. Accordingly, the API Common Stock tends to
represent a similar kind of investment opportunity as the ZERO Common
Stock but has had a history of growth that exceeds the growth history of
ZERO's Common Stock.
. The Exchange Ratio represented a premium of approximately 17% above the
twenty-day closing trading price of ZERO immediately prior to the
execution and public announcement of the Merger Agreement and a premium
of approximately 12% above the closing price on April 6, 1998, the day
of the announcement.
. The "tax-free" nature of the transaction allows ZERO stockholders to
defer recognition of taxable gains for U.S. income tax purposes.
. The advice of its independent auditors that the Merger should be able to
be accounted for as a pooling-of-interests transaction from ZERO's
standpoint.
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. The combination of API and ZERO, pursuant to a transaction in which ZERO
stockholders receive API Common Stock, permits ZERO stockholders to
participate in the financial and business prospects for the combined
entity, including anticipated synergies, cost reductions and operating
efficiencies.
. Salomon has reviewed the transaction and has rendered its opinion dated
April 6, 1998 to the effect that the Exchange Ratio was fair to the ZERO
stockholders from a financial point of view. Stockholders are urged to
read the opinion of Salomon attached in its entirety to this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus as Appendix C.
. ZERO engaged in a process in the Spring of 1997 that the ZERO Board
believed was conducted in a manner calculated to result in identifying
the most attractive potential merger partner for the stockholders of
ZERO. In connection with the API transaction, the ZERO Board considered
the history of ZERO's contacts with other parties as part of the earlier
process, contacted the party that had indicated the highest value for
ZERO, and could not generate an alternative transaction which they
believed offered a value to ZERO stockholders which exceeded the value
of the API transaction. As a result, the Board concluded that it is
unlikely that a more attractive offer could have been obtained from
another party. See "--Background of the Merger" above.
. In accordance with its charter, the ZERO Board considered the impact of
the proposed transaction on its employees, customers, suppliers and
other constituents and concluded that the combination of API and ZERO
will produce a larger company which the ZERO Board expects will be more
competitive in the marketplace than ZERO on a stand alone basis.
The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered by the
ZERO Board is not intended to be exhaustive. In view of the variety of factors
considered in connection with its evaluation of the Merger, the ZERO Board did
not find it practicable to and did not quantify or otherwise assign relative
weights to the specific factors considered in reaching its determination. In
addition, individual members of the ZERO Board may have given different
weights to different factors. For a discussion of the interests of certain
members of ZERO's management and ZERO's Board in the Merger, see "--Interests
of Certain Persons in the Merger."
THE ZERO BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE HOLDERS OF ZERO COMMON STOCK
VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
OPINION OF ZERO'S FINANCIAL ADVISOR
On April 6, 1998, Salomon rendered an oral and written opinion to the ZERO
Board to the effect that, subject to the assumptions, procedures and
limitations set forth therein, as of such date, the Exchange Ratio was fair,
from a financial point of view, to the ZERO stockholders.
In arriving at its opinion, Salomon reviewed or discussed: (i) a draft of
the Merger Agreement that ZERO advised was substantially in the form to be
executed by the parties; (ii) certain publicly available business and
financial information relating to ZERO and API; (iii) certain internal
information, primarily financial in nature, including data relating to
strategic implications and operational benefits anticipated to result from the
Merger; (iv) certain publicly available and other information concerning the
trading of, and the trading market for, the publicly traded securities of ZERO
and API; (v) certain publicly available information with respect to other
companies that Salomon believed to be comparable in certain respects to ZERO
and API; and (vi) certain publicly available information with respect to other
merger and acquisition transactions that Salomon believed to be comparable in
certain respects to the Merger. Salomon also held discussions with members of
the senior managements of ZERO and API regarding ZERO's and API's views as to
the financial and other information described above and the strategic
rationale for, and potential benefits of, the Merger.
In rendering its opinion, Salomon assumed and relied upon the accuracy and
completeness of all information provided to or reviewed by them or publicly
available, and Salomon did not assume any responsibility for any independent
verification of any such information. Salomon further relied on the assurances
of the managements
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of ZERO and API that they were unaware of any facts that would make the
information or forecasts reviewed by them incomplete or misleading. With
respect to pending legal and regulatory proceedings involving ZERO and API,
Salomon was not in a position to evaluate the impact of such proceedings and
Salomon assumed that these matters would be resolved in a manner that would
not adversely affect, in any material respect, the financial forecasts on
which Salomon has relied for purposes of its opinion. Salomon did not make and
was not provided with any independent evaluations or appraisals of any of
ZERO's or API's assets, properties, liabilities, or securities. Salomon
assumed that API would account for the Merger as a pooling of interests in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), and that
the Merger qualifies for such accounting treatment under GAAP. Salomon also
assumed that the Merger will constitute a "reorganization" within the meaning
of Section 368(a) of the Code, and neither ZERO, API nor holders of ZERO
Common Stock will recognize a gain or loss for U.S. federal and state income
tax purposes as a result of the Merger.
The full text of the Salomon opinion, which sets forth the assumptions made,
matters considered and limitations on the review undertaken by Salomon in
connection with the opinion is attached as Appendix C to this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference. Salomon has
consented to the use of the Salomon opinion in this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, a copy of which has been filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus forms a
part. STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE SALOMON OPINION CAREFULLY IN ITS
ENTIRETY. The Salomon opinion relates to the relative values of ZERO and API
and does not imply any conclusions as to what the value of API Common Stock
actually will be when issued pursuant to the Merger, or the price at which
such stock will trade following the consummation of the Merger. The Salomon
opinion is based upon the conditions and circumstances as they existed on
April 6, 1998 and can only be evaluated as of such date and does not address
the underlying business decision of ZERO to enter into the Merger Agreement or
complete the Merger. Specifically, Salomon was not asked to, nor did it,
express an opinion as to the relative merits of the Merger as compared to any
alternative business strategies that might exist for ZERO or the effect of any
other transaction in which ZERO might engage. No limitations were imposed upon
Salomon with respect to the investigations made or procedures followed by
Salomon in rendering its opinion.
SUMMARY OF ANALYSES
The following is a brief summary of the principal analyses performed by
Salomon and reported to the ZERO Board. All analyses discussed below, unless
otherwise indicated, exclude estimated operating synergies.
Common Stock Performance. Salomon's analysis of API's Common Stock
performance consisted of a historical analysis of the relative trading prices
of API, the S&P Midcap 400 Index, and a customized index of comparable
electrical equipment and enclosure companies including Avid Thermal
Technologies, The Allen Group, Oak Industries, Pentair, Inc. and ZERO. Salomon
believes that the indexed companies were comparable to API in terms of markets
served, margins and prospects. During the one year period ended April 3, 1998,
API outperformed both the S&P Index and the comparable company index by
approximately 38.3% and 24.0%, respectively. Salomon's analysis of ZERO's
Common Stock also consisted of a historical analysis of ZERO's closing market
prices for a twelve month period ending April 3, 1998. On December 19, 1997,
ZERO's Common Stock reached a twelve month high closing price of $31.25 per
share, and on April 7, 1997, ZERO's Common Stock closed at a twelve month low
closing price of $18.25 per share. Salomon's analysis of ZERO's Common Stock
also consisted of a twelve month analysis (ended April 1, 1998) of ZERO's
trading volumes and corresponding market prices. During such period, 9.7% of
ZERO's trading volume occurred above $28.00 and 2.3% occurred over $30.00 per
share.
Historical Exchange Ratio Analysis. Salomon's analysis of the historical
exchange ratio between ZERO's Common Stock and API's Common Stock consisted of
a twelve month and one month historical comparison. During the twelve month
period (ended April 3, 1998) the exchange ratio reached a high of 1.100 and a
low of 0.700. During the one month period (ended April 3, 1998) the exchange
ratio reached a high of 0.810 and a low of 0.710. The average implied exchange
ratio for the month ending April 3, 1998, was 0.750.
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Premium Analysis. Salomon performed an analysis comparing the implied price
of the transaction to ZERO's market price, 5 day, 10 day, 20 day and 30 day
average prices for the period ended April 3, 1998. The implied price of $33.63
was based on a fixed exchange ratio of 0.85 and API's April 3, 1998 closing
market price of $39.56 the ("Implied Price"). The premiums were 16.5%, 17.3%,
16.7%, 21.5% and 22.5% respectively.
Relative Contribution Analysis. Salomon analyzed the relative contribution
of ZERO and API to the revenues, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
and amortization ("EBITDA"), earnings before interest and taxes ("EBIT") and
net income of the combined entity for the pro forma year ending August 31,
1998. Salomon compared these relative contributions to the pro forma ownership
of the combined entity and the relative market capitalization and firm value
(defined as market value of common equity plus book value of total debt and
preferred stock less cash) contributions of ZERO and API. As this analysis
incorporated one year of operating data with no analysis of the relative
growth prospects and outlook for ZERO and API, it is not in itself meaningful,
and must be considered in conjunction with other analyses.
Based on the estimated August 31, 1998, pro forma fiscal year end, ZERO's
revenues, EBITDA, EBIT and net income represented 22.8%, 24.9%, 26.9% and
28.7% respectively, of the combined entity. As of April 3, 1998, ZERO's market
capitalization represented 24.6% of the combined entity's market
capitalization and 21.3% of the firm value. Based on the Implied Price, ZERO's
market capitalization represented 27.5% of the combined entity's market
capitalization and 24.0% of the firm value.
Comparable Company Analysis. No company utilized in the Comparable Company
Analysis is identical to ZERO or API. Accordingly, an analysis of the results
of the foregoing necessarily involves complex considerations and judgments
concerning differences in financial and operating characteristics of ZERO and
API and other factors that could affect the public trading value of the
Comparable Companies or company to which they are being compared. Mathematical
analysis (such as determining the mean or median) is not in itself a
meaningful method of using comparable company data.
Salomon analyzed the operating performance of ZERO and API relative to six
companies deemed by Salomon to be reasonably comparable in terms of markets
served, margins and prospects to ZERO and API: Aavid Thermal Technologies,
Inc., Allen Telecom Inc., Channell Commercial Corporation, Oak Industries
Inc., Pentair, Inc., and Reltec Corporation (the "Comparable Companies").
Salomon analyzed the relative performance and value for ZERO and API by
comparing certain market trading statistics for ZERO and API with those of the
Comparable Companies. Salomon examined certain publicly available financial
data of the Comparable Companies including firm value as a multiple of the
latest publicly available twelve month revenues, EBITDA, EBIT, and price to
earnings ratios ("P/E's") based on estimated and projected Earnings Per Share
("EPS") for the calendar years ending 1998 and 1999. As of April 3, 1998, this
analysis resulted in (i) a range of 1.0x to 2.9x latest twelve months revenues
with a mean and median of 1.9x, compared to 1.8x for API, 1.4x for ZERO and
1.7x for ZERO at the Implied Price, (ii) a range of 4.8x to 20.5x latest
twelve months EBITDA with a mean of 11.9x and a median of 11.7x, compared to
13.6x for API, 8.0x for ZERO and 9.4x for ZERO at the Implied Price, (iii) a
range of 5.5x to 35.5x latest twelve months EBIT with a mean of 17.5x and a
median of 16.4x, compared to 18.6x for API, 9.9x for ZERO and 11.5x for ZERO
at the Implied Price, (iv) a range of 9.3x to 23.1x 1998E EPS with a mean of
17.0x and a median of 18.5x, compared to 20.2x for API, 15.9x for ZERO and
18.4x for ZERO at the Implied Price and , (v) a range of 7.9x to 18.2x 1999E
EPS with a mean of 14.1x and a median of 16.0x, compared to 16.5x for API,
14.0x for ZERO and 15.9x for ZERO at the Implied Price. Salomon did not
include ZERO or API in any of the mean or median calculations. EPS estimates
for the Comparable Companies were based on the First Call Research Network.
Comparable Transaction Analysis. No transaction utilized in the Comparable
Transaction Analysis is identical to the Merger. Accordingly, an analysis of
the results of the foregoing necessarily involves complex
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considerations and judgments concerning differences in financial and operating
characteristics of ZERO and API and other factors that could affect the
acquisition value of the companies to which they are being compared.
Mathematical analysis (such as determining the mean or median) is not in
itself a meaningful method of using comparable transaction data.
Salomon performed an analysis of 19 merger and acquisition transactions in
the low-technology electronic equipment and enclosure industries that occurred
between the years of 1988 and 1997. Multiples of firm value to revenues, firm
value to EBITDA and firm value to EBIT, along with equity value to net income
were calculated for these transactions, resulting in a range of firm value to
EBITDA multiples from 3.2x to 14.2x and a range of firm value to EBIT
multiples from 4.3x to 22.2x. A mean firm value to EBITDA multiple of 9.4x and
a median multiple of 9.2x were calculated, and a mean firm value to EBIT
multiple of 12.6x and a median of 11.8x were calculated. A range of equity
values to net income was comprised of multiples from 6.9x to 53.3x with a mean
calculation of 22.3x and a median calculation of 19.7x. The implied multiples
for ZERO based on the Implied Price were 9.4x firm value to EBITDA, 11.5x firm
value to EBIT and 15.5x equity value to net income.
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. Salomon performed a five year discounted cash
flow analysis on the stand-alone unlevered free cash flows of both ZERO and
API in order to arrive at a range of equity values per share. This range was
determined by using a weighted average cost of capital of 8.1% to 12.1%.
Salomon calculated terminal values by applying a range of estimated EBITDA
multiples of 6.0x to 10.0x to the projected EBITDA of ZERO and API,
respectively, in fiscal year 2003. From these assumptions, Salomon calculated
per share equity values of ZERO ranging from $26.04 to $48.21 and per share
equity values of API ranging from $34.67 to $65.18. Using these valuation
ranges, and the same assumptions, a range of implied exchange ratios were
calculated from 0.740x to 0.751x.
Pro Forma Merger Analysis. Salomon analyzed the pro forma effects on API's
projected earnings per share for 1998-2002 adjusted August fiscal year end
including, without independent verification, the synergies expected to result
from the Merger. This analysis is based upon a number of assumptions
including, among other things, estimated amounts and timing of synergies, the
projected financial performance of ZERO and prevailing interest rates. Based
on a fixed Exchange Ratio of 0.85, the analysis indicated that the
transaction, accounted for as a pooling of interests and with the benefit of
the synergies, would be accretive to API's stand-alone earnings per share for
each of the projected fiscal years ending August 31.
The summary set forth above does not purport to be a complete description of
the analyses performed by Salomon, but describes, in summary form, the
principal elements of the analyses performed by Salomon in arriving at its
opinion. The preparation of a fairness opinion involves various determinations
as to the most appropriate and relevant methods of financial analysis and the
application of these methods to the particular circumstances and, therefore,
such an opinion is not readily susceptible to summary description. Each of the
analyses conducted by Salomon was carried out in order to provide a different
perspective on the transaction and add to the total mix of information
available. Salomon did not form a conclusion as to whether any individual
analysis, considered in isolation, supported or failed to support an opinion
as to fairness from a financial point of view. Rather, in reaching its
conclusion, Salomon considered the results of the analyses in light of each of
the other analyses and the other information available and ultimately reached
their opinion based on the results of the analyses and other information taken
as a whole. Salomon did not place particular reliance or weight on any
individual factor, but instead concluded that, taken as a whole, the analyses
and other information supported their respective determination. Accordingly,
notwithstanding the separate factors summarized above, the analyses must be
considered as a whole, and selecting portions of the analysis and the factors
considered by Salomon, without considering all analyses and factors, could
create an incomplete or misleading view of the evaluation process underlying
Salomons' opinions. In performing these analyses, Salomon made numerous
assumptions with respect to industry performance, business and economic
conditions and other matters. The analyses performed by Salomon are not
necessarily indicative of actual values or future results, which may be
materially more or less favorable than suggested by such analyses.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
In preparing its opinion, Salomon utilized earnings estimates for both ZERO
and API which were drawn from public research reports and analysts' estimates,
and which Salomon discussed with each respective management team. API, through
CSFB, and ZERO each indicated that they were not uncomfortable with their
respective currently available EPS estimates as prepared by research analysts
and reported in public research reports. Based on this information, and with
the approval of ZERO, Salomon utilized EPS estimates of $2.30 and $2.86 for
API for the fiscal years ending August 31, 1999 and 2000, and EPS estimates of
$1.88 and $2.20 for ZERO for the fiscal years ending March 31, 1999 and 2000
for purposes of preparing its opinion.
The estimates used by Salomon were not necessarily prepared in compliance
with either the published guidelines of the SEC regarding projections or
forecasts or the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' Guide for
Prospective Financial Statements. The estimates were not necessarily prepared
in accordance with GAAP and were not audited or reviewed by independent
accountants. The assumptions underlying the estimates are inherently uncertain
and are subject to a wide variety of significant business, economic and
competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those projected. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that
projected results are indicative of the future performance of either ZERO or
API, or that the actual results will not be materially higher or lower than
those projected.
FEE AND OTHER INFORMATION
Salomon was selected to render an opinion in connection with the Merger
based upon its qualifications, expertise and reputation, including the fact
that Salomon is regularly engaged in the valuation of businesses and
securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, underwritings, sales
and distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements and
valuations for corporate and other purposes.
Pursuant to a letter agreement between ZERO and Salomon dated February 3,
1998 (the "Engagement Letter"), upon delivering its opinion, and before
disclosing the conclusion reached therein, Salomon was entitled to a fee of
$250,000. Upon consummation of the Merger, Salomon is entitled to additional
cash compensation of $4,750,000. ZERO has agreed to reimburse Salomon for out-
of-pocket expenses, including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel, and to
indemnify Salomon for liabilities and expenses arising out of the Merger or
the transactions in connection therewith, including liabilities under federal
securities laws. The terms of the fee arrangement with Salomon, which Salomon
and ZERO believe are customary in transactions of this nature, were negotiated
at arm's length between ZERO and Salomon, and the ZERO Board was aware of such
arrangement, including the fact that a significant portion of the aggregate
fee payable to Salomon is contingent upon consummation of the Merger.
OTHER BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS
Salomon provides a full range of financial, advisory and brokerage services,
and in the course of its normal trading activities may from time to time
effect transactions and hold positions in the securities of ZERO and API for
its own account and for the account of customers, and, accordingly, Salomon
may at any time hold long or short positions in such securities. Salomon has
performed investment banking and other services in the past for ZERO for which
it has received customary compensation. Compensation paid to Salomon by ZERO
in the two years ended April 3, 1998 totaled $150,000. Salomon and its
affiliates may maintain other business and financial relationships with ZERO
and API, and from time to time Salomon may perform such financial advisory and
other services for ZERO and API.
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER
In considering the recommendation of the Merger by the ZERO Board, the
stockholders of ZERO should be aware that certain directors and executive
officers of ZERO have certain interests in the consummation of the Merger
other than solely as holders of ZERO Common Stock that are described below.
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Employment Agreements. Under the Merger Agreement, ZERO has the obligation
to retain the services of its present officers and key employees. ZERO will,
therefore, immediately prior to the Merger, enter into employment agreements
for one-year terms with certain of its executives. The agreements will contain
the same terms and conditions except for specified base salary, position,
reporting assignments and participation in the Joint Life Insurance Plans. The
executive officers of ZERO who will enter into employment agreements, and
their respective positions, and current base salaries are as follows: Wilford
D. Godbold, Jr., President and CEO, $400,000; James F. Hermanson, Vice
President, $224,000; George A. Daniels, Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer, $224,000; Michael D. LeRoy, Vice President--Corporate Development,
$220,000; John G. Mogler, Vice President, $215,000; and Anita J. Cutchall,
Vice President--Legal and Corporate Secretary, $120,500. Employment agreements
for terms of one year will also be entered into with ZERO's division
presidents and general managers.
Each agreement provides that the executive will participate in the ZERO
benefit plans and programs including those providing for annual bonus, long-
term incentives, retirement benefits, employment benefits and perquisites. If
an executive's employment terminates prior to the end of the term of the
agreement by reason of retirement after age 55, death, disability, voluntary
termination, or termination by ZERO for cause, the executive shall receive
salary through the date of termination, vested benefits and a prorated cash
bonus for the year. If the executive's employment is terminated by ZERO
without cause, or by the executive for good reason, as defined in the
agreement, he or she shall receive salary and benefits through the duration of
the one-year term and a cash bonus award equal to awards received in the 12
months preceding the effective date of the agreement prorated for the original
employment term, all benefits and perquisites and all unvested options held by
such employee shall become vested. Disputes under the agreement can be
resolved either by litigation or arbitration at the election of the executive.
In the Merger Agreement, after the Effective Time of Merger, API has agreed
to cooperate in taking any actions with respect to those employees of the ZERO
Companies with written employment agreements so as to avoid any payments due
pursuant to such agreements becoming "excess parachute payments" within the
meaning of Section 280G of the Code, provided that such cooperation shall not
include any increase in the obligations of any of the API Companies or any of
the ZERO Companies pursuant to such employment agreements or otherwise.
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. ZERO maintains the ZERO Corporation
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, a nonqualified deferred compensation
plan for certain executives. The plan was originally adopted October 20, 1993,
and was amended and restated effective January 1, 1996, which version also
governs amounts deferred under the ZERO Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan
as amended as of April 1, 1986 (including the "Basic" and "Alt I" plans), and
the ZERO Corporation Alternate II Deferred Compensation Plan ("Alt II") dated
April 1, 1986. Deferrals under the Basic, Alt I and Alt II plans are no longer
being made. Executives selected to participate in the plan can elect each year
to defer at least $5,000 of compensation. Deferred amounts are credited with
interest on a quarterly basis equal to the Moody's Seasoned Corporate Bond
Rate for the last month of each quarter on which earnings are applied plus 3%.
Amounts deferred under the Basic, Alt I and Alt II plans are credited with
interest at rates varying from individual to individual and range from the
prime rate to 13.25%. Amounts are distributed following termination of
employment as specified by each participant in either lump sum, five year or
10 year installments. Notwithstanding such elections, distributions may be
made in the event of hardship suffered by the executive or at any other time
subject to a penalty. The penalty is (i) a forfeiture of 5% of the amount to
be distributed, coupled with a two year suspension from future deferrals into
the plan in the case of any distributions to actively employed executives from
portions of the plan other than amounts attributable to the Basic, Alt I and
Alt II plans and (ii) a 10% distribution forfeiture in all other cases. The
plan can be amended or terminated by action of ZERO's Board of Directors
provided that no such action can (i) reduce accounts, (ii) assess costs or
fees to participants, (iii) reduce interest rates payable below the applicable
Moody's Seasoned Corporate Bond Rate, or, in the case of amounts attributable
to the Basic, Alt I, and Alt II plans, the minimum rates set forth in the
plan, (iv) take effect prior to the end of a calendar year, or (v) accelerate
the distributions from accounts in a manner inconsistent with participant
elections.
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Not later than the occurrence of a "change in control," ZERO will fund a
grantor, or "rabbi," trust with assets equal to the value of accumulated
accounts as of the date of the change in control plus an amount equal to
interest to be payable on such amounts pursuant to the plans discounted to net
present value. The transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement would
constitute a "change in control" as defined in the plan. ZERO has entered into
an agreement with Wachovia Bank, N.A. ("Wachovia") for the establishment and
funding of the grantor trust entitled the ZERO Corporation Master Trust
Agreement for Deferred Compensation Plans. Under the trust agreement,
Wachovia, as trustee, will have authority over trust management. The trust
also provides that in the event there exists in the trust assets the value of
which exceeds 125% of the amount required to fund obligations of the trust,
such excess shall be returned to ZERO. ZERO has an obligation to fund the
trust to the extent the trust's assets are less than the value of its
obligations, and after the Merger, API must satisfy this obligation to the
extent ZERO fails to do so.
Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan. ZERO maintains the ZERO Corporation
Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan, a nonqualified deferred compensation
plan for non-employee directors, originally effective October 20, 1993,
amended and restated as of January 1, 1996. Under the plan, such directors may
each year elect to defer at least $5,000 of compensation. In essentially all
other respects, the plan's terms are substantially identical to those of the
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan described above. Not later than the
occurrence of a change in control, as defined above, ZERO will fund the ZERO
Corporation Master Trust Agreement for Deferred Compensation Plans, described
above, with assets equal to the value of accumulated accounts as of the change
in control date plus an amount equal to interest to be payable on such amounts
pursuant to the plans discounted to net present value. ZERO has an obligation
to fund the trust to the extent the trust's assets are less than the value of
its obligations, and after the Merger, API must satisfy this obligation to the
extent ZERO fails to do so.
Joint Life Insurance Plans. ZERO has established two life insurance plans
for certain executives, one established effective March 31, 1989 and amended
effective October 22, 1997, and the other established effective April 1, 1994
and amended effective October 22, 1997. The two plans are substantially
identical. Under each plan, ZERO has entered into an agreement with a
participating executive pursuant to which the executive or a trust created for
the executive is the owner of an insurance policy, and the executive or trust
assigned the policy as security to ZERO for the repayment of premium amounts
advanced by ZERO. Under each plan, ZERO also pays to each participant a cash
bonus from which the executive pays his or her portion of the required
premiums. The executive must repay his or her premium amounts advanced by ZERO
on (i) the April 1 following termination of employment (or another specified
anniversary of such termination of employment as set forth in individual
agreements) for any reason other than a "change in control," as defined below,
(ii) certain dates set forth in individual agreements if employment is
terminated by ZERO in anticipation of a change in control or is terminated for
any reason following a change in control, (iii) death of the employee, (iv)
mutual consent of ZERO and the executive, or (v) assignment of the policy by
the executive other than the collateral assignment itself or assignment to an
individual life insurance trust, at which time the security interest is
canceled and the executive or his or her death beneficiary retains the
insurance policy or its remaining cash proceeds free and clear. In no event,
however, can the repayment obligation occur sooner than 90 days following the
date of the executive's termination of employment with ZERO. Not later than
the occurrence of a change in control (which the transactions contemplated by
the Merger Agreement will constitute), ZERO shall deposit in a grantor, or
"rabbi," trust an amount sufficient to pay the aggregate of all required
premiums and the cash bonuses projected through the end of the specific term
set forth in each executive's agreement. In addition, ZERO's interest in any
policies (i.e., its collateral security interest) will be transferred to such
grantor trust. ZERO has entered into an agreement with Wachovia for the
establishment and funding of the grantor trust entitled the ZERO Corporation
Master Trust Agreement for Joint Life Insurance Plans. Under the trust
agreement, Wachovia, as trustee, will have authority over trust management.
Also, under the terms of such trust, in the event the trust accumulates assets
in excess of those required to fund its obligations under the life insurance
plans, including premiums payable on the policies and cash bonuses to
participants, such surplus must be deposited in the ZERO Corporation Master
Deferred Compensation Trust. ZERO has an obligation to fund the trust to the
extent the Trust's assets are less than the value of its obligations, and
after the Merger, API must satisfy this obligation to the extent ZERO fails to
do so.
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Conversion of Stock Options. Under the Merger Agreement, at the Effective
Time of Merger, each outstanding option to purchase shares of ZERO Common
Stock will be assumed by API and converted into an option to purchase shares
of API Common Stock on terms adjusted to reflect the Exchange Ratio. The
options held by directors and executive officers of ZERO as of the ZERO Record
Date are shown in the following table.
ZERO OPTIONS OUTSTANDING
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF ZERO EXERCISE PRICE
NAME DATE OF GRANT COMMON SHARES PER ZERO SHARE
- ---- ------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Gary M. Cusumano.................... 4/22/94 500 $12.6250
Nonemployee Director 7/27/94 2,000 $12.8750
7/26/95 2,000 $15.6250
7/24/96 2,000 $21.3750
7/23/97 2,000 $25.7500
Bruce J. DeBever.................... 7/21/93 1,000 $13.5600
Nonemployee Director 7/27/94 2,000 $12.8750
7/26/95 2,000 $15.6250
7/24/96 2,000 $21.3750
7/23/97 2,000 $25.7500
John B. Gilbert..................... 7/21/93 1,000 $13.5600
Director; Chairman Emeritus 7/27/94 2,000 $12.8750
7/26/95 2,000 $15.6250
7/24/96 2,000 $21.3750
7/23/97 2,000 $25.7500
Wilford D. Godbold, Jr.............. 10/17/94 26,000 $12.8750
President, 10/25/95 22,000 $15.3750
Chief Executive Officer 10/23/96 18,500 $19.3750
and Director 10/22/97 14,000 $27.0625
Howard W. Hill...................... 7/21/93 1,000 $13.5600
Chairman of the Board 7/27/94 2,000 $12.8750
7/26/95 2,000 $15.6250
7/24/96 2,000 $21.3750
7/23/97 2,000 $25.7500
Whitney A. McFarlin................. 7/21/93 1,000 $13.5600
Nonemployee Director 7/27/94 2,000 $12.8750
7/26/95 2,000 $15.6250
7/24/96 2,000 $21.3750
7/23/97 2,000 $25.7500
George A. Daniels................... 10/19/93 11,000 $13.7500
Vice President and 10/17/94 12,500 $12.8750
Chief Financial Officer 10/25/95 11,000 $15.3750
10/23/96 9,100 $19.3750
10/22/97 7,000 $27.0625
James F. Hermanson.................. 10/17/94 4,293 $12.8750
Vice President 10/25/95 6,547 $15.3750
10/23/96 9,100 $19.3750
10/22/97 7,000 $27.0625
</TABLE>
44
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF ZERO EXERCISE PRICE
NAME DATE OF GRANT COMMON SHARES PER ZERO SHARE
- ---- ------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Michael D. LeRoy.................... 1/12/95 15,000 $12.7500
Vice President-- 10/25/95 11,000 $15.3750
Corporate Development 10/23/96 9,100 $19.3750
10/22/97 7,000 $27.0625
John G. Mogler...................... 10/19/93 6,500 $13.7500
Vice President 10/17/94 7,300 $12.8750
10/25/95 6,300 $15.3750
10/23/96 8,000 $19.3750
10/22/97 7,000 $27.0625
Anita J. Cutchall................... 10/25/95 3,800 $15.3750
Vice President--Legal 10/23/96 5,000 $19.3750
and Corporate Secretary 10/22/97 3,800 $27.0625
</TABLE>
In the case of options held by nonemployee directors of ZERO (who will cease
to be directors of ZERO as of the Effective Time of Merger as provided in the
Merger Agreement), each such option which is not then fully vested will become
fully vested at that time. Nonvested options held by executive officers of
ZERO will become fully vested if the executive officer's employment with ZERO
is terminated by the executive or is terminated by ZERO without Cause (as
defined) within one year after the Effective Time of Merger as provided in the
option documents. See "--Assumption and Conversion of ZERO Stock Options"
below.
Indemnification. The Merger Agreement provides that, from and after the
Effective Time of Merger, API will indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest
extent permitted under applicable law, all present and former employees,
agents, directors or officers of any of the ZERO Companies, and the heirs,
successors and assigns of such persons, against any amounts incurred in
connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation arising
out of or relating to the transactions described in the Merger Agreement or
which arise out of or relate to any such person having served as a committee
member, director, officer, employee or agent of any of the ZERO Companies, or
as a trustee or fiduciary of any employee benefit plan of any of the ZERO
Companies or otherwise on behalf of any of the ZERO Companies, whether
asserted or commenced prior to or after the Effective Time of Merger. The
Merger Agreement also provides that ZERO, and its successors or assigns, will
fulfill, assume and honor the obligations of ZERO pursuant to ZERO's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the "ZERO Certificate"), ZERO's
Bylaws (the "ZERO Bylaws") and any indemnification agreement between ZERO and
any of ZERO's directors and officers existing and in force as of the date of
the Merger Agreement. The indemnification obligations set forth in the ZERO
Certificate and ZERO Bylaws, as of the date of the Merger Agreement, will
survive the Merger with respect to any matter which is based in whole or in
part or arises in whole or in part out of the fact that an individual is or
was a director or officer of any of the ZERO Companies prior to the Effective
Time of Merger. In addition, for at least six years after the Effective Time
of Merger, API will maintain in effect director's and officer's insurance
covering those persons covered by ZERO's director's and officer's insurance as
of the date of the Merger Agreement, which insurance shall be not less in
terms of coverage and amount as the insurance that ZERO had in effect covering
such directors and officers on the date of the Merger Agreement.
See "--Employee Plans" below regarding certain other arrangements with
respect to employee plans provided for by the Merger Agreement.
EMPLOYEE PLANS
In addition to the matters discussed above under "--Interests of Certain
Persons in the Merger," the Merger Agreement contains certain other provisions
with respect to ZERO's existing employee plans, including the following:
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Maintenance of Deferred Compensation Plans. ZERO's deferred compensation
plans described above and any related funding arrangements (including but not
limited to any rabbi trusts and any amounts credited to such plan pursuant to
ZERO's pension and 401(k) restoration plans) shall be maintained and
administered in accordance with their terms after the Effective Time of
Merger, and the affected participants and beneficiaries will be considered
third party beneficiaries of this provision of the Merger Agreement.
Maintenance of Joint Life Insurance Plans. ZERO's joint life insurance plans
described above and any related funding arrangements, including but not
limited to any rabbi trusts, will remain in effect after the Effective Time of
Merger, shall be administered in accordance with their respective terms and
may not be terminated or modified in any way without the consent of the
affected participants or beneficiaries, and such participants and
beneficiaries will be considered third party beneficiaries of this provision
of the Merger Agreement.
Other Employee Plans. In the Merger Agreement, API has agreed that all the
other employee benefits plans of the ZERO Companies, or plans substantially
comparable in the aggregate, shall be maintained for individuals who are
employees and former employees of ZERO as of the Closing Date for a period of
at least one year from the Closing Date on terms at least as favorable (in the
aggregate) as those in effect on the Closing Date. Such plans include the ZERO
Retirement Savings Plan, the ZERO Pension Restoration Plan, the ZERO 401(k)
Executive Restoration Plan, ZERO's management bonus plans and the Tuition
Reimbursement Plan and the Group Health Insurance, Group Dental Insurance,
Group Life Insurance and Group Disability Plans and other benefit plans
maintained by the ZERO Companies.
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF ZERO AFTER THE MERGER
At the Effective Time of Merger, ZERO, as the Surviving Corporation in the
Merger, will become a wholly owned subsidiary of API. The other ZERO Companies
will become indirect subsidiaries of API. The duly qualified and acting
directors and officers of Acquisition immediately prior to the Effective Time
of Merger, who will be officers of API, will be the directors and officers of
the Surviving Corporation, to hold office as provided in the bylaws of the
Surviving Corporation. The ZERO Certificate and the ZERO Bylaws, as in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Time of Merger, will be the certificate of
incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until amended in
accordance with law.
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER
ZERO. In the Merger Agreement, ZERO has agreed, pending consummation of the
Merger, unless otherwise consented to in writing by API (which consent may not
be unreasonably withheld except for matters described in clauses (x) and (xi)
below), that it will, and will cause each of the other ZERO Companies to:
(i) diligently carry on its business only in the regular course and in
substantially the same manner as prior to the date of the Merger Agreement
and not make or institute any unusual or novel methods of purchase, sale,
lease, management, accounting or operations;
(ii) use, operate, maintain and repair all of its assets and properties
in a normal business manner;
(iii) not do any act or omit to do any act, or permit any act or omission
to act, which will cause a material breach of any identified contracts to
which any of the ZERO Companies is a party or by which any of the ZERO
Companies is bound;
(iv) not (a) except as disclosed in connection with the Merger Agreement
or as consistent with its normal business practices consistent with past
practice, grant any increase in the rate of pay of any of the employees,
directors or officers; (b) institute or amend any employee benefit plan; or
(c) except as disclosed in connection with the Merger Agreement, enter into
or modify any written employment arrangement with any person;
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<PAGE>
(v) not create, incur or assume any indebtedness, except for indebtedness
incurred in the ordinary course of business by the ZERO Companies
consistent with past practice;
(vi) use reasonable best efforts to preserve its business organization
intact, to retain the services of its present officers and key employees
and to preserve the goodwill of suppliers, customers, creditors and others
having business relationships with it;
(vii) comply in all material respects with all applicable laws;
(viii) timely and properly file all federal, state, local and foreign tax
returns which are required to be filed, and pay or make provision for the
payment of all taxes owed by it;
(ix) not amend its certificate of incorporation or bylaws;
(x) not (a)(1) issue any additional shares of stock of any class
(including any shares of preferred stock) except for issuances of shares of
ZERO Common Stock upon the exercise of options outstanding on the date of
the Merger Agreement under the ZERO Option Plans, or (2) grant any
warrants, options or rights to subscribe for or acquire any additional
shares of stock of any class; (b) declare or pay any dividend or make any
capital or surplus distributions of any nature, except for (1) cash
dividends by subsidiaries of ZERO to ZERO, and (2) regular quarterly cash
dividends by ZERO on the outstanding ZERO Common Stock with usual record
and payment dates not exceeding, during any fiscal quarter of ZERO, 110% of
the cash dividends paid by ZERO on the ZERO Common Stock during the
immediately preceding fiscal quarter of ZERO; or (c) directly or indirectly
redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, recapitalize or reclassify any of
its capital stock or liquidate in whole or in part, except for the
redemption of 141,902 shares of ZERO Common Stock owned by a subsidiary of
ZERO; and
(xi) not (a) sell, lease, license, encumber or otherwise dispose of, or
agree to sell, lease, license, encumber or otherwise dispose of, any of its
assets, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice; or (b) acquire, or publicly propose to acquire or agree to
acquire, by merger or consolidation with, or by purchase or otherwise, an
equity interest in, all or any portion of the assets of, any person.
API. In the Merger Agreement, API has agreed, pending consummation of the
Merger, that it will, and will cause the other API Companies to, diligently
carry on its business only in the regular course and in substantially the same
manner as previously conducted, provided that acquisitions by any of the API
Companies of business enterprises engaged in businesses consistent with the
businesses of the API Companies will be permitted under this provision.
