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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): November 21, 1999
E'TOWN CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
NEW JERSEY 1-11023 22-2596330
(State of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) IRS Employer
Identification
Number)
600 South Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (908) 654-1234
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.
On November 21, 1999, E'town Corporation, a New Jersey corporation (the
"Company"), Thames Water Plc, a public limited company organized under the laws
of England and Wales ("Thames") and Edward Acquisition Corp., a New Jersey
corporation which is indirectly wholly owned by Thames ("Merger Sub"), entered
into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of November 21, 1999 (the "Merger
Agreement"), providing for a merger transaction between the Company, Thames and
Merger Sub. The Merger Agreement and the press release issued in connection
therewith are filed herewith as Exhibits 2.1 and 99A, respectively, and are
incorporated herein by reference. The description of the Merger Agreement set
forth herein does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by
the provisions of the Merger Agreement.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into
the Company (the "Merger"). The Company will be the surviving entity (the
"Surviving Corporation"). The Merger, which was unanimously approved by the
Board of Directors of the Company, is expected to occur shortly after all of the
conditions to the consummation of the Merger, including the receipt of certain
regulatory approvals, are met. The Company anticipates that the Merger can be
consummated before the fourth quarter of 2000.
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, (i) each outstanding share of
common stock of Merger Sub will be converted into one share of common stock of
the Surviving Corporation, and (ii) each outstanding share of common stock of
the Company (the "Company Common Stock") other than shares owned by the Company
as treasury shares, or by Thames, will be converted into the right to receive
$68.00 in cash.
The Merger is subject to certain customary closing conditions,
including the receipt of the required approval by a majority of the votes
entitled to be cast by all holders of Company Common Stock, the consent or
approval of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, and the filing of the
requisite notification with the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of
Justice under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
amended, and the expiration of the applicable waiting period thereunder. A
meeting of the Company's shareholders to vote upon the Merger will be convened
as soon as practicable.
The Merger Agreement contains certain covenants of the parties pending
the consummation of the Merger. Generally, the Company and its subsidiaries
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must carry on their respective businesses in the ordinary course in
substantially the same manner as before, preserve intact their business
organizations and goodwill, keep available the services of their workforces as a
group and maintain their properties and assets in as good repair and condition
as at present, maintain supplies and inventories in quantities consistent with
past practice and maintain their rights and franchises except for those which,
if allowed to terminate or expire, would not reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on the Company. There are restrictions on the
declaration of dividends by the Company and its subsidiaries, although the
Company is permitted to declare and pay its regular quarterly dividends and, if
the closing of the Merger (the "Closing") has not occurred by September 30,
2000, the Company may increase the annual rate of such dividends by not more
than 3%. If the Merger does not become effective between a record date and
payment date of a regular quarterly dividend, the Company may declare and pay a
special dividend, at the then current quarterly rate, for the period between
such payment date and the date the Merger becomes effective. The Merger
Agreement also contains restrictions on issuing and repurchasing equity
securities, amending the articles of organization of the Company or its
subsidiaries, acquisitions, capital expenditures, dispositions, incurrence of
indebtedness, making of investments, modification of employee compensation and
benefits, changes in accounting methods, entering into, terminating, renewing or
modifying material contracts and waiving and releasing or assigning material
rights and claims of the Company and its subsidiaries against third parties. The
Company also agreed not to permit Elizabethtown Water Company, the Company's
principal operating subsidiary, ("Elizabethtown") to file for an increase in
base rates prior to August 21, 2000 without the consent of Thames.