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
The Merger Agreement contains various customary representations and
warranties for a transaction of this kind by API, Acquisition and ZERO
relating, among other things, to: (a) the respective organization, existence,
and corporate power and authority of each of the API Companies and each of the
ZERO Companies, and similar corporate matters; (b) their respective
capitalization; (c) the authorization, execution, delivery and performance and
the enforceability of the Merger Agreement; (d) the absence of conflicts with
and violations of law, their respective articles or certificates of
incorporation and bylaws, and certain contracts and agreements; (e) the ZERO
Companies' title to their assets; (f) the absence of adverse material
litigation and litigation challenging the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement; (g) reports and financial statements filed with the SEC and
the compliance with applicable requirements thereof and accuracy of
information contained therein; (h) the absence of any event, condition or fact
which is, or reasonably may be expected to be, materially adverse to the
financial condition, properties, business, results of operations or prospects
of the API Companies taken as a
47
<PAGE>
whole, or of the ZERO Companies taken as a whole, respectively, other than
events, conditions or facts arising out of general economic conditions
unrelated to the business in which any of the API Companies, or any of the
ZERO Companies, respectively, are engaged (an "API Material Adverse Effect"
and a "ZERO Material Adverse Effect," respectively), and the absence of
certain other changes in the business of the API Companies or the ZERO
Companies, respectively; (i) the existence, performance and legal effect of
certain contracts to which any of the ZERO Companies is a party or is bound;
(j) the insurance coverage of the ZERO Companies; (k) the employee benefit
plans of the ZERO Companies; (l) no violations of law by any of the ZERO
Companies; (m) no incurrence of brokers', finders' or similar fees in
connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, except
for the fees to the respective financial advisors of API and ZERO (CFSB and
Salomon, respectively); (n) the filing of tax returns, payment of taxes and
other tax matters with respect to the ZERO Companies; (o) governmental and
regulatory approvals in connection with the Merger Agreement and the Merger;
(p) labor matters with respect to the ZERO Companies; (q) the accuracy and
completeness of the respective statements of fact made by API and ZERO in the
Merger Agreement; (r) the accuracy and completeness of information supplied by
each of API and ZERO for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the
Registration Statement and this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus; (s) the
respective API and ZERO shareholder votes required in connection with the
Share Issuance, the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby
(as set forth in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus) being the only
shareholder votes required; (t) that neither API nor ZERO or any of their
respective affiliates have taken or agreed to take any action that would
prevent API from accounting for the Merger as a pooling of interests; (u) the
delivery of a fairness opinion by CFSB, in the case of API, and Salomon, in
the case of ZERO; (v) compliance with applicable environmental laws,
possession of material environment, health and safety permits and other
environmental issues with respect to the ZERO Companies; (w) Year 2000
compliance with respect to the ZERO Companies; (x) a representation by ZERO
that each of the members of the ZERO Board is a "Continuing Director" as such
term is defined in the ZERO Certificate, and a representation by API that none
of the API Companies is a "Related Person" of ZERO as such term is defined in
the ZERO Certificate; and (y) the absence of undisclosed material liabilities.
In addition, in the Confidentiality Agreements, each of API and ZERO
represented that neither it nor any of its affiliates beneficially owned any
shares of the other's Common Stock.
In addition to the covenants described under "--Conduct of Business Pending
the Merger," the Merger Agreement contains various other customary covenants,
including, among other things, that: (a) subject to the provisions of the
Confidentiality Agreements, API and ZERO will each afford the other access to
its books, records, financial information, facilities, key personnel and other
documents and materials; (b) each party to the Merger Agreement will use
reasonable best efforts, to the extent within its control, to cause its
respective representations and warranties contained in the Merger Agreement to
be true and correct in all respects on the Closing Date and will take all
reasonable actions necessary to comply promptly with all legal requirements
which may be imposed on it with respect to the Merger and to obtain any
consents or approvals required in connection with the Merger or the taking of
any action contemplated by the Merger Agreement; and (c) API and ZERO will
each use its respective reasonable best efforts to cause the Merger to qualify
for pooling-of-interests accounting treatment and as a reorganization under
Section 368(a) of the Code.
All representations, warranties and covenants of the parties (other than the
covenants contained in certain specified sections of the Merger Agreement
which relate to continuing matters) terminate at the Effective Time of Merger.
CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER
The respective obligations of API, Acquisition and ZERO to effect the Merger
are subject, among other things, to the fulfillment of the following
conditions precedent at or prior to the Closing: (a) the performance of and
compliance in all respects by the respective parties with their respective
obligations under the Merger Agreement required to be performed or complied
with prior to or on the Closing Date, except where the failure to perform or
comply would not or would not be reasonably likely to result in a ZERO
Material Adverse Effect or an API Material Adverse Effect, respectively, and
the performance of and compliance by ZERO in all respects
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<PAGE>
with its obligations described in subparagraphs (x) and (xi) under "--Conduct
of Business Pending the Merger"; (b) the absence of any suit, action or other
proceeding in which the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement is restrained or enjoined; (c) the accuracy in all respects
when made and as of the Closing Date of the representations and warranties of
the respective parties made in the Merger Agreement, except where the effect
of any breaches would not or would not be reasonably likely to result in a
ZERO Material Adverse Effect or an API Material Adverse Effect, respectively;
(d) during the period from the date of the Merger Agreement to the Closing
Date there shall not have occurred, and be continued on the Closing Date, any
ZERO Material Adverse Effect or any API Material Adverse Effect, respectively;
(e) the requisite approval of the Merger Agreement by the stockholders of
ZERO, the requisite approval of the Share Issuance by the shareholders of API
and the execution and delivery of the Certificate of Merger by ZERO and
Acquisition; (f) the continuing effectiveness of the Registration Statement;
(g) compliance with all necessary requirements of the HSR Act and expiration
prior to the Closing Date or termination by the appropriate agency of any
"waiting periods" applicable to the Merger and to the transactions described
in the Merger Agreement which are imposed by the HSR Act; (h) the approval for
listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance, of the shares of
API Common Stock to be issued or reserved for issuance pursuant to the Merger
Agreement; (i) as a condition precedent to ZERO's obligations, the receipt of
the tax opinion that has been delivered by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP,
counsel to ZERO, to the effect that the Merger will be treated for federal
income tax purposes as a tax-free organization within the meaning of Section
368(a) of the Code (see "--Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences"), which
opinion shall not have been withdrawn or modified in any material respect as
of the Closing Date and the Effective Time of Merger; (j) API and ZERO having
received officers' certificates from each other stating that certain
conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement have been satisfied, and the
receipt of accountants' comfort letters; (k) as a condition precedent to the
obligations of API and Acquisition, the receipt of an opinion from Coopers &
Lybrand L.L.P. to the effect that the Merger qualifies for pooling-of-
interests accounting treatment if consummated in accordance with the Merger
Agreement; and (l) as a condition precedent to the obligations of API and
Acquisition, the receipt by API of letter agreements relating to trading in
securities of API and ZERO (substantially in the form attached as exhibits to
the Merger Agreement), duly executed by each affiliate of API or ZERO (see "--
Resale of API Common Stock").
NO SOLICITATION; SPECIAL FEE
The Merger Agreement required ZERO to immediately terminate any discussions
with any other parties with respect to any Other Transaction (as defined
below).
The Merger Agreement provides that ZERO shall not, and shall not permit its
subsidiaries or officers, directors, employees, agents or other
representatives of any of the ZERO Companies, to solicit, initiate,
facilitate, encourage, negotiate with respect to, discuss or agree to: (i) any
of the following (other than the Merger), on or prior to that date which is
one year after the date of termination of the Merger Agreement (the "Special
Date"), provided that such termination is by API pursuant to specified
provisions of the Merger Agreement which permit API to terminate upon the
failure of ZERO to fulfill certain of its obligations under the Agreement, or
by ZERO to pursue one of the following transactions after a good faith
determination by the ZERO Board, based upon the advice of outside legal
counsel, that such action is required by its fiduciary duties under applicable
law: (A) a merger, consolidation, share exchange, exchange of securities,
reorganization, business combination or other similar transaction involving
ZERO; (B) a sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of all or a significant
portion of the total assets of the ZERO Companies, taken as a whole, in a
single transaction or series of related transactions; (C) a sale of, or tender
offer or exchange offer for, or acquisition by any person or group of
beneficial owners of, 20% or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock
of ZERO in a single transaction or a series of related transactions; or (D) a
public announcement of a proposal, plan, intention or agreement to do any of
the foregoing (each such event, an "Other Transaction"); or (ii) any request
for information, expression of interest, inquiry, proposal or offer relating
in any manner to an Other Transaction (an "Other Proposal"), subject to
exceptions which permit the ZERO Board to furnish information and participate
in discussions and negotiations with a person making a Superior Proposal (as
defined below) if the ZERO Board determines to do so in good faith, upon the
advice of outside legal counsel that such action is required by its fiduciary
duties under
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applicable law, and permit ZERO to comply with its obligations under the
Exchange Act with respect to an Other Proposal by means of a tender offer. If
ZERO receives an Other Proposal that is not a Superior Proposal and the Other
Proposal becomes public information, ZERO is required to use reasonable best
efforts to resist such Other Proposal and take all appropriate steps to have
the ZERO Board approve defensive measures, including, but not limited to, a
shareholder rights plan. ZERO must notify API within 24 hours following
receipt by ZERO of any Other Proposal, including the terms and conditions of
such Other Proposal and the person making it, and keep API fully informed of
the status and developments regarding the Other Proposal. After complying with
these provisions, ZERO may, by notice to API at any time prior to the
Effective Time of Merger, terminate the Merger Agreement if ZERO enters into,
executes or agrees to an Other Transaction following a good faith
determination by the ZERO Board, based upon the advice of outside legal
counsel, that such action is required by its fiduciary duties under applicable
law.
A "Superior Proposal" is defined to mean a written bona fide unsolicited
Other Proposal by any person (other than API) which the ZERO Board determines
in good faith, and in the exercise of reasonable judgment (based, among other
factors, on the opinion, with only customary qualifications, of its
independent financial advisors) to be more favorable to the ZERO stockholders
than the Merger from a financial point of view, which proposal is capable of
being consummated without undue delay.
In order to induce API to enter into the Merger Agreement and to compensate
API for the time and expenses incurred in connection with the Merger Agreement
and the Merger and the losses suffered by API from foregone opportunities, the
Merger Agreement provides that ZERO will pay $15,000,000 (the "Special Fee")
to API if, on or prior to the Special Date: (A) a person unrelated to API has
consummated an Other Transaction, or has publicly announced or proposed an
Other Transaction and subsequently consummates such Other Transaction after
the Special Date; or (B) ZERO has entered into an agreement with respect to an
Other Transaction; or (C) ZERO terminates the Merger Agreement for the purpose
of pursuing an Other Proposal or Other Transaction (each such event, a
"Special Event"). Under clause (A), a Special Event for such Other Transaction
will be deemed to have occurred at the earlier of the events specified in
clauses (B) or (C). The Special Fee is to be paid in immediately available
funds within five business days after the occurrence of a Special Event. If
ZERO fails to pay the Special Fee when due, the Merger Agreement provides that
the unpaid portion of the Special Fee (including accrued interest thereon)
will accrue interest at the annual rate of 12%, compounding monthly, until
paid in full, and that ZERO will pay all costs and expenses of API in
connection with any action taken by API to collect payment.
TERMINATION; AMENDMENT; WAIVER
The Merger Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated
thereby may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing, whether before or
after approval by the shareholders of API of the Share Issuance or approval by
the stockholders of ZERO of the Merger Agreement, as follows:
(a) by mutual written agreement of API and ZERO, duly authorized by the
API and ZERO Boards;
(b) by either API or ZERO by written notice to the other party if: (i)
any court of competent jurisdiction shall have issued an order, judgment,
or decree permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the
Merger and such order, judgment, or decree shall have become final and
nonappealable; or (ii) if the Effective Time of Merger has not occurred on
or before September 30, 1998, provided, however, that the right so to
terminate under this clause (ii) will not be available to any party whose
failure to fulfill any obligation under the Merger Agreement has caused or
resulted in the failure to consummate the Merger on or before that date;
(c) by API by written notice to ZERO if: (i) there are one or more
breaches of the representations and warranties of ZERO made in the Merger
Agreement as of the date of the Merger Agreement which breaches would or
would be reasonably likely to result in a ZERO Material Adverse Effect and
such breaches are not remedied within 20 calendar days after receipt by
ZERO of written notice from API specifying the nature of such breaches and
requesting that they be remedied; (ii) ZERO shall have failed to perform
and comply
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in all respects with its agreements and covenants described in
subparagraphs (x) and (xi) under "--Conduct of Business Pending the
Merger"; (iii) ZERO shall have failed to perform and comply in all respects
with all of its other agreements and covenants contained in the Merger
Agreement and such failures to perform or comply would or would be
reasonably likely to result in a ZERO Material Adverse Effect and such
failures to perform or comply are not remedied within 20 calendar days
after receipt of written notice from API specifying the nature of such
failures and requesting that they be remedied; (iv) API has held the API
Special Meeting to vote on the Share Issuance and such proposal does not
receive the requisite vote of the API shareholders; (v) ZERO has held the
ZERO Special Meeting to vote upon the Merger Agreement and such proposal
does not receive the requisite vote of the ZERO stockholders; or (vi) the
ZERO Board or any committee thereof: (A) withdraws or modifies in any
manner adverse to API its approval or recommendation of the Merger
Agreement or the Merger, (B) fails to reaffirm such approval or
recommendation upon API's request, or (C) approves or recommends any other
transaction; and
(d) by ZERO by written notice to API if: (i) there are one or more
breaches of the representations and warranties of API made in the Merger
Agreement as of the date of the Merger Agreement which breaches would or
would be reasonably likely to result in a API Material Adverse Effect and
such breaches are not remedied within 20 calendar days after receipt by API
of written notice from ZERO specifying the nature of such breaches and
requesting that they be remedied; (ii) API shall have failed to perform and
comply in all respects with all of its agreements and covenants contained
in the Merger Agreement and such failures to perform or comply would or
would be reasonably likely to result in a API Material Adverse Effect and
such failures to perform or comply are not remedied within 20 calendar days
after receipt of written notice from ZERO specifying the nature of such
failures and requesting that they be remedied; (iii) ZERO has held the ZERO
Special Meeting to vote upon the Merger Agreement and such proposal does
not receive the requisite vote of the ZERO stockholders; (iv) API has held
the API Special Meeting to vote on the Share Issuance and such proposal
does not receive the requisite vote of the API shareholders; (v) ZERO
enters into, executes or agrees to an Other Transaction following a good
faith determination by the ZERO Board (after compliance by ZERO with the
provisions of the Merger Agreement described in the second paragraph under
"--No Solicitation; Special Fee") based upon the advice of outside legal
counsel, that such action is required by its fiduciary duties under
applicable law; or (vi) the API Board or any committee thereof: (A)
withdraws or modifies in any manner adverse to ZERO its approval or
recommendation of the Merger Agreement or the Merger, or (B) fails to
reaffirm such approval or recommendation upon ZERO's request.
In the event of termination of the Merger Agreement by either API or ZERO as
provided above, there will be no further obligation or liability of any party
(including its directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors or other
representatives) to the others except that: (a) the obligations of API and
Acquisition under the Confidentiality Agreements and under the provisions of
the Merger Agreement regarding expenses and rights on termination will
survive; (b) the obligations of ZERO under the Confidentiality Agreements, its
obligation to pay the Special Fee, if such fee is payable under the provisions
of the Merger Agreement described above under "--No Solicitation; Special
Fee," and its obligations to comply with the provisions of the Merger
Agreement regarding expenses and rights on termination will survive; and (c)
each party shall retain any and all remedies which it may have for breach of
contract provided by law based on another party's willful failure to comply
with the terms of the Merger Agreement.
The Merger Agreement may be amended by the parties at any time before or
after approval of the Merger Agreement by the holders of ZERO Common Stock or
the Share Issuance by the holders of API Common Stock, except that after such
approval, no amendment may be made without the further approval of the holders
of ZERO Common Stock if such amendment changes the Exchange Ratio or
materially adversely affects the rights of the ZERO stockholders, and no
amendment may be made without the further approval of the holders of API
Common Stock if such amendment changes the Exchange Ratio or materially
adversely affects the rights of the API shareholders.
If any of the conditions to the respective parties' obligations to
consummate the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement have not been
satisfied, a party may nevertheless elect to proceed with consummation of the
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transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (unless the condition
relates to a non-waivable legal requirement). Any such election to proceed
must be evidenced by a certificate signed on behalf of the waiving party by an
officer of that party.
STANDSTILL PROVISIONS
In the Confidentiality Agreements, API and ZERO have each agreed (other than
as contemplated in the Merger Agreement) that, for a period of three years
from March 23, 1998, neither of them nor any of their affiliates will (i)
acquire, agree to acquire or make any proposal to acquire any securities or
property of the other party (other than property transferred in the ordinary
course of business) unless such acquisition, agreement or proposal has been
expressly first approved or invited by the other party's Board of Directors,
(ii) solicit proxies from shareholders of the other party or otherwise seek to
influence or control the management or policies of the other party, or (iii)
assist any other person in doing any of the foregoing. Under the Merger
Agreement, the Confidentiality Agreements remain in effect but will be deemed
to have terminated at the Effective Time of Merger.
FEES AND EXPENSES
Except for (i) the filing fee relating to the HSR Act filing, which will be
paid by API and (ii) printing expenses for this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and the Registration Statement, and the filing fee
relating thereto, which will be shared equally, API and ZERO will each pay its
own costs and expenses in connection with the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby.
CONVERSION OF SHARES IN THE MERGER
At the Effective Time of Merger, by virtue of the Merger and without any
action on the part of Acquisition, ZERO, API or holders of their securities:
(i) each issued and outstanding share of common stock of Acquisition will
be converted into one share of ZERO Common Stock;
(ii) any shares of ZERO Common Stock that are owned by any of the ZERO
Companies will be cancelled and retired and cease to exist, and no API
Common Stock or other consideration will be issued or delivered in exchange
therefor; and
(iii) each share of ZERO Common Stock issued and outstanding (other than
any shares to be cancelled as described in subparagraph (ii) above, of
which as of the ZERO Record Date there were 4,194,920 such shares held in
treasury by ZERO) will be converted into 0.85 shares of API Common Stock
(the "Exchange Ratio") on the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger
Agreement; provided, however, that cash will be paid in lieu of any
fractional share of API Common Stock. See "--Exchange of ZERO Certificates;
No Fractional Shares."
All shares of ZERO Common Stock converted as provided in subparagraph (iii)
of the preceding paragraph will no longer be outstanding and will
automatically be cancelled and retired and will cease to exist. Each holder of
a certificate representing, immediately prior to the Effective Time of Merger,
any such shares of ZERO Common Stock (a "ZERO Certificate") will cease to have
any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive, as described
below: (i) a certificate representing the number of whole shares of API Common
Stock into which such shares of ZERO Common Stock have been converted, (ii)
certain dividends and other distributions, and (iii) cash, without interest,
in lieu of any fractional share of API Common Stock. See "--Exchange of ZERO
Certificates; No Fractional Shares."
In the event that, prior to the Effective Time of Merger, there is a
reclassification, stock split or stock dividend with respect to outstanding
API Common Stock or outstanding ZERO Common Stock, an appropriate and
proportionate adjustment, if any, will be made to the Exchange Ratio.
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EXCHANGE OF ZERO CERTIFICATES; NO FRACTIONAL SHARES
API has designated Firstar Trust Company to act as Exchange Agent under the
Merger Agreement. As of the Effective Time of Merger, API will deposit with
the Exchange Agent, for the benefit of the holders of shares of ZERO Common
Stock, for exchange through the Exchange Agent, certificates representing the
shares of API Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Merger Agreement in
exchange for outstanding shares of ZERO Common Stock. Such certificates for
shares of API Common Stock, together with any dividends or distributions with
respect thereto and together with any cash to be paid for fractional share
interests, are referred to as the "Exchange Fund."
Promptly after the Effective Time of Merger, the Exchange Agent will mail to
each holder of record of a ZERO Certificate a form of letter of transmittal
and instructions for effecting the surrender of the ZERO Certificate in
exchange for certificates representing shares of API Common Stock.
PLEASE NOTE THAT STOCKHOLDERS OF ZERO SHOULD NOT SUBMIT THEIR ZERO
CERTIFICATES FOR EXCHANGE UNTIL SUCH LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND INSTRUCTIONS
ARE RECEIVED.
Upon surrender of a ZERO Certificate for cancellation to the Exchange Agent,
together with a duly executed letter of transmittal and such other documents
as the Exchange Agent may reasonably require, the holder of such ZERO
Certificate will be entitled to receive in exchange therefor a certificate
representing that number of whole shares of API Common Stock into which the
shares of ZERO Common Stock formerly represented by the ZERO Certificate
surrendered have been converted in the Merger pursuant to the Exchange Ratio,
plus cash in lieu of any fractional share of API Common Stock to which such
holder would otherwise be entitled as more fully described below, and the ZERO
Certificate so surrendered will be cancelled.
At the Effective Time of Merger, the stock transfer books of ZERO will be
closed and there will be no further registration of transfers of shares of
ZERO Common Stock thereafter on the records of ZERO. From and after the
Effective Time of Merger, the holders of ZERO Certificates outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time of Merger will cease to have any
rights with respect to the shares of ZERO Common Stock formerly represented
thereby except as otherwise provided in the Merger Agreement or by law.
In the event of a transfer of ownership of shares of ZERO Common Stock which
is not registered in the transfer records of ZERO, a certificate representing
the proper number of shares of API Common Stock, and any cash in lieu of a
fractional share, will be delivered to the transferee if the ZERO Certificate
which represented such shares of ZERO Common Stock is presented to the
Exchange Agent, accompanied by all documents required to evidence and effect
such transfer and by evidence that any applicable stock transfer taxes have
been paid.
Until surrendered as contemplated by the Merger Agreement, each ZERO
Certificate shall be deemed at all times after the Effective Time of Merger to
represent only the right to receive upon surrender a certificate representing
shares of API Common Stock and cash in lieu of any fractional share interest
as contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
No dividends or other distributions declared or made after the Effective
Time of Merger with respect to API Common Stock with a record date after the
Effective Time of Merger will be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered ZERO
Certificate with respect to the shares of API Common Stock represented
thereby, and no cash payment in lieu of a fractional share will be paid to any
such holder, until surrender of such ZERO Certificate. Subject to the effect
of any applicable law, following the surrender of any such ZERO Certificate,
there will be paid to the holder of the certificate representing whole shares
of API Common Stock issued in exchange therefor, without interest, any such
dividends or distributions to which such holder is entitled.
All shares of API Common Stock issued upon conversion of the ZERO Common
Stock in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement (and any cash paid
in lieu of fractional share interests) shall be deemed to have been issued
(and paid) in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the ZERO Common
Stock.
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No fractional shares of API Common Stock will be issued in the Merger. All
fractional share interests of a holder of more than one ZERO Certificate at
the Effective Time of Merger will be aggregated to maximize the number of
whole shares of API Common Stock to be issued and minimize the fractional
interests to be paid in cash. If a fractional share interest results after
such aggregation, each holder of a fractional share interest will be paid an
amount in cash equal to the product obtained by multiplying such fractional
share interest by the average of the closing price per share of API Common
Stock as reported on the NYSE Composite Transactions Tape on each of the 10
consecutive trading days ending on and including the fifth trading day
immediately preceding the Closing Date. Promptly after the determination of
the amount of cash, if any, to be paid to holders of fractional share
interests, the Exchange Agent will notify API and API will deliver such
amounts to such holders as provided in the Merger Agreement.
Any portion of the Exchange Fund which remains undistributed to the ZERO
stockholders 12 months after the Effective Time of Merger will be delivered to
API, upon demand, and any ZERO stockholders who have not theretofore
surrendered their ZERO Certificates shall thereafter look only to API for
payment of their claim for shares of API Common Stock, any cash in lieu of
fractional share interests and any dividends or distributions with respect to
API Common Stock. Neither the Exchange Agent nor any party to the Merger
Agreement will be liable to any ZERO stockholder for any such property
delivered to any public official pursuant to any abandoned property, escheat
or similar law.
API will be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise
payable pursuant to the Merger Agreement to any ZERO stockholder such amount
as API is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such
payment under the Code, or any provision of state, local or foreign tax law.
To the extent that amounts are so withheld by API, such withheld amounts will
be treated for all purposes of the Merger Agreement as having been paid to the
ZERO stockholder in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made
by API.
ASSUMPTION AND CONVERSION OF ZERO STOCK OPTIONS
At the Effective Time of Merger, each outstanding option to purchase shares
of ZERO Common Stock (a "ZERO Option") under ZERO's 1994 Stock Option Plan or
ZERO's 1988 Stock Option Plan, each as amended (the "ZERO Option Plans"),
whether vested or unvested, will be deemed to constitute an option to acquire,
on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such ZERO Option,
the same number of shares of API Common Stock as the holder of such ZERO
Option would have been entitled to receive pursuant to the Merger had such
holder exercised such option in full immediately prior to the Effective Time
of Merger (rounded down to the nearest whole number), at a price per share
(rounded up to the nearest whole cent) equal to: (i) the aggregate exercise
price for the shares of ZERO Common Stock otherwise purchasable pursuant to
such ZERO Option; divided by (ii) the number of full shares of API Common
Stock deemed purchasable pursuant to such ZERO Option in accordance with the
foregoing. However, in the case of any ZERO Option which is intended to be an
"incentive stock option" (as defined in Section 422 of the Code), the option
price, the number of shares purchasable pursuant to such option and the terms
and conditions of exercise of such option shall be determined in accordance
with the foregoing, subject to such adjustments as are necessary in order to
satisfy the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code. At or prior to the
Effective Time of Merger, ZERO will make all necessary arrangements to permit
the assumption of the unexercised ZERO Options by API as provided in the
Merger Agreement.
Effective at the Effective Time of Merger, API will assume each ZERO Option
in accordance with the terms of the ZERO Option Plan under which it was issued
and all of the terms and conditions of the stock option agreement by which it
is evidenced. At or prior to the Effective Time of Merger, API will take all
corporate action necessary to reserve for issuance a sufficient number of
shares of API Common Stock for delivery upon exercise of ZERO Options so
assumed. As soon as practicable after the Effective Time of Merger, API will
file a registration statement (or a post-effective amendment to the
Registration Statement) on Form S-8 (or any successor or other appropriate
form) with respect to the API Common Stock subject to such ZERO Options, and
shall use its best efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such registration
statement (and maintain the current
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status of the prospectus or prospectuses relating thereto) for so long as such
assumed ZERO Options remain outstanding.
As of the ZERO Record Date, there were ZERO Options outstanding under the
ZERO Option Plans to purchase an aggregate of 695,099 shares of ZERO Common
Stock, of which options to purchase 343,226 shares were vested and options to
purchase 351,873 shares were unvested. Under the terms of the ZERO Options,
which will continue to apply after the assumption thereof by API pursuant to
the Merger Agreement, if an optionee's employment with ZERO is terminated by
the employee or is terminated by ZERO without Cause (as defined) within one
year after the Effective Time of Merger, any unvested portion of any ZERO
Option held by such employee will fully vest as of the date of termination of
employment and become fully exercisable to purchase shares of API Common Stock
as described above; such option will terminate upon the earlier of the
expiration date of the option or the thirtieth day following the date of
termination of employment. In the case of ZERO Options held by nonemployee
directors of ZERO, who will cease to be directors of ZERO as of the Effective
Time of Merger when they are replaced by the directors of Acquisition pursuant
to the terms of the Merger Agreement, any portion of such an option that has
not vested prior to the Effective Time of Merger will fully vest as of the
Effective Time of Merger; each such option will terminate upon the earlier of
the expiration date of the Option or the thirtieth day following the Effective
Time of Merger.
GOVERNMENTAL AND REGULATORY APPROVALS
Consummation of the Merger is subject to requisite governmental and
regulatory approvals.
Pre-Merger Antitrust Notification. The HSR Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder provide that certain acquisition transactions (including the
Merger) may not be consummated until certain information has been submitted to
the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice (the
"Antitrust Division") and the Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC") and
specified HSR Act waiting period requirements have been satisfied. API and
ZERO filed appropriate notifications under the HSR Act on April 24, 1998. The
waiting period under the HSR Act expires or terminates 30 days after such a
filing unless early termination is received or a request for additional
information is made by either the Antitrust Division or the FTC. The waiting
period was terminated by early termination on May 5, 1998. The expiration or
early termination of the HSR Act waiting period does not preclude the
Antitrust Division or the FTC, or any state, from challenging the Merger on
antitrust grounds at any time before or after the Effective Time of Merger.
Private persons may also seek to take legal action under the antitrust laws
under certain circumstances.
Other. Under the Merger Agreement, each party has agreed to take all
reasonable actions necessary to obtain (and cooperate with the other parties
in obtaining) any consent, authorization, order or approval of, or any
exemption by, any governmental entity or other public or private person
required to be obtained in connection with the Merger. To the parties' present
knowledge, the satisfaction of the HSR Act notification requirements and the
requirement that the Registration Statement shall have been declared effective
under the Securities Act are the only material regulatory requirements
applicable to the Merger. If the Merger were to require filings and approvals
in certain foreign jurisdictions where API or ZERO does business, the parties
would expect to make such required filings and to receive all necessary
approvals. If it appears that any approval which API and ZERO deem to be
material will not be obtained by the anticipated Effective Time of Merger, the
parties may, subject to the provisions of the Merger Agreement, delay the
Effective Time until such approvals are obtained.
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The closing of the Merger is conditioned upon the receipt by ZERO of an
opinion of its counsel, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, dated prior to the
mailing date of this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, to the effect that the
Merger will be treated for federal income tax purposes as a reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and that API, Acquisition
and ZERO will each be a party to that reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(b) of the Code, which opinion shall not have been withdrawn or
modified in any material respect as of the Closing Date and the Effective Time
of Merger. Such opinion has been delivered and is filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.
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In rendering its opinion, counsel has relied upon and assumed as accurate
and correct on the date hereof, and will rely and assume as accurate and
correct as of the Effective Time of Merger, the information contained in this
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and certain representations as to factual
matters made by API and ZERO. The principal representations relied upon are
summarized as follows: (i) except as provided in Section 6.10(c) of the Merger
Agreement, ZERO will not redeem or acquire, and a corporation related to ZERO
will not acquire, ZERO Common Stock prior to or in connection with the Merger;
(ii) ZERO will not make an "extraordinary distribution" with respect to ZERO
Common Stock prior to or in connection with the Merger; (iii) there is no plan
or intention on the part of API, or a corporation related to API, to purchase
any of the API Common Stock transferred to the ZERO stockholders in the
Merger; (iv) immediately after the Merger ZERO will hold at least 90% of the
fair market value of the net assets and at least 70% of the fair market value
of the gross assets of ZERO immediately prior to the Merger, taking into
account any redemptions or distributions by ZERO occurring prior to the
Merger; (v) API has no plan or intention to liquidate ZERO or merge ZERO with
itself or another corporation following the Merger; (vi) at least 80% of the
shares of ZERO Common Stock exchanged in the Merger will be exchanged solely
for voting stock of API; and (vii) following the Merger, API will maintain
control of ZERO and will continue the historic business of ZERO or use a
significant portion of ZERO's assets in a business and will not make any
transfers of ZERO's assets that would cause API to be considered as no longer
continuing the business of ZERO for purposes of Code Section 368 and the
regulations thereunder. Any inaccuracy or change with respect to such
information or representations, or any past or future actions by API or ZERO
contrary to such representations, could adversely affect the conclusions
reached in the opinion and the tax summary set forth below.
Counsel's opinion represents its best legal judgment as to the tax treatment
of the Merger, but is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service (the
"Service"). The parties have not and will not request a ruling from the
Service in connection with the federal income tax consequences of the Merger.
The following summary of material United States federal income tax
consequences of the Merger is based upon the conclusions reached in such
opinion.
Based on the provisions of the Code, the applicable regulations thereunder,
judicial authority and current administrative rulings and practices as of the
date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive
effect: (i) no gain or loss will be recognized by API, Acquisition or ZERO as
a result of the Merger; (ii) no gain or loss will be recognized by the holders
of ZERO Common Stock upon the conversion of their shares of ZERO Common Stock
into shares of API Common Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement, except with
respect to cash, if any, received in lieu of fractional shares of API Common
Stock; (iii) the tax basis of the shares of API Common Stock into which shares
of ZERO Common Stock are converted will be the same as the basis of the shares
of ZERO Common Stock converted into such API Common Stock, reduced by any
amount allocable to the fractional share interests for which cash is received;
(iv) the holding period for shares of API Common Stock into which shares of
ZERO Common Stock are converted will include the period that such shares of
ZERO Common Stock were held by the holder, provided such shares were held as
capital assets of the holder at the Effective Time of Merger; and (v) the
payment of cash to a holder of ZERO Common Stock in lieu of a fractional share
interest, if any, of API Common Stock will result in the recognition of gain
or loss for federal income tax purposes, measured by the difference between
the amount of cash received and the portion of the adjusted tax basis of ZERO
Common Stock allocable to such fractional share interest (such gain or loss
will be capital gain or loss, provided that such stock was held as a capital
asset as of the Effective Time of Merger).
A ZERO stockholder who receives API Common Stock pursuant to the Merger will
be required to retain records and file with such stockholder's federal income
tax return for the taxable year in which the Merger takes place a statement
setting forth all relevant facts in respect of the nonrecognition of gain or
loss upon such exchange. The statement is required to include (i) such
stockholder's basis in the shares of ZERO Common Stock surrendered in the
Merger, and (ii) the value of API Common Stock received (using fair market
value as of the Effective Time of Merger) and the amount of any cash received
in the Merger.
THE FOREGOING DISCUSSION IS INTENDED ONLY AS A DESCRIPTION OF THE MATERIAL
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER AND DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE A
COMPLETE ANALYSIS OR DESCRIPTION OF ALL POTENTIAL
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TAX EFFECTS OF THE MERGER. In addition, the discussion does not address all
the tax consequences that may be relevant to particular taxpayers in light of
their personal circumstances or to taxpayers subject to special treatment
under the Code (for example, insurance companies, financial institutions,
dealers in securities, tax-exempt organizations, foreign corporations, foreign
partnerships, or other foreign entities and individuals who are not citizens
or residents of the United States and holders who acquired their shares of
ZERO Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of options or otherwise as
compensation).
No information is provided herein with respect to the tax consequences, if
any, of the Merger under applicable foreign, state, local and other tax laws.
THE GENERAL SUMMARY SET FORTH ABOVE IS NOT INTENDED TO BE, NOR SHOULD IT BE
CONSTRUED TO BE, LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE TO ANY PARTICULAR ZERO STOCKHOLDER. EACH
STOCKHOLDER OF ZERO IS URGED TO CONSULT SUCH STOCKHOLDER'S OWN TAX ADVISOR AS
TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO SUCH STOCKHOLDER OF THE MERGER, INCLUDING
THE APPLICATION OF FOREIGN, STATE, LOCAL AND OTHER TAX LAWS.
RESALE OF API COMMON STOCK
All shares of API Common Stock received by ZERO stockholders in the Merger
will be freely transferable, except that shares of API Common Stock received
by persons who are deemed to be "affiliates" (as such term is defined under
the Securities Act) of API or ZERO prior to the Merger may be resold by them
only in transactions permitted by the resale provisions of Rule 145
promulgated under the Securities Act or as otherwise permitted under the
Securities Act. Persons who may be deemed to be affiliates of API or ZERO
generally include individuals or entities that control, are controlled by, or
are under common control with, such party and may include certain officers and
directors of such party as well as principal shareholders of such party. The
Merger Agreement requires each of API and ZERO to use reasonable best efforts
to cause each of its affiliates to execute a written agreement in
substantially the form attached to the Merger Agreement (an "Affiliate
Letter") to the effect that such affiliate will not (i) sell, transfer or
otherwise dispose of, or reduce any risk relative to, any securities of API or
ZERO during the period beginning 30 days prior to the Effective Time of Merger
and continuing until such time as results covering at least 30 days of post-
Merger operations of API have been published or (ii) sell, assign or transfer
any of the shares of API Common Stock received pursuant to the Merger except
as permitted by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
by the SEC thereunder. It is a condition to the obligations of API to
consummate the Merger that API shall have received an Affiliate Letter from
each person who is an affiliate of either API or ZERO.
This Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus does not cover resales of API Common
Stock received by any person who may be deemed to be an affiliate of ZERO or
API.
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
The Merger is expected to be accounted for as a pooling of interests in
accordance with GAAP. Under this accounting method, the historical financial
information of API and ZERO will be restated to reflect the combined financial
position and operations of both companies. The combined financial position and
operations will be adjusted to conform the accounting practices of the
companies. It is a condition to the consummation of the Merger that API
receive an opinion from Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. to the effect that the Merger
qualifies for pooling-of-interests accounting treatment if consummated in
accordance with the Merger Agreement.
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BUSINESS OF THE PARTIES
API
API, a Wisconsin corporation incorporated in 1910, is a diversified global
company engaged in the business of providing tools, equipment, systems, and
supply items to a variety of end-users and original equipment manufacturers
("OEMs") in the manufacturing, computer, semiconductor, telecommunication,
datacom, construction, electrical, transportation, recreational vehicle,
natural resources, aerospace, defense, and other industries.
API's operations are divided into three segments: (i) Technical Environments
and Enclosures ("TEE")--Technical environment solutions for computer rooms,
offices, laboratories and manufacturing, and enclosures for electronic
equipment; (ii) Tools and Supplies--Industrial and electrical tools and
supplies sold primarily through distribution; and (iii) Engineered Solutions--
Motion and vibration control products and systems customized and primarily
sold to OEM customers.
TECHNICAL ENVIRONMENTS AND ENCLOSURES. TEE designs, manufactures, and sells
furnishings and enclosures utilized in technology intensive business
environments. The business is comprised of two product lines which are Wright
Line (Technical Environments) and APW Enclosures. Wright Line applications
include local area networks, multimedia production, electrical engineering and
testing, electronic manufacturing, telecommunication centers, and R&D
laboratories. In addition, Wright Line provides modular workstations used in
the computerized office. APW Enclosures designs, manufactures, and sells metal
and plastic enclosures to a wide variety of electronic OEMs in the computer,
semiconductor, telecommunication, medical, and electronic industries.
TOOLS AND SUPPLIES. Tools and Supplies is engaged in the design,
manufacture, and distribution of tools and supplies to the construction,
electrical wholesale, retail Do-It-Yourself, datacom, retail automotive,
industrial, and production automation markets. These products are sold under a
variety of brand names of which the two most well known are Enerpac and GB
Electrical.
Tools and Supplies furnishes over 10,000 products. The majority of products
are manufactured or assembled, while select low volume products are sourced.
Enerpac is a specialist in hydraulic high force tools for the construction and
industrial markets, and also supplies quick mold change systems for the
plastic injection molding industry, quick die change systems for the metal
stamping industry, industrial products for the professional automotive repair
market, and workholding products for the machining industry. GB Electrical is
a large volume manufacturer of wire connectors, conduit benders, plastic cable
ties, and fish tapes for the electrical wiring industry.
ENGINEERED SOLUTIONS. Engineered Solutions focuses on developing and
marketing value-added, customized solutions for OEMs in the automotive, truck,
off-highway equipment, medical, aerospace, recreational vehicle,
semiconductor, defense, and industrial markets. Engineered Solutions markets
under a variety of well known brand names such as APITECH/Power-Packer, Power
Gear, MoxMed, and Barry Controls. Engineered Solutions' expertise is primarily
in the areas of motion and vibration control. The business is particularly
skilled in using electronics to create smart or active systems to control
motion.
Primary applications in the automotive industry include convertible top
actuation systems and electric hydraulic valves used to control hydraulic
systems on cars. In the truck industry, the business supplies cab-over-engine
hydraulic tilt systems, cab suspension systems, engine mount systems, and
other vibration isolation components. Medical applications include self-
contained hydraulic actuators that are primarily used in conjunction with
hospital beds as well as vibration isolation products for medical
instrumentation. In aerospace, the segment is a leading supplier of engine
vibration isolation systems to aircraft manufacturers as well as directly to
airlines to support maintenance operations. In recreational vehicles, API
supplies leveling and slide-out systems. In addition to these major markets,
the segment's products are used in a wide variety of applications in other
industries.
ACQUISITIONS. API has had an active acquisition program and regularly
reviews acquisition opportunities in the ordinary course of its business, some
of which may be potentially material. Such opportunities may be under
investigation, discussion, or negotiation at any particular time or from time
to time.
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Additional information concerning API is included in the API documents filed
with the SEC which are incorporated by reference herein. See "Available
Information" and "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference."
ACQUISITION
Acquisition, a wholly owned subsidiary of API, is a Delaware corporation
which was incorporated by API for the purpose of consummating the Merger.
Acquisition will have no operations except as contemplated by the Merger
Agreement. At the Effective Time of Merger, Acquisition will be merged with
and into ZERO, which will be the Surviving Corporation, and each share of
common stock of Acquisition issued and outstanding at the Effective Time of
Merger will be converted into one share of ZERO Common Stock. As a result,
immediately following the Merger, Acquisition will cease to exist and ZERO
will be a wholly owned subsidiary of API.
ZERO
ZERO was incorporated in Delaware in 1988 as a successor to a California
corporation of the same name that was originally incorporated in 1952. ZERO is
primarily engaged in the design, manufacture and marketing of system
packaging, thermal management and engineered cases that protect electronic
equipment.
ZERO has two business segments: (i) Enclosures and Accessories--Products
include card cages for printed circuit boards, backplanes, filter fan packages
and microprocessor-controlled fan trays, blowers, motorized impellers, heat
exchangers, air conditioners and computerized thermal management controls,
electronic cabinets and consoles, cable management racks, deep drawn aluminum
ZERO boxes and cases, fabricated cases, specialized case hardware and other
specialized enclosures sold to the electronics industry; and (ii) Other--
Products include air cargo enclosures and hardware, aluminum luggage, camera
cases, industrial carrying cases, food service containers and other custom
metal products.
ENCLOSURES AND ACCESSORIES. The Enclosures and Accessories segment serves
the system packaging, thermal management and engineered case requirements of
the telecommunications, instrumentation and data processing markets. The
telecommunications market includes applications ranging from traditional
central office telephone equipment and high-capacity digital switching systems
to wireless cellular and paging systems. The instrumentation market includes
sophisticated electronic equipment located in diverse environments. The data
processing market includes a range of applications, from mainframes and
workstations to servers and routers.
ZERO employs manufacturers' representatives, direct sales people and
distributors to market its products worldwide. ZERO's standard products and
accessories are sold through catalogs, advertisements, trade journals and
independent distributors.
OTHER. ZERO also serves the air cargo and consumer/other markets. Air Cargo
designs, manufactures and markets a broad range of specialized and general-
purpose cargo containers as well as a patented telescoping baggage/cargo
system. In addition, ZERO produces and markets the well-known line of ZERO
Halliburton(R) luggage, carrying cases and attaches for consumers worldwide,
food service containers and other specialized enclosures.
ZERO's consumer products are marketed worldwide through catalogs,
advertisements, telemarketing programs and trade journals, and are distributed
through established independent dealers. Nonstandard or specialized products
and accessories are marketed through manufacturers' representatives and direct
sales people.
ACQUISITIONS. ZERO has been committed to the enhancement of its growth
through acquisitions of complementary product lines and companies. Potential
acquisition candidates are investigated in the ordinary course of ZERO's
business.
Additional information concerning ZERO is included in the ZERO documents
filed with the SEC which are incorporated by reference herein. See "Available
Information" and "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference."
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DESCRIPTION OF API CAPITAL STOCK
(The following summary does not purport to be a complete description of the
applicable provisions of API's Restated Articles of Incorporation (the "API
Articles" or the "Articles") and Amended and Restated Bylaws (the "API Bylaws"
or the "Bylaws"), copies of which have been filed with the SEC, or of
applicable statutory or other law, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference thereto.)
The authorized capital stock of API (the "Company") as of the API Record
Date consisted of 80,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, $.20 par value
("API Common Stock" or "Class A Common"), of which 27,937,056 shares were
issued and outstanding; 7,500,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, $.20 par
value ("Class B Common"), none of which were issued and outstanding; and
800,000 shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value ("Preferred
Stock"), none of which have been issued. Class A Common and Class B Common are
collectively referred to herein as "Common Stock."
PREFERRED STOCK
The Preferred Stock may be issued in one or more series providing for such
dividend rates, voting, liquidation, redemption, and conversion rights, and
such other terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may determine,
without further approval by holders of Common Stock. If any shares of Class B
Common were outstanding, any voting rights conferred on holders of Preferred
Stock would be limited, with respect to the election of directors, to the
power to vote together with holders of Class A Common in electing a "maximum
minority" of the Board of Directors, as described under "--Common Stock"
below.
If the Company issues any shares of Preferred Stock, the Company would be
permitted to pay dividends or make other distributions upon the Common Stock
(except for distributions payable in shares of Common Stock) only after paying
or setting apart funds for payment of current dividends and any accrued but
unpaid dividends upon the outstanding Preferred Stock, at the rate or rates
designated for each series of outstanding Preferred Stock, and making
provision for any mandatory sinking fund payments. In the event of voluntary
or involuntary liquidation of the Company, the holders of any outstanding
Preferred Stock would be entitled to receive all accrued dividends on the
Preferred Stock and the liquidation amount specified for each series of
Preferred Stock before any amount may be distributed to holders of the Common
Stock.
COMMON STOCK
The rights and preferences of shares of Class A and Class B Common are
identical, except as to voting power with respect to the election of directors
and conversion rights.
On all matters other than the election of directors, the holders of Class A
and Class B Common possess equal voting power of one vote per share, voting as
a single class of stock (unless otherwise required by the Wisconsin Business
Corporation Law--the "WBCL"). In the election of the Board of Directors, the
holders of Class A Common, voting together as a single class with the holders
of any Preferred Stock which has voting power, are entitled to elect a
"maximum minority" of the number of directors to be elected. As a result of
the "maximum minority" provision, the holders of the Class B Common, voting as
a separate class, are entitled to elect the balance of the directors,
constituting a "minimum majority" of the number of directors to be elected. If
an even number of directors is to be elected, the holders of Class B Common
will be entitled to elect two more directors than the holders of Class A
Common and any Preferred Stock having voting power; if the number of directors
to be elected is an odd number, the holders of Class B Common will be entitled
to elect one more director than the holders of Class A Common and any
Preferred Stock having voting power. In the event there are no shares of Class
B Common outstanding, holders of Class A Common, together with holders of any
Preferred Stock having voting power, shall elect all of the directors to be
elected. A director, once elected and duly qualified, may be removed only by
the requisite affirmative vote of the holders of that class of stock by which
such director was elected.
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Holders of both classes of Common Stock are equally entitled to such
dividends as the Company's Board of Directors may declare out of funds legally
available therefor. If the Company were to issue any of its authorized
Preferred Stock, no dividends could be paid or set apart for payment on shares
of Common Stock, unless paid in Common Stock, until dividends on all of the
issued and outstanding shares of Preferred Stock had been paid or set apart
for payment and provision had been made for any mandatory sinking fund
payments. Certain covenants contained in the Company's debt agreements, or in
the provisions of the Articles for the benefit of any Preferred Stock that may
be hereafter issued, from time to time could have the direct or indirect
effect of limiting the payment of dividends or other distributions on
(including redemptions and purchases of) the Company's capital stock. Stock
dividends on Class A Common may be paid only in shares of Class A Common and
stock dividends on Class B Common may be paid only in shares of Class B
Common.
The Articles contain provisions which provided for the conversion of Class B
Common into shares of Class A Common on a share-for-share basis at the option
of the holder, and for the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of
Class B Common to Class A Common on a share-for-share basis when the number of
outstanding shares of Class B Common was reduced below a certain threshold.
All of the shares of Class B Common that had been outstanding were converted
into Class A Common pursuant to these conversion provisions. Holders of Class
A Common do not have any conversion rights.
In the event of dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the holders of
both classes of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably all assets of the
Company remaining after payment of the Company's liabilities and satisfaction
of the rights of any series of Preferred Stock which may be outstanding. There
are no redemption or sinking fund provisions with respect to the Common Stock.
When the Company has received the consideration for which the Board of
Directors authorized the issuance of shares, the shares issued for that
consideration are fully paid and nonassessable. Shareholders are subject to
personal liability under Section 180.0622(2)(b) of the WBCL, as judicially
interpreted, for debts owing to employees of the Company for services
performed for the Company, but not exceeding six months' service in any one
case.
The Class A Common is listed on the NYSE. Firstar Trust Company, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, acts as the transfer agent for the Class A Common.
GENERAL
The Articles provide that the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all shares
entitled to vote thereon is required in order to constitute shareholder
approval of a merger, consolidation, or liquidation of the Company, sale or
other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets, amendment of the
Articles or the Bylaws, or removal of a director.
Directors of the Company are currently elected to serve one-year terms. The
Articles provide that the Bylaws (which may be amended by the Board of
Directors or by the shareholders) may provide for the division of the Board of
Directors into two or three classes, serving staggered two or three-year
terms.
Holders of capital stock of the Company do not have preemptive or other
subscription rights to purchase or subscribe for unissued stock or other
securities of the Company.
CERTAIN STATUTORY PROVISIONS
Under Section 180.1150(2) of the WBCL, the voting power of shares of a
"resident domestic corporation," such as the Company (as long as it continues
to meet the statutory definition), which are held by any person (including two
or more persons acting in concert) in excess of 20% of the voting power in the
election of directors shall be limited (in voting on any matter) to 10% of the
full voting power of such excess shares, unless full voting rights have been
restored at a special meeting of the shareholders called for that purpose.
Shares held or acquired under certain circumstances are excluded from the
application of Section 180.1150(2), including (among others) shares acquired
directly from the Company, shares acquired before April 22, 1986, and shares
acquired in a merger or share exchange to which the Company is a party.
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Sections 180.1130 to 180.1134 of the WBCL provide generally that, in
addition to the vote otherwise required by law or the articles of
incorporation of a "resident domestic corporation," such as the Company (as
long as it continues to meet the statutory definition), certain business
combinations not meeting certain fair price standards specified in the statute
must be approved by the affirmative vote of at least (a) 80% of the votes
entitled to be cast by the outstanding voting shares of the corporation and
(b) two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of voting
shares other than voting shares beneficially owned by a "significant
shareholder" or an affiliate or associate thereof who is a party to the
transaction. The term "business combination" is defined to include, subject to
certain exceptions, a merger or share exchange of the resident domestic
corporation (or any subsidiary thereof) with, or the sale or other disposition
of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the resident
domestic corporation to, any significant shareholder or affiliate thereof.
"Significant shareholder" is defined generally to mean a person that is the
beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting
shares of the resident domestic corporation. The statute also restricts the
repurchase of shares and the sale of corporate assets by a resident domestic
corporation in response to a take-over offer.
Sections 180.1140 to 180.1144 of the WBCL prohibit certain "business
combinations" between a "resident domestic corporation," such as the Company
(as long as it continues to meet the statutory definition), and a person
beneficially owning 10% or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting
stock of such corporation (an "interested stockholder") within three years
after the date such person became a 10% beneficial owner, unless the business
combination or the acquisition of such stock has been approved before the
stock acquisition date by the corporation's board of directors. Business
combinations after the three-year period following the stock acquisition date
are permitted only if (i) the board of directors approved the acquisition of
the stock prior to the acquisition date, (ii) the business combination is
approved by a majority of the outstanding voting stock not beneficially owned
by the interested stockholder, or (iii) the consideration to be received by
shareholders meets certain fair price requirements of the statute with respect
to form and amount.
Under the WBCL, as amended in 1997, a "resident domestic corporation" is
defined to mean a Wisconsin corporation that has a class of voting stock that
is registered or traded on a national securities exchange or that is
registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and that, as of the
relevant date, satisfies any of the following: (i) its principal offices are
located in Wisconsin; (ii) it has significant business operations located in
Wisconsin; (iii) more than 10% of the holders of record of its shares are
residents of Wisconsin; or (iv) more than 10% of its shares are held of record
by residents of Wisconsin. The Company is a "resident domestic corporation"
for purposes of the above described provisions. A Wisconsin corporation that
is otherwise subject to certain of such statutes may preclude their
applicability by an election to that effect in its articles of incorporation.
The Company's Articles do not contain any such election.
These provisions of the WBCL, the ability to issue additional shares of
Common Stock and Preferred Stock without further shareholder approval (except
as required under NYSE corporate governance standards), and certain other
provisions of the Company's Articles (discussed above) could have the effect,
among others, of discouraging take-over proposals for the Company, delaying or
preventing a change in control of the Company, or impeding a business
combination between the Company and a major shareholder of the Company.
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COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS
API is incorporated in the State of Wisconsin while ZERO is incorporated in
the State of Delaware. Stockholders of ZERO, whose rights are currently
governed by Delaware law and the ZERO Certificate and Bylaws will, upon
consummation of the Merger, become shareholders of API and their rights will
be governed by Wisconsin law and the API Articles and Bylaws.
The API Articles and the API Bylaws are different in certain respects from
the ZERO Certificate and the ZERO Bylaws. In addition, certain differences
exist between the WBCL and the DGCL with respect to shareholders' rights.
While it is impracticable to compare all these differences, certain
similarities and differences between the API Articles and the API Bylaws, on
the one hand, and the ZERO Certificate and the ZERO Bylaws, on the other hand,
are summarized below under "--Comparison of API Articles and Bylaws to ZERO
Certificate and Bylaws," and certain similarities and differences between the
WBCL and the DGCL with respect to shareholders' rights are summarized below
under "--Comparison of Delaware and Wisconsin Law."
The following discussion is not intended to be complete and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the API Articles and the API Bylaws, which are
filed as exhibits to API's SEC filings, the ZERO Certificate and the ZERO
Bylaws, which are filed as exhibits to ZERO's SEC filings, and the WBCL and
the DGCL. See "Available Information," "Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference" and "Description of API Capital Stock."
COMPARISON OF API ARTICLES AND BYLAWS TO ZERO CERTIFICATE AND BYLAWS
Authorized Capital Stock
The API Articles authorize the issuance of 80,000,000 shares of Class A
Common Stock, par value $.20 per share ("API Common Stock" or "Class A
Common"), 7,500,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $.20 per share
("Class B Common"), and 800,000 shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock, par
value $1.00 per share ("API Preferred Stock") (Class A Common and Class B
Common are collectively referred to herein as "Common Stock"). The API Board
is authorized to divide the API Preferred Stock into series, to issue shares
of any such series and to fix and determine the relative rights and
preferences of the shares of any series so established. No shares of Class B
Common or API Preferred Stock are currently issued and outstanding. See
"Description of API Capital Stock."
The total number of authorized shares of capital stock of ZERO is
31,000,000, consisting of 30,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01
per share ("ZERO Common Stock"), and 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par
value $.01 per share ("ZERO Preferred Stock"). The ZERO Preferred Stock may be
issued from time to time in one or more series with such rights, preferences,
privileges and limitations as the ZERO Board may determine. No shares of ZERO
Preferred Stock are currently issued and outstanding.
Voting/Cumulative Voting
The API Articles and the ZERO Certificate each provide that each outstanding
share of the respective Common Stock is entitled to one vote on each matter
submitted to a vote of shareholders. The voting rights of API Preferred Stock
or ZERO Preferred Stock, if any were to be issued, would be determined by the
API Board or the ZERO Board, respectively, at the time such Preferred Stock
was issued.
The ZERO Certificate provides for cumulative voting in the election of
directors. Under cumulative voting, each stockholder is entitled to as many
votes as is equal to the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the
number of shares owned by the stockholder, and all such votes may be cast for
one nominee or distributed among two or more nominees, in cases where there is
more than one nominee. The API Articles do not provide for cumulative voting
in the election of directors; therefore, under the WBCL, API shareholders do
not have a right to cumulate their votes in the election of directors. See "--
Number and Election of Directors."
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Dividends and Distributions Upon Liquidation
Subject to the prior rights and preferences of any issued and outstanding
shares of API Preferred Stock, such dividends as may be determined by the API
Board may be declared and paid on the API Common Stock from time to time out
of any funds legally available therefor. Any dividends on the API Preferred
Stock shall be cumulative. In the event of the voluntary or involuntary
liquidation or winding up of API, the holders of any API Preferred Stock would
be entitled to receive out of the assets of API the full fixed liquidation
amount thereof, plus accrued dividends thereon, all as provided in the
resolution or resolutions of the API Board providing for the issuance thereof,
before any amount could be paid to the holders of Common Stock.
Subject to the prior rights of the holders, if any, of any authorized series
of ZERO Preferred Stock, holders of ZERO Common Stock are entitled to such
dividends as may be declared from time to time by the ZERO Board out of funds
legally available therefor. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of ZERO, the holders of the ZERO Common Stock are entitled to share
equally and ratably in the assets of ZERO, if any, remaining after the payment
of all debts and liabilities, subject to the prior rights of the holders of
any authorized series of ZERO Preferred Stock.
Certain Definitions in the ZERO Certificate
The ZERO Certificate includes definitions of the following terms used in the
ZERO Certificate, which definitions are relevant to the following discussion
and are summarized below:
An "Affiliate" of a specified person is a person that directly or indirectly
or through one or more intermediaries controls, or is controlled by, or is
under common control with, that specified person.
An "Associate" of a specified person generally means (1) any corporation or
organization of which such person is an officer or partner or as to which such
person Beneficially Owns 10% or more of any class of equity securities, (2)
any trust or estate as to which such person has substantial interest or serves
as a fiduciary and (3) certain relatives of such person, as more specifically
defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act.
"Beneficial Ownership" and "Beneficially Owns" generally mean, with respect
to any security, the sole or shared power, directly or indirectly, through any
contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, to vote or
dispose of such security, as more specifically defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act.
"Beneficial Owner" generally means, with respect to any security, a person
or entity that Beneficially Owns or has Beneficial Ownership of such security,
as more specifically defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
A "Business Combination" includes:
(a) any merger, consolidation, combination or reorganization of ZERO or
any of its subsidiaries with or into a Related Person or of a Related
Person with or into ZERO or any of its subsidiaries;
(b) any sale, lease, exchange, transfer, liquidation or other disposition
(including, without limitation, a mortgage or any other security device) of
all or a substantial part of the consolidated assets of ZERO and its
subsidiaries to a Related Person;
(c) any sale, lease, exchange, transfer, liquidation or other disposition
(including, without limitation, a mortgage or any other security device) of
all or a substantial part of the assets of a Related Person to ZERO or any
of its subsidiaries;
(d) the issuance or transfer of a substantial amount of any securities
(other than in a pro rata distribution to all stockholders) of ZERO or any
of its subsidiaries to a Related Person;
(e) the acquisition by ZERO or any of its subsidiaries of, in the
aggregate, 10% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of equity
securities of a Related Person or 10% or more of the outstanding principal
amount of any series of debt securities issued by a Related Person;
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(f) any recapitalization that would have the effect of increasing the
voting power of a Related Person; and
(g) any agreement, contract or other arrangement providing for any of the
transactions described in this definition of a Business Combination.
For purposes of clauses (b) and (c), a "substantial part" of assets would
include 20% or more of the consolidated assets of the entity in question and
its subsidiaries. For purposes of clause (d), a "substantial amount" of
securities would include an aggregate of 10% or more of any class or series of
securities acquired in any 365-day period.
A "Continuing Director" means, as to any Related Person, any member of the
ZERO Board who (1) is unaffiliated with and is not the Related Person and (2)
was a member of the Board of Directors of Zero Corporation, a California
corporation ("Zero California") (ZERO's predecessor prior to the 1988
reincorporation merger which changed ZERO's state of incorporation from
California to Delaware), at the close of the 1988 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders or thereafter became a member of the ZERO Board prior to the time
that the Related Person became a Related Person, and any successor of a
Continuing Director who is recommenced to succeed a Continuing Director by a
majority of Continuing Directors then on the Board.
"Date of Incorporation" means the date upon which ZERO was incorporated as a
Delaware corporation.
"Disinterested Shares," as to any Related Person, means shares of ZERO
Voting Stock Beneficially Owned and owned of record by shareholders other than
such Related Person.
"Fair Market Value" means (i) in the case of stock, the highest closing sale
price during the 30-day period preceding and including the date in question
quoted on the Composite Tape for securities listed on the NYSE, or, if not
quoted on such Composite Tape, then the highest closing sale price reported
for transactions on the NYSE or other exchange or quotation system on which
the stock is listed or quoted; if the stock is not so listed or quoted, the
value of the stock will be determined in good faith by a majority of the
Continuing Directors and, (ii) in the case of property other than cash or
stock, the fair market value thereof as determined in good faith by a majority
of the Continuing Directors.
A "Related Person" includes any person or entity which, with its Affiliates
and Associates (as each term is defined in Article II of the ZERO
Certificate), Beneficially Owns 10% or more of ZERO's outstanding Voting
Stock, as well as any Affiliate or Associate of that person or entity.
"Voting Stock" refers to shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally
in elections of directors and each reference to a percentage or portion of
shares of Voting Stock will refer to such percentage or portion of the votes
entitled to be cast by such shares.
Number and Election of Directors
The API Articles provide that the number of directors constituting the API
Board shall be such number, not less than three, as shall be fixed from time
to time by the API Bylaws, and that the API Bylaws may provide for the
division of the API Board into two or three classes of directors as permitted
by the WBCL (subject to further provisions if the Bylaws in fact provide for
such classification, which they currently do not, or if there are shares of
Class B Common outstanding, which there are not). The API Bylaws provide that
the number of directors shall be six and that each director shall hold office
until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until the director's
successor shall have been elected or there is a decrease in the number of
directors, or until his prior death, resignation, or removal. If the API
Bylaws were to be amended to provide for the classification of the API Board,
the API Articles would require that the total number of directors be not less
than five if there were two classes of directors and not less than seven if
there were three classes of directors. The API Bylaws provide that a person
who is 70 years of age or older on the date of a meeting of shareholders will
not be eligible for election or re-election as a director at such meeting.
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API directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the shares of
the voting class entitled to vote for such directors in the election at a
shareholders meeting at which a quorum is present. Since the API Common Stock
(the Class A Common) is the only class of API stock currently outstanding, the
holders of API Common Stock are entitled to elect all of the members of the
API Board. If there were any shares of Class B Common outstanding, the holders
of Class A Common, voting together as a single class with the holders of any
API Preferred Stock having voting power, would be entitled to elect a "maximum
minority" of the number of directors to be elected, and the holders of the
Class B Common would be entitled to elect the balance of the directors,
constituting a "minimum majority" of the number of directors to be elected.
See "Description of API Capital Stock--Common Stock."
The ZERO Certificate provides that the number of directors constituting the
ZERO Board shall be as specified in the ZERO Bylaws. The ZERO Bylaws provide
that the authorized number of directors of ZERO shall be eight until that
section of the Bylaws is amended by a resolution duly adopted by the ZERO
Board or by the stockholders of ZERO, in either case in accordance with the
applicable provisions of the ZERO Certificate. There are currently six
directors serving on the ZERO Board. The ZERO Certificate provides that a
proposal to change the Bylaw specifying the authorized number of directors
must be approved either (i) by a majority of the authorized number of
directors and, if one or more Related Persons exist, by a majority of the
directors who are Continuing Directors with respect to all Related Persons, or
(ii) by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% of the
outstanding Voting Stock of ZERO, and if the change is proposed by or on
behalf of a Related Person or a director affiliated with a Related Person, by
the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Disinterested Shares.
Under the ZERO Certificate, the ZERO Board is divided into three classes,
and such classes generally are to be as nearly equal in number of directors as
possible. Each director serves for a term ending at the third annual
stockholders meeting following the annual meeting at which such director was
elected. The ZERO Certificate contains special provisions regarding the number
and election of directors during any period during which the holders of any
series of ZERO Preferred Stock are entitled to elect a specified number of
directors by reason of dividend arrearages or other contingencies giving them
the right to do so. The ZERO directors are elected by a plurality of the votes
cast, up to the number of directors to be elected, and subject to the
provisions contained in the ZERO Certificate regarding classification of the
ZERO Board and cumulative voting. See
"--Voting/Cumulative Voting."
Removal of Directors
The API Articles and Bylaws provide that any director may be removed from
office, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the
outstanding shares of the class or classes of stock which elected such
director at a special meeting of shareholders called for that purpose. If a
director is elected by a voting class of shareholders, only the shareholders
of that voting class may participate in the vote to remove that director.
The ZERO Certificate provides that directors of ZERO may be removed only for
cause and only by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of ZERO's
Voting Stock. Additionally, if the proposal to remove a director is made by or
on behalf of a Related Person, removal will also require the affirmative vote
of holders of a majority of the Disinterested Shares.
Vacancies on the Board of Directors
The API Bylaws provide that any vacancy occurring on the API Board,
including a vacancy created by an increase in the number of directors, may be
filled by the shareholders or the API Board. If the directors remaining in
office constitute fewer than a quorum of the API Board, the directors may fill
a vacancy by the affirmative vote of a majority of all directors remaining in
office. If the vacant office was held by a director elected by a voting class
of shareholders, only the holders of shares of that voting class may vote to
fill the vacancy if it is filled by the shareholders, and only the remaining
directors elected by that voting class may vote to fill the vacancy if it is
filled by the directors.
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The ZERO Bylaws provide that a vacancy on the ZERO Board resulting from the
creation of a new directorship, the death, resignation or removal of an
incumbent director, or any other cause, may be filled, for the remainder of
the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred or was
created, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then
in office, although less than a quorum. The ZERO Certificate provides that if
one or more Related Persons then exist, vacancies resulting from the death,
resignation or removal of a Continuing Director may only be filled by the vote
of a majority of the remaining Continuing Directors or by (i) the affirmative
vote of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% of the outstanding Voting Stock
of ZERO and (ii) the affirmative vote of a majority of the Disinterested
Shares as to all Related Persons.
Amendment of Charter and Bylaws
The WBCL generally provides that amendments to a corporation's articles of
incorporation must be proposed by the board of directors and approved by the
shareholders by a majority of the votes cast by each voting group (class or
series of shares) entitled to vote thereon, if a quorum exists, unless a
greater proportion is required by the WBCL or the corporation's articles or
bylaws. The API Articles provide that the affirmative vote of two-thirds of
all shares entitled to vote thereon (and/or of each class which shall be
entitled to vote thereon as a class) shall be required in order to constitute
shareholder approval of any amendment of the API Articles or the API Bylaws.
Under the WBCL, certain insignificant amendments to the API Articles may be
made by the API Board without shareholder approval.
In addition to amendment by two-thirds shareholder vote as provided in the
API Articles, the API Bylaws may be amended or repealed and new bylaws may be
adopted by the API Board by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present, but (i) no bylaw
adopted by the shareholders may be amended, repealed or readopted by the API
Board if the bylaw so adopted so provides and (ii) a bylaw adopted or amended
by the shareholders that fixes a greater or lower quorum requirement or a
greater voting requirement for the API Board than otherwise is provided in the
WBCL may not be amended or repealed by the API Board unless the bylaw
expressly provides that it may be amended or repealed by a specified vote of
the API Board. Finally, any action taken or authorized by the shareholders or
by the API Board, which would be inconsistent with the API Bylaws then in
effect but is taken or authorized by a vote that would be sufficient to amend
the Bylaws so that the Bylaws would be consistent with such action, shall be
given the same effect as though the Bylaws had been temporarily amended or
suspended so far, but only so far, as is necessary to permit the specific
action so taken or authorized.
The DGCL generally provides that amendments to a corporation's certificate
of incorporation must be approved by a majority of the outstanding stock
entitled to vote thereon, and a majority of the outstanding stock of each
class entitled to vote thereon as a class, unless a greater proportion is
required by the DGCL or the corporation's certificate of incorporation or
bylaws. The ZERO Certificate and Bylaws contain provisions regarding amendment
of certain portions thereof as described below.
Article XIV of the ZERO Certificate provides that any alteration, amendment,
repeal or rescission (any "Change") of the provisions contained in the ZERO
Certificate must be approved by a majority of the directors of ZERO then in
office and by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding Voting Stock, provided, however, that if the proposed Change
relates to:
(1) the definitions set forth in the ZERO Certificate (Article II);
(2) the capitalization of ZERO (Article V);
(3) the requirement that stockholder action be taken only at annual or
special meetings (Article VI);
(4) procedural requirements for stockholders to nominate individuals for
election as directors and to make proposals for consideration at annual
meetings of stockholders (Articles VII and X);
(5) the calling of special meetings of stockholders only by the ZERO
Board (Article VIII);
(6) the determination by the ZERO Board of the number of authorized
directors (Article IX);
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(7) classification of the ZERO Board or election or removal of directors
(Article X);
(8) cumulative voting in the election of directors (Article X);
(9) the Supermajority Vote Requirements for certain Business Combinations
and exceptions thereto (Article XI);
(10) factors to be considered by the ZERO Board in evaluating certain
proposed transactions (Article XI);
(11) prevention of "greenmail" (Article XII);
(12) indemnification of directors, officers, employees and agents and the
elimination of certain director liability (Article XIII); or
(13) the provision in the ZERO Certificate relating to amendments to the
Certificate or the Bylaws (Article XIV);
then any such Change must also be approved either:
(1) by a majority of the authorized number of directors and, if one or
more Related Persons exist, by a majority of the directors who are
Continuing Directors with respect to all Related Persons; or
(2) by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 80% of the
outstanding Voting Stock of ZERO and, if the Change is proposed by or on
behalf of a Related Person or a director who is not a Continuing Director
as to all Related Persons, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the Disinterested Shares.
The ZERO Bylaws are subject to adoption, amendment, repeal or rescission
either by the ZERO Board or by holders of a majority of the outstanding Voting
Stock, provided, however, that if any proposed Change relates to:
(1) the authorized number, qualification and the term of office of
directors (Section 2 of Article III of the Bylaws); or
(2) the provisions for filing vacancies on the ZERO Board (Section 5 of
Article III of the Bylaws);
such Change must be approved either:
(1) by a majority of the authorized number of directors and, if one or
more Related Persons exist, by a majority of the directors who are
Continuing Directors with respect to all Related Persons; or
(2) by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% of
the outstanding Voting Stock of ZERO and, if the Change is proposed by or
on behalf of a Related Person or a director who is not a Continuing
Director as to all Related Persons, by the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the Disinterested Shares.
Except as otherwise provided in the ZERO Certificate or the ZERO Bylaws, the
ZERO Bylaws may be altered, amended, repealed or rescinded and new bylaws may
be adopted (i) by the ZERO Board, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present, or (ii) by the
stockholders, by the vote of a majority in voting interest of the stockholders
present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon, a quorum being
present, at any annual meeting of stockholders or at any special meeting of
stockholders, provided that notice of such proposed action is given in the
notice of meeting.
Increased Shareholder Vote Required in Certain Business Combinations and
Other Transactions
Under the WBCL, as it applies to API, and the API Articles, the affirmative
vote of two-thirds of all shares entitled to vote thereon (and/or of each
class which is entitled to vote thereon as a class) is required in order to
constitute shareholder approval of (i) a merger or consolidation of API, (ii)
liquidation of API, or (iii) sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all
or substantially all assets of API.
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Article XI of ZERO's Certificate provides that, in addition to any vote
ordinarily required under Delaware law, the affirmative vote of (i) the
holders of not less than 80% of ZERO's outstanding Voting Stock (the "80% Vote
Requirement") and (ii) the holders of a majority of ZERO's outstanding
Disinterested Shares (the "Disinterested Vote Requirement") would be required
to approve Business Combinations (the 80% Vote Requirement and the
Disinterested Vote Requirement are sometimes referred to together as the
"Supermajority Vote Requirements").
Article XI of the ZERO Certificate contains exceptions to one or both of the
Supermajority Vote Requirements, as follows:
1. Approval of Continuing Directors. Neither the 80% Vote Requirement nor
the Disinterested Vote Requirement will apply to any proposed Business
Combination that has been approved by a majority of the Continuing
Directors of ZERO. This provision is designed to provide an incentive for a
Related Person to negotiate a proposed Business Combination with the ZERO
Board instead of initiating such a transaction on a non-negotiated or
hostile basis. The Supermajority Vote Requirements are intended to
discourage, but would not prevent, the initiation of hostile tender offers
for the capital stock of ZERO and the initiation of other forms of Business
Combinations without the prior approval of a majority of the Continuing
Directors.
2. Fair Price Provision. Article XI of the ZERO Certificate contains a
"Fair Price Provision" (the "Fair Price Provision"), which provides that
the 80% Vote Requirement will not apply (but the Disinterested Vote
Requirement would continue to apply) to any proposed Business Combination
if certain price and form-of-consideration requirements are satisfied.
To comply with the form-of-consideration requirements of the Fair Price
Provision in the context of a Business Combination involving payment of cash
or other consideration to shareholders, the Related Person must offer to all
holders of each class of equity securities of Zero either cash or the same
type of consideration used by the Related Person in acquiring the largest
number of shares of such class previously acquired by the Related Person. To
satisfy the minimum price requirements, the aggregate amount of cash and the
Fair Market Value of any consideration other than cash to be received per
share by holders of each class of equity securities of ZERO in any Business
Combination must be at least equal to the highest of (i) the highest per share
price paid or agreed to be paid by the Related Person for any shares of such
class during the period of 18 months immediately prior to and including the
date of the most recent public announcement of the proposed Business
Combination (the "Announcement Date") or the highest per share price paid in
the transaction or series of transactions in which it became a Related Person,
whichever is higher, (ii) the higher of the Fair Market Value per share of
such class on the Announcement Date or on the date on which the Related Person
became a Related Person (the "Determination Date"), or (iii) if applicable,
the redemption price per share of such class or, if such class has no
redemption price, the highest amount per share that such class is entitled to
receive upon liquidation of ZERO as of the Announcement Date or the
Determination Date, whichever is higher, in every case appropriately adjusted
for any stock dividend, stock split or combination of shares. Under the Fair
Price Provision, the Related Person would be required to meet the minimum
price criteria with respect to each class of capital stock of ZERO, whether or
not the Related Person owned shares of that class prior to proposing the
Business Combination. ZERO currently has no class of stock outstanding other
than the ZERO Common Stock. The Fair Market Value of any non-cash
consideration to be paid to shareholders would be required to meet the above
minimum price condition on the date the Business Combination is consummated
and is to be determined in good faith as of such date by a majority of the
Continuing Directors.
If a proposed Business Combination does not involve the receipt by the other
stockholders of ZERO of any cash or other property (such as a sale of assets
or an issuance of ZERO's securities to a Related Person), then the Fair Price
Provision would not apply and the Supermajority Vote Requirements would apply
(unless the transaction were approved by a majority of the Continuing
Directors).
Special Meetings of Shareholders
Consistent with the WBCL, the API Bylaws provide that special meetings of
the shareholders of API, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise
prescribed by statute, may be called by the Chairperson of the API
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Board, the President or the API Board. If and as required by the WBCL, a
special meeting shall be called upon written demand, describing one or more
purposes for which it is to be held, by holders of shares with at least 10% of
the votes entitled to be cast on any issue proposed to be considered at the
meeting.
Under Delaware law, a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by
the board of directors or by any other person authorized to do so in the
company's certificate of incorporation or bylaws. Article VIII of the ZERO
Certificate provides that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only
by the ZERO Board. Furthermore, if a proposal requiring stockholder approval
is made by or on behalf of a Related Person or a director affiliated with a
Related Person, the affirmative vote of a majority of the Continuing Directors
will also be required to call a special meeting of stockholders.
Shareholder Action by Written Consent Without a Meeting
Under the WBCL, shareholder action may be taken without a meeting only by
unanimous written consent of all shareholders entitled to vote on the action,
unless the corporation's articles of incorporation permit such action to be
taken by less than unanimous consent. The API Articles do not address
shareholder action without a meeting. Accordingly, under the WBCL and the API
Bylaws, shareholders may take action without a meeting only by unanimous
written consent.
Under the DGCL, stockholders may take action without a meeting by less than
unanimous written consent unless otherwise provided in a corporation's
certificate of incorporation. Article VI of the ZERO Certificate provides that
any action taken by the stockholders of ZERO must be effected at an annual or
special meeting of stockholders and may not be taken by written consent.
Advance Notice Procedures for Shareholder Nominations and Proposals
Articles VII and X of the ZERO Certificate set forth the procedures that a
stockholder must follow in order to nominate any person for election to the
ZERO Board or to bring any business before an annual meeting of stockholders.
Both Articles provide that a stockholder must furnish written notice to the
Secretary of ZERO not less than 30 nor more then 60 days prior to the meeting
as originally scheduled, of the stockholder's nomination or business proposal.