The Merger Agreement prevents the Company and its subsidiaries and
representatives from initiating, soliciting or encouraging, directly or
indirectly, any inquiry or proposal or offer, or engaging in discussions or
negotiations with, or providing confidential information to, any third party
relating to a business combination proposal, and requires the Company to
terminate immediately any existing discussions or negotiations and notify Thames
(identifying the third party and the material terms of its proposal) of any such
inquiries relating to a business combination proposal. The Company may, however,
prior to the Company shareholders' approval of the Merger, engage in discussions
or negotiations with, and provide information to, a third party who, without
solicitation on the part of the Company or its subsidiaries, seeks to initiate
discussions or negotiations, but only to the extent that (i) the third party has
made an Alternative Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement) that in the
good faith judgment of the Company's Board of Directors,
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based on advice of its financial advisors, is reasonably likely to be more
favorable to the Company's shareholders than the Merger, and has demonstrated
that it will have adequate sources of financing and (ii) the Company Board of
Directors concludes in good faith, based upon such matters it deems relevant and
the advice of outside counsel, that such actions are necessary for the Board to
act in a manner consistent with its fiduciary duties to shareholders under
applicable law. Prior to furnishing such information to, or entering into such
discussions or negotiations with, such third party, the Company must promptly
notify Thames in writing of such intention to furnish information or enter
discussions or negotiations (identifying the third party and the material terms
of its proposal) and enter into a confidentiality agreement with such third
party. The Company may also, prior to the Company shareholders' approval,
terminate the Merger Agreement to accept an Alternative Proposal (in which case,
the termination fee described below would be payable). However, before so
terminating, (i) the Company's Board must determine that, based on the advice of
outside counsel, it is necessary, in order to act consistently with its
fiduciary duties to the Company's shareholders, to terminate the Merger
Agreement in order to enter into an agreement with respect to a Superior
Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement), (ii) the Company shall have
notified Thames that it has received a Superior Proposal (identifying the third
party and the material terms of its proposal) and that the Company intends to
terminate the Merger Agreement, and (iii) either (A) Thames shall not have
revised its proposal for the Merger within 10 days of being so notified or (B)
if it has made a firm revised proposal for the Merger, the Company's Board,
after receiving advice from the Company's financial advisor, shall have
determined in its good faith judgment that notwithstanding a binding commitment
to consummate the Merger Agreement and notwithstanding all concessions that may
be offered by Thames's revised proposal, the third party's Alternative Proposal
is superior to Thames's revised proposal for the Merger.
The Merger Agreement may be terminated under certain circumstances,
including: (i) by mutual written agreement of the boards of the Company and
Thames; (ii) by either the Company or Thames if the Merger has not been effected
on or before a date which is nine months from the date of the Merger Agreement
(the "Initial Termination Date"), provided that if all conditions to closing are
satisfied except for the receipt of governmental approvals, the Initial
Termination Date will be extended to a date which is twelve months from the date
of the Merger Agreement (the "Extended Termination Date") or until all waiting
periods applicable to such governmental approvals have expired; (iii) by either
the Company or Thames if the Company shareholders' approval has not been
obtained at a Company Special Meeting, or any adjournments thereof; and (iv)
by either the Company or Thames if any law, order, rule or regulation
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is adopted which effectively prohibits the Merger or any final order or
injunction of a court permanently prohibits the Merger. In addition, the Company
may terminate the Merger Agreement: (i) under certain circumstances, in order to
accept an Alternative Proposal (subject to the limitations and procedures
described above and to payment of the termination fee described below); or (ii)
if there has been a material breach of certain of Thames's representations and
warranties or a material breach by Thames of its agreements or covenants under
the Merger Agreement and such breach or failure has not been cured. Thames may
terminate the Merger Agreement if: (i) the Board of the Company withdraws or
modifies its approval or recommendation of the Merger Agreement in any manner
adverse to Thames; (ii) the Board of the Company approves or recommends an
Alternative Proposal; or (iii) there has been a material breach of the Company's
representations and warranties or a material breach of its agreements or
covenants under the Merger Agreement and such breach or failure has not been
cured.