In the event that less than 40 days' public notice of a meeting date is given
by ZERO, a stockholder must furnish notice of a nomination or business
proposal not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the
mailing or the public disclosure of notice of the meeting date. Article VII
provides that a stockholder's notice with respect to a business proposal must
contain (a) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before
the annual meeting, (b) the name and record address of the stockholder, (c)
the class and number of shares of ZERO beneficially owned by the stockholder
and (d) a description of any material interest of the stockholder in the
proposed business. Article X provides that a stockholder's notice with respect
to the nomination of candidates for election to the ZERO Board must contain
(a) all information concerning the nominee that is required to be disclosed in
a proxy solicitation under the Exchange Act, (b) the name and record address
of the stockholder and (c) the class and number of shares of ZERO beneficially
owned by the stockholder. Under both Articles, the chairman of the
stockholders meeting has the power to declare a stockholder's notice to be
defective if the facts so warrant.
There are currently no such procedural requirements in API's Articles or
Bylaws.
Relevant Factors to be Considered by Board
Article XI of the ZERO Certificate provides that, in evaluating certain
proposed business combinations and the best interests of ZERO and its
stockholders, the ZERO Board shall consider all relevant factors, including
but not limited to the social and economic effects of the transactions on
stockholders, employees, customers, suppliers and other constituents of ZERO
and its subsidiaries, as well as the effects on the communities in which they
operate or are located or which they serve.
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There is no corresponding provision in the API Articles. However, the WBCL
provides that, in discharging his or her duties to the corporation and in
determining what he or she believes to be in the best interests of the
corporation, a director or officer may, in addition to considering the effects
of any action on shareholders, consider (i) the effects of the action on
employees, suppliers and customers of the corporation, (ii) the effects of the
action on communities in which the corporation operates, and (iii) any other
factors that the director or officer considers pertinent.
Prevention of Greenmail
Article XII of the ZERO Certificate provides that, with certain exceptions,
any acquisition by ZERO of shares of its own stock from any person who owns
10% or more of the stock of ZERO for less than two years prior to such
acquisition at a price per share in excess of the fair market value of such
shares requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
Disinterested Shares of ZERO. This provision prohibits ZERO from paying
"greenmail" to an outsider without the approval of a majority of the shares
not held by the outsider.
There is no such provision in the API Articles, but there is an anti-
greenmail provision in the WBCL. See
"--Comparison of Delaware and Wisconsin Law--Anti-Takeover Statutes--
Wisconsin."
Indemnification/Limitation of Liability
The WBCL contains provisions which, subject to certain exceptions, limit the
liability of directors to a corporation and its shareholders and provide for
mandatory indemnification of the directors and officers against liability and
expenses incurred in a proceeding to which they were a party because of their
officer or director status, unless such immunity or indemnification rights are
limited by the corporation's articles of incorporation. The API Articles
contain no such limitation.
Consistent with the WBCL, the API Bylaws provide that, within 20 days after
receipt of a written request, the corporation shall indemnify a director or
officer, to the extent he or she has been successful on the merits or
otherwise in the defense of a proceeding, for all reasonable expenses incurred
in the proceeding if the director or officer was a party because he or she is
a director or officer of API. In other cases, API shall indemnify a director
or officer against all liabilities and expenses incurred by the director or
officer in a proceeding to which the director or officer was a party because
he or she is a director or officer of the corporation, unless liability was
incurred because the director or officer breached or failed to perform a duty
he or she owes to the corporation and the breach or failure to perform
constitutes: (1) a willful failure to deal fairly with the corporation or its
shareholders in connection with a matter in which director or officer has a
material conflict of interest; (2) a violation of criminal law, unless the
director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct
was lawful or no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was
unlawful; (3) a transaction from which the director or officer derived an
improper personal profit; or (4) willful misconduct.
The API Bylaws also provide for mandatory indemnification of an employee of
the corporation who is not a director or officer, to the extent that he or she
has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of a proceeding, for
all reasonable expenses incurred in the proceeding if the employee was a party
because he or she was an employee of the corporation, and permit
indemnification and allowance of reasonable expenses of an employee or agent
who is not a director or officer to the extent provided by the API Articles or
Bylaws, by general or specific action of the API Board or by contract.
The ZERO Certificate provides that ZERO shall indemnify directors, officers
and employees of ZERO to the maximum extent permitted by law. The ZERO
Certificate also provides that a director of ZERO shall not be liable to ZERO
or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a
director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation
thereof is not permitted under the DGCL. This provision invokes the Delaware
limitation of liability statutory provision which must be elected in a
corporation's certificate of incorporation in order to apply, as contrasted
with the Wisconsin director immunity provision, which applies automatically
unless limited in the articles of incorporation. The ZERO Bylaws contain
substantially similar provisions with regard to the limitation of director
liability and indemnification.
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See "--Comparison of Delaware and Wisconsin Law--Indemnification of
Directors and Officers" and
"--Limited Liability of Directors."
COMPARISON OF DELAWARE AND WISCONSIN LAW
In general, as described below, the DGCL and the WBCL provide shareholders
with similar rights and protections, subject to certain differences. A
comparison of certain provisions of the DGCL and the WBCL is set forth below.
See "--Comparison of API Articles and Bylaws to ZERO Certificate and Bylaws"
above for a description of certain provisions contained in such governing
documents as permitted or required by the WBCL and the DGCL.
Classified Board of Directors; Removal of Directors; Vacancies
Both the DGCL and the WBCL allow a company's board of directors to be
divided into two or three classes. As noted above, the ZERO Board is so
classified; the API Board is not, but the API Articles provide that the API
Bylaws could be amended to provide for such classification. Under the DGCL,
absent a provision to the contrary in a corporation's certificate of
incorporation, directors on a classified board can be removed only for cause.
The ZERO Certificate provides that directors may be removed only for cause.
The WBCL provides for the removal of directors with or without cause unless
the articles of incorporation or bylaws provide that the directors may be
removed only for cause. The API Bylaws provide that directors may be removed
with or without cause unless the API Articles provide that directors may be
removed only for cause, which they do not.
Under the DGCL, absent a provision to the contrary in a corporation's
certificate of incorporation or bylaws, vacancies and newly created
directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized number of directors
may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, even though less
than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. The WBCL provides for the
filling of any such vacancy by the shareholders or by the affirmative vote of
a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum,
unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, which API's Articles
do not. The ZERO Certificate contains special provisions regarding the filling
of vacancies if one or more Related Persons then exist.
See "Number and Election of Directors", "Removal of Directors" and
"Vacancies on the Board of Directors" under "--Comparison of API Articles and
Bylaws to ZERO Certificate and Bylaws."
Interested Director Transactions
Under both the DGCL and the WBCL, contracts or transactions in which one or
more of the corporation's directors has an interest are not void or voidable
solely because of such interest or because such director was present at the
directors' or shareholders' meeting where such contract or transaction was
approved, if certain conditions are met. Under the laws of both Wisconsin and
Delaware, if the director's interest is fully disclosed and a vote is taken in
good faith, such contracts or transactions may be approved by a majority vote
of the shareholders or of the disinterested directors. If the contracts or
transactions are shown to be fair and reasonable as to the corporation at the
time that they are authorized, approved or ratified by the corporation's board
of directors, separate shareholder or disinterested director approval is not
required. Under Delaware law, a quorum for a separate determination by the
board is a majority of the total number of directors, with the interested
director counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists. Under
Wisconsin law, a quorum is deemed to exist if a majority of directors who have
no interest in the transaction vote to authorize it; no separate quorum
determination is made. Finally, under Wisconsin law, shares owned by or voted
under the control of an interested director or an entity in which the
interested director has a material financial interest or of which he or she is
a general partner may not be counted for purposes of a shareholder vote
respecting the transaction in which the director has an interest.
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Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Both the DGCL and the WBCL contain provisions permitting or requiring the
indemnification of directors and officers of a corporation for expenses and
liabilities they may incur in their capacities as such, subject to certain
exceptions and subject to the provisions of the corporation's governing
documents.
Under the DGCL, a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party
or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed
action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by
reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or
agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation
or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments,
fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such
person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted
in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed
to the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful.
The DGCL permits similar indemnification in the case of derivative actions,
except that no indemnification may be made in respect to any claim, issue or
matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the
corporation unless, and only to the extent that, the Court of Chancery or the
court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon
application that, despite the adjudication of liability and in view of all of
the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled
to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court
shall deem proper. Indemnification for settlement of a suit by or in the right
of the corporation is not permitted under the DGCL.
A director, officer, employee or agent who is successful, on the merits or
otherwise, in defense of any proceeding subject to the DGCL's indemnification
provisions must be indemnified by the corporation for reasonable expenses
incurred in connection therewith, including attorneys' fees. The ZERO
Certificate and Bylaws obligate ZERO to indemnify its directors and officers
to the fullest extent allowed by Delaware law.
The WBCL and the API Bylaws provide for mandatory indemnification of a
director or officer against certain liabilities and expenses if the director
or officer was a party to a proceeding because of his or her status as such:
(a) to the extent such director or officer is successful on the merits or
otherwise in the defense of a proceeding (whether brought derivatively or by a
third party) and (b) in proceedings in which the director or officer is not
successful in the defense thereof, unless it is determined that the director
or officer breached or failed to perform a duty that he or she owes to the
corporation and the breach or failure to perform constitutes: (i) a willful
failure to deal fairly with the corporation or its shareholders in connection
with a matter in which the director or officer has a material conflict of
interest; (ii) a violation of criminal law, unless the director or officer had
reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was lawful or no
reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful; (iii) a
transaction from which the director or officer derived an improper personal
profit; or (iv) willful misconduct. The WBCL specifically states that it is
the public policy of Wisconsin to require or permit indemnification in
connection with a proceeding involving securities regulation, as described
therein, to the extent otherwise required or permitted under the WBCL. The API
Bylaws also require payment of a director's or officer's litigation expenses
as incurred, subject to certain conditions.
Limited Liability of Directors
The ZERO Certificate contains a director immunity provision which limits the
personal liability of ZERO directors to ZERO or its stockholders for monetary
damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent
such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the
DGCL. Under Delaware law, such an immunity provision must be expressly
included in a corporation's certificate of incorporation in order for it to
apply. The DGCL immunity provision does not limit liabilities resulting from:
(i) a breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its
stockholders; (ii) acts or omissions not in good
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faith or involving intentional misconduct or knowing violation of law; (iii)
unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions;
or (iv) transactions from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit.
Unlike the DGCL, under the WBCL, director immunity from liability to a
corporation or its shareholders for monetary liabilities applies automatically
unless it is specifically limited by a corporation's articles (which is not
the case with the API Articles). The exceptions to the statutory immunity from
liability for directors under the WBCL are the same as the four exceptions to
the mandatory indemnification requirement under the WBCL described above. In
substance, the immunity afforded by the WBCL is substantially similar to that
provided by the ZERO Certificate under the DGCL, except that any personal
liability alleged against a director for wrongful dividends or other
distributions will be limited under the WBCL unless the director's action
constitutes conduct falling within one of the four exceptions to the statutory
immunity of directors.
Amendment of Bylaws
The DGCL provides that the board of directors (as well as the stockholders)
may adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws of a Delaware corporation if such power
is conferred in the certificate of incorporation. The ZERO Certificate
contains a provision conferring this power on the ZERO Board. Under the WBCL,
such power is granted to the board of directors (as well as the shareholders)
unless denied by the articles or bylaws. The API Articles do not prohibit the
API Board from amending the API Bylaws; the API Bylaws provide for amendment
by either the shareholders or the API Board, subject to the statutory
provisions governing bylaw amendments. See "--Comparison of API Articles and
Bylaws to ZERO Certificate and Bylaw--Amendment of Charter and Bylaws" for the
provisions contained in the API Articles and Bylaws and the ZERO Certificate
and Bylaws concerning bylaw amendments.
Shareholder Action by Consent
The WBCL permits shareholders to take action without a meeting by unanimous
written consent. If a Wisconsin corporation so elects in its articles of
incorporation (and if a Delaware corporation does not provide otherwise in its
certificate of incorporation), such action may be taken by less than unanimous
written consent. The ZERO Certificate prohibits the taking of action by the
stockholders by written consent without a meeting. The API Articles do not
provide that action can be taken by less than unanimous consent; accordingly,
the shareholders of API can act without a meeting only by unanimous written
consent.
Statutory Shareholder Liability
Wisconsin law provides that shareholders of Wisconsin domestic corporations
are personally liable for certain debts owed to employees for services
performed. While the WBCL specifies that such liability is limited to the par
value of the shares (which is $.20 per share for API Common Stock), this has
been interpreted by a Wisconsin trial court to mean the consideration paid to
a corporation for shares. This decision was affirmed by a split decision of
the Wisconsin Supreme Court without any written opinion and with one justice
abstaining. The DGCL does not contain any comparable provision.
Special Meetings of Shareholders
Under the DGCL, special meetings of the stockholders may be called by the
board of directors or by such persons as may be authorized by the certificate
of incorporation or by the bylaws. The ZERO Certificate provides that only the
ZERO Board may call a special meeting of the stockholders. Under Wisconsin
law, a special meeting of shareholders may be called by the board of directors
or by any person authorized by the articles of incorporation or bylaws to call
a special meeting, and must be called pursuant to a written demand of the
holders of not less than 10% of the votes entitled to be cast at such a
meeting. The API Bylaws provide that special meetings of the shareholders may
be called by the Chairperson of the API Board, the President or the API Board,
and shall be called upon written demand by holders of shares with at least 10%
of the votes entitled to be cast at such a meeting.
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Inspection of Corporate Records
The DGCL permits any stockholder of record to inspect the corporate records
of a corporation upon a good faith showing of a proper purpose and the
stockholder list must be made available for inspection at least ten days
before a stockholders' meeting and may be inspected by any stockholder. By
contrast, under the WBCL, in order to inspect and copy the corporate records
of a corporation, including the shareholder list, a shareholder must have been
a shareholder of the corporation for at least six months before making a
demand or the shareholder must hold at least 5% of the outstanding shares of
the corporation. Under the WBCL, a shareholder's demand must also be made for
a proper purpose. In addition, under the WBCL, all shareholders (regardless of
how long they have owned stock) may, upon written demand, inspect and, subject
to satisfying the proper purpose requirement, copy the shareholder list during
the period beginning two business days after the notice of a meeting of
shareholders is given and continuing to the date of the meeting, and any
shareholder may inspect the list at any time during the meeting.
Dividends and Repurchases
Under the DGCL, a corporation may pay dividends and repurchase stock out of
surplus or, if there is no surplus, any net profits for the fiscal year in
which the dividend was declared or for the preceding fiscal year provided that
no payment may reduce capital below the amount of capital represented by all
classes of shares having a preference upon the distribution of assets. Under
the WBCL, the board of directors may authorize and the corporation may make
distributions to its shareholders unless after any such distribution the
corporation would not be able to pay its debts as they become due or its total
assets after the distribution would be less than the sum of its total
liabilities, plus the amount that would be needed, if the corporation were to
be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential
rights upon dissolution of shareholders whose preferential rights are superior
to those receiving the distribution.
Shareholder Approval of Extraordinary Transactions
Under the DGCL, the approval by the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding stock of a corporation entitled to vote on the
matter is required for (i) an amendment of the certificate of incorporation,
(ii) a merger, consolidation or sale, lease or exchange of all or
substantially all of the corporation's assets, or (iii) dissolution of the
corporation, unless the vote of a larger proportion of the stock or of any
class or series thereof is required by the certificate of incorporation or the
DGCL. Delaware law does not require a stockholder vote of the surviving
corporation in a merger if (i) the merger agreement does not amend the
existing certificate of incorporation, (ii) each outstanding share of the
surviving corporation before the merger is unchanged, and (iii) the number of
shares to be issued by the surviving corporation in the merger does not exceed
20% of the shares outstanding immediately prior to such issuance. Also, no
stockholder vote is required for certain mergers between a parent company and
its 90% owned subsidiary.
Under the WBCL, as it applies to API (as a corporation organized before 1973
which has not expressly elected majority affirmative voting requirements), the
affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote
on the proposal (and of any class or series of shares entitled to vote thereon
as a class) is required for (i) an amendment of the articles of incorporation
requiring shareholder approval, (ii) a merger, share exchange or sale, lease,
exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the corporation's
property, otherwise then in the regular course of business, or (iii)
dissolution of the corporation. As noted previously, the API Articles also
require a two-thirds shareholder vote for shareholder approval of such
actions. Wisconsin law does not require a two-thirds shareholder vote for
shareholder approval of such actions. Wisconsin law does not require a
shareholder vote of the surviving corporation in a merger if (i) the merger
agreement does not amend its articles of incorporation, except for amendments
the directors could adopt without shareholder approval, (ii) its shareholders
before the merger will hold the same number of shares after the merger, with
the same rights, and (iii) the number of its voting shares (shares entitled to
vote unconditionally in elections of directors) and the number of its
participating shares (shares entitled to participate, without limitation, in
distributions) outstanding will not be increased by more than 20% as a result
of the merger. No shareholder vote is required for the merger of a 90% owned
subsidiary into its parent corporation but, unlike Delaware law, Wisconsin law
does not permit a merger of a parent corporation into a 90% owned subsidiary
without a shareholder vote.
75
<PAGE>
Dissenters' Rights
Under both Delaware and Wisconsin law, a shareholder is entitled, under
certain circumstances, to receive payment of the fair value of the
shareholder's stock if the shareholder dissents from a proposed merger or
consolidation. Under the DGCL, dissenters' rights are not available in the
case of a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of a corporation
unless made applicable by affirmative provision in the corporation's
certificate. Dissenters' rights also are not available, unless affirmatively
provided in the corporation's certificate, if the shares of the Delaware
corporation that is party to a merger or consolidation are listed on a
national securities exchange or designated as a national market security on an
interdealer quotation system by the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") (The Nasdaq Stock Market), or are held of record by
more than 2,000 persons and in the merger or consolidation shareholders
receive shares of stock of the corporation surviving or resulting from the
merger or consolidation, and/or shares of stock of any other corporation,
which are so listed or designated or held of record by more than 2,000
persons. The ZERO Certificate does not affirmatively grant any such
dissenters' rights.
In addition to being applicable generally in the case of a merger, under the
WBCL, dissenters' rights are available in the case of a plan of share exchange
or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of a Wisconsin corporation.
Dissenters' rights may also be made applicable by affirmative provision in the
articles of incorporation, bylaws or a board of directors' resolution in the
case of certain amendments to the articles of incorporation or other actions
requiring a shareholder vote. However, under the WBCL, except in a "Section
180.1130 business combination" (as described below under "Anti-Takeover
Statutes") or unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise,
dissenters' rights are not available to holders of shares registered on a
national securities exchange or quoted on the NASD automated quotations system
(The Nasdaq Stock Market) on the record date for a meeting of shareholders at
which action on the proposed transaction otherwise subject to dissenters'
rights is to be taken. As a result, assuming the continued listing of the API
Common Stock on the NYSE, under the WBCL, shareholders will not be entitled to
dissenters' rights with respect to any future merger, plan of share exchange
or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of API which might occur
(unless it constitutes a Section 180.1130 business combination).
Director and Officer Discretion
Under certain provisions of the WBCL (the "Wisconsin Stakeholder
Provisions"), in discharging his or her duties to the corporation and in
determining what he or she believes to be in the best interests of the
corporation, a director or officer may, in addition to considering the effects
of any action on shareholders, consider the effects of the action on
employees, suppliers, customers, the communities in which the corporation
operates and any other factors that the director or officer considers
pertinent. The DGCL does not contain a comparable provision and, under
Delaware law, the consideration that a board may give to nonshareholder
constituencies is less clear. In considering the best interests of a
corporation, under Delaware law directors and officers can generally take into
consideration the interests of nonshareholders. However, the Delaware Supreme
Court has held that the consideration of nonshareholder constituencies is
inappropriate when an active "auction" is in process to sell a company. The
ZERO Certificate provides that the ZERO Board shall consider all relevant
factors in evaluating certain proposed business combinations and the best
interests of ZERO and its stockholders, including but not limited to the
effects of the transactions on stockholders and other constituencies. See "--
Comparison of API Articles and Bylaws to ZERO Certificate and Bylaws--Relevant
Factors to be Considered by Board."
Anti-Takeover Statutes
Delaware. DGCL Section 203 (the "Delaware Business Combination Statute")
applies to certain business combinations involving a corporation and certain
of its stockholders. The Delaware Business Combination Statute prevents an
"Interested Stockholder" (defined generally as a person owning 15% or more of
the corporation's outstanding voting stock) from engaging in a "Business
Combination" (defined to include a variety of transactions, including the sale
of assets, mergers and almost any significant related party transaction) with
a Delaware corporation for three years following the time such person became
an Interested Stockholder,
76
<PAGE>
unless (i) before such person became an Interested Stockholder, the board of
directors of the corporation approved the transaction in which the Interested
Stockholder became an Interested Stockholder or approved the Business
Combination, (ii) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the
Interested Stockholder becoming an Interested Stockholder, the Interested
Stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation
outstanding at the time the transaction commenced (excluding stock held by
directors who are also officers of the corporation and by certain employee
stock ownership plans), or (iii) at or subsequent to the time such person
became an Interested Stockholder, the Business Combination is approved by the
board of directors of the corporation and authorized at a meeting of
stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of the
holders of two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation not
owned by the Interested Stockholder. Unless otherwise provided in the
corporation's certificate of incorporation, the Delaware Business Combination
Statute does not apply if a corporation does not have a class of voting stock
that is (i) listed on a national securities exchange, (ii) authorized for
quotation on The Nasdaq Stock Market or (iii) held of record by more than
2,000 stockholders, unless any of the foregoing results from action taken,
directly or indirectly, by an Interested Stockholder or from a transaction in
which a person becomes an Interested Stockholder. The Delaware Business
Combination Statute also does not apply if the corporation has elected, as
provided in the statute, not to be governed thereby; ZERO has made no such
election.
Wisconsin. Sections 180.1140 to 180.1144 of the WBCL (the "Wisconsin
Business Combination Statute") regulate a broad range of "business
combinations" between a "resident domestic corporation" and an "interested
stockholder." The Wisconsin Business Combination Statute defines a "business
combination" to include: a merger or share exchange; a sale, lease, exchange,
mortgage, pledge, transfer, or other disposition of assets equal to at least
5% of the market value of the stock or assets of the company or 10% of its
earning power; the issuance of stock or rights to purchase stock with a market
value equal to at least 5% of the outstanding stock; the adoption of a plan of
liquidation; and certain other transactions involving an "interested
stockholder." An "interested stockholder" is defined as a person who
beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 10% of the voting power of the
outstanding voting stock of a corporation or who is an affiliate or associate
of the corporation and beneficially owned 10% of the voting power of the then
outstanding voting stock within the last three years. The Wisconsin Business
Combination Statute prohibits a corporation from engaging in a business
combination (other than a business combination of a type specifically excluded
from the coverage of the statute) with an interested stockholder for a period
of three years following the date such person becomes an interested
stockholder, unless the board of directors approved the business combination
or the acquisition of the stock that resulted in the person becoming an
interested stockholder before such acquisition. Business combinations after
the three-year period following the stock acquisition date are permitted only
if (i) the board of directors approved the acquisition of the stock prior to
the acquisition date, (ii) the business combination is approved by a majority
of the outstanding voting stock not beneficially owned by the interested
stockholder, or (iii) the consideration to be received by shareholders meets
certain fair price requirements of the statute with respect to form and
amount. Unlike the prohibition on business combinations in the Delaware
Business Combination Statute, which is inapplicable if the interested
stockholder acquires at least 85% of the outstanding voting stock at the time
of becoming an interested stockholder or if during the three-year period of
the prohibition the board of directors and holders of two-thirds of the
unaffiliated shares approve the business combination, the Wisconsin Business
Combination Statute's prohibition on business combinations applies without
regard to the percentage of shares owned by the interested stockholder and
cannot be avoided during the three-year period by subsequent action of the
board of directors or shareholders. Furthermore, the Wisconsin Business
Combination Statute is triggered by the acquisition of 10% of the outstanding
shares rather than 15% as under the Delaware Business Combination Statute.
The WBCL also provides, in Sections 180.1130 to 180.1133, that certain
mergers, share exchanges or sales, leases, exchanges or other dispositions of
assets in a transaction involving a "significant shareholder" and a "resident
domestic corporation" (a "Section 180.1130 business combination") are subject
to a supermajority vote of shareholders (the "Wisconsin Fair Price Statute"),
in addition to any approval otherwise required, unless shareholders receive a
fair price for their shares that satisfies a statutory formula. A "significant
shareholder," with respect to a resident domestic corporation, is defined as a
person who beneficially owns, directly or
77
<PAGE>
indirectly, 10% or more of the voting stock of the corporation, or an
affiliate of the corporation which beneficially owned, directly or indirectly,
10% or more of the voting stock of the corporation within the last two years.
A Section 180.1130 business combination must be approved by 80% of the voting
power of the corporation's stock and at least two-thirds of the voting power
of the corporation's stock not beneficially held by the significant
shareholder who is party to the relevant transaction or any of its affiliates
or associates, in each case voting together as a single group, unless the
following fair price standards have been met: (i) the aggregate value of the
per share consideration is equal to the higher of (a) the highest price paid
for any common shares of the corporation by the significant shareholder in the
transaction in which it became a significant shareholder or within two years
before the date of the business combination, (b) the market value of the
corporation's shares on the date of commencement of any tender offer by the
significant shareholder, the date on which the person became a significant
shareholder or the date of the first public announcement of the proposed
business combination, whichever is higher, or (c) the highest liquidation or
dissolution distribution to which holders of the shares would be entitled, and
(ii) either cash, or the form of consideration used by the significant
shareholder to acquire the largest number of shares, is offered. Delaware does
not have a similar statute.
Under Section 180.1150 (the "Wisconsin Control Share Statute") of the WBCL,
unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, the voting power
of shares, including shares issuable upon conversion of convertible securities
or exercise of options or warrants, of a "resident domestic corporation", held
by any person (including two or more persons acting as a group) in excess of
20% of the voting power in the election of directors is limited (in voting on
any matter) to 10% of the full voting power of those shares. This restriction
does not apply to shares acquired directly from the resident domestic
corporation, in certain specified transactions, or in a transaction in which
the corporation's shareholders have approved restoration of the full voting
power of the otherwise restricted shares. Delaware does not have a similar
statute. In light of the 10% threshold contained in the Wisconsin Business
Combination Statute, the Wisconsin Control Share Statute threshold of 20% may
not be implicated unless the board of directors approves a transaction that
permits the shareholder to exceed the 10% ownership level.
Section 180.1134 (the "Wisconsin Defensive Action Restrictions") of the WBCL
provides that, in addition to the vote otherwise required by law or the
articles of incorporation of a resident domestic corporation, the approval of
the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote is required before
such corporation can take certain action while a takeover offer is being made
or after a takeover offer has been publicly announced and before it is
concluded. Under the Wisconsin Defensive Action Restrictions, shareholder
approval is required for the corporation to (i) acquire more than 5% of the
outstanding voting shares at a price above the market price from any
individual or organization that owns more than 3% of the outstanding voting
shares and has held such shares for less than two years, unless a similar
offer is made to acquire all voting shares or (ii) sell or option assets of
the corporation which amount to at least 10% of the market value of the
corporation, unless the corporation has at least three independent directors
(directors who are not officers or employees) and a majority of the
independent directors vote not to have this provision apply to the
corporation. The restrictions described in clause (i) above may have the
effect of deterring a shareholder from acquiring API's shares with the goal of
seeking to have API repurchase such shares at a premium over the market price.
Delaware does not have a similar statute.
Under the WBCL, as amended in 1997, a "resident domestic corporation" is
defined to mean a Wisconsin corporation that has a class of voting stock that
is registered or traded on a national securities exchange or that is
registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and that, as of the
relevant date, satisfies any of the following: (i) its principal offices are
located in Wisconsin; (ii) it has significant business operations located in
Wisconsin; (iii) more than 10% of the holders of record of its shares are
residents of Wisconsin; or (iv) more than 10% of its shares are held of record
by residents of Wisconsin. API is a "resident domestic corporation" for
purposes of the above described provisions. A Wisconsin corporation that is
otherwise subject to certain of such statutes may preclude their applicability
by an election to that effect in its articles of incorporation. The API
Articles do not contain any such election.
78
<PAGE>
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements are based on the
historical consolidated financial statements of API and ZERO. The unaudited
pro forma combined statements of earnings have been prepared as if the Merger
occurred on September 1, 1994. The unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet
has been prepared as if the Merger occurred on February 28, 1998. The
unaudited pro forma adjustments described in the accompanying notes are based
upon preliminary estimates and certain assumptions that management believes
are reasonable. The unaudited pro forma financial statements are not
necessarily indicative of actual or future financial position or results of
operations that would have or will occur upon consummation of the Merger, and
should be read in conjunction with the audited historical consolidated
financial statements, including the notes thereto, of API and ZERO
incorporated by reference in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
APPLIED POWER INC. AND ZERO CORPORATION
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
API VERSA/TEK VERO ZERO
SIX MONTHS SEPTEMBER 1, SIX MONTHS SIX MONTHS
ENDED TO ENDED SUB-TOTAL ENDED TOTAL
FEBRUARY 28, OCTOBER 6, DECEMBER 31, PRO FORMA DECEMBER 31, PRO FORMA
1998(1) 1997(1) 1997(1) ADJUSTMENTS COMBINED 1997(1) ADJUSTMENTS COMBINED
------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- --------- ------------ ----------- ---------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales.............. $425,834 $9,330 $83,927 $519,091 $131,375 $650,466
Cost of products sold.. 276,677 6,637 58,204 24 (4) 341,542 87,731 429,273
-------- ------ ------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Gross profit.......... 149,157 2,693 25,723 (24) 177,549 43,644 221,193
Engineering, selling
and administrative
expenses.............. 97,594 1,302 17,987 116,883 25,570 (706)(3) 141,747
Amortization of
intangible assets..... 5,201 -- 236 237 (4) 7,366 -- 706 (3) 8,072
1,692 (5)
-------- ------ ------- ------- -------- -------- ------- --------
Operating earnings.... 46,362 1,391 7,500 (1,953) 53,300 18,074 71,374
Other Expenses
(Income):
Net financing costs... 9,470 (11) 201 763 (4) 16,916 1,964 18,880
6,493 (5)
Other--net............ (195) 100 -- (95) (2,232)(10) (2,327)
-------- ------ ------- ------- -------- -------- ------- --------
Net Earnings from
Continuing Operations
Before Income Tax
Expense............... 37,087 1,302 7,299 (9,209) 36,479 18,342 54,821
Income Tax Expense(11). 12,981 -- 2,541 (201)(4) 13,166 6,636 19,802
(2,155)(5)
-------- ------ ------- ------- -------- -------- ------- --------
Net Earnings from
Continuing Operations. $ 24,106 $1,302 $ 4,758 $(6,853) $ 23,313 $ 11,706 (10) $ -- $ 35,019
======== ====== ======= ======= ======== ======== ======= ========
Net earnings from
continuing operations
per common and
equivalent share:
Basic................. $ 0.87 $ 0.84 $ 0.95 (10) $ 0.92
Diluted............... $ 0.82 $ 0.79 $ 0.93 (10) $ 0.87
Common and equivalent
shares used in
computing per share
amounts:
Basic................. 27,728 27,728 12,344 (1,852)(2) 38,220
Diluted............... 29,371 29,371 12,649 (1,897)(2) 40,123
</TABLE>
See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements
79
<PAGE>
APPLIED POWER INC. AND ZERO CORPORATION
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
API ZERO
SIX MONTHS SIX MONTHS
ENDED ENDED
FEBRUARY 28, DECEMBER 31, PRO FORMA
1997 (1) 1996 (1) ADJUSTMENTS COMBINED
------------ ------------ ----------- ---------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales................... $310,266 $111,933 $422,199
Cost of products sold....... 189,195 75,351 264,546
-------- -------- --------
Gross profit.............. 121,071 36,582 157,653
Engineering, selling and
administrative expenses.... 84,047 22,108 (606)(3) 105,549
Amortization of intangible
assets..................... 3,297 -- 606 (3) 3,903
-------- -------- ------- --------
Operating earnings........ 33,727 14,474 48,201
Other Expenses (Income):
Net financing costs....... 5,820 2,029 7,849
Other--net................ (678) (743) (1,421)
-------- -------- ------- --------
Earnings from Continuing
Operations Before Income
Tax Expense................ 28,585 13,188 41,773
Income Tax Expense (11)..... 9,576 5,267 14,843
-------- -------- ------- --------
Earnings from Continuing
Operations................. $ 19,009 $ 7,921 $ -- $ 26,930
======== ======== ======= ========
Earnings from continuing
operations per common and
equivalent share:
Basic..................... $ 0.69 $ 0.65 $ 0.71
Diluted................... $ 0.67 $ 0.64 $ 0.69
Common and equivalent shares
used in computing per share
amounts:
Basic..................... 27,462 12,173 (1,826)(2) 37,809
Diluted................... 28,525 12,396 (1,859)(2) 39,062
</TABLE>
See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements
80
<PAGE>
APPLIED POWER INC. AND ZERO CORPORATION
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EVEREST VERSA/TEK VERO ZERO
API SEPTEMBER 1, YEAR YEAR YEAR
YEAR ENDED TO ENDED ENDED SUB-TOTAL ENDED TOTAL
AUGUST 31, SEPTEMBER 26, JUNE 30, JUNE 30, ADJUST- PRO FORMA JUNE 30, ADJUST- PRO FORMA
1997 (1) 1996 (1) 1997 (1) 1997 (1) MENTS COMBINED 1997 (1) MENTS COMBINED
---------- ------------- --------- -------- -------- --------- -------- ------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales........... $672,316 $3,496 $95,288 $163,270 $ 5,701 (7) $940,071 $235,330 $1,175,401
Cost of products
sold............... 419,420 2,663 69,773 106,492 4,597 (7) 602,965 158,195 761,160
20 (6)
-------- ------ ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
Gross profit....... 252,896 833 25,515 56,778 1,084 337,106 77,135 414,241
Engineering, selling
and administrative
expenses........... 173,200 304 14,552 37,233 755 (7) 226,044 46,377 (1,194)(3) 271,227
Amortization of
intangible assets.. 6,813 125 -- 473 145 (6) 13,952 -- 1,194 (3) 15,146
3,012 (7)
3,384 (8)
-------- ------ ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ------- ----------
Operating earnings. 72,883 404 10,963 19,072 (6,212) 97,110 30,758 127,868
Other Expenses
(Income):
Net financing
costs............. 12,003 (23) (32) 653 282 (6) 35,376 4,095 39,471
9,507 (7)
12,986 (8)
Other--net......... (1,863) (47) 607 -- (3)(7) (1,306) (1,393) (2,699)
-------- ------ ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ------- ----------
Net Earnings from
Continuing
Operations Before
Income Tax Expense. 62,743 474 10,388 18,419 (28,984) 63,040 28,056 91,096
Income Tax
Expense (11)....... 20,705 -- 4,216 6,649 62 (6) 23,433 11,165 34,598
(3,735)(7)
(4,464)(8)
-------- ------ ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ------- ----------
Net Earnings from
Continuing
Operations......... $ 42,038 $ 474 $ 6,172 $ 11,770 $(20,847) $ 39,607 $ 16,891 $ -- $ 56,498
======== ====== ======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======= ==========
Net earnings from
continuing
operations per
common and
equivalent share:
Basic.............. $ 1.53 $ 1.44 $ 1.38 $ 1.49
Diluted............ $ 1.46 $ 1.38 $ 1.36 $ 1.44
Common and
equivalent shares
used in computing
per share amounts:
Basic.............. 27,530 27,530 12,213 (1,832)(2) 37,911
Diluted............ 28,754 28,754 12,450 (1,868)(2) 39,336
</TABLE>
See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements
81
<PAGE>
APPLIED POWER INC. AND ZERO CORPORATION
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
API YEAR ZERO YEAR
ENDED ENDED PRO
AUGUST 31, MARCH 31, FORMA
1996 (1) 1996 (1) ADJUSTMENTS COMBINED
---------- --------- ----------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales....................... $571,215 $206,247 $777,462
Cost of products sold........... 351,283 135,708 486,991
-------- -------- --------
Gross profit.................. 219,932 70,539 290,471
Engineering, selling and admin-
istrative expenses............. 158,485 43,933 (1,086)(3) 201,332
Amortization of intangible as-
sets........................... 4,054 -- 1,086 (3) 5,140
-------- -------- ------- --------
Operating earnings............ 57,393 26,606 83,999
Other Expenses (Income):
Net financing costs........... 8,456 (564) 7,892
Other--net.................... (230) (1,077) (1,307)
-------- -------- ------- --------
Net Earnings from Continuing Op-
erations Before Income Tax Ex-
pense.......................... 49,167 28,247 77,414
Income Tax Expense (11)......... 15,438 11,297 26,735
-------- -------- ------- --------
Net Earnings from Continuing Op-
erations....................... $ 33,729 $ 16,950 $ -- $ 50,679
======== ======== ======= ========
Net earnings from continuing
operations per common and
equivalent share:
Basic......................... $ 1.25 $ 1.08 $ 1.26
Diluted....................... $ 1.21 $ 1.07 $ 1.22
Common and equivalent shares
used in computing per share
amounts:
Basic......................... 26,957 15,719 (2,358)(2) 40,318
Diluted....................... 27,967 15,866 (2,380)(2) 41,453
</TABLE>
See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements
82
<PAGE>
APPLIED POWER INC. AND ZERO CORPORATION
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
API YEAR ZERO YEAR
ENDED ENDED PRO
AUGUST 31, MARCH 31, FORMA
1995 (1) 1995 (1) ADJUSTMENTS COMBINED
---------- --------- ----------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales........................ $527,058 $179,694 $706,752
Cost of products sold............ 325,621 118,084 443,705
-------- -------- --------
Gross profit................... 201,437 61,610 263,047
Engineering, selling and
administrative expenses......... 149,210 39,769 (1,025)(3) 187,954
Amortization of intangible
assets.......................... 3,369 -- 1,025 (3) 4,394
-------- -------- ------- --------
Operating earnings............. 48,858 21,841 70,699
Other Expenses (Income):
Net financing costs............ 10,291 (1,041) 9,250
Other--net..................... 1,694 (1,344) 350
-------- -------- ------- --------
Net Earnings from Continuing
Operations Before Income Tax
Expense......................... 36,873 24,226 61,099
Income Tax Expense (11).......... 11,868 9,401 21,269
-------- -------- ------- --------
Net Earnings from Continuing
Operations...................... $ 25,005 $ 14,825 $ -- $ 39,830
======== ======== ======= ========
Net earnings from continuing
operations per common and
equivalent share:
Basic.......................... $ 0.94 $ 0.93 $ 0.99
Diluted........................ $ 0.91 $ 0.93 $ 0.97
Common and equivalent shares used
in computing per share amounts:
Basic.......................... 26,559 15,936 (2,390)(2) 40,105
Diluted........................ 27,491 16,020 (2,403)(2) 41,108
</TABLE>
See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements
83
<PAGE>
APPLIED POWER INC. AND ZERO CORPORATION
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
API VERO SUB-TOTAL ZERO TOTAL
FEBRUARY 28, DECEMBER 31, PRO FORMA DECEMBER 31, PRO FORMA
ASSETS 1998 (1) 1997 (1) ADJUSTMENTS COMBINED 1997 (1) ADJUSTMENTS COMBINED
------ ------------ ------------ ----------- --------- ------------ ----------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Current Assets
Cash and cash
equivalents........... $ 7,010 $ 6,756 $ 13,766 $ 22,051 $ 35,817
Short-term
investments........... -- -- -- 4,918 4,918
Accounts receivable,
net................... 76,908 27,851 104,759 37,537 142,296
Inventories............ 130,190 22,765 152,955 34,137 187,092
Prepaid income tax..... 12,453 -- 12,453 -- 12,453
Prepaid expenses....... 11,116 2,020 13,136 3,736 16,872
--------- -------- --------- -------- ----------
Total Current Assets. 237,677 59,392 297,069 102,379 399,448
Investment in VERO
Group, plc............. -- -- 192,384 (9a) -- -- --
(192,384)(9b)
Other Assets............ 10,397 1,359 11,756 17,259 (2,718)(3) 26,297
Goodwill................ 260,361 17,010 135,367 (9b) 412,738 37,391 450,129
Other Intangibles....... 46,688 -- 46,688 -- 2,718 (3) 49,406
Property, Plant and
Equipment.............. 257,259 37,154 294,413 106,776 401,189
Less: Accumulated
depreciation.......... (133,019) (8,892) (141,911) (57,444) (199,355)
--------- -------- --------- -------- ----------
Net Property, Plant and
Equipment.............. 124,240 28,262 152,502 49,332 201,834
--------- -------- --------- --------- -------- ------- ----------
Total Assets......... $ 679,363 $106,023 $ 135,367 $ 920,753 $206,361 $ -- $1,127,114
========= ======== ========= ========= ======== ======= ==========
<CAPTION>
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
- ------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Current Liabilities
Short-term borrowings.. $ 15,585 $ 842 $ 16,427 $ -- $ 16,427
Trade accounts
payable............... 62,335 14,993 77,328 7,827 85,155
Accrued compensation
and benefits.......... 28,207 -- 28,207 7,246 35,453
Income taxes payable... 4,118 4,757 8,875 573 9,448
Other current
liabilities........... 24,975 17,747 42,722 8,420 51,142
--------- -------- --------- -------- ----------
Total Current
Liabilities......... 135,220 38,339 173,559 24,066 197,625
Long-term Debt.......... 272,262 10,251 192,384 (9a) 474,897 51,573 526,470
Deferred Income Tax..... 16,913 416 17,329 -- 17,329
Other Deferred
Liabilities............ 27,241 -- 27,241 13,084 40,325
Shareholders' Equity
Common stock (API:
27,836,656 shares;
ZERO 12,391,197
shares; and
38,369,173 shares on
a pro forma combined
basis)................ 5,567 4,964 (4,964) 5,567 166 5,733
Additional paid-in
capital............... 38,538 30,094 (30,094) 38,538 39,289 77,827
Retained earnings...... 190,049 23,578 (21,959) 191,668 151,899 343,567
Cumulative translation
adjustments........... (6,427) (1,619) (8,046) 100 (7,946)
Treasury stock......... -- -- -- (73,816) (73,816)
--------- -------- --------- --------- -------- ----------
Total Shareholders'
Equity.............. 227,727 57,017 (57,017)(9b) 227,727 117,638 345,365
--------- -------- --------- --------- -------- ------- ----------
Total Liabilities and
Shareholders'
Equity.............. $ 679,363 $106,023 $ 135,367 $ 920,753 $206,361 $ -- $1,127,114
========= ======== ========= ========= ======== ======= ==========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements
84
<PAGE>
APPLIED POWER INC. AND ZERO CORPORATION
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1--PERIODS COMBINED
The API consolidated statements of earnings for the six months ended
February 28, 1998 and 1997 (both unaudited) and for the fiscal years ended
August 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 have been combined with the ZERO consolidated
statements of income for the six months ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, for
the twelve months ended June 30, 1997 (all unaudited) and for the fiscal years
ended March 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. This presentation has the effect
of excluding ZERO's results of operations for the three-month period ended
June 30, 1996 in the unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations.
Unaudited net sales and net income for ZERO were $54,664,000 and $3,800,000,
respectively, for the three-month period ended June 30, 1996. ZERO's results
of operations for this period are reflected in shareholders' equity in the pro
forma combined balance sheet at February 28, 1998. API's February 28, 1998
unaudited consolidated balance sheet has been combined with ZERO's December
31, 1997 unaudited consolidated balance sheet and VERO's December 31, 1997
audited consolidated balance sheet.
On April 23, 1998, API announced that it had reached an agreement with the
Board of Directors of VERO Group plc ("VERO") on the terms of a recommended
cash offer (with a guaranteed loan note alternative) to be made by Applied
Power Limited, a United Kingdom subsidiary of API, to acquire the entire
issued share capital of VERO at a price of 157 pence per VERO share. On May 5,
1998, Pentair, Inc. announced the terms of a competing cash offer (with a
guaranteed loan note alternative), to be made through a wholly-owned
subsidiary, to acquire the entire issued share capital of VERO at a price of
170 pence per VERO share. On May 12, 1998, in response to the offer by
Pentair, Inc., API increased its cash offer to 192 pence per VERO share.
Pentair, Inc. subsequently withdrew its offer. On May 15, 1998, the Applied
Power Limited offering documents were sent to the VERO shareholders. On June
5, 1998, the initial tender offer period expired, and API announced that
Applied Power Limited had accepted for payment the VERO stock tendered, which
totaled over 72% of the outstanding VERO shares. Applied Power Limited had
previously acquired approximately 10% of VERO's shares, so that after
accepting the shares tendered, Applied Power Limited owned or had accepted
over 82% of VERO's shares. The shares accepted were paid for on June 19, 1998.
The tender offer remained open. On June 19, 1998, Applied Power Limited
announced that the additional shares tendered brought the total of the shares
it owned or had accepted for payment to over 90% of all VERO's shares,
sufficient to invoke procedures under the U.K. Companies Act of 1985 which,
when completed, will result in Applied Power Limited owning all of the
outstanding shares of VERO. The unaudited pro forma combined financial data
for the six months ended February 28, 1998 includes the operating results of
Versa Technologies, Inc. ("Versa/Tek"), which was acquired by API on October
6, 1997, for the period from September 1 to October 6, 1997 and the operating
results of VERO for the six months ended December 31, 1997. The unaudited pro
forma combined financial data for the year ended August 31, 1997 includes the
operating results of Everest Electronics Equipment, Inc. ("Everest"), which
was acquired by API on September 26, 1996, for the period from September 1 to
September 26, 1996, and the operating results of Versa/Tek and VERO for their
respective twelve months ended June 30, 1997. The operating results of
Versa/Tek and Everest subsequent to their acquisition dates, are included in
API's historic results (presented in the first column of the accompanying
combined financial statements) for the six months ended February 28, 1998 and
the year ended August 31, 1997.
VERO's reporting currency is the pound sterling and its financial
information in the accompanying pro forma combined financial statements has
been translated to the U.S. dollar in accordance with Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 52, "Foreign Currency Translation." VERO's historic
financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles in the United Kingdom ("UK GAAP"), however, VERO's
financial information in the accompanying pro forma combined financial
statements has been adjusted to conform with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States ("US GAAP"). The only material adjustment
required to conform with US GAAP related to goodwill. Under UK GAAP purchased
goodwill may be written off on acquisition directly against reserves. Under US
GAAP goodwill is capitalized and amortized by charges against income over the
period during which it is estimated it will be of
85
<PAGE>
benefit subject to a maximum of 40 years. Accordingly, goodwill, net of
amortization, was recorded in the pro forma combined balance sheet at February
28, 1998 and the related amortization expense included in the pro forma
combined statements of earnings for the six months ended February 28, 1998 and
the twelve months ended August 31, 1997.
NOTE 2--PRO FORMA NET EARNINGS PER SHARE
The unaudited pro forma combined net earnings per common share and per
common and equivalent share is based upon the weighted average number of
common and equivalent shares of API and ZERO outstanding for each period at
the Exchange Ratio of 0.85 shares of API Common Stock for each share of ZERO
Common Stock.
NOTE 3--RECLASSIFICATIONS (ZERO)
Certain reclassifications, none of which affect income from continuing
operations, have been made to the ZERO statements of income in the pro forma
combined statements of earnings to conform classifications of "Amortization of
intangible assets" and to ZERO's balance sheet in the pro forma combined
balance sheet to conform classifications of "Other intangibles."
NOTE 4--PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS (VERSA/TEK)
The following pro forma adjustments are incorporated in the pro forma
condensed consolidated statement of earnings for the six months ended February
28, 1998 as a result of the Versa/Tek acquisition.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1. Incremental interest expense on acquisition debt at a rate
of 6.5%................................................... $ (763)
2. Increase in depreciation expense resulting from adjustment
to carrying amount of plant and equipment being
depreciated over a 7 year life............................ (24)
3. Reflect amortization of increase in goodwill and
intangible assets arising from this transaction, over
periods of 10 to 40 years................................... (237)
4. Decrease in income taxes (net benefit) applying a 39%
effective US and Wisconsin state income tax rate to the
earnings of Versa/Tek, less the effect of pro forma
adjustments in 1, 2 and 3 above (with the exception of non-
deductible amortization).................................... 201
--------
$ (823)
========
</TABLE>
NOTE 5--PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS (VERO)
The following pro forma adjustments are incorporated in the pro forma
condensed consolidated statement of earnings for the six months ended February
28, 1998 as a result of the pending VERO acquisition.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1. Incremental interest expense on acquisition debt at a rate of
6.75%........................................................ $(6,493)
2. Reflect amortization of goodwill arising from this
transaction, over a 40 year life............................. (1,692)
3. Decrease in income taxes (net benefit) applying a 37%
effective income tax rate to the earnings of VERO, less the
effect of pro forma adjustments in 1 and 2 above (with the
exception of non-deductible amortization).................... 2,155
-------
$(6,030)
=======
</TABLE>
NOTE 6--PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS (EVEREST)
The following pro forma adjustments are incorporated in the pro forma
condensed consolidated statement of earnings for the year ended August 31,
1997 as a result of the Everest acquisition.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1. Incremental interest expense on acquisition debt at a rate of
6.5%......................................................... $ (282)
2. Increase in depreciation expense resulting from adjustment to
carrying amount of plant and equipment being depreciated over
a 7 year life................................................ (20)
3. Reflect amortization of goodwill arising from this
transaction, over a 25 year life............................. (145)
4. Increase in income taxes applying a 41% effective U.S. and
California state income tax rate to the earnings of Everest,
less the effect of pro forma adjustments in 1, 2 and 3 above. (62)
-------
$ (509)
=======
</TABLE>
86
<PAGE>
NOTE 7--PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS (VERSA/TEK)
The following pro forma adjustments are incorporated in the pro forma
condensed consolidated statement of earnings for the year ended August 31,
1997 to reflect a full year of Eder Industries in Versa/Tek (Eder was acquired
by Versa/Tek on October 31, 1996).
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1. Add historical operating results of Eder for the four-month
period July 1, 1996 to 10/31/96 (date of Versa/Tek's
acquisition)
Net Sales.................................................... $ 6,338
Cost of Products Sold........................................ (4,924)
Engineering, Selling and Administrative Expenses............. (755)
Financing Costs.............................................. (19)
Other Income................................................. 3
2. Eliminate intercompany sales and purchases between Eder and
Versa/Tek................................................... 637
(637)
3. Incremental interest expense/elimination of interest income
relating to the cash borrowed/used in the acquisition at a
rate of 6.5%................................................ (333)
4. Increase in depreciation expense resulting from adjustment
to carrying amount of plant and equipment being depreciated
over periods of 10 to 30 years.............................. (24)
5. Reflect additional amortization of goodwill and other
intangibles arising from the Eder transaction over periods
of 3 to 40 years............................................ (163)
--------
$ 123
========
</TABLE>
The following pro forma adjustments are incorporated in the pro forma
condensed consolidated statement of earnings for the year ended August 31,
1997 as a result of the Versa Tek acquisition.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
6. Incremental interest expense on acquisition debt at a
rate of 6.5%............................................. $ (9,155)
7. Increase in depreciation expense resulting from
adjustment to carrying amount of plant and equipment
being depreciated over a 7 year life..................... (286)
8. Reflect amortization of increase in goodwill and
intangible assets arising from this transaction over
periods of 10 to 40 years................................ (2,849)
9. Decrease in income taxes (net benefit) applying a 39%
effective US and Wisconsin state income tax rate to the
earnings of Versa/Tek, less the effect of pro forma
adjustments in 1 through 8 above (with the exception of
non-deductible amortization)............................. 3,735
---------
$ (8,555)
=========
</TABLE>
NOTE 8--PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS (VERO)
The following pro forma adjustments are incorporated in the pro forma
condensed consolidated statement of earnings for API's year ended August 31,
1997 as a result of the pending VERO acquisition.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1. Incremental interest expense on acquisition debt at a rate
of 6.75%.................................................. $(12,986)
2. Reflect amortization of goodwill arising from this
transaction, over a 40 year life.......................... (3,384)
3. Decrease in income taxes (net benefit) applying a 37%
effective income tax rate to the earnings of VERO, less
the effect of pro forma adjustments 1 and 2 above (with
the exception of non-deductible amortization)............. 4,464
---------
$(11,906)
=========
</TABLE>
87
<PAGE>
NOTE 9--PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS (VERO)
(a) The following pro forma adjustments are incorporated in the pro forma
combined balance sheet at February 28, 1998 as a result of the pending VERO
acquisition.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Purchase price of outstanding shares.......................... $192,384
</TABLE>
(b) The following pro forma adjustments are made to reflect estimated fair
value adjustments and to eliminate the investment in VERO:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
VERO net assets--as reported.................................. $ 57,017
Fair value adjustments:
Record goodwill acquired.................................... 135,367
---------
Investment in VERO........................................ $192,384
=========
</TABLE>
Because of the proximity of the transaction, API has not had adequate time
to complete its evaluation of the fair value of the net assets acquired in the
VERO transaction. As a result, no fair value adjustments have been reflected
in these pro forma statements.
NOTE 10--SPECIAL ITEM (ZERO)
Other Income--net for the six months ended December 31, 1997 includes life
insurance proceeds of $1,709 ($0.14 per share).
NOTE 11--INCOME TAX EXPENSE
Effective tax rates are higher than the statutory federal income tax rates
primarily due to state income taxes, net of federal benefit.
88
<PAGE>
CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING API AND ZERO
Information regarding the names, ages, positions and business backgrounds of
the executive officers and directors of API, as well as additional
information, including executive compensation, security ownership of certain
beneficial owners and management and certain relationships and related
transactions, is incorporated by reference to Items 10, 11, 12 and 13 of API's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1997 (which
incorporates portions of API's Proxy Statement, dated November 20, 1997, for
its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on January 9, 1998).
Information regarding the names, ages, positions and business backgrounds of
the executive officers and directors of ZERO, as well as additional
information, including executive compensation, security ownership of certain
beneficial owners and management and certain relationships and related
transactions, is incorporated by reference to Items 10, 11, 12 and 13 of
ZERO's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998.
LEGAL OPINIONS
The legality of the API Common Stock to be issued in the Merger will be
passed upon for API by Quarles & Brady, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Anthony W.
Asmuth, III, the Corporate Secretary of API, is a partner in Quarles & Brady.
As of the API Record Date, Mr. Asmuth owned 38,420 shares of API Common Stock
and served as trustee or co-trustee with sole or shared voting and dispositive
powers over trusts that held an aggregate of 279,252 shares of API Common
Stock.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement
schedule incorporated in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus by reference
from Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A to API's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended August 31, 1997 and the consolidated financial
statements of Versa Technologies, Inc. incorporated by reference from API's
report on Form 8-K dated October 3, 1997 have been audited by Deloitte &
Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their reports, which are
incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance
upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement
schedule incorporated in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus by reference
from ZERO's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31,
1998 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as
stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference, and have
been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon
their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of VERO Group plc at December 31, 1997
and for the year then ended appearing in Amendment No. 1 (Form 8-K/A) to the
Current Report (Form 8-K) of API dated June 5, 1998 have been audited by Ernst
& Young, chartered accountants, independent auditors, as set forth in their
report thereon included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such
consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in
reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. has been engaged as API's independent public
accountants for the fiscal year ending August 31, 1998.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
The API Board will consider proposals of shareholders intended to be
presented for action at the API 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which is
scheduled to be held on January 8, 1999. Shareholder proposals must be
received by API at its principal offices no later than July 23, 1998, in order
to be considered for inclusion in API's proxy statement and form of proxy
relating to the 1999 Annual Meeting. Submission of shareholder proposals does
not ensure inclusion in the proxy statement or form of proxy because proposals
must meet certain SEC requirements.
Stockholder proposals to be presented at the 1998 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of ZERO were required to be submitted by February 27, 1998. In
the event the Merger does not occur, ZERO anticipates its 1998 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders will be held within ninety (90) days of July 31, 1998.
89
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
BY AND AMONG
APPLIED POWER INC.
AND
ZERO CORPORATION
AND
STB ACQUISITION CORPORATION
DATED AS OF APRIL 6, 1998
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<C> <S> <C>
RECITALS.................................................................. A-1
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS..................................................... A-1
1.1 Acquisition...................................................... A-1
1.2 Affiliates....................................................... A-1
1.3 Affiliate Letter................................................. A-1
1.4 Agreement........................................................ A-1
1.5 API.............................................................. A-1
1.6 API Common Stock................................................. A-2
1.7 API Companies.................................................... A-2
1.8 API Material Adverse Effect...................................... A-2
1.9 API Special Meeting.............................................. A-2
1.10 API Stockholders................................................. A-2
1.11 Certificate of Merger............................................ A-2
1.12 Closing.......................................................... A-2
1.13 Closing Date..................................................... A-2
1.14 Code............................................................. A-2
1.15 Confidentiality Agreements....................................... A-2
1.16 DGCL............................................................. A-2
1.17 Disclosure Schedule.............................................. A-2
1.18 ERISA............................................................ A-2
1.19 Exchange Act..................................................... A-2
1.20 HSR Act.......................................................... A-2
1.21 Knowledge of API................................................. A-3
1.22 Knowledge of ZERO................................................ A-3
1.23 Law.............................................................. A-3
1.24 Merger........................................................... A-3
1.25 Person........................................................... A-3
1.26 Proxy Statement.................................................. A-3
1.27 Registration Statement........................................... A-3
1.28 SEC.............................................................. A-3
1.29 Securities Act................................................... A-3
1.30 Subsidiary....................................................... A-3
1.31 ZERO............................................................. A-3
1.32 ZERO Common Stock................................................ A-3
1.33 ZERO Companies................................................... A-3
1.34 ZERO Material Adverse Effect..................................... A-3
1.35 ZERO Special Meeting............................................. A-3
1.36 ZERO Stockholders................................................ A-4
1.37 Other Terms...................................................... A-4
ARTICLE II THE MERGER..................................................... A-4
2.1 The Merger....................................................... A-4
2.2 Effective Time of Merger......................................... A-4
2.3 Certificate of Incorporation of Surviving Corporation............ A-5
2.4 Bylaws of Surviving Corporation.................................. A-5
2.5 Directors and Officers of Surviving Corporation.................. A-5
2.6 Conversion of ZERO Common Stock.................................. A-5
2.7 Conversion of Acquisition Common Stock........................... A-5
</TABLE>
i
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<C> <S> <C>
2.8 Exchange of ZERO Certificates.................................... A-5
2.9 Stock Transfer Books............................................. A-7
2.10 Reorganization; Pooling.......................................... A-7
2.11 No Dissenting Shares............................................. A-7
2.12 ZERO Stock Options............................................... A-7
ARTICLE III OTHER AGREEMENTS.............................................. A-8
3.1 Joint Proxy Statement and Registration Statement................. A-8
3.2 Approval of Stockholders......................................... A-8
3.3 HSR Act.......................................................... A-8
3.4 Access........................................................... A-9
3.5 Disclosure Schedule.............................................. A-9
3.6 Conditions to Merger............................................. A-9
3.7 Deliveries of Information; Consultation.......................... A-9
3.8 Affiliates; Accounting and Tax Treatment......................... A-10
3.9 Other Transactions............................................... A-10
3.10 Letter of ZERO's Accountants..................................... A-11
3.11 Letter of API's Accountants...................................... A-12
3.12 Stock Exchange Listing........................................... A-12
3.13 Public Announcements............................................. A-12
3.14 Indemnification and Insurance.................................... A-12
3.15 Existing Plans................................................... A-13
3.16 Conduct of Business of API....................................... A-13
3.17 Section 280G of the Code......................................... A-13
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ZERO......................... A-14
4.1 Organization; Business........................................... A-14
4.2 Capitalization................................................... A-14
4.3 Authorization; Enforceability.................................... A-14
4.4 No Violation or Conflict......................................... A-14
4.5 Title to Assets.................................................. A-14
4.6 Litigation....................................................... A-15
4.7 ZERO SEC Reports and Books and Records........................... A-15
4.8 Absence of Certain Changes....................................... A-15
4.9 Existing Contracts............................................... A-15
4.10 Performance of Existing Contracts................................ A-16
4.11 Insurance Policies............................................... A-16
4.12 Employee Benefit Plans........................................... A-16
4.13 No Violation of Law.............................................. A-17
4.14 Brokers.......................................................... A-17
4.15 Taxes............................................................ A-17
4.16 Governmental Approvals........................................... A-18
4.17 No Pending Other Transactions.................................... A-18
4.18 Labor Matters.................................................... A-18
4.19 Disclosure....................................................... A-18
4.20 Information Supplied............................................. A-18
4.21 Vote Required.................................................... A-19
4.22 Accounting Matters............................................... A-19
4.23 Opinion of Financial Advisor..................................... A-19
4.24 Environmental Protection......................................... A-19
4.25 Year 2000 Compliance............................................. A-20
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<C> <S> <C>
4.26 Continuing Directors............................................ A-20
4.27 Undisclosed Liabilities......................................... A-20
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF API AND ACQUISITION.......... A-21
5.1 Organization.................................................... A-21
5.2 Capitalization.................................................. A-21
5.3 Authorization; Enforceability................................... A-21
5.4 No Violation or Conflict........................................ A-21
5.5 Litigation...................................................... A-21
5.6 API SEC Reports................................................. A-22
5.7 Brokers......................................................... A-22
5.8 Governmental Approvals.......................................... A-22
5.9 Disclosure...................................................... A-22
5.10 Information Supplied............................................ A-22
5.11 Vote Required................................................... A-23
5.12 Accounting Matters.............................................. A-23
5.13 Opinion of Financial Advisor.................................... A-23
5.14 No Related Persons.............................................. A-23
5.15 Absence of Certain Changes...................................... A-23
5.16 Undisclosed Liabilities......................................... A-23
ARTICLE VI CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BY THE ZERO COMPANIES PENDING THE MERGER.. A-23
6.1 Carry on in Regular Course...................................... A-23
6.2 Use of Assets................................................... A-23
6.3 No Default...................................................... A-23
6.4 Employment Matters.............................................. A-23
6.5 Indebtedness.................................................... A-23
6.6 Preservation of Relationships................................... A-23
6.7 Compliance with Laws............................................ A-24
6.8 Taxes........................................................... A-24
6.9 Amendments...................................................... A-24
6.10 Dividends; Redemptions; Issuance of Stock....................... A-24
6.11 No Dispositions or Acquisitions................................. A-24
ARTICLE VII CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF API AND
ACQUISITION............................................................. A-24
7.1 Compliance with Agreement....................................... A-24
7.2 No Litigation................................................... A-24
7.3 Representations and Warranties of ZERO.......................... A-24
7.4 No ZERO Material Adverse Effect................................. A-24
Approval of ZERO Stockholders and API Stockholders; Certificate
7.5 of Merger....................................................... A-24
7.6 Closing Certificate............................................. A-25
7.7 Governmental Approvals.......................................... A-25
7.8 Listing......................................................... A-25
7.9 Accountant Letter............................................... A-25
7.10 Pooling Opinion................................................. A-25
7.11 Affiliate Letters............................................... A-25
ARTICLE VIII CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF ZERO............. A-25
8.1 Compliance with Agreement....................................... A-25
8.2 No Litigation................................................... A-25
8.3 Representations and Warranties of API and Acquisition........... A-25
</TABLE>
iii
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<C> <S> <C>
8.4 No API Material Adverse Effect............................... A-26
Approval of ZERO Stockholders and API Stockholders;
8.5 Certificate of Merger........................................ A-26
8.6 Closing Certificate.......................................... A-26
8.7 Governmental Approvals....................................... A-26
8.8 Listing...................................................... A-26
8.9 Tax Opinion.................................................. A-26
8.10 Accountant Letter............................................ A-26
ARTICLE IX TERMINATION; MISCELLANEOUS................................... A-26
9.1 Termination.................................................. A-26
9.2 Rights on Termination; Waiver................................ A-27
9.3 Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants........ A-28
9.4 Entire Agreement; Amendment.................................. A-28
9.5 Expenses..................................................... A-28
9.6 Governing Law................................................ A-28
9.7 Assignment................................................... A-28
9.8 Notices...................................................... A-29
9.9 Counterparts; Headings....................................... A-29
9.10 Interpretation............................................... A-29
9.11 Severability................................................. A-29
9.12 Specific Performance......................................... A-29
9.13 No Reliance.................................................. A-30
9.14 Exhibits and Disclosure Schedule............................. A-30
9.15 Further Assurances........................................... A-30
SIGNATURES.............................................................. A-30
EXHIBITS:
1A. Form of API Affiliate Letter................................. A-31
1B. Form of ZERO Affiliate Letter................................ A-32
</TABLE>
iv
<PAGE>
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
This Agreement and Plan of Merger is made as of this 6th day of April, 1998
by and among Applied Power Inc., Zero Corporation and STB Acquisition
Corporation.
RECITALS
Whereas, the respective Boards of Directors of API, ZERO and Acquisition
have: (a) determined that the merger of Acquisition with and into ZERO
pursuant to, and subject to all of the terms and conditions of, this Agreement
is advisable, fair and in the best interests of API, ZERO and Acquisition and
their respective shareholders; and (b) approved the Merger, this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and
Whereas, the Board of Directors of ZERO has directed that this Agreement and
the transactions described in this Agreement be submitted for approval at the
ZERO Special Meeting; and
Whereas, the Board of Directors of API has directed that the issuance of API
Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement and the transactions described in this
Agreement be submitted for approval at the API Special Meeting; and
Whereas, API, ZERO and Acquisition desire to make certain representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the Merger; and
Whereas, API, ZERO and Acquisition intend, by executing this Agreement, to
adopt a plan of reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code
and to cause the Merger to qualify as a reorganization under the provisions of
Sections 368(a) of the Code; and
Whereas, for financial accounting purposes, API, ZERO and Acquisition intend
that the Merger be accounted for as a pooling of interests.
Now, Therefore, in consideration of the Recitals and of the mutual
covenants, conditions and agreements set forth herein and for other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, it is hereby agreed that:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
When used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings
specified:
1.1 Acquisition. "Acquisition" shall mean STB Acquisition Corporation, a
Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of API.
1.2 Affiliates. "Affiliates" shall mean all Persons who are affiliates of
either ZERO or API for purposes of Rule 145 under the Securities Act or
Accounting Series Releases 130 and 135 of the SEC, or both.
1.3 Affiliate Letter. "Affiliate Letter" shall mean a letter from each
Affiliate in substantially the form of Exhibit 1A attached to this Agreement
for Affiliates of API and Exhibit 1B for Affiliates of ZERO.
1.4 Agreement. "Agreement" shall mean this Agreement and Plan of Merger,
together with the Exhibits attached hereto and together with the Disclosure
Schedule, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the
terms hereof.
1.5 API. "API" shall mean Applied Power Inc., a Wisconsin corporation.
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1.6 API Common Stock. "API Common Stock" shall mean shares of Class A Common
Stock, $.20 par value, of API.
1.7 API Companies. "API Companies" shall mean API and all Subsidiaries of
API.
1.8 API Material Adverse Effect. "API Material Adverse Effect" shall mean
any event, condition or fact which is, or reasonably may be expected to be,
materially adverse to the financial condition, properties, business, results
of operations or prospects of the API Companies taken as a whole, other than
events, conditions or facts arising out of general economic conditions
unrelated to the business in which any of the API Companies are engaged.
1.9 API Special Meeting. "API Special Meeting" shall mean a special meeting
of the API Stockholders for the purpose of approving the issuance of API
Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
1.10 API Stockholders. "API Stockholders" shall mean all Persons owning
shares of API Common Stock on the relevant date.
1.11 Certificate of Merger. "Certificate of Merger" shall mean a Certificate
of Merger in a form approved for filing in accordance with the DGCL.
1.12 Closing. "Closing" shall mean the conference to be held at 10:00 A.M.,
Central Time, on the Closing Date at the offices of Quarles & Brady, 411 East
Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee WI 53202, or such other time and place as the
parties may mutually agree to in writing, at which the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be consummated.
1.13 Closing Date. "Closing Date" shall mean:
(a) that date which is two (2) business days after satisfaction or waiver
of all of the conditions set forth in Article VII and Article VIII of this
Agreement; or
(b) such other date as the parties may mutually agree to in writing.
1.14 Code. "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
and the regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may be in effect from
time to time.
1.15 Confidentiality Agreements. "Confidentiality Agreements" shall mean the
two letter agreements between API and ZERO dated March 23, 1998.
1.16 DGCL. "DGCL" shall mean the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the
same shall be in effect from time to time.
1.17 Disclosure Schedule. "Disclosure Schedule" shall mean the Disclosure
Schedule dated the date of this Agreement delivered by ZERO to API
contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and as the
same may be amended from time to time after the date of this Agreement and
prior to the Closing Date in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
1.18 ERISA. "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as the same may be in effect from time to time.
1.19 Exchange Act. "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as the same may be in effect from time to time.
1.20 HSR Act. "HSR Act" shall mean the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as the same may be in effect from time to time.
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1.21 Knowledge of API. "Knowledge of API" shall mean, for purposes of this
Agreement, when any fact or matter is stated to be "to the Knowledge of API"
or words of similar import, the actual knowledge of the existence or
nonexistence of such fact or matter, after reasonable inquiry of the executive
officers of API.
1.22 Knowledge of ZERO. "Knowledge of ZERO" shall mean, for purposes of this
Agreement, when any fact or matter is stated to be "to the Knowledge of ZERO"
or words of similar import, the actual knowledge of the existence or
nonexistence of such fact or matter, after reasonable inquiry, by the
executive officers of ZERO.
1.23 Law. "Law" shall mean any federal, state, local or other law, rule,
regulation or governmental requirement of any kind, and the rules, regulations
and orders promulgated thereunder by any regulatory agencies.
1.24 Merger. "Merger" shall mean the merger of Acquisition with and into
ZERO pursuant to this Agreement.
1.25 Person. "Person" shall mean a natural person, corporation, trust,
partnership, limited liability company, governmental entity, agency or branch
or department thereof, or any other legal entity.
1.26 Proxy Statement. "Proxy Statement" shall mean the joint proxy statement
of API and ZERO to be filed with the SEC and to be distributed to the ZERO
Stockholders in connection with the ZERO Special Meeting and the approval of
the Merger by the ZERO Stockholders and to be distributed to the API
Stockholders in connection with the API Special Meeting, which shall also
constitute the prospectus of API filed as a part of the Registration
Statement.
1.27 Registration Statement. "Registration Statement" shall mean a
registration statement on Form S-4 to be filed under the Securities Act by API
in connection with the Merger for purposes of registering the shares of API
Common Stock to be issued in the Merger pursuant to Article II of this
Agreement.
1.28 SEC. "SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
1.29 Securities Act. "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933,
as the same may be in effect from time to time.
1.30 Subsidiary. "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation, at least a
majority of the outstanding capital stock of which (of any class or classes,
however designated, having ordinary voting power for the election of at least
a majority of the board of directors of such corporation) shall at the time be
owned by the relevant Person directly or through one or more corporations
which are themselves Subsidiaries.
1.31 ZERO. "ZERO" shall mean ZERO Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
1.32 ZERO Common Stock. "ZERO Common Stock" shall mean all of the issued and
outstanding shares of common stock, $.01 par value, of ZERO.
1.33 ZERO Companies. "ZERO Companies" shall mean ZERO and all Subsidiaries
of ZERO.
1.34 ZERO Material Adverse Effect. "ZERO Material Adverse Effect" shall mean
any event, condition or fact which is, or reasonably may be expected to be,
materially adverse to the financial condition, properties, business, results
of operations or prospects of the ZERO Companies taken as a whole, other than
events, conditions or facts arising out of general economic conditions
unrelated to the business in which any of the ZERO Companies are engaged.
1.35 ZERO Special Meeting. "ZERO Special Meeting" shall mean a special
meeting of the ZERO Stockholders for the purpose of approving the Merger, this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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1.36 ZERO Stockholders. "ZERO Stockholders" shall mean all Persons owning
shares of ZERO Common Stock on the relevant date.
1.37 Other Terms. The following terms shall have the meanings specified in
the following noted Sections of this Agreement:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TERM SECTION
---- -------
<S> <C>
API SEC Reports................................................... 5.6
CERCLA............................................................ 4.24
Effective Time of Merger.......................................... 2.2
Employee Benefit Plans............................................ 4.12
Environmental Claim............................................... 4.24
Environmental Hazardous Material.................................. 4.24
Environmental Laws................................................ 4.24
Environmental Permits............................................. 4.24
Environmental Release............................................. 4.24
Exchange Agent.................................................... 2.8
Exchange Fund..................................................... 2.8
Exchange Ratio.................................................... 2.6
Existing Contracts................................................ 4.9
Existing Liens.................................................... 4.5
Existing Litigation............................................... 4.6
Existing Plans.................................................... 4.12
Indebtedness...................................................... 4.9
Indemnified Parties............................................... 3.14
Lien.............................................................. 4.5
Other Proposal.................................................... 3.9
Other Transaction................................................. 3.9
Special Date...................................................... 3.9
Special Event..................................................... 3.9
Special Fee....................................................... 3.9
Superior Proposal................................................. 3.9
Surviving Corporation............................................. 2.1
Year 2000 Compliant............................................... 4.25
ZERO Certificates................................................. 2.8
ZERO Options...................................................... 2.12
ZERO Option Plans................................................. 2.12
ZERO SEC Reports.................................................. 4.7
</TABLE>
ARTICLE II
THE MERGER
2.1 The Merger. At the Effective Time of Merger and upon and subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, Acquisition will be merged with and
into ZERO, which shall be the surviving corporation in the Merger (the
"Surviving Corporation") and shall continue to be governed by the Laws of the
State of Delaware, and the separate existence of Acquisition shall thereupon
cease. The Merger shall be pursuant to the provisions of, and shall be with
the effects provided in, the DGCL.
2.2 Effective Time of Merger. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, on the Closing Date, Acquisition and ZERO will cause the
Certificate of Merger to be executed, delivered and filed as provided in the
DGCL. The Merger shall become effective at the time of the filing of the
Certificate of Merger with the Delaware Secretary of State or at such later
time as API and ZERO may agree and as may be set forth in the Certificate of
Merger. The date and time on which the Merger shall become effective is
referred to in this Agreement as the "Effective Time of Merger".
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2.3 Certificate of Incorporation of Surviving Corporation. The Certificate
of Incorporation of ZERO as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time
of Merger shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation until amended in accordance with Law.
2.4 Bylaws of Surviving Corporation. The Bylaws of ZERO as in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Time of Merger shall be the Bylaws of the
Surviving Corporation until amended in accordance with Law.
2.5 Directors and Officers of Surviving Corporation. The duly qualified and
acting directors and officers of Acquisition immediately prior to the
Effective Time of Merger shall be the directors and officers of the Surviving
Corporation, to hold office as provided in the Bylaws of the Surviving
Corporation.
2.6 Conversion of ZERO Common Stock.
(a) Conversion. At the Effective Time of Merger, by virtue of the Merger
and without any action on the part of Acquisition, ZERO, API or the holders
of ZERO Common Stock:
(i) Each share of ZERO Common Stock issued and outstanding at the
Effective Time of Merger shall be converted into 0.85 shares of API
Common Stock (the "Exchange Ratio") on the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement subject to the provisions of Section 2.8(e) of
this Agreement concerning cash being paid for fractional shares.
(ii) Any shares of ZERO Common Stock that are owned by any of the
ZERO Companies at the Effective Time of Merger shall be canceled and
retired and cease to exist and no API Common Stock or other
consideration shall be issued or delivered in exchange therefor.
(b) Adjustment. In the event that, prior to the Effective Time of Merger,
there is a reclassification, stock split or stock dividend with respect to
outstanding API Common Stock or outstanding ZERO Common Stock, appropriate
and proportionate adjustment, if any, shall be made to the Exchange Ratio.
2.7 Conversion of Acquisition Common Stock. At the Effective Time of Merger,
and without any action on the part of the holders of common stock of
Acquisition, each share of common stock of Acquisition issued and outstanding
at the Effective Time of Merger shall be converted into one (1) share of ZERO
Common Stock.
2.8 Exchange of ZERO Certificates.
(a) Exchange Agent. As of the Effective Time of Merger, API shall
deposit, or shall cause to be deposited, with Firstar Trust Company,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, or such other bank or trust company designated by API
and approved by ZERO, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld
(the "Exchange Agent"), for the benefit of the holders of shares of ZERO
Common Stock, for exchange in accordance with this Article II of this
Agreement through the Exchange Agent, certificates representing the shares
of API Common Stock (such certificates for shares of API Common Stock,
together with any dividends or distributions with respect thereto and
together with any cash for fractional share interests made pursuant to
Section 2.8(e) of this Agreement, being hereinafter referred to as the
"Exchange Fund") issuable pursuant to Section 2.6 of this Agreement in
exchange for outstanding shares of ZERO Common Stock.
(b) Exchange Procedures.
(i) At or promptly after the Effective Time of Merger, API shall
cause the Exchange Agent to mail to each holder of record of a
certificate or certificates which immediately prior to the Effective
Time of Merger represented outstanding shares of ZERO Common Stock (the
"ZERO Certificates"): (A) a letter of transmittal which shall be in
such form and have such provisions as API may reasonably specify; and
(B) instructions to effect the surrender of the ZERO Certificates in
exchange for certificates representing shares of API Common Stock.
(ii) Upon surrender of a ZERO Certificate for cancellation to the
Exchange Agent together with such letter of transmittal, duly executed,
and with such other documents as the Exchange Agent may reasonably
require, the holder of such ZERO Certificate shall be entitled to
receive, and API shall cause
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<PAGE>
the Exchange Agent to promptly deliver in exchange therefor, a
certificate representing that number of whole shares of API Common
Stock to which such holder is entitled in respect of such ZERO
Certificate pursuant to the provisions of this Article II of this
Agreement, plus any cash in lieu of any fractional share interest in
accordance with Section 2.8(e) of this Agreement, and the ZERO
Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be canceled; provided,
however, that fractional share interests of any one holder shall be
aggregated to maximize the number of whole shares of API Common Stock
to be issued and minimize the fractional interests to be paid in cash
as provided in Section 2.8(e) of this Agreement.
(iii) In the event of a transfer of ownership of shares of ZERO
Common Stock which is not registered in the transfer records of ZERO, a
certificate representing the proper number of shares of API Common
Stock, and any cash in lieu of any fractional share interests in
accordance with Section 2.8(e) of this Agreement, shall be delivered to
the transferee if the ZERO Certificate which represented such shares of
ZERO Common Stock is presented to the Exchange Agent, accompanied by
all documents required to evidence and effect such transfer and by
evidence that any applicable stock transfer taxes have been paid.
(iv) Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.8 of this
Agreement, each ZERO Certificate shall be deemed at all times after the
Effective Time of Merger to represent only the right to receive upon
surrender a certificate representing shares of API Common Stock and
cash in lieu of any fractional share interest as contemplated by
Section 2.8(e) of this Agreement.
(c) Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares. No dividends or
other distributions declared or made after the Effective Time of Merger
with respect to API Common Stock with a record date after the Effective
Time of Merger shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered ZERO
Certificate with respect to the shares of API Common Stock represented
thereby, and no cash payment in lieu of a fractional share shall be paid to
any such holder pursuant to Section 2.8(e) of this Agreement, until the
holder of such ZERO Certificate has surrendered such ZERO Certificate to
the Exchange Agent. Subject to the effect of any applicable Law, following
the surrender of any such ZERO Certificate, there shall be paid to the
holder of the certificate representing whole shares of API Common Stock
issued in exchange for the surrendered ZERO Certificates, without interest:
(i) promptly, the amount of any cash payable with respect to a fractional
share interest to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.8(e)
of this Agreement and the amount of dividends or other distributions with a
record date after the Effective Time of Merger theretofore paid with
respect to such whole shares of API Common Stock; and (ii) at the
appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or other distributions
with a record date after the Effective Time of Merger but prior to
surrender and a payment date occurring after surrender payable with respect
to such whole shares of API Common Stock.
(d) No Further Rights in ZERO Common Stock. All shares of API Common
Stock issued upon conversion of the ZERO Common Stock in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement (and any cash paid pursuant to Section 2.8(e)
of this Agreement) shall be deemed to have been issued (and paid) in full
satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the ZERO Common Stock.
(e) No Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of API Common Stock shall
be issued in the Merger. All fractional share interests of a holder of more
than one ZERO Certificate at the Effective Time of Merger shall be
aggregated. If a fractional share interest results after such aggregation,
each holder of a fractional share interest shall be paid an amount in cash
equal to the product obtained by multiplying such fractional share interest
by the average of the closing price per share of API Common Stock as
reported on the New York Stock Exchange--Composite Transactions on each of
the ten (10) consecutive trading days ending on and including the fifth
(5th) trading day immediately preceding the Closing Date. Promptly after
the determination of the amount of cash, if any, to be paid to holders of
fractional share interests, the Exchange Agent shall notify API and API
shall deliver such amounts to such holders subject to and in accordance
with the terms of Section 2.8(c) of this Agreement.
(f) Termination of Exchange Fund. Any portion of the Exchange Fund which
remains undistributed to the ZERO Stockholders after twelve (12) months
after the Effective Time of Merger shall be delivered to
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API, upon demand, and any ZERO Stockholders who have not theretofore
complied with this Article II of this Agreement shall thereafter look only
to API for payment of their claim for shares of API Common Stock, any cash
in lieu of fractional share interests and any dividends or distributions
with respect to API Common Stock.
(g) No Liability. Neither the Exchange Agent nor any party to this
Agreement shall be liable to any ZERO Stockholder for any shares of ZERO
Common Stock or API Common Stock (or dividends or distributions with
respect thereto) or cash delivered to a public official pursuant to any
abandoned property, escheat or similar Law.
(h) Withholding Rights. API shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from
the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any ZERO
Stockholder such amounts as API is required to deduct and withhold with
respect to the making of such payment under the Code, or any provision of
state, local or foreign tax Law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld
by API, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this
Agreement as having been paid to the ZERO Stockholder in respect of which
such deduction and withholding was made by API.
(i) Book Entry. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,
the letter of transmittal referred to in Section 2.8(b) of this Agreement
may, at the option of API, provide for the ability of a holder of one or
more ZERO Certificates to elect that API Common Stock to be received in
exchange for the ZERO Common Stock formerly represented by such surrendered
ZERO Certificates be issued in uncertificated form.
2.9 Stock Transfer Books. At the Effective Time of Merger, the stock
transfer books of ZERO shall be closed and there shall be no further
registration of transfers of shares of ZERO Common Stock thereafter on the
records of ZERO. From and after the Effective Time of Merger, the holders of
ZERO Certificates outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time of
Merger shall cease to have any rights with respect to such shares of ZERO
Common Stock except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or by Law.
2.10 Reorganization; Pooling. The parties intend that this Agreement be a
plan of reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and
that the Merger be a tax-free reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code
and that the Merger qualify for pooling of interests accounting treatment.
2.11 No Dissenting Shares. The parties acknowledge that under the DGCL, the
ZERO Stockholders are not entitled to dissent from the Merger and are not
entitled to require appraisal of their ZERO Common Stock.
2.12 ZERO Stock Options.
(a) Conversion. At the Effective Time of Merger, each outstanding option
to purchase shares of ZERO Common Stock (a "ZERO Option") under ZERO's 1994
Stock Option Plan or ZERO's 1988 Stock Option Plan, each as amended (the
"ZERO Option Plans"), whether vested or unvested, shall be deemed to
constitute an option to acquire, on the same terms and conditions as were
applicable under such ZERO Option, the same number of shares of API Common
Stock as the holder of such ZERO Option would have been entitled to receive
pursuant to the Merger had such holder exercised such option in full
immediately prior to the Effective Time of Merger (rounded down to the
nearest whole number), at a price per share (rounded up to the nearest
whole cent) equal to: (i) the aggregate exercise price for the shares of
ZERO Common Stock otherwise purchasable pursuant to such ZERO Option;
divided by (ii) the number of full shares of API Common Stock deemed
purchasable pursuant to such ZERO Option in accordance with the foregoing;
provided, however, that in the case of any ZERO Option which is intended to
be an "incentive stock option" (as defined in Section 422 of the Code), the
option price, the number of shares purchasable pursuant to such option and
the terms and conditions of exercise of such option shall be determined in
accordance with the foregoing, subject to such adjustments as are necessary
in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code. At or
prior to the Effective Time of Merger, ZERO shall make all necessary
arrangements to permit the assumption of the unexercised ZERO Options by
API pursuant to this Section.
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(b) Assumption. Effective at the Effective Time of Merger, API shall
assume each ZERO Option in accordance with the terms of the ZERO Option
Plan under which it was issued and all of the terms and conditions of the
stock option agreement by which it is evidenced. At or prior to the
Effective Time of Merger, API shall take all corporate action necessary to
reserve for issuance a sufficient number of shares of API Common Stock for
delivery upon exercise of ZERO Options assumed by it in accordance with
this Section 2.12 of this Agreement. As soon as practicable after the
Effective Time of Merger, API shall file a registration statement (or a
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement) on Form S-8 (or any
successor or other appropriate form) with respect to the API Common Stock
subject to such ZERO Options, and shall use its best efforts to maintain
the effectiveness of such registration statement (and maintain the current
status of the prospectus or prospectuses relating thereto) for so long as
such ZERO Options remain outstanding.
ARTICLE III
OTHER AGREEMENTS
3.1 Joint Proxy Statement and Registration Statement. API and ZERO will
prepare and file with the SEC the Registration Statement and the Proxy
Statement as soon as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement.
API and ZERO shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the Registration
Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as
practicable after such filing. API and ZERO shall also take such action as may
be reasonably required to cause the shares of API Common Stock issuable
pursuant to the Merger to be registered or to obtain an exemption from
registration or qualification under applicable state "blue sky" or securities
Laws; provided, however, that API shall not be required to qualify as a
foreign corporation or to file any general consent to service of process under
the Laws of any jurisdiction or to comply with any other requirements deemed
by API to be unduly burdensome. Each party to this Agreement will furnish to
the other parties all information concerning itself as each such other party
or its counsel may reasonably request and which is required or customary for
inclusion in the Proxy Statement and the Registration Statement.
3.2 Approval of Stockholders.
(a) ZERO Stockholders. ZERO shall, as soon as reasonably practicable: (i)
take all steps necessary duly to call, give notice of, convene and hold the
ZERO Special Meeting; (ii) distribute the Proxy Statement, which shall also
constitute the prospectus of API included in the Registration Statement, to
the ZERO Stockholders in accordance with applicable Federal and state Law
and its Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws; (iii) subject to the
provisions of Section 3.9 of this Agreement, recommend to the ZERO
Stockholders the approval of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and such other matters as may be submitted
to the ZERO Stockholders in connection with this Agreement; and (iv)
cooperate and consult with API with respect to each of the foregoing
matters.
(b) API Stockholders. API shall, as soon as reasonably practicable: (i)
take all steps necessary duly to call, give notice of, convene and hold the
API Special Meeting; (ii) distribute the Proxy Statement to the API
Stockholders in accordance with applicable Federal and state Law and its
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws; (iii) recommend to the API
Stockholders the approval of the issuance of API Common Stock pursuant to
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and such
other matters as may be submitted to the API Stockholders in connection
with this Agreement; and (iv) cooperate and consult with ZERO with respect
to each of the foregoing matters.
(c) Meeting Dates. The ZERO Special Meeting and the API Special Meeting
shall be held on such dates as are mutually determined by ZERO and API.
3.3 HSR Act. Each party shall: (a) file or cause to be filed with the
Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice any notifications
required to be filed under the HSR Act; and (b) use reasonable best efforts to
make such filings promptly and to respond promptly to any request for
additional information made by either of such agencies.
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3.4 Access.
(a) Access to ZERO Companies. Upon reasonable notice, ZERO shall, and
shall cause the other ZERO Companies to, afford to the officers, employees,
investment bankers, agents, accountants, attorneys and representatives of
API full access to all of its books, records, financial information,
facilities, key personnel and other documents and materials; provided that
such access shall be upon reasonable notice and during normal business
hours of the ZERO Companies.
(b) Access to API Companies. Upon reasonable notice, API shall, and shall
cause the other API Companies to, afford to the officers, employees,
investment bankers, agents, accountants, attorneys and representatives of
ZERO full access to all of its books, records, financial information,
facilities, key personnel and other documents and materials; provided that
such access shall be upon reasonable notice and during normal business
hours of the API Companies.
(c) Confidentiality Agreements. ZERO and API agree that the provisions of
the Confidentiality Agreements shall remain in full force and effect;
provided that at the Effective Time of Merger, the Confidentiality
Agreements shall be deemed to have terminated without further action by the
parties.
3.5 Disclosure Schedule. Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery
of this Agreement, ZERO is delivering to API the Disclosure Schedule. The
Disclosure Schedule is deemed to constitute an integral part of this Agreement
and to modify the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements of ZERO
contained in this Agreement to the extent that such representations
warranties, covenants or agreements expressly refer to the Disclosure
Schedule.
3.6 Conditions to Merger. Each party to this Agreement shall use reasonable
best efforts to: (a) to the extent within its control, cause all of its
representations and warranties contained in this Agreement to be true and
correct in all respects on the Closing Date with the same force and effect as
if such representations and warranties had been made on the Closing Date; (b)
take all reasonable actions necessary to comply promptly with all legal
requirements which may be imposed on it with respect to the Merger (including
making all filings and requests in connection with approvals of or filings
with any governmental entity as described in Sections 7.7 and 8.7 of this
Agreement and furnishing all information required in connection therewith);
(c) promptly cooperate with and furnish information to the other parties in
connection with any such requirements imposed upon any of them in connection
with the Merger; (d) contest any legal proceedings seeking to restrain, enjoin
or frustrate the Merger, subject, in the case of ZERO, to the provisions of
Section 3.9(c) of this Agreement concerning Superior Proposals; (e) execute
any additional documents or instruments and take any additional actions
reasonably necessary or appropriate to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement; and (f) take all reasonable actions necessary
to obtain (and cooperate with the other parties in obtaining) any consent,
authorization, order or approval of, or any exemption by, any governmental
entity or other public or private Person, required to be obtained or made by
the parties to this Agreement in connection with the Merger or the taking of
any action contemplated thereby or by this Agreement.
3.7 Deliveries of Information; Consultation. From time to time prior to the
Effective Time of Merger:
(a) Deliveries by ZERO. ZERO shall furnish promptly to API: (i) a copy of
each report, schedule and other document filed by ZERO with the SEC
pursuant to the requirements of federal securities Laws promptly after such
documents are available; (ii) the monthly consolidated financial statements
of the ZERO Companies (as prepared by ZERO in accordance with its normal
accounting procedures) promptly after such financial statements are
available; (iii) a summary of any action taken by the Board of Directors,
or any committee thereof, of ZERO; and (iv) all other information
concerning the business and properties of any of the ZERO Companies as API
may reasonably request.
(b) Deliveries by API. API shall promptly furnish to ZERO: (i) a copy of
each report, schedule and other document filed by API with the SEC pursuant
to the requirements of federal securities Laws promptly after such
documents are available; (ii) the monthly consolidated financial statements
of the API Companies (as prepared by API in accordance with its normal
accounting procedures) promptly after such financial statements are
available; and (iii) all other information concerning the business and
properties of any of the API Companies as ZERO may reasonably request.
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(c) Consultation. ZERO shall, and shall cause the other ZERO Companies
to, confer and consult with representatives of the API Companies on a
regular basis to report on operational matters and the general status of
ongoing business operations of the ZERO Companies.
(d) Litigation. Each party to this Agreement shall provide prompt notice
to the other parties of any known litigation, arbitration, proceeding,
governmental investigation, citation or action of any kind which may be
commenced, threatened or proposed by any Person concerning the legality,
validity or propriety of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
If any such litigation is commenced against any party to this Agreement,
the parties shall cooperate in all respects in connection with such
litigation and API shall have the right to assume the defense thereof at
its cost and expense and, if API does assume such defense, it shall confer
regularly with ZERO and shall not settle any such litigation without the
prior consent of ZERO, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
3.8 Affiliates; Accounting and Tax Treatment. Within 30 days after the date
of this Agreement, ZERO shall identify in a letter to API, and API shall
identify in a letter to ZERO, all Persons who are and, to such party's
knowledge who will be at the Closing Date, Affiliates of ZERO and API,
respectively. Each of ZERO and API shall advise their respective Affiliates of
the resale restrictions imposed by applicable securities Laws and required to
cause the Merger to qualify for pooling-of-interests accounting treatment, and
shall use reasonable best efforts to obtain from each of their respective
Affiliates an executed Affiliate Letter and shall obtain an executed Affiliate
Letter from any Person who becomes an Affiliate of that Person after the date
of this Agreement and on or prior to the Effective Time of Merger. ZERO and
API will each use its respective reasonable best efforts to cause the Merger
to qualify for pooling-of-interests accounting treatment and as a
reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code.
3.9 Other Transactions.
(a) Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall
have the meanings specified:
(i) "Other Transaction" shall mean any of the following on or prior
to the Special Date, other than the Merger as contemplated by this
Agreement: (A) a merger, consolidation, share exchange, exchange of
securities, reorganization, business combination or other similar
transaction involving ZERO; (B) a sale, lease, transfer or other
disposition of all or a significant portion of the total assets of the
ZERO Companies, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or series of
related transactions; (C) a sale of, or tender offer or exchange offer
for, or acquisition by any Person or group of beneficial owners of, 20%
or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of ZERO in a single
transaction or series of related transactions; or (D) a public
announcement of a proposal, plan, intention or agreement to do any of
the foregoing.
(ii) "Other Proposal" shall mean any request for information,
expression of interest, inquiry, proposal or offer relating in any
manner to an Other Transaction.
(iii) "Special Date" shall mean that date which is one year after the
date of termination of this Agreement, provided that such termination
is pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (v) or (vi) of Section 9.1(c)
of this Agreement or clause (v) of 9.1(d) of this Agreement.
(iv) "Special Event" shall mean any of the following to occur on or
prior to the Special Date: (A) a Person unrelated to API has
consummated an Other Transaction, or has publicly announced or proposed
an Other Transaction and subsequently consummates such Other
Transaction after the Special Date (in which event a Special Event for
such Other Transaction shall be deemed to have occurred at the earlier
of the events specified in clauses (B) or (C) of this Section
3.9(a)(iv) of this Agreement with reference to such Other Transaction);
or (B) ZERO has entered into an agreement with respect to an Other
Transaction; or (C) ZERO shall have terminated this Agreement for the
purpose of pursuing an Other Proposal or Other Transaction.
(v) "Superior Proposal" shall mean a written bona fide unsolicited
Other Proposal by any Person (other than API) which the Board of
Directors of ZERO determines in good faith, and in the exercise
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of reasonable judgment (based, among other factors, on the opinion,
with only customary qualifications, of its independent financial
advisors) to be more favorable to the ZERO Stockholders than the Merger
from a financial point of view, which proposal is capable of being
consummated without undue delay.
(b) Termination of Discussions. ZERO shall immediately cease and cause to
be terminated all existing discussions and negotiations, if any, with any
parties conducted prior to the date of this Agreement with respect to any
Other Transaction, except that ZERO may notify such other parties that the
discussions and negotiations are terminated.
(c) Non Solicitation. Except as expressly permitted by this Section
3.9(c) of this Agreement, ZERO shall not, and shall not permit its
Subsidiaries or officers, directors, employees, agents or other
representatives of any of the ZERO Companies (including, without
limitation, any investment banker, attorney or accountant retained or
engaged by any of the ZERO Companies) to solicit, initiate, facilitate,
encourage, negotiate with respect to, discuss or agree to, any Other
Proposal or any Other Transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) the
Board of Directors of ZERO may furnish information about the ZERO Companies
to the Person making a Superior Proposal pursuant to a confidentiality
agreement in customary form and may participate in discussions and
negotiations regarding such Superior Proposal if the Board of Directors of
ZERO determines to do so in good faith, upon the advice of outside legal
counsel that such action is required by its fiduciary duties under
applicable Law; and (ii) ZERO will be permitted to take and disclose to
ZERO Stockholders a position contemplated by Rules 14d-9 and 14e-2(a) under
the Exchange Act with respect to an Other Proposal by means of a tender
offer. If ZERO receives an Other Proposal that is not a Superior Proposal
and such Other Proposal becomes public information, ZERO shall use
reasonable best efforts to resist such Other Proposal, including taking all
appropriate steps to have the ZERO Board of Directors approve defensive
measures, including, but not limited to a shareholders rights plan. ZERO
shall notify API orally and in writing within twenty-four (24) hours
following receipt by ZERO of any Other Proposal, including the terms and
conditions of any such Other Proposal and the Person making such Other
Proposal and shall keep API fully informed of the status and developments
and information regarding the Other Proposal.
(d) Termination. ZERO may, by notice to API at any time prior to the
Effective Time of Merger, terminate this Agreement if ZERO enters into,
executes or agrees to an Other Transaction following a good faith
determination by the Board of Directors of ZERO (after compliance by ZERO
with the provisions of Section 3.9(c) of this Agreement) based upon the
advice of outside legal counsel, that such action is required by its
fiduciary duties under applicable Law.
(e) Special Fee. In order to induce API to enter into this Agreement and
to compensate API for the time and expenses incurred in connection with
this Agreement and the Merger and the losses suffered by API from foregone
opportunities, ZERO shall pay a "Special Fee" equal to $15,000,000 to API
in immediately available funds within five (5) business days after the
occurrence of a Special Event. If ZERO fails to pay the Special Fee when
due: (i) the unpaid portion of the Special Fee (including accrued interest
thereon) shall accrue interest at the annual rate of 12%, compounding
monthly, from the date the Special Fee was due until the date the Special
Fee and all accrued interest thereon is paid in full; and (ii) ZERO shall
pay all costs and expense of API (including the fees and expenses of
attorneys and other advisors) in connection with any action (including the
filing of any lawsuit or other legal action) taken by API to collect
payment of the Special Fee and accrued interest thereon. The agreements
contained in this Section 3.9 (e) of this Agreement are an integral part of
this Agreement and constitute liquidated damages and not a penalty.
3.10 Letter of ZERO's Accountants. ZERO shall use reasonable best efforts to
cause to be delivered a letter of Deloitte & Touche LLP, ZERO's independent
auditors, dated within two business days before the effective date of the
Registration Statement and addressed to ZERO and API, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to API and customary in scope and substance for cold
comfort letters delivered by independent public accountants in connection with
registration statements similar to the Registration Statement.
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3.11 Letter of API's Accountants. API shall use reasonable best efforts to
cause to be delivered a letter of Coopers & Lybrand LLP, API's independent
auditors, dated within two business days before the effective date of the
Registration Statement and addressed to API and ZERO, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to ZERO and customary in scope and substance for cold
comfort letters delivered by independent public accountants in connection with
registration statements similar to the Registration Statement.
3.12 Stock Exchange Listing. API shall use reasonable best efforts to cause
the shares of API Common Stock to be issued or reserved for issuance pursuant
to this Agreement to be approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange,
subject to official notice of issuance.
3.13 Public Announcements. Subject to each party's disclosure obligations
imposed by Law, ZERO, Acquisition and API will cooperate with each other in
the development and distribution of all news releases and other public
information disclosures with respect to this Agreement or any of the
transactions contemplated hereby and, except as may be required by Law, shall
not issue any public announcement or statement with respect thereto prior to
consultation with the other parties.
3.14 Indemnification and Insurance.
(a) Indemnification. From and after the Effective Time of Merger, API
shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted under
applicable Law (and API shall also advance expenses as incurred to the
fullest extent permitted under applicable Law, provided the Person to whom
expenses are advanced provides an undertaking to repay such advances if it
is ultimately determined that said Person is not entitled to
indemnification), each present and former employee, agent, director or
officer of any of the ZERO Companies and the heirs, successors and assigns
of such Persons (the "Indemnified Parties") against any amounts incurred by
such Indemnified Parties, including without limitation, losses, claims,
damages, liabilities, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees
incurred in defense or otherwise), judgments and amounts paid in
settlement, in connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or
investigation arising out of or relating to the transactions described in
this Agreement or which arise out of or relate to an Indemnified Party
having served as a committee member, director, officer, employee or agent
of any of the ZERO Companies, or as a trustee or fiduciary of any Employee
Benefit Plans or otherwise on behalf of any of the ZERO Companies, whether
asserted or commenced prior to or after the Effective Time of Merger.
(b) Insurance. For at least six (6) years from and after the Effective
Time of Merger, API shall maintain, or shall cause to be maintained, in
effect directors and officers insurance covering those Persons covered by
ZERO's directors and officers insurance as of the date of this Agreement.
This directors and officers insurance shall be not less in terms of
coverage and amount as the insurance that ZERO has in effect covering such
officers and directors on the date of this Agreement.
(c) Notice; Procedure. Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim
Indemnification under Section 3.14(a) of this Agreement, upon learning of
any such claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, shall promptly
notify API thereof, but the failure to so notify shall not relieve API of
any liability it may have to such Indemnified Party if such failure does
not materially prejudice API. In the event of any such claim, action, suit,
proceeding or investigation (whether arising before or after the Effective
Time of Merger): (i) API shall have the right to assume the defense thereof
with counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party and API shall
not be liable to any Indemnified Party for any legal expenses of other
counsel thereafter incurred in connection with the defense thereof; (ii)
the Indemnified Party will cooperate in all respects as reasonably
requested by API in the defense of any such matter, and in connection
therewith shall be entitled to reimbursement by API of expenses incurred in
connection therewith; and (iii) API shall not be liable for any settlement
effected without its prior written consent, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided, however, that API shall not
have any obligation hereunder to any Indemnified Party if a court shall
ultimately determine, and such determination shall have become final and
nonappealable, that the indemnification of such Indemnified Party in the
matter contemplated hereby is prohibited by Law. If such indemnity is not
available with respect to any Indemnified Party, API and the Indemnified
Party shall contribute to the amount payable in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect relative faults and benefits.
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(d) Indemnified Parties. The provisions of this Section 3.14 are intended
to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each of the
Indemnified Parties and their respective heirs and estates. Nothing in this
Section 3.14 shall limit in any way any other rights to indemnification
that any current or former director or officer of any of the ZERO Companies
may have by contract or otherwise.
(e) Certificate of Incorporation; Bylaws. From and after the Effective
Time, ZERO shall fulfill, assume and honor in all respects the obligations
of ZERO pursuant to ZERO's Certificate of Incorporation, bylaws, and any
indemnification agreement between ZERO and any of ZERO's directors and
officers existing and in force as of the date of this Agreement. ZERO
agrees that the indemnification obligations set forth in ZERO's Certificate
of Incorporation and bylaws, in each case as of the date of this Agreement,
shall survive the Merger with respect to any matter which is based in whole
or in part on or arises in whole or in part out of the fact that an
individual is or was a director or officer of any of the ZERO Companies
prior to the Effective Time of Merger.
(f) Successors. If ZERO or any of its successors or assigns: (i) shall
consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or entity and shall
not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such
consolidation or merger; or (ii) shall transfer all or substantially all of
its properties and assets to any individual, corporation or other entity,
then, and in each such case, proper provisions shall be made so that the
respective successors and assigns of ZERO shall assume all of the
obligations set forth in this Section 3.14.
3.15 Existing Plans. API understands and agrees that: (a) except as
described in Sections 3.15(b) and 3.15(c) of this Agreement, all Existing
Plans or plans substantially comparable in the aggregate shall be maintained
for individuals who are employees and former employees of ZERO as of the
Closing Date for a period of at least one year from the Closing Date on terms
at least as favorable (in the aggregate) as those in effect on the Closing
Date; (b) ZERO's Deferred Compensation Plan of 1994 including any related
funding arrangements (including without limitation any rabbi trusts and any
amounts credited to such plan pursuant to ZERO's pension and stock restoration
plans) shall actually be maintained and administered in accordance with their
terms from and after the Closing Date and the affected participants and
beneficiaries shall be considered third party beneficiaries of this Section
3.15(b); and (c) ZERO's Joint Life Insurance Plan of 1989 and Joint Life
Insurance Plan of 1994 and any and all related funding arrangements including
but not limited to rabbi trusts shall remain in effect upon and after the
Closing Date and shall be administered in accordance with their respective
terms and shall not be terminated or modified in any way without the consent
of affected participants or beneficiaries and such participants and
beneficiaries shall be considered third party beneficiaries of this Section
3.15(c).
3.16 Conduct of Business of API. From and after the date of this Agreement
and until the Effective Time of Merger, API shall, and shall cause the other
API Companies to, diligently carry on its business only in the regular course
and in substantially the same manner as heretofore, provided that acquisitions
by any of the API Companies of business enterprises engaged in businesses
consistent with the businesses of API Companies shall be permitted under this
Section 3.16 of this Agreement.
3.17 Section 280G of the Code. From and after the Effective Time of Merger,
API will cooperate in taking any actions with respect to those employees of
the ZERO Companies with written employment agreements so as to avoid any
payments due pursuant to such agreements becoming "excess parachute payments"
within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code provided that such cooperation
shall not include any increase in the obligations of any of the API Companies
or any of the ZERO Companies pursuant to such employment agreements or
otherwise.
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ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ZERO
ZERO hereby represents and warrants to API and Acquisition that, except as
set forth in the relevant section of the Disclosure Schedule:
4.1 Organization; Business.
(a) Organization. Each of the ZERO Companies is a corporation duly and
validly organized and existing and in good standing under the Laws of its
respective jurisdiction of incorporation. Each of the ZERO Companies is
qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing
in all other jurisdictions where the ownership or leasing of property or
the conduct of its business requires qualification as a foreign corporation
by it, except where the failure to so qualify would not have a ZERO
Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Corporate Power and Authority. Each of the ZERO Companies has: (a)
full corporate power and authority necessary to carry on its business as it
is now conducted and to own, lease and operate its assets and properties;
and (b) all material franchises, permits, licenses, approvals,
authorizations and registrations necessary to carry on its business as it
is now conducted and to own, lease and operate its assets and properties,
except where the absence of any such franchises, permits, licenses,
approvals, authorizations or registrations would not have a ZERO Material
Adverse Effect.
4.2 Capitalization.
(a) Capitalization of ZERO. The entire authorized capital stock of ZERO
consists of: (i) 30,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value, of
which 12,417,292.2641 shares were issued and outstanding on April 3, 1998,
and 4,194,921.7359 shares are held in treasury by ZERO, including 141,902
shares which are held by one of the Subsidiaries of ZERO; and (ii)
1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $.01 par value, none of which are
issued and outstanding.
(b) Outstanding Capital Stock. All of the outstanding capital stock of
each of the ZERO Companies is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, there
are no options, warrants, conversion rights or other rights to subscribe
for or purchase, or other contracts with respect to, any capital stock of
any of the ZERO Companies.
4.3 Authorization; Enforceability. The execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement by ZERO and all of the documents and instruments required by
this Agreement to be executed and delivered by ZERO are within the corporate
power of ZERO and: (a) have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of
ZERO; and (b) upon the approval of the ZERO Stockholders, shall be duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action by ZERO. This Agreement is, and
the other documents and instruments required by this Agreement to be executed
and delivered by ZERO will be, when executed and delivered by ZERO, the valid
and binding obligations of ZERO, enforceable against ZERO in accordance with
their respective terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar Laws
generally affecting the rights of creditors and subject to general equity
principles.
4.4 No Violation or Conflict. Subject to the receipt of the approvals and
consents described in Section 8.7 of this Agreement or as set forth in the
Disclosure Schedule, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
by ZERO do not and will not conflict with or violate: (a) any Law or the
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of any of the ZERO Companies; or (b)
any Existing Contract, except where such conflict or violation would not have
a ZERO Material Adverse Effect.
4.5 Title to Assets. Each of the ZERO Companies owns good and valid title to
the assets and properties which it owns or purports to own, free and clear of
any and all Liens affecting material assets and properties of the ZERO
Companies, except those Liens identified on the Disclosure Schedule as
"Existing Liens" and Liens for taxes not yet due and payable and such other
Liens or minor imperfections of title, if any, which do not
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materially detract from the value or interfere with the present use of the
affected asset or which individually or in the aggregate would not have a ZERO
Material Adverse Effect. As used in this Agreement, the term "Lien" shall
mean, with respect to any asset: (a) any mortgage, pledge, lien, covenant,
lease or security interest; and (b) the interest of a vendor or lessor under
any conditional sale agreement, financing lease or other title retention
agreement relating to such asset.
4.6 Litigation. Except for the litigation identified on the Disclosure
Schedule as "Existing Litigation": (a) there is no litigation, arbitration,
proceeding, governmental investigation, citation or action of any kind pending
or, to the Knowledge of ZERO, proposed or threatened, against or relating to
any of the ZERO Companies involving, in each case, an amount in excess of
$200,000; and (b) there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to
the Knowledge of ZERO, proposed or threatened, against any of the ZERO
Companies by any Person which question the legality, validity or propriety of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
4.7 ZERO SEC Reports and Books and Records.
(a) Definition. As used in this Agreement, "ZERO SEC Reports" shall mean
all reports, registration statements, definitive proxy statements,
prospectuses and amendments thereto filed by ZERO with the SEC since
January 1, 1994 or filed by ZERO with the SEC after the date of this
Agreement and prior to the Effective Time of Merger.
(b) ZERO SEC Reports. The ZERO SEC Reports: (i) complied or will comply,
as the case may be, in all material respects with the then applicable
requirements of the Exchange Act and the Securities Act, as the case may
be, and the rules and regulations of the SEC issued thereunder; and (ii)
did not or will not, as the case may be, contain as of their respective
filing dates any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.
(c) Financial Statements. The audited consolidated financial statements
and unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of ZERO included in
the ZERO SEC Reports have been or will be, as the case may be, prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a
consistent basis (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes
thereto and except with respect to unaudited interim statements as
permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC) and fairly present the consolidated
financial position of the ZERO Companies as of the dates thereof and the
results of their operations and changes in financial position for the
periods then ended, subject, in the case of the unaudited consolidated
interim financial statements, to normal year-end and audit adjustments and
any other adjustments described therein.
4.8 Absence of Certain Changes. Except as set forth in the Disclosure
Schedule or in the ZERO SEC Reports, since March 31, 1997 there has not been
any:
(a) ZERO Material Adverse Effect;
(b) transactions by any of the ZERO Companies outside the ordinary course
of business, except for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or
(c) declaration or payment or setting aside the payment of any dividend
or any distribution in respect of the capital stock of ZERO (except for
regular quarterly cash dividends on outstanding shares of ZERO Common Stock
which have been publicly announced by ZERO) or any direct or indirect
redemption, purchase or other acquisition of any such stock by any of the
ZERO Companies.
4.9 Existing Contracts. The contracts identified on the Disclosure Schedule
as the "Existing Contracts" or which are described in the ZERO SEC Reports are
the only contracts to which any of the ZERO Companies is a party or by which
any of the ZERO Companies is bound and which constitute:
(a) to the Knowledge of ZERO, a lease of, or agreement to purchase or
sell, any capital assets involving an amount in excess of $1,000,000;
(b) any union labor contracts;
(c) any management or employment contract which: (i) is in writing; or
(ii) creates other than an at-will employment relationship;
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(d) any agreements or notes evidencing any Indebtedness; as used in this
Agreement, the term "Indebtedness" shall mean any liability or obligation
of any of the ZERO Companies, whether primary or secondary or absolute or
contingent: (i) for borrowed money; or (ii) evidenced by notes, bonds,
debentures or similar instruments;
(e) an agreement by any of the ZERO Companies which currently restricts
its ability to compete in any business or in any geographical area;
(f) an agreement restricting the right of any of the ZERO Companies to
use or disclose any information in its possession, other than
confidentiality agreements relating to potential acquisitions by any of the
ZERO Companies;
(g) any written agreement with any Affiliate of ZERO involving payments
in excess of $100,000; or
(h) to the Knowledge of ZERO, any other agreement which: (i) involves an
amount in excess of $1,000,000; or (ii) is not in the ordinary course of
business.
4.10 Performance of Existing Contracts. Each of the ZERO Companies has
performed in all material respects each material term, covenant and condition
of each Existing Contract which is to be performed by it at or before the date
hereof. Each of the Existing Contracts is in full force and effect and
constitutes the legal and binding obligation of the relevant ZERO Company and,
to the Knowledge of ZERO, constitutes the legal and binding obligation of the
other parties thereto.
4.11 Insurance Policies. The ZERO Companies currently maintain valid
insurance as is reasonably prudent for the ZERO Companies and their
businesses. No property damage, personal injury or liability claims have been
made, or are pending, against any of the ZERO Companies that are not covered
by insurance. Within the past two (2) years, no insurance company has canceled
any insurance (of any type) maintained by any of the ZERO Companies.
4.12 Employee Benefit Plans.
(a) Definition. As used in this Agreement, the term "Employee Benefit
Plans" shall mean any pension plan, profit sharing plan, bonus plan,
incentive compensation plan, stock ownership plan, stock purchase plan,
stock option plan, stock appreciation plan, employee welfare plan,
retirement plan, deferred compensation plan, fringe benefit program,
insurance plan, severance plan, disability plan, health care plan, sick
leave plan, death benefit plan, defined contribution plan, or any other
plan or program to provide retirement income, fringe benefits or other
benefits to former or current employees of any of the ZERO Companies.
(b) Existing Plans. Except for the Employee Benefit Plans of the ZERO
Companies identified as the "Existing Plans" on the Disclosure Schedule,
none of the ZERO Companies maintain, nor is bound by, any Employee Benefit
Plan. All of the Existing Plans are, to the extent applicable, in
compliance in all material respects with ERISA, the Code and all other
applicable Laws. All of the Existing Plans which are intended to meet the
requirements of Section 401(a) or 403(a) of the Code have been determined
to be "qualified" within the meaning of the Code, and, to the Knowledge of
ZERO, there are no facts which would adversely affect the qualified status
of any of such Existing Plans. Each Existing Plan has been administered in
all material respects in accordance with its terms and is in compliance in
all material respects with all applicable Laws. Any Employee Benefit Plan
that is not an Existing Plan that has been terminated was done so in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws, and, to the
Knowledge of ZERO, there is no basis for further liability or obligation of
any ZERO Company pursuant to any past Employee Benefit Plan.
(c) Certain Matters. With respect to each Existing Plan which is subject
to either Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, there is no amount
of unfunded benefit liabilities as defined in Section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA,
there has occurred no failure to meet the minimum funding standards of
Section 412 of the Code, there is no "accumulated funding deficiency"
within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code, no such Existing Plan has
terminated or has filed a Notice of Intent to terminate, the Pension
Benefit Guaranty Corporation has not instituted proceedings to terminate
any such Existing Plan and there is no outstanding liability under Section
4062 of ERISA.
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(d) Prohibited Transactions; Reportable Events. To the Knowledge of ZERO,
no prohibited transaction within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or
Section 406 of ERISA or reportable event as described in Section 4043 of
ERISA has occurred with respect to any of the Existing Plans.
(e) Multiemployer Plans. None of the ZERO Companies is contributing to,
nor has any of the ZERO Companies contributed to since September 2, 1974,
any "multiemployer plan" as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
(f) Claims. There are no pending, or to the Knowledge of ZERO, threatened
claims with respect to any of the Existing Plans, other than claims for
benefits arising in the ordinary course of business .
(g) Welfare Benefits. Except as set forth on the Disclosure Schedule,
neither any ZERO Company nor any Existing Plan provides or has any
obligation to provide (or contribute to the cost of) post-retirement (or
post-termination of service) welfare benefits with respect to current or
former employees of any ZERO Company, including without limitation post-
retirement medical, dental, life insurance, severance or any similar
benefit, whether provided on an insured or self-insured basis.
(h) Welfare Plans. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, each
Existing Plan that is an "employee welfare benefit plan" as defined in
ERISA may be amended or terminated at any time after the Effective Time of
Merger without liability to any ZERO Company.
(i) COBRA. With respect to each Existing Plan, each ZERO Company has
complied in all material respects with the applicable health care
continuation and notice provisions of the Consolidation Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1985 and the proposed regulations thereunder, and the
applicable requirements of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and the
regulations thereunder.
(j) The Merger. The Merger and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement will not entitle any current or former
employee of any ZERO Company to severance benefits or any other payment,
except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, or accelerate the time of
paying or vesting, or increase the amount of compensation due any such
employee.
(k) Copies. Correct and complete copies of all Existing Plans, together
with recent summary plan descriptions, have been delivered by ZERO to API.
4.13 No Violation of Law. To the Knowledge of ZERO, neither any of the ZERO
Companies nor any of the assets of any of the ZERO Companies violate or
conflict in any material respect with any Law.
4.14 Brokers. Except for fees to Salomon Smith Barney, none of the ZERO
Companies has incurred any brokers', finders' or any similar fee in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
4.15 Taxes.
(a) Tax Returns. Each of the ZERO Companies has timely and properly filed
all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns (including but not
limited to income, business, franchise, sales, payroll, employee
withholding and social security and unemployment) which were required to be
filed. Each of the ZERO Companies has paid or made adequate provision, in
reserves reflected in its financial statements included in the ZERO SEC
Reports in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, for
the payment of all taxes (including interest and penalties) and withholding
amounts owed by it or assessable against it. No material tax deficiencies
have been proposed or assessed against any of the ZERO Companies and there
is no basis in fact for the assessment of any tax or penalty tax against
any of the ZERO Companies. No issue has been raised in any prior tax audit
(except for allocations of income among states) which, by application of
the same or similar principles, could reasonably be expected upon a future
tax audit to result in a proposed material deficiency for any period.
(b) Extensions. None of the ZERO Companies has consented to any extension
of the statute of limitation with respect to any open federal tax returns.
(c) Tax Liens. There are no tax Liens upon any property or assets of any
of the ZERO Companies except for Liens for current taxes not yet due and
payable.
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(d) Delivery of Tax Returns. ZERO has made available, and will deliver
upon request, to API correct and complete copies of all tax returns and
reports of each of the ZERO Companies filed for all periods not barred by
the applicable statute of limitations. No examination or audit of any tax
return or report for any period not barred by the applicable statute of
limitations has occurred, no such examination is in progress and, to the
Knowledge of ZERO, no such examination or audit is planned.
(e) Employment Taxes. Each of the ZERO Companies has properly withheld
and timely paid all withholding and employment taxes which it was required
to withhold and pay relating to salaries, compensation and other amounts
heretofore paid to its employees or other Persons. All Forms W-2 and 1099
required to be filed with respect thereto have been timely and properly
filed.
(f) Tax Sharing Agreements. None of the ZERO Companies is a party to any
agreement relating to allocating or sharing any taxes.
(g) Excess Parachute Payments. None of the ZERO Companies is a party to
any contract that could result, on account of the Merger, separately or in
the aggregate, in the payment of any "excess parachute payments" within the
meaning of Section 280G of the Code.
(h) Liabilities of Other Persons. None of the ZERO Companies has any
liability for taxes of any kind of any Person other than the ZERO Companies
under any contract or under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any
similar provision of Law) as a transferee or successor or otherwise.
4.16 Governmental Approvals. No permission, approval, determination, consent
or waiver by, or any declaration, filing or registration with, any
governmental or regulatory authority is required in connection with the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by ZERO and the
consummation of the Merger, except for: (a) the approvals described in Section
8.7 of this Agreement; and (b) the filing of the Certificate of Merger as
described in this Agreement.
4.17 No Pending Other Transactions. Except for this Agreement, none of the
ZERO Companies is a party to or bound by any agreement, undertaking or
commitment with respect to an Other Transaction.
4.18 Labor Matters.
(a) Employee Claims. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule,
there are no pending and unresolved material claims by any Person against
any of the ZERO Companies arising out of any statute, ordinance or
regulation relating to discrimination against employees or employee
practices or occupational or safety and health standards. There is no
pending or, to the Knowledge of ZERO, threatened, labor dispute, strike or
work stoppage.
(b) NLRB Matters. There is not now pending or, to the Knowledge of ZERO,
threatened, any material charge or complaint against any of the ZERO
Companies by or before the National Labor Relations Board or any
representative thereof, or any comparable state agency or authority. To the
Knowledge of ZERO, no union organizing activities are in process or
contemplated and no petitions have been filed for union organization or
representation of employees of any of the ZERO Companies not presently
organized, and to the Knowledge of ZERO, none of the ZERO Companies has
committed any unfair labor practices which have not heretofore been
corrected and fully remedied.
4.19 Disclosure. No statement of fact by ZERO contained in this Agreement or
in the Disclosure Schedule contains or will contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omits or will omit to state a material fact necessary in
order to make the statements herein or therein contained, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading as of the date to
which it speaks.
4.20 Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be
supplied by ZERO for inclusion or incorporation by reference in: (a) the
Registration Statement will, at the time the Registration Statement is filed
with the SEC and at the time it becomes effective under the Securities Act,
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading; and (b) the Proxy Statement will, at the date mailed to the
ZERO Stockholders and at the
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time of the ZERO Special Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The Proxy Statement
will comply as to form in all material respects with the provisions of the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
4.21 Vote Required. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of ZERO Common Stock is the only vote of the holders of any
class or series of capital stock or other securities of ZERO entitled to vote
necessary to approve the Merger, this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
4.22 Accounting Matters. Neither the ZERO Companies nor, to the Knowledge of
ZERO, any of the Affiliates of ZERO, has taken or agreed to take or will take
any action that would prevent the Merger being accounted for as a pooling of
interests for financial accounting purposes in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles and the rules, regulations and interpretations
of the SEC.
4.23 Opinion of Financial Advisor. ZERO has received the opinion of Salomon
Smith Barney, dated the date of this Agreement, to the effect that the
Exchange Ratio is fair to the ZERO Stockholders from a financial point of
view, and a copy of such opinion has been delivered to API.
4.24 Environmental Protection.
(a) Definitions. As used in this Agreement:
(i) "Environmental Claim" shall mean any and all administrative,
regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters,
directives, claims, Liens, investigations, proceedings or notices of
noncompliance or violation (written or oral) by any Person alleging
potential liability (including, without limitation, potential liability
for enforcement, investigatory costs, cleanup costs, governmental
response costs, removal costs, remedial costs, natural resources
damages, property damages, personal injuries, or penalties) arising out
of, based on or resulting from: (A) the presence, or release into the
environment, of any Environmental Hazardous Materials at any location,
whether or not owned by any of the ZERO Companies; or (B) circumstances
forming the basis of any violation or alleged violation, of any
Environmental Law; or (C) any and all claims by any Person seeking
damages, contribution, indemnification, cost, recovery, compensation or
injunctive relief resulting from the presence or Environmental Release
of any Environmental Hazardous Materials.
(ii) "Environmental Hazardous Materials" shall mean: (A) any
petroleum or petroleum products, radioactive materials, asbestos in any
form that is or could become friable, urea formaldehyde foam
insulation, and transformers or other equipment that contain dielectric
fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and radon
gas; and (B) any chemicals, materials or substances which are now
defined as or included in the definition of "hazardous substances,"
"hazardous wastes," "hazardous materials," "extremely hazardous
wastes," "restricted hazardous wastes," "toxic substances," "toxic
pollutants," or words of similar import, under any Environmental Law;
and (C) any other chemical, material, substance or waste, exposure to
which is now prohibited, limited or regulated by any governmental
authority.
(iii) "Environmental Laws" shall mean all federal, state, local or
foreign statute, Law, rule, ordinance, code, policy, rule of common law
and regulations relating to pollution or protection of human health or
the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface
water, ground water, land surface or subsurface strata), including,
without limitation, Laws and regulations relating to Environmental
Releases or threatened Environmental Releases of Environmental
Hazardous Materials, or otherwise relating to the manufacture,
processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport
or handling of Environmental Hazardous Materials.
(iv) "Environmental Release" shall mean any release, spill, emission,
leaking, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching
or migration into the atmosphere, soil, surface water, groundwater or
property which would be likely to result in an Environmental Claim.
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(b) Environmental Laws. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule or
in the ZERO SEC Reports, each of the ZERO Companies: (i) is in compliance
in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws; and (ii)
has not received any written communication from a governmental authority
that alleges that it is not in compliance with applicable Environmental
Laws.
(c) Environmental Permits. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule
or in the ZERO SEC Reports, each of the ZERO Companies has obtained all
material environmental, health and safety permits and governmental
authorizations (collectively, the "Environmental Permits") necessary for
its operations, and all such permits are in good standing and it is in
material compliance with all terms and conditions of the Environmental
Permits.
(d) Environmental Claims. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule
or in the ZERO SEC Reports, there is no Environmental Claim pending or, to
the Knowledge of ZERO, threatened, against any of the ZERO Companies or
against any Person whose liability for any Environmental Claim any of the
ZERO Companies has or may have retained or assumed either contractually or
by operation of Law, or against any real or personal property or operations
which any of the ZERO Companies owns, leases or manages.
(e) Environmental Hazardous Materials. Except as set forth in the
Disclosure Schedule or in the ZERO SEC Reports, to the Knowledge of ZERO,
there have been no Environmental Releases of any Environmental Hazardous
Material by any of the ZERO Companies or by any Person on real property
owned, used, leased or operated by any of the ZERO Companies.
(f) Owned Properties. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule or
in the ZERO SEC Reports, to the Knowledge of ZERO, no real property at any
time owned, operated, used or controlled by any of the ZERO Companies is
currently listed on the National Priorities List promulgated under the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of
1980, as amended ("CERCLA"), or on any comparable state list, and none of
the ZERO Companies has received any written notice from any Person of
potential or actual liability or a request for information from any Person
under or relating to CERCLA or any comparable state or local Law.
(g) Off-Site Properties. To the Knowledge of ZERO, no off-site location
at which any of the ZERO Companies has disposed or arranged for the
disposal of any waste is listed on the National Priorities List or on any
comparable state list and none of the ZERO Companies has received any
written notice from any Person with respect to any off-site location, of
potential or actual liability or a written request for information from any
Person under or relating to CERCLA or any comparable state or local Law.
4.25 Year 2000 Compliance. All of the material computer hardware and
software systems of the ZERO Companies (including, without limitation, those
related to their facilities, equipment manufacturing processes, quality
control activities, accounting and bookkeeping records and record keeping
activities) are presently or will be prior to December 31, 1999 Year 2000
Compliant. As used in this Agreement, the phrase "Year 2000 Compliant" shall
mean with respect to ZERO's material hardware and software systems, that such
hardware and software is designed to be used prior to, during, and after the
calendar Year 2000 A.D., and such hardware and software used during each such
time period will accurately receive, provide and process date/time data from,
into and between the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, and will not
malfunction, cease to function, or provide invalid or incorrect results as a
result of date/time data, to the extent that other hardware and software, used
in combination with ZERO's hardware and software, properly exchanges date/time
data with ZERO's hardware and software.
4.26 Continuing Directors. Each of the members of the Board of Directors of
ZERO is a "Continuing Director" as such term is defined in the Certificate of
Incorporation of ZERO.
4.27 Undisclosed Liabilities. To the Knowledge of ZERO, none of the ZERO
Companies has any material liabilities of any nature except as disclosed in
the ZERO SEC Reports or which do not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
ZERO Material Adverse Effect.
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ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF API AND ACQUISITION
API and Acquisition hereby represent and warrant to ZERO that:
5.1 Organization.
(a) Organization. Each of the API Companies and Acquisition is a
corporation duly and validly organized and existing under the Laws of its
respective jurisdiction of incorporation and is qualified to do business as
a foreign corporation and is in good standing in all other jurisdictions
where the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of its business
requires qualification as a foreign corporation, except where the failure
to so qualify would not have a API Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Corporate Power and Authority. Each of the API Companies and
Acquisition has: (a) full corporate power and authority necessary to carry
on its business as it is now conducted and to own, lease and operate its
assets and properties; and (b) all material franchises, permits, licenses,
approvals, authorizations and registrations necessary to carry on its
business as it is now conducted and to own, lease and operate its assets
and properties, except where the absence of any such franchises, permits,
licenses, approvals, authorizations or registrations would not have a API
Material Adverse Effect.
5.2 Capitalization.
(a) Capitalization of API. The entire authorized capital stock of API
consists of: (i) 80,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, $.20 par value,
of which 27,936,356 shares were issued and outstanding on April 3, 1998;
and (ii) 7,500,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, $.20 par value, none of
which are issued and outstanding; and (iii) 800,000 shares of Cumulative
Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value, none of which are issued and outstanding.
(b) Authorization. All of the outstanding shares of API Common Stock are,
and the shares of API Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement
will be when issued: (i) duly authorized, validly issued and fully paid;
and (ii) nonassessable, except as provided in Section 180.0622(2)(b) of the
Wisconsin Business Corporation Law, as judicially interpreted.
5.3 Authorization; Enforceability. The execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement by API and Acquisition and all of the documents and
instruments required by this Agreement to be executed and delivered by API and
Acquisition are within the corporate power of API and Acquisition and: (a)
have been duly authorized by the Boards of Directors of API and Acquisition;
and (b) upon the approval of the API Stockholders of the issuance of API
Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement, shall be duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action by API and Acquisition. This Agreement is, and the
other documents and instruments required by this Agreement to be executed and
delivered by API and Acquisition will be, when executed and delivered by API
and Acquisition, the valid and binding obligations of API and Acquisition,
enforceable against API and Acquisition in accordance with their respective
terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar Laws generally
affecting the rights of creditors and subject to general equity principles.
5.4 No Violation or Conflict. Subject to the receipt of the approvals and
consents described in Section 7.7 of this Agreement, the execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement by API and Acquisition do not and will not
conflict with or violate: (a) any Law or the Articles of Incorporation or
Bylaws of any of the API Companies or the Certificate of Incorporation or
Bylaws of Acquisition; or (b) any material contract or agreement to which any
of the API Companies or Acquisition is a party or by which any of them is
bound, except where such conflict or violation would not have a API Material
Adverse Effect.
5.5 Litigation. (a) Except as disclosed in the API SEC Reports filed prior
to the date of this Agreement, there is no litigation, arbitration,
proceeding, governmental investigation, citation or action of any kind pending
or, to the Knowledge of API, proposed or threatened against or relating to any
of the API Companies which, if
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adversely determined against any of the API Companies, individually or in the
aggregate, would or would be reasonably likely to result in a API Material
Adverse Effect; and (b) there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or,
to the Knowledge of API, proposed or threatened, against any of the API
Companies by any Person which question the legality, validity or propriety of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
5.6 API SEC Reports.
(a) Definition. As used in this Agreement, "API SEC Reports" shall mean
all reports, registration statements, definitive proxy statements,
prospectuses and amendments thereto filed by API with the SEC since January
1, 1994 or filed by API with the SEC after the date of this Agreement and
prior to the Effective Time of Merger.
(b) API SEC Reports. The API SEC Reports: (i) complied or will comply, as
the case may be, in all material respects with the then applicable
requirements of the Exchange Act and the Securities Act, as the case may
be, and the rules and regulations of the SEC issued thereunder; and (ii)
did not or will not, as the case may be, contain as of their respective
filing dates any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.
(c) Financial Statements. The audited consolidated financial statements
and unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of API included in
the API SEC Reports have been or will be, as the case may be, prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a
consistent basis (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes
thereto and except with respect to unaudited statements as permitted by
Form 10-Q of the SEC) and fairly present the consolidated financial
position of the API Companies as of the dates thereof and the consolidated
results of their operations and changes in financial position for the
periods then ended, subject, in the case of the unaudited consolidated
interim financial statements, to normal year-end and audit adjustments and
any other adjustments described therein.
5.7 Brokers. Except for fees to Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation,
neither API nor Acquisition has incurred any brokers', finders' or any similar
fee in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
5.8 Governmental Approvals. No permission, approval, determination, consent
or waiver by, or any declaration, filing or registration with, any
governmental or regulatory authority is required in connection with the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by API and Acquisition
and the consummation of the Merger, except for: (a) the approvals described in
Section 7.7 of this Agreement; and (b) the filing of the Certificate of Merger
as described in this Agreement.
5.9 Disclosure. No statement of fact by API or Acquisition contained in this
Agreement contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omits or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements herein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading as of the date to which it speaks.
5.10 Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be
supplied by API for inclusion or incorporation by reference in: (a) the
Registration Statement will, at the time the Registration Statement is filed
with the SEC and at the time it becomes effective under the Securities Act,
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading; and (b) the Proxy Statement will, at the date mailed to the
API Stockholders and at the time of the API Special Meeting, contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not
misleading. The Proxy Statement will comply as to form in all material
respects with the provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder, and the Registration Statement, including the Proxy Statement
insofar as it constitutes the prospectus of API, will comply as to form in all
material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder.
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5.11 Vote Required. The approval of the issuance of shares of API Common
Stock pursuant to this Agreement by a majority of the votes cast by the
holders of the shares of API Common Stock represented at the API Special
Meeting and entitled to vote thereon, provided that the total vote cast
represents over 50% of all outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon, is the
only vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock or other
securities of API necessary to approve this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
5.12 Accounting Matters. Neither API nor, to the Knowledge of API, any of
the Affiliates of API, has taken or agreed to take or will take any action
that would prevent the Merger being accounted for as a pooling of interests
for financial accounting purposes in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles and the rules, regulations and interpretations of the
SEC.
5.13 Opinion of Financial Advisor. API has received the opinion of Credit
Suisse First Boston Corporation, dated the date of this Agreement, to the
effect that the Exchange Ratio is fair to API from a financial point of view,
and a copy of such opinion has been delivered to ZERO.
5.14 No Related Persons. None of the API Companies is a "Related Person" of
ZERO as such term is defined in the Certificate of Incorporation of ZERO.
5.15 Absence of Certain Changes. Since August 31, 1997: (a) there has not
been any API Material Adverse Effect; and (b) the API Companies have
diligently carried on their business only in the regular course and in
substantially the same manner as theretofore, except for the transactions
described in this Agreement, as disclosed in the API SEC Reports or as
publicly announced or acquisitions or dispositions by any of the API
Companies.
5.16 Undisclosed Liabilities. To the Knowledge of API, none of the API
Companies has any material liabilities of any nature except as disclosed in
the API SEC Reports or which do not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
API Material Adverse Effect.
ARTICLE VI
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BY THE ZERO COMPANIES PENDING THE MERGER
Except with the written consent of API (which consent may not be
unreasonably withheld for all matters in this Article VI of this Agreement
except for Sections 6.10 and 6.11), from and after the date of this Agreement
and until the Effective Time of Merger, ZERO shall, and shall cause each of
the other ZERO Companies to:
6.1 Carry on in Regular Course. Diligently carry on its business only in the
regular course and in substantially the same manner as heretofore and shall
not make or institute any unusual or novel methods of purchase, sale, lease,
management, accounting or operation.
6.2 Use of Assets. Use, operate, maintain and repair all of its assets and
properties in a normal business manner.
6.3 No Default. Not do any act or omit to do any act, or permit any act or
omission to act, which will cause a material breach of any of the Existing
Contracts.
6.4 Employment Matters. Not: (a) except as described in the Disclosure
Schedule or as consistent with its normal business practices consistent with
past practice, grant any increase in the rate of pay of any of its employees,
directors or officers; (b) institute or amend any Employee Benefit Plan; or
(c) except as described in the Disclosure Schedule, enter into or modify any
written employment arrangement with any Person.
6.5 Indebtedness. Not create, incur or assume any Indebtedness, except for
Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business by the ZERO Companies
consistent with past practice.
6.6 Preservation of Relationships. Use reasonable best efforts to preserve
its business organization intact, to retain the services of its present
officers and key employees and to preserve the goodwill of suppliers,
customers, creditors and others having business relationships with it.
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6.7 Compliance with Laws. Comply in all material respects with all
applicable Laws.
6.8 Taxes. Timely and properly file all federal, state, local and foreign
tax returns which are required to be filed, and shall pay or make provision
for the payment of all taxes owed by it.
6.9 Amendments. Not amend its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws.
6.10 Dividends; Redemptions; Issuance of Stock. Not:
(a) (i) issue any additional shares of stock of any class (including any
shares of preferred stock) except for issuances of shares of ZERO Common
Stock upon the exercise of options outstanding on the date of this
Agreement under the ZERO Option Plans, or (ii) grant any warrants, options
or rights to subscribe for or acquire any additional shares of stock of any
class;
(b) declare or pay any dividend or make any capital or surplus
distributions of any nature, except for: (i) cash dividends by Subsidiaries
of ZERO to ZERO; and (ii) regular quarterly cash dividends by ZERO on the
outstanding ZERO Common Stock with usual record and payment dates not
exceeding, during any fiscal quarter of ZERO, 110% of the cash dividends
paid by ZERO on the ZERO Common Stock during the immediately preceding
fiscal quarter of ZERO; or
(c) directly or indirectly redeem purchase or otherwise acquire,
recapitalize or reclassify any of its capital stock or liquidate in whole
or in part, except for the redemption of 141,902 shares of ZERO Common
Stock owned by a Subsidiary of ZERO.
6.11 No Dispositions or Acquisitions. Not: (a) sell, lease, license,
encumber or otherwise dispose of, or agree to sell, lease, license, encumber
or otherwise dispose of, any of its assets, except in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice; or (b) acquire, or publicly propose to
acquire or agree to acquire, by merger or consolidation with, or by purchase
or otherwise, an equity interest in, or all or any portion of the assets of,
any Person.
ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF API AND ACQUISITION
Each and every obligation of API and Acquisition to be performed on the
Closing Date shall be subject to the satisfaction prior to or at the Closing
of the following express conditions precedent:
7.1 Compliance with Agreement. ZERO shall have performed and complied: (a)
in all respects with all of its obligations under Sections 6.10 and 6.11 this
Agreement which are to be performed or complied with by it prior to or on the
Closing Date; and (b) in all respects with all of its other obligations under
this Agreement which are to be performed or complied with by it prior to or on
the Closing Date, except where the failure to perform or comply, individually
or in the aggregate, would not or would not be reasonably likely to result in
a ZERO Material Adverse Effect.
7.2 No Litigation. No suit, action or other proceeding shall be pending
before any court in which the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement is restrained or enjoined.
7.3 Representations and Warranties of ZERO. The representations and
warranties made by ZERO in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all
respects when made and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect
as though said representations and warranties had been made on the Closing
Date, except where the effect of any breaches of the representations and
warranties of ZERO made in this Agreement, individually or in the aggregate,
would not or would not be reasonably likely to result in a ZERO Material
Adverse Effect.
7.4 No ZERO Material Adverse Effect. During the period from the date of this
Agreement to the Closing Date there shall not have occurred, and be continuing
on the Closing Date, any ZERO Material Adverse Effect.
7.5 Approval of ZERO Stockholders and API Stockholders; Certificate of
Merger. This Agreement, the Merger and the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall have received the requisite approval and
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authorization of the ZERO Stockholders and the issuance of shares of API
Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement shall have received the requisite
approval and authorization of the API Stockholders. The Certificate of Merger
shall have been executed and delivered by ZERO.
7.6 Closing Certificate. ZERO shall have delivered to API a certificate
signed on behalf of ZERO by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer of ZERO, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that, to the best of
such officers' knowledge, the conditions set forth in Sections 7.1 and 7.3 of
this Agreement have been satisfied.
7.7 Governmental Approvals.
(a) Registration Statement. The Registration Statement shall have been
declared effective under the Securities Act and shall not be the subject of
any stop order or proceedings to effect a stop order. The API Common Stock
issuable pursuant to the Merger shall have been registered or shall be
exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state "blue sky"
or securities Laws.
(b) HSR Act. All necessary requirements of the HSR Act shall have been
complied with and any "waiting periods" applicable to the Merger and to the
transactions described in this Agreement which are imposed by the HSR Act
shall have expired prior to the Closing Date or shall have been terminated
by the appropriate agency.
7.8 Listing. API shall have received notice from the New York Stock Exchange
that the shares of API Common Stock to be issued or reserved for issuance
pursuant to this Agreement are approved for listing on the New York Stock
Exchange subject to official notice of issuance.
7.9 Accountant Letter. API shall have received a copy of a letter from
Deloitte & Touche LLP, which shall be in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to API and shall contain information concerning the financial
condition of ZERO, dated the Closing Date, similar to the letter described in
Section 3.10 of this Agreement.
7.10 Pooling Opinion. API shall have received an opinion from Coopers &
Lybrand LLP to the effect that the Merger qualifies for pooling-of-interests
accounting treatment if consummated in accordance with this Agreement.
7.11 Affiliate Letters. API shall have received an Affiliate Letter from
each Person who is an Affiliate of either API or ZERO.
ARTICLE VIII
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF ZERO
Each and every obligation of ZERO to be performed on the Closing Date shall
be subject to the satisfaction prior to or at the Closing of the following
express conditions precedent:
8.1 Compliance with Agreement. API and Acquisition shall have performed and
complied in all respects with all of their obligations under this Agreement
which are to be performed or complied with by them prior to or on the Closing
Date, except where the failure to perform or comply, individually or in the
aggregate, would not or would not be reasonably likely to result in a API
Material Adverse Effect.
8.2 No Litigation. No suit, action or other proceeding shall be pending
before any court in which the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement is restrained or enjoined.
8.3 Representations and Warranties of API and Acquisition. The
representations and warranties made by API and Acquisition in this Agreement
shall be true and correct in all respects when made and as of the Closing Date
with the same force and effect as though such representations and warranties
had been made on the Closing Date, except where the effect of any breaches of
the representations and warranties of API and Acquisition made in this
Agreement, individually or in the aggregate, would not or would not be
reasonably likely to result in a API Material Adverse Effect.
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8.4 No API Material Adverse Effect. During the period from the date of this
Agreement to the Closing Date there shall not have occurred, and be continuing
on the Closing Date, any API Material Adverse Effect.
8.5 Approval of ZERO Stockholders and API Stockholders; Certificate of
Merger. This Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by
this Agreement shall have received the requisite approval and authorization of
the ZERO Stockholders and the issuance of shares of API Common Stock pursuant
to this Agreement shall have received the requisite approval and authorization
of the API Stockholders. The Certificate of Merger shall have been executed
and delivered by Acquisition.
8.6 Closing Certificate. API shall have delivered to ZERO a certificate
signed on behalf of API by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer of API, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that, to the best of
such officers' knowledge, the conditions set forth in Sections 8.1 and 8.3 of
this Agreement have been satisfied.
8.7 Governmental Approvals.
(a) Registration Statement. The Registration Statement shall have been
declared effective under the Securities Act and shall not be the subject of
any stop order or proceedings to effect a stop order. The API Common Stock
issuable pursuant to the Merger shall have been registered or shall be
exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state "blue sky"
or securities Laws.
(b) HSR Act. All necessary requirements of the HSR Act shall have been
complied with and any "waiting periods" applicable to the Merger and to the
transactions described in this Agreement which are imposed by the HSR Act
shall have expired prior to the Closing Date or shall have been terminated
by the appropriate agency.
8.8 Listing. API shall have received notice from the New York Stock Exchange
that the shares of API Common Stock to be issued or reserved for issuance
pursuant to this Agreement are approved for listing on the New York Stock
Exchange subject to official notice of issuance.
8.9 Tax Opinion. ZERO shall have received an opinion of Gibson Dunn &
Crutcher LLP, counsel to ZERO, to the effect that the Merger will be treated
for federal income tax purposes as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code, and that API, Acquisition and ZERO will each be a
party to that reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code,
dated on or about the date that is two business days prior to the date the
Proxy Statement is first mailed to ZERO Stockholders, and such opinion shall
not have been withdrawn or modified in any material respect as of the Closing
Date and the Effective Time of Merger. In rendering such opinion, such counsel
may require and rely upon representations contained in certificates of ZERO,
API and Acquisition.
8.10 Accountant Letter. ZERO shall have received a copy of a letter from
Coopers & Lybrand LLP, which shall be in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to ZERO and shall contain information concerning the financial
condition of API, dated the Closing Date, similar to the letter described in
Section 3.11 of this Agreement.
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION; MISCELLANEOUS
9.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement may be abandoned at any time prior to the
Closing (whether before or after approval of this Agreement by the ZERO
Stockholders or the API Stockholders or both), as follows:
(a) by mutual written agreement of API and ZERO, duly authorized by the
Boards of Directors of API and ZERO;
(b) by either API or ZERO by written notice to the other party if: (i)
any court of competent jurisdiction shall have issued an order, judgment or
decree permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting
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the Merger and such order, judgment or decree shall have become final and
nonappealable; or (ii) if the Effective Time of Merger has not occurred on
or before September 30, 1998, provided, however, that the right to
terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.1(b)(ii) of this Agreement
shall not be available to any party whose failure to fulfill any obligation
under this Agreement has been the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of
the Effective Time of Merger to occur on or before that date;
(c) by API by written notice to ZERO if: (i) there exists one or more
breaches of the representations and warranties of ZERO made in this
Agreement as of the date of this Agreement which breaches, individually or
in the aggregate, would or would be reasonably likely to result in a ZERO
Material Adverse Effect and such breaches shall not have been remedied
within 20 calendar days after receipt by ZERO of written notice from API
specifying the nature of such breaches and requesting that they be
remedied; (ii) ZERO shall have failed to perform and comply in all respects
with its agreements and covenants contained in Sections 6.10 and 6.11 of
this Agreement; (iii) ZERO shall have failed to perform and comply in all
respects with all of its other agreements and covenants contained in this
Agreement and such failures to perform or comply, individually or in the
aggregate, would or would be reasonably likely to result in a ZERO Material
Adverse Effect and such failures to perform or comply shall not have been
remedied within 20 calendar days after receipt by ZERO of written notice
from API specifying the nature of such failures to perform or comply and
requesting that they be remedied; (iv) API shall have convened the API
Special Meeting to vote upon the issuance of shares of API Common Stock
pursuant to this Agreement and such vote does not receive the requisite
vote of the API Stockholders for such proposal; (v) ZERO shall have
convened the ZERO Special Meeting to vote upon the Merger and the
transactions described in this Agreement and such vote does not receive the
requisite vote of the ZERO Stockholders for such proposal; or (vi) the
Board of Directors of ZERO or any committee thereof: (A) shall withdraw or
modify in any manner adverse to API its approval or recommendation of this
Agreement or the Merger, (B) shall fail to reaffirm such approval or
recommendation upon API's request, or (C) shall approve or recommend any
Other Transaction; and
(d) by ZERO by written notice to API if: (i) there exists one or more
breaches of the representations and warranties of API made in this
Agreement as of the date of this Agreement which breaches, individually or
in the aggregate, would or would be reasonably likely to result in a API
Material Adverse Effect and such breaches shall not have been remedied
within 20 calendar days after receipt by API of written notice from ZERO
specifying the nature of such breaches and requesting that they be
remedied; (ii) API shall have failed to perform and comply in all respects
with all of its agreements and covenants contained in this Agreement and
such failures to perform or comply, individually or in the aggregate, would
or would be reasonably likely to result in a API Material Adverse Effect
and such failures to perform or comply shall not have been remedied within
20 calendar days after receipt by API of written notice from ZERO
specifying the nature of such failures to perform or comply and requesting
that they be remedied; (iii) ZERO shall have convened the ZERO Special
Meeting to vote upon the Merger and the transactions described in this
Agreement and such vote does not receive the requisite vote of the ZERO
Stockholders for such proposal; (iv) API shall have convened the API
Special Meeting to vote upon the issuance of shares of API Common Stock
pursuant to this Agreement and such vote does not receive the requisite
vote of the API Stockholders for such proposal; (v) pursuant to Section
3.9(d) of this Agreement; or (vi) the Board of Directors of API or any
committee thereof: (A) shall withdraw or modify in any manner adverse to
ZERO its approval or recommendation of this Agreement or the Merger, or (B)
shall fail to reaffirm such approval or recommendation upon ZERO's request.
9.2 Rights on Termination; Waiver. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant
to Section 9.1 of this Agreement, all further obligations of the parties under
or pursuant to this Agreement shall terminate without further liability of any
party (including its directors, officers, employees, agents, legal, accounting
or financial advisors or other representatives) to the others, provided that:
(a) the obligations of API and Acquisition contained in Sections 3.4(c), 9.2
and 9.5 of this Agreement shall survive any such termination; (b) the
obligations of ZERO contained in Sections 3.4(c), 3.9(e), 9.2 and 9.5 of this
Agreement shall survive any such termination; and (c) each party to this
Agreement shall retain any and all remedies which it may have for breach of
contract
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provided by Law based on another party's willful failure to comply with the
terms of this Agreement. If any of the conditions set forth in Article VII of
this Agreement have not been satisfied, API may nevertheless elect to proceed
with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
if any of the conditions set forth in Article VIII of this Agreement have not
been satisfied, ZERO may nevertheless elect to proceed with the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Any such election to
proceed shall be evidenced by a certificate signed on behalf of the waiving
party by an officer of that party.
9.3 Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants. All
representations, warranties and covenants of the parties contained in this
Agreement (other than the covenants contained in Sections 2.8, 2.9, 2.12,
3.14, 3.15, 3.17, 9.3, 9.13 and 9.15 of this Agreement) or made pursuant to
this Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and effect at the
Effective Time of Merger and none of the parties shall have any liability or
obligation with respect thereto.
9.4 Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement and the documents referred
to in this Agreement and required to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement
constitute the entire agreement among the parties pertaining to the subject
matter of this Agreement, and supersede all prior and contemporaneous
agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions of the parties,
whether oral or written, other than the Confidentiality Agreements, and there
are no warranties, representations or other agreements between the parties in
connection with the subject matter of this Agreement, except as specifically
set forth in this Agreement and in the Confidentiality Agreements. EACH PARTY
HERETO AGREES THAT, EXCEPT FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONTAINED IN
THIS AGREEMENT OR IN THE CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS, NO PARTY MAKES ANY OTHER
REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, AND EACH HEREBY DISCLAIMS ANY OTHER
REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES MADE BY ITSELF OR ANY OF ITS OFFICERS,
DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, FINANCIAL AND LEGAL ADVISORS OR OTHER
REPRESENTATIVES, WITH RESPECT TO THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT
OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, NOTWITHSTANDING THE DELIVERY OR
DISCLOSURE TO THE OTHER PARTIES OR TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE OTHER PARTIES
OF ANY DOCUMENTATION OR OTHER INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO ANY ONE OR MORE OF
THE FOREGOING. This Agreement may be amended by the parties at any time before
or after approval of this Agreement by the ZERO Stockholders, except that
after such approval, no amendment shall be made without the further approval
of the ZERO Stockholders if any such amendment: (a) changes the Exchange
Ratio; or (b) materially adversely affects the rights of the ZERO
Stockholders. This Agreement may be amended by the parties at any time before
or after approval of this Agreement by the API Stockholders, except that after
such approval, no amendment shall be made without the further approval of the
API Stockholders if any such amendment: (y) changes the Exchange Ratio; or (z)
materially adversely affects the rights of the API Stockholders. No amendment,
supplement, modification, waiver or termination of this Agreement shall be
binding unless executed in writing by API, ZERO and Acquisition. No waiver of
any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a
waiver of any other provision of this Agreement, whether or not similar, nor
shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly
provided.
9.5 Expenses. All costs and expenses incurred in connection with this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be paid by
the party incurring such expenses, except that: (a) API shall pay the filing
fee relating to the filing required by the HSR Act; and (b) those expenses
incurred in connection with printing the Proxy Statement and Registration
Statement, as well as the filing fee relating thereto, shall be shared equally
by ZERO, on the one hand, and API, on the other hand.
9.6 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted
according to the Laws of the State of Delaware.
9.7 Assignment. Prior to the Effective Time of Merger, this Agreement shall
not be assigned by any party to this Agreement except with the prior written
consent of the other parties to this Agreement.
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9.8 Notices. All communications or notices required or permitted by this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given at the
earlier of the date when actually delivered to an officer of a party by
personal delivery or telephonic facsimile transmission or when deposited in
the United States mail, certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return
receipt requested, and addressed as follows, unless and until any of such
parties notifies the others in accordance with this Section of a change of
address:
If to API or Acquisition:
Applied Power Inc.
Attention: Richard G. Sim
13000 West Silver Spring Drive
Butler WI 53007-6600
Fax No.: 414-781-0629
with a copy to: Quarles & Brady
Attention: Anthony W. Asmuth III
411 E. Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53202-4497
Fax No: 414-271-3552
If to ZERO: ZERO Corporation
Attention: Wilford D. Godbold, Jr.
444 South Flower Street, Suite 2100
Los Angeles CA 90071-2922
Fax No: 213-629-2366
with a copy to: Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Attention: Peter F. Ziegler
333 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90071-3197
Fax No: 213-229-7520
9.9 Counterparts; Headings. This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but such counterparts
shall together constitute but one and the same Agreement. The Table of
Contents and Article and Section headings in this Agreement are inserted for
convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part hereof.
9.10 Interpretation. Unless the context requires otherwise, all words used
in this Agreement in the singular number shall extend to and include the
plural, all words in the plural number shall extend to and include the
singular, and all words in any gender shall extend to and include all genders.
The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be language chosen by
the parties to this Agreement to express their mutual intent. In the event an
ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises concerning the
language of this Agreement, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted
jointly by the parties to this Agreement and no presumption or burden of proof
will arise favoring or disfavoring any party to this Agreement by virtue of
the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
9.11 Severability. If any provision, clause, or part of this Agreement, or
the application thereof under certain circumstances, is held invalid, the
remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such provision, clause or
part under other circumstances, shall not be affected thereby unless such
invalidity materially impairs the ability of the parties to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
9.12 Specific Performance. The parties agree that the assets and business of
the ZERO Companies as a going concern and the API Common Stock constitute
unique property. There is no adequate remedy at Law for the damage which any
party might sustain for failure of the other parties to consummate the Merger
and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and accordingly, each
party shall be entitled, at its option, to the remedy of specific performance
to enforce the Merger pursuant to this Agreement.
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9.13 No Reliance. Except for the parties to this Agreement, any assignees
permitted by Section 9.7 of this Agreement and as described in Sections 3.14
and 3.15 of this Agreement: (a) no Person is entitled to rely on any of the
representations, warranties and agreements of the parties contained in this
Agreement; and (b) the parties assume no liability to any Person because of
any reliance on the representations, warranties and agreements of the parties
contained in this Agreement.
9.14 Exhibits and Disclosure Schedule. If a document or matter is disclosed
in any Exhibit to this Agreement or in the Disclosure Schedule, it shall be
deemed to be disclosed for all purposes of this Agreement without the
necessity of specific repetition or cross-reference. All capitalized terms
used in any Exhibit to this Agreement or in the Disclosure Schedule shall have
the definitions specified in this Agreement.
9.15 Further Assurances. If, at any time after the Effective Time of Merger,
any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this
Agreement and to vest the Surviving Corporation with full right, title and
possession to all assets, properties, rights, privileges, powers and
franchises of either Acquisition or ZERO, the officers of the Surviving
Corporation are fully authorized to take any such action in the name of
Acquisition or ZERO.
In Witness Whereof, the parties have caused this Agreement and Plan of
Merger to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
Applied Power Inc.
/s/ Richard G. Sim
By __________________________________
Richard G. Sim
President and Chief Executive
Officer
Zero Corporation
/s/ Wilford D. Godbold, Jr.
By __________________________________
Wilford D. Godbold, Jr.,
President and Chief Executive
Officer
STB Acquisition Corporation
/s/ Richard G. Sim
By __________________________________
Richard G. Sim,
President and Chief Executive
Officer
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EXHIBIT 1A TO MERGER AGREEMENT
FORM OF API AFFILIATE LETTER
Gentlemen:
The undersigned is a holder of shares of Class A Common Stock, par value
$.20 per share ("API Common Stock") of Applied Power Inc., a Wisconsin
corporation ("API") and understands that API, ZERO Corporation ("ZERO") and a
subsidiary of API are parties to an Agreement and Plan of Merger providing for
the merger of ZERO with a subsidiary of API (the "Merger") .
The undersigned acknowledges that the undersigned may be deemed an
"affiliate" of API as such term is used in and for purposes of Accounting
Series Releases 130 and 135, as amended, of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"), although nothing contained herein shall be
construed as an admission of such status.
The undersigned represents to, and covenants with API that the undersigned
will not, during the 30 days prior to the effective time of the Merger sell,
transfer or otherwise dispose of, or reduce any risk relative to, any
securities of API or ZERO, and the undersigned will not sell, transfer or
otherwise dispose of, or reduce any risk relative to, shares of API Common
Stock or any other shares of the capital stock of API until after such time as
results covering at least 30 days of operations of API (including the combined
operations of ZERO and API) have been published by API in the form of a
quarterly earnings report, an effective registration statement filed with the
Commission, a report to the Commission on Form 10-K, 10-Q, or 8-K, or any
other public filing or announcement which includes such results of operations.
The undersigned has carefully reviewed this letter and understands the
requirements hereof and the limitations imposed upon the distribution, sale,
transfer or other disposition of securities of API and ZERO.
Very truly yours,
-------------------------------------
[Name]
Dated:
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EXHIBIT 1B TO MERGER AGREEMENT
FORM OF ZERO AFFILIATE LETTER
Gentlemen:
The undersigned is a holder of shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share ("ZERO Common Stock") of ZERO Corporation, a Delaware corporation
("ZERO") and is entitled to receive shares of Class A Common Stock, par value
$.20 per share, (the "Shares") of Applied Power Inc., a Wisconsin corporation
("API") in connection with the merger (the "Merger") of ZERO with a subsidiary
of API pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among ZERO, API and
a subsidiary of API dated as of April 6, 1998.
The undersigned acknowledges that the undersigned may be deemed an
"affiliate" of ZERO within the meaning of Rule 145 ("Rule 145") promulgated
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and/or as such term
is used in and for purposes of Accounting Series Releases 130 and 135, as
amended, of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"),
although nothing contained herein shall be construed as an admission of such
status.
If in fact the undersigned were an affiliate of ZERO under the Act, the
undersigned's ability to sell, assign or transfer any Shares received by the
undersigned in exchange for any shares of ZERO Common Stock pursuant to the
Merger may be restricted unless such transaction is registered under the Act
or an exemption from such registration is available. The undersigned
understands that such exemptions are limited and the undersigned has obtained
advice of counsel as to the nature and conditions of such exemptions,
including information with respect to the applicability to the sale of such
securities of Rules 144 and 145(d) promulgated under the Act.
The undersigned hereby represents to and covenants with ZERO that it will
not sell, assign or transfer any Shares received by the undersigned in
exchange for shares of ZERO Common Stock pursuant to the Merger except (i)
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Act, (ii) by a sale
made in conformity with the volume and other limitations of Rule 145 (and
otherwise in accordance with Rule 144 under the Act if the undersigned is an
affiliate of API and if so required at the time) or (iii) in a transaction
which, in the opinion of independent counsel reasonably satisfactory to API or
as described in a "no-action" or interpretive letter from the Staff of the
Commission, is not required to be registered under the Act.
The undersigned understands that API is under no obligation to register the
sale, transfer or other disposition of the Shares by the undersigned or on
behalf of the undersigned under the Act or to take any other action necessary
in order to make compliance with an exemption from such registration available
solely as a result of the Merger.
In the event of a sale of Shares received by the undersigned in the Merger
pursuant to Rule 145, the undersigned will supply API with evidence of
compliance with such Rule, in the form of customary seller's and broker's Rule
145 representation letters or as API may otherwise reasonably request. The
undersigned understands that API may instruct its transfer agent to withhold
the transfer of any Shares disposed of by the undersigned in a manner
inconsistent with this letter.
The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that appropriate legends will be
placed on certificates representing Shares received by the undersigned in the
Merger or held by a transferee thereof, which legends will be removed (i) by
delivery of substitute certificates upon receipt of an opinion in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to API to the effect that such legends are
no longer required for the purposes of the Act and the rules and regulations
of the Commission promulgated thereunder or (ii) in the event of a sale of the
Shares which has been registered under the Act or made in conformity with the
provisions of Rule 145.
The undersigned further represents to, and covenants with API that the
undersigned will not, during the 30 days prior to the effective time of the
Merger sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, or reduce any risk relative to,
any securities of API or ZERO, and the undersigned will not sell, transfer or
otherwise dispose of, or reduce any
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risk relative to, the Shares received by the undersigned in the Merger or any
other shares of the capital stock of API until after such time as results
covering at least 30 days of operations of API (including the combined
operations of ZERO and API) have been published by API in the form of a
quarterly earnings report, an effective registration statement filed with the
Commission, a report to the Commission on Form 10-K, 10-Q, or 8-K, or any
other public filing or announcement which includes such results of operations.
The undersigned has carefully reviewed this letter and understands the
requirements hereof and the limitations imposed upon the distribution, sale,
transfer or other disposition of securities of API and ZERO.
Very truly yours,
-------------------------------------
[Name]
Dated:
As an inducement to the above individual to deliver this letter, API agrees
that for so long as and to the extent necessary to permit such individual to
sell the Shares pursuant to Rule 145 and, to the extent applicable, Rule 144
under the Act, API shall use all reasonable efforts to file, on a timely
basis, all reports and data required to be filed by it with the Commission
pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Very truly yours,
Applied Power Inc.
By: _________________________________
Name:
Title:
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[LETTERHEAD OF CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION]
APPENDIX B
July 1, 1998
Board of Directors
Applied Power Inc.
13000 West Silver Spring Drive
Butler, Wisconsin 53007
Dear Members of the Board:
You have asked us to advise you with respect to the fairness to Applied Power
Inc. (the "Acquiror") from a financial point of view of the Exchange Ratio (as
defined below) provided for in the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
April 6, 1998 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and among the Acquiror, ZERO
Corporation (the "Company"), and STB Acquisition Corporation (the "Sub"). The
Merger Agreement provides for the merger (the "Merger") of the Sub with and
into the Company pursuant to which the Company will become a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Acquiror, and each outstanding share of common stock, par
value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the "Company Common Stock") will be
converted into 0.85 of a share (the "Exchange Ratio") of Class A Common Stock,
par value $0.20 per share, of the Acquiror (the "Acquiror Common Stock").
In arriving at our opinion, we have reviewed certain publicly available
business and financial information relating to the Company, as well as the
Merger Agreement. We have also reviewed certain other information, including
financial forecasts, provided to us by the Company and the Acquiror, and have
met with the Company's and the Acquiror's managements to discuss the business
and prospects of the Company.
We have also considered certain financial and stock market data of the
Company, and we have compared those data with similar data for other publicly
held companies in businesses similar to the Company, and we have considered the
financial terms of certain other business combinations and other transactions
which have recently been effected. We also considered such other information,
financial studies, analyses and investigations and financial, economic and
market criteria which we deemed relevant.
In connection with our review, we have not assumed any responsibility for
independent verification of any of the foregoing information and have relied on
its being complete and accurate in all material respects. With respect to the
financial forecasts, we have assumed that they have been reasonably prepared on
bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the
Company's and the Acquiror's managements as to the future financial performance
of the Company. In addition, we have not been requested to make, and have not
made, an independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities
(contingent or otherwise) of the Company, nor have we been furnished with any
such evaluations or appraisals. Our opinion is necessarily based upon
financial, economic, market and other conditions as they exist and can be
evaluated on the date hereof. We are not expressing any opinion as to the
actual value of the Acquiror Common Stock when issued to the Company's
stockholders pursuant to the Merger or the prices at which such Acquiror Common
Stock will trade subsequent to Merger. We have assumed with your consent that
the Merger will be accounted for as a "pooling of interests" under Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 16 and will qualify as a tax-free reorganization
pursuant to Section 368 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
In addition, in arriving at our opinion we have taken into consideration the
Acquiror's acquisition on June 19, 1998 of approximately 82% of the issued
share capital of VERO Group plc, a public limited company organized under the
laws of the United Kingdom ("VERO"), pursuant to a cash tender offer for the
entire issued share capital of VERO at a purchase price of 192 pence per share.
You have advised us that the Acquiror owns
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<PAGE>
or has accepted for payment over 90% of the issued share capital of VERO and
that the Acquiror intends to invoke Section 429 of the U.K. Companies Act of
1985, as amended, to acquire the remaining issued share capital of VERO. On
that basis and with your consent we have assumed that the acquisition of such
shares will be consummated in accordance with such section at 192 pence per
share and that, as a result, the Acquiror will have acquired all of the issued
share capital of VERO.
We have acted as financial advisor to the Acquiror in connection with the
Merger and will receive a fee for our services, a significant portion of which
is contingent upon the consummation of the Merger.
In the ordinary course of our business, we and our affiliates may actively
trade the debt and equity securities of both the Company and the Acquiror for
our and such affiliates' own accounts and for the accounts of customers and,
accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities.
It is understood that this letter is for the information of the Board of
Directors of the Acquiror in connection with its consideration of the Merger
and is not to be quoted or referred to, in whole or in part, in any
registration statement, prospectus or proxy statement, or in any other
document used in connection with the offering or sale of securities, nor shall
this letter be used for any other purposes, without our prior written consent.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of the
date hereof, the Exchange Ratio is fair to the Acquiror from a financial point
of view.
Very truly yours,
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
B-2
<PAGE>
APPENDIX C
[LETTERHEAD OF SALOMON SMITH BARNEY]
April 6, 1998
Board of Directors
ZERO Corporation
444 South Flower
Los Angeles, CA 92211
Members of the Board:
You have requested our opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of
view, to the holders of common stock of ZERO Corporation (the "Company") of
consideration to be received by such holders pursuant to the terms and
conditions set forth in the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Applied
Power Inc. ("Applied Power"), STB Acquisition Corporation ("Merger Sub") and
the Company, dated April 6, 1998 (the "Merger Agreement"). We understand that,
in the Merger, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company. We further
understand that, upon effectiveness of the Merger, each issued and outstanding
share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of ZERO (the "ZERO Common
Stock"), will be converted into 0.850 fully paid and non-assessable shares of
Class A Common Stock of Applied Power (the "Applied Power Common Stock"), par
value $0.20 per share (the "Exchange Ratio").
In connection with rendering our opinion, we have reviewed: (i) a draft of
the Merger Agreement that you have advised us is substantially in the form to
be executed by the parties; (ii) certain publicly available business and
financial information relating to the Company and Applied Power which was
discussed with us by the respective managements of the Company and Applied
Power; (iii) information relating to certain strategic implications and
operational benefits anticipated to result from the Merger which was discussed
with us by ZERO; (iv) certain publicly available and other information
concerning the trading of, and the trading market for, the publicly traded
securities of the Company and Applied Power; (v) certain publicly available
information with respect to other companies that we believe to be comparable
in certain respects to the Company and Applied Power; and (vi) certain
publicly available information with respect to other merger and acquisition
transactions that we believe to be comparable in certain respects to the
Merger. In addition to the foregoing, we have conducted such other analyses
and examinations and considered such other financial, economic and market
criteria as we deemed appropriate to arrive at our opinion.
In arriving at our opinion, we have assumed and relied upon the accuracy and
completeness of all information provided to or reviewed by us or publicly
available, and we have not assumed any responsibility for any independent
verification of any of such information. With respect to financial forecasts,
and other information and data provided to or reviewed by, and relied upon by,
us, we have been advised by the managements of the Company and Applied Power
that such forecasts and other information were reasonably prepared on bases
reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the Company
and Applied Power as to the expected future financial performance of the
Company and Applied Power and the strategic implications and operational
benefits anticipated from the Merger. We express no opinion with respect to
such forecasts or the assumptions on which they were based. We further relied
on the assurances of managements of the Company and Applied Power that they
were unaware of any facts that would make the forecasts or information and
data provided to us incomplete or misleading. We have not made or been
provided with any independent evaluations or appraisals of any of the
Company's or Applied Power's assets, properties, liabilities or securities,
nor have we made any physical inspection of the properties or assets of the
Company or Applied Power. We have assumed that the Merger will be accounted
for as a pooling-of-interests in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP"), and that the Merger qualifies for such accounting
treatment under GAAP.
C-1
<PAGE>
We have also assumed that the Merger will constitute a "reorganization"
within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and none of the Company, Applied Power, Merger Sub or holders of
Company Common Stock will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal and state
income tax purposes as a result of the Merger.
As you are aware, Salomon Brothers Inc and Smith Barney Inc. (collectively,
"Salomon Smith Barney") are acting as financial advisors to the Company in
connection with the Merger for which we will receive certain fees, including
with regard to the rendering of this opinion, a significant portion of which
is contingent upon the consummation of the Merger. Additionally, Salomon Smith
Barney has previously rendered financial advisory and investment banking
services to the Company for which we have received customary compensation. In
the ordinary course of our securities business we and our affiliates may hold
or actively trade the debt and equity securities of the Company or Applied
Power for our own account and for the account of our customers and,
accordingly, we may at any time hold a long or short position in such
securities. In addition, we and our affiliates (including Travelers Group Inc.
and its affiliates) may maintain other business and financial relationships
with the Company and Applied Power.
Our opinion, as expressed below, relates to the relative values of the
Company and Applied Power and does not imply any conclusion as to what the
value of the Applied Power Common Stock actually will be when issued pursuant
to the Merger or the price at which such stock will trade following the
consummation of the Merger. Our opinion necessarily is based upon conditions
and circumstances as they exist and can be evaluated as of the date hereof and
does not address the underlying business decision of the Company to enter into
the Merger Agreement. Specifically, we have not been asked to, nor do we,
express an opinion as to the relative merits of the Merger as compared to any
alternative business strategies that might exist for the Company or the effect
of any other transaction in which the Company might engage.
This opinion is for the benefit and use by members of the Board of Directors
of the Company in connection with their evaluation of the Merger and does not
constitute a recommendation to any holder of shares of the Company Common
Stock as to how such stockholder should vote with respect to the Merger. This
opinion may not be published or otherwise used by the Company without our
prior written consent, other than as provided for in our engagement agreement,
dated February 3, 1998, between the Company and Salomon Smith Barney.
Based upon, and subject to, the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of the
date hereof, the Exchange Ratio is fair, from a financial point of view, to
the holders of ZERO Common Stock.
Very truly yours,
Salomon Smith Barney
C-2
<PAGE>
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
The Registrant is incorporated under the Wisconsin Business Corporation Law
("WBCL"). Under Section 180.0851(1) of the WBCL, the Registrant is required to
indemnify a director or officer, to the extent such person is successful on
the merits or otherwise in the defense of a proceeding, for all reasonable
expenses incurred in the proceeding if such person was a party because he or
she was a director or officer of the Registrant. In all other cases, the
Registrant is required by Section 180.0851(2) of the WBCL to indemnify a
director or officer against liability incurred in a proceeding to which such
person was a party because he or she was an officer or director of the
Registrant, unless it is determined that he or she breached or failed to
perform a duty owed to the Registrant and the breach or failure to perform
constitutes: (i) a willful failure to deal fairly with the Registrant or its
shareholders in connection with a matter in which the director or officer has
a material conflict of interest; (ii) a violation of criminal law, unless the
director or officer had reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was
lawful or no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful;
(iii) a transaction from which the director or officer derived an improper
personal profit; or (iv) willful misconduct. Section 180.0858(1) of the WBCL
provides that, subject to certain limitations, the mandatory indemnification
provisions do not preclude any additional right to indemnification or
allowance of expenses that a director or officer may have under the
Registrant's articles of incorporation, bylaws, a written agreement or a
resolution of the Board of Directors or shareholders.
Section 180.0859 of the WBCL provides that it is the public policy of the
State of Wisconsin to require or permit indemnification, allowance of expenses
and insurance to the extent required or permitted under Sections 180.0850 to
180.0858 of the WBCL for any liability incurred in connection with a
proceeding involving a federal or state statute, rule or regulation regulating
the offer, sale or purchase of securities.
Section 180.0828 of the WBCL provides that, with certain exceptions, a
director is not liable to a corporation, its shareholders, or any person
asserting rights on behalf of the corporation or its shareholders, for
damages, settlements, fees, fines, penalties or other monetary liabilities
arising from a breach of, or failure to perform, any duty resulting solely
from his or her status as a director, unless the person asserting liability
proves that the breach or failure to perform constitutes any of the four
exceptions to mandatory indemnification under Section 180.0851(2) referred to
above.
Under Section 180.0833 of the WBCL, directors of the Registrant against whom
claims are asserted with respect to the declaration of an improper dividend or
other distribution to shareholders to which they assented are entitled to
contribution from other directors who assented to such distribution and from
shareholders who knowingly accepted the improper distribution, as provided
therein.
Article VIII of the Registrant's Bylaws contains provisions that generally
parallel the indemnification provisions of the WBCL and cover certain
procedural matters not dealt with in the WBCL. Directors and officers of the
Registrant are also covered by directors' and officers' liability insurance
under which they are insured (subject to certain exceptions and limitations
specified in the policy) against expenses and liabilities arising out of
proceedings to which they are parties by reason of being or having been
directors or officers.
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
See the Exhibit Index following the Signatures page in this Registration
Statement, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
II-1
<PAGE>
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-
effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and
price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering
price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the
effective Registration Statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if
the registration statement is on Form S-3, S-8 or F-3, and the information
required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the
Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.
(4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section
13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where
applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant
to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated
by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
(5) That prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered
hereunder through use of a prospectus which is part of this Registration
Statement, by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within
the meaning of Rule 145(c), the issuer undertakes that such reoffering
prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable
registration form with respect to reofferings by persons who may be deemed
underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other items of
the applicable form.
(6) That every prospectus: (i) that is filed pursuant to paragraph (5)
immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to meet the requirements of
Section 10(a)(3) of the Act and is used in connection with an offering of
securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed as a part of an amendment to the
Registration Statement and will not be used until such amendment is effective,
and that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
(7) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the Registrant pursuant to the provisions referred to in Item 20 of this
Registration Statement, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in
the opinion of the Securities
II-2
<PAGE>
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant
will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
(8) To respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference
into the prospectus pursuant to Items 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this Form, within
one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated
documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes
information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of
the Registration Statement through the date of responding to the request.
(9) To supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information
concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein,
that was not the subject of and included in the Registration Statement when it
became effective.
II-3
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT
HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE
UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF BUTLER, STATE OF
WISCONSIN, ON JUNE 30, 1998.
Applied Power Inc.
(Registrant)
/s/ Richard G. Sim
By: _________________________________
Richard G. Sim
Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Richard G. Sim and Robert C. Arzbaecher, and
each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the
same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and any other regulatory
authority, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them,
full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATE INDICATED.*
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE
--------- -----
<S> <C>
/s/ Richard G. Sim Chairman of the Board, President and
___________________________________________ Chief Executive Officer; Director
Richard G. Sim
/s/ Robert C. Arzbaecher Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
___________________________________________ (Principal Financial Officer)
Robert C. Arzbaecher
/s/ Richard D. Carroll Treasurer, Controller and
___________________________________________ Principal Accounting Officer
Richard D. Carroll
/s/ H. Richard Crowther Director
___________________________________________
H. Richard Crowther
/s/ Jack L. Heckel Director
___________________________________________
Jack L. Heckel
/s/ Richard A. Kashnow Director
___________________________________________
Richard A. Kashnow
/s/ L. Dennis Kozlowski Director
___________________________________________
L. Dennis Kozlowski
/s/ John J. McDonough Director
___________________________________________
John J. McDonough
</TABLE>
*Each of the above signatures is affixed as of June 30, 1998.
S-1
<PAGE>
APPLIED POWER INC
("API" OR THE "REGISTRANT")
(COMMISSION FILE NO. 1-11288)
EXHIBIT INDEX
TO
FORM S-4 REGISTRATION STATEMENT
The following exhibits are filed with or incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INCORPORATED HEREIN FILED
EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION BY REFERENCE TO HEREWITH
- ------- ----------- ------------------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated Appendix A to the
as of April 6, 1998, by and among Joint Proxy
Applied Power Inc., ZERO Corporation Statement/ Prospectus
("ZERO") and STB Acquisition contained in this
Corporation Registration
Statement (the "Joint
Proxy Statement/
Prospectus")
3.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation Exhibit 4.1 to the
of API Registrant's
Registration
Statement on Form S-8
(File No. 333-46469)
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of API Exhibit 3.2 to the
(effective as of January 8, 1997) Registrant's Form 10-
K for fiscal year
ended August 31, 1997
4.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation See Exhibits 3.1 and
and Amended and Restated Bylaws 3.2 above
4.2 Agreement for Purchase and Sale, Exhibit 19.2(a)-(g)
dated August 29, 1990, between to the Registrant's
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Form 10-Q for quarter
Company and Applied Power Inc., and ended May 31, 1991
seven related Leases, each dated
April 29, 1991, between Bernard
Garland and Sheldon Garland, d/b/a
Garland Enterprises, as Landlord,
and Applied Power Inc., as Tenant
4.3 Multicurrency Credit Agreement, Exhibit 4.1 to the
dated as of June 18, 1998, among Registrant's Current
Applied Power Inc. and Enerpac B.V., Report on Form 8-K
as Borrowers, various financial dated as of June 5,
institutions from time to time party 1998
thereto, as Lenders, The First
National Bank of Chicago, as
Syndication Agent, Societe Generale,
as Documentation Agent, and Bank of
America National Trust and Savings
Association, as Administrative
Agent, arranged by BancAmerica
Robertson Stephens
</TABLE>
EI-1
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INCORPORATED HEREIN FILED
EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION BY REFERENCE TO HEREWITH
- ------- ----------- ------------------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
4.4 Receivables Purchase Agreement dated Exhibit 4.1 to the
as of November 20, 1997 among Registrant's
Applied Power Credit Corporation as Quarterly Report on
Seller, Applied Power Inc. Form 10-Q
individually and as Servicer and for quarter ended
Barton Capital Corporation as November 30, 1997
Purchaser and Societe Generale as
Agent
5.1 Opinion of Quarles & Brady as to the X
legality of the securities being
registered
8.1 Opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher X
LLP as to the tax consequences of
the transaction
23.1 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, X
API's independent accountants (and
independent accountants for Versa
Technologies, Inc.)
23.2 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, X
ZERO's independent accountants
23.3 Consent of Quarles & Brady Contained in Exhibit
5.1
23.4 Consent of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher Contained in Exhibit
LLP 8.1
23.5 Consent of Credit Suisse First X
Boston Corporation, financial
advisor to API
23.6 Consent of Salomon Smith Barney, X
financial advisor to ZERO
23.7 Consent of Ernst & Young X
24.1 Powers of Attorney On Signatures page
99.1 Form of proxy to be used in X
connection with the Special Meeting
of Stockholders of ZERO
99.2 Form of proxy to be used in X
connection with the Special Meeting
of Shareholders of API
99.3 Opinion of Credit Suisse First Appendix B to the
Boston Corporation Joint Proxy
Statement/
Prospectus
99.4 Opinion of Salomon Smith Barney Appendix C to the
Joint Proxy
Statement/
Prospectus
</TABLE>
EI-2
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 5.1
QUARLES & BRADY
411 EAST WISCONSIN AVENUE
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53202-4497
June 30, 1998
Applied Power Inc.
13000 West Silver Spring Drive
Butler, Wisconsin 53007-1093
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are providing this opinion in connection with the Registration Statement
of Applied Power Inc. ("API") on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") filed
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), with respect to the
proposed issuance of up to 11,174,998 shares of API Class A Common Stock, $.20
par value (the "Shares"), pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated
as of April 6, 1998 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and among API, ZERO
Corporation ("ZERO"), and STB Acquisition Corporation ("Acquisition"), a
wholly owned subsidiary of API, providing for the statutory merger of
Acquisition with and into ZERO (the "Merger").
We have examined: (i) the Registration Statement; (ii) API's Restated
Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended to date;
(iii) the Merger Agreement, which is attached as an appendix to the Joint
Proxy Statement/Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement; (iv)
corporate proceedings of API and Acquisition relating to the Merger Agreement
and the transactions contemplated thereby; and (v) such other documents, and
such matters of law, as we have deemed necessary in order to render this
opinion. Based on the foregoing, it is our opinion that:
1. API is a corporation duly incorporated and validly existing under the
laws of the State of Wisconsin.
2. When (a) the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto
(including post-effective amendments), shall have become effective under
the Act, (b) the Merger Agreement and the issuance of the Shares pursuant
thereto shall have been duly approved by the stockholders of ZERO and the
shareholders of API, respectively, as contemplated therein and in the
Registration Statement, (c) the parties shall have received all necessary
regulatory approvals required to consummate the Merger, (d) the Merger
shall have been duly consummated in accordance with the terms of the Merger
Agreement and the laws of the States of Delaware and Wisconsin, and (e) up
to 11,174,998 Shares have been issued in accordance with the provisions of
the Merger Agreement, such Shares will have been validly issued and will be
fully paid and nonassessable, subject to the personal liability imposed on
shareholders by Section 180.0622(2)(b) of the Wisconsin Business
Corporation Law, as judicially interpreted, for debts owing to employees
for services performed, but not exceeding six months service in any one
case. Although Section 180.0622(2)(b) provides that such personal liability
of shareholders shall be "to an amount equal to the par value of shares
owned by them respectively, and to the consideration for which their shares
without par value was issued," the Wisconsin Supreme Court, by a split
decision without a written opinion, has affirmed a judgment holding
shareholders of a corporation liable under the substantially identical
predecessor statute in effect prior to January 1, 1991 (Section 180.40(6))
for unpaid employee wages to an amount equal to the consideration for which
their par value shares were issued rather than the shares' lower stated par
value. Local 257 of Hotel and Restaurant Employees and Bartenders
International Union v. Wilson Street East Dinner Playhouse, Inc., 126 Wis.
2d 284, 375 N.W.2d 664 (1985) (affirming the 1983 decision of the Circuit
Court for Dane County, Wisconsin, in Case No. 82-CV-0023).
We have not passed upon the actions of the Board of Directors of ZERO to
authorize the consummation of the Merger, and have assumed that all necessary
action has been taken.
<PAGE>
Applied Power Inc.
June 30, 1998
Page 2
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption "Legal Opinions"
in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus constituting a part thereof. In giving
our consent, we do not admit that we are "experts" within the meaning of
Section 11 of the Act, or that we are within the category of persons whose
consent is required by Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of
the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.
Anthony W. Asmuth III, a partner in our firm, is the Corporate Secretary of
API.
Very truly yours,
Quarles & Brady
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 8.1
GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP
333 SOUTH GRAND AVENUE
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90071-3197
(213) 229-7000
June 30, 1998
ZERO Corporation
444 South Flower Street, Suite 2100
Los Angeles, California 90071-2922
Re: Tax Opinion for Registration Statement on Form S-4
Gentlemen:
We are acting as counsel to ZERO Corporation, a Delaware corporation
("ZERO"), in connection with the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the
"Agreement") dated as of April 6, 1998, by and between ZERO, Applied Power
Inc., a Wisconsin corporation ("API"), and STB Acquisition Corporation, a
Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of API ("Acquisition").
Pursuant to the Agreement, Acquisition will merge (the "Merger") with and into
ZERO with ZERO being the surviving corporation. You have requested our opinion
as to the material federal income tax consequences of the Merger to the
stockholders of ZERO. The Agreement is attached as Appendix A to Registration
Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") filed on the date hereof
with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Merger.
This opinion is being rendered pursuant to Section 8.9 of the Agreement.
Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to
them in the Agreement.
In rendering our opinion, we have examined the Agreement and have, with your
permission, relied upon, and assumed as correct now and as of the effective
time of the Merger, (i) the factual information contained in the Registration
Statement, (ii) the representations and covenants contained in the Agreement,
(iii) certain factual representations made by ZERO and API, and (iv) such
other materials as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for our
opinion.
On the basis of the information, representations and covenants contained in
the foregoing materials and assuming the Merger is consummated in the manner
described in the Agreement and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus included
in the Registration Statement, we are of the opinion that:
(i) The Merger will be treated for federal income tax purposes as a
"reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
(ii) ZERO, Acquisition, and API will each be a party to the
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code.
(iii) The discussion in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the
caption "The Merger and the Merger Agreement--Certain Federal Income Tax
Consequences," to the extent it constitutes summaries of legal matters or
legal conclusions, is accurate in all material respects.
This opinion expresses our views only as to federal income tax laws in
effect as of the date hereof, including the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, applicable Treasury Regulations, published rulings and administrative
practices of the Internal Revenue Service (the "Service") and court decisions.
This opinion represents our best legal judgment as to the matters addressed
herein, but is not binding on the Service or the courts. Furthermore, the
legal authorities upon which we rely are subject to change either
prospectively or retroactively. Any change in such authorities or any change
in the facts or representations, or any past or future actions by ZERO,
Acquisition, or API contrary to such representations might adversely affect
the conclusions stated herein.
<PAGE>
ZERO Corporation
June 30, 1998
Page 2
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and further consent to the use of our name under the
caption "The Merger and the Merger Agreement--Certain Federal Income Tax
Consequences" in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus included in the
Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.1
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement
of Applied Power Inc. on Form S-4 of our report dated September 25, 1997
(October 16, 1997 as to Note O), appearing in Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A
to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Applied Power Inc. for the year ended
August 31, 1997, and our report dated May 9, 1997, relating to Versa
Technologies, Inc., appearing in the Current Report on Form 8-K of Applied
Power Inc. dated October 3, 1997. We also consent to the reference to us under
the heading "Experts" in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus which is part of
this Registration Statement.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
June 30, 1998
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.2
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement
of Applied Power Inc. on Form S-4 of our report dated May 11, 1998, appearing
in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of ZERO Corporation for the year ended March
31, 1998, and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the Joint
Proxy Statement/Prospectus which is part of this Registration Statement.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Los Angeles, California
June 30, 1998
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.5
[CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON LETTERHEAD]
CONSENT
OF
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
We hereby consent to (i) the inclusion of our opinion letter to the Board of
Directors of Applied Power Inc. ("API") as Appendix B to the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement on Form
S-4 relating to the proposed merger of STB Acquisition Corporation, a wholly
owned subsidiary of API, with and into ZERO Corporation, and (ii) references
to our firm and such opinion in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the
captions "Summary--The Merger and the Merger Agreement"; and "The Merger and
the Merger Agreement--Background of the Merger," "--API's Reasons for the
Merger; Recommendation of the API Board"; and "--Opinion of API's Financial
Advisor." In giving such consent, we do not admit that we come within the
category of persons whose consent is required under, nor do we admit that we
are "experts" for purposes of, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
Dated: June 30, 1998.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.6
[SALOMON SMITH BARNEY LETTERHEAD]
CONSENT OF SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
We hereby consent to (i) the use of our opinion letter, dated April 6, 1998,
to the Board of Directors of ZERO Corporation included as Appendix C to the
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus which forms a part of the Registration
Statement on Form S-4 relating to the proposed merger of STB Acquisition
Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Applied Power Inc., with and into
ZERO Corporation and (ii) references to our Firm and such opinion in such Joint
Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
By giving such consent we do not thereby admit that we are experts with
respect to any part of such Registration Statement within the meaning of the
term "expert" as used in, or that we come within the category of persons whose
consent is required under, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules
and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated
thereunder.
Salomon Smith Barney
June 30, 1998
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.7
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Joint Proxy Statement of Applied Power Inc. and ZERO Corporation that is made
a part of the Registration Statement (Form S-4) and Prospectus of Applied
Power Inc. and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated
March 23, 1998, on the consolidated financial statements of VERO Group plc as
at December 31, 1997, and for the year then ended included in the Amended
Report (Form 8-K/A) of Applied Power Inc. dated June 30, 1998, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Ernst & Young
Chartered Accountants
Southampton, England
June 30, 1998
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99.1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
s FOLD AND DETACH HERE s
PROXY
ZERO CORPORATION
SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS ON JULY 31, 1998
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Special Meeting
of Stockholders and the accompanying Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus for the
Special Meeting and, revoking all prior proxies, hereby appoints Wilford D.
Godbold, Jr. and Howard W. Hill, or either one of them, with full power of
substitution, as Proxies to vote all shares of Common Stock which the
undersigned is entitled to vote at the Special Meeting of Stockholders to be
held at the Los Angeles Marriott Downtown, Concourse 3, 333 South Figueroa
Street, Los Angeles, California, on Friday, July 31, 1998, at 9:00 a.m., local
time, or any adjournment or postponement thereof, upon the matters set forth
on the reverse side hereof.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED ON THE REVERSE
SIDE, OR IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED, WILL BE VOTED FOR ITEM 1.
IMPORTANT--THIS PROXY MUST BE SIGNED AND DATED ON THE REVERSE SIDE
(CONTINUED ON REVERSE SIDE)
<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
s FOLD AND DETACH HERE s
Please mark
your votes as
indicated in
this example
X
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" ITEM 1.
FOR
AGAINST
ABSTAIN
1. Approval and adoption of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
April 6, 1998, by and among Applied Power Inc., ZERO Corporation and STB
Acquisition Corporation, and the transactions contemplated thereby.
2. In the discretion of the Proxies, upon such other business as may properly
come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
- --
Signature(s) ____________________________ Date ______________________________
NOTE: This proxy should be dated, signed by the stockholder(s) as the name(s)
appear(s) hereon, and returned promptly in the enclosed envelope. Persons
signing in a fiduciary or corporate capacity should so indicate.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99.2
APPLIED POWER INC.
SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS ON JULY 31, 1998
PROXY
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RICHARD G. SIM AND ROBERT C. ARZBAECHER, and each of them, are hereby
authorized as Proxies, with full power of substitution, to represent and vote
all shares of Class A Common Stock which the undersigned is entitled to vote
at the Special Meeting of Shareholders of Applied Power Inc., a Wisconsin
corporation, to be held at the offices of the corporation located at 13000
West Silver Spring Drive, Butler, Wisconsin, on Friday, July 31, 1998, at
11:00 a.m., local time, or any adjournment or postponement thereof, with like
effect as if the undersigned were personally present and voting, upon the
matters indicated on the reverse side of this card, hereby revoking any proxy
previously given.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER SPECIFIED
HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THIS PROXY
WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSAL 1.
IMPORTANT--THIS PROXY MUST BE SIGNED AND DATED ON THE REVERSE SIDE
(continued on reverse side)
...............................................................................
(continued from reverse side)
APPLIED POWER INC. SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL 1.
1. Approval of the issuance of shares of Applied Power Inc. Class A Common
Stock pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
April 6, 1998, by and among Applied Power Inc., ZERO Corporation and STB
Acquisition Corporation (the "Merger Agreement"), to effect the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement:
[_] FOR[_] AGAINST[_] ABSTAIN
2. In the discretion of the Proxies, upon such other business as may
properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof;
all as set out in the Notice and Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus relating
to the Meeting, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged
Check appropriate box Date _____________ NO. OF SHARES
Indicate changes below:
Address Change? [_] Name Change [_]
SIGNATURE(S) IN BOX
PLEASE SIGN PERSONALLY AS NAME APPEARS
AT LEFT. When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, personal
representative, trustee or guardian,
give full title as such. If signer is a
corporation, sign full corporate name by
duly authorized officer. If stock is
held in the name of two or more persons,
all should sign.