If the Merger Agreement is terminated on account of the material breach
by a party of its representations, warranties, agreements or covenants, the
breaching party will pay up to $5 million to the other party for reimbursement
of documented fees and expenses. The Company will pay Thames a termination fee
of $16.5 million plus up to $5 million for reimbursement of documented
out-of-pocket expenses: (i) if the Company terminates the Merger Agreement
because the Company's Board determines that it is necessary in order to act
consistently with its fiduciary duties to terminate the Merger Agreement in
order to enter into an agreement with respect to a Superior Proposal, as
described above; (ii) if, at a time when an Alternative Proposal is pending, the
Merger Agreement is terminated (A) by Thames because the Company shareholders'
approval was not obtained, (B) by Thames on account of the Company Board of
Directors withdrawing or modifying its approval or recommendation of the Merger
Agreement or approving or recommending an Alternative Proposal, or (C) by the
Company on account of the Closing not having occurred by the Initial or (if
applicable) the Extended Termination Date, provided, that in the case of
(ii)(A), (B) and (C), the Company enters into a definitive agreement with the
party making such Alternative Proposal within one year of such termination.
Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, the Company's
President, Andrew M. Chapman, entered into an employment agreement with the
Company, to be effective as of the date of Closing, pursuant to which Mr.
Chapman agreed to serve as the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer
for an initial period of three years, subject to the terms and conditions
provided in the agreement.
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ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS
The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 21, 1999, among
E'town Corporation, Thames Water Plc and Edward Acquisition Corp.
99A Press Release dated November 22, 1999.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: November 24, 1999
E'TOWN CORPORATION
By: /s/ Gail P. Brady
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Gail P. Brady
Treasurer
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EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
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2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 21, 1999, among
E'town Corporation, Thames Water Plc and Edward Acquisition Corp.*
99A Press Release dated November 22, 1999.
* Disclosure schedules to the Agreement and Plan of Merger are omitted, but will
be furnished supplementally to the Commission upon request.
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EXHIBIT 2.1
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
AMONG
E'TOWN CORPORATION
THAMES WATER Plc
AND
EDWARD ACQUISITION CORP.
dated as of November 21, 1999
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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of November 21, 1999 (this
"Agreement"), among E'town Corporation, a New Jersey corporation (the
"Company"), Thames Water Plc, a public limited company organized under the laws
of England and Wales ("Parent") and Edward Acquisition Corp., a New Jersey
corporation which is indirectly wholly-owned by Parent ("Merger Sub").
WHEREAS, the Company and Parent have determined to engage in a business
combination transaction on the terms stated herein; and
WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of the Company and Parent have
approved and deemed it advisable and in the best interests of their respective
shareholders to consummate the transactions contemplated herein under which the
businesses of the Company and Parent would be combined by means of the merger of
Merger Sub with and into the Company;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, the
parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
THE MERGER
Section 1.01 THE MERGER. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of
this Agreement, at the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.03), Merger Sub
shall be merged with and into the Company (the "Merger") in accordance with the
laws of the State of New Jersey. The Company shall be the surviving corporation
in the Merger and shall continue its corporate existence under the laws of the
State of New Jersey. The effects and the consequences of the Merger shall be as
set forth in Section 1.02. Throughout this Agreement, the term "Merger Sub"
shall refer to Merger Sub prior to the Merger and the term "Surviving
Corporation" shall refer to the Company in its capacity as the surviving
corporation in the Merger.
Section 1.02 EFFECTS OF THE MERGER. At the Effective Time, (i) the
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company, as in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the certificate of
incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended as provided
by law and such certificate of incorporation, and (ii) the by-laws of the
Company, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the
by-laws of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended as provided by
law, the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation and such
by-laws. Subject to the foregoing, the additional effects of the Merger shall be
as provided in Section 14A:10-6 of the New Jersey Business Corporation Act (the
"NJBCA").
Section 1.03 EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER. On the Closing Date (as defined
in Section 3.01), a certificate of merger complying with Section 14A:10-4.1 of
the NJBCA (the "Certificate of Merger") shall be delivered to the Secretary of
the State of New Jersey for filing. The Merger shall become effective upon the
filing of the Certificate of Merger,
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or at such later date and time as may be set forth in the Certificate of Merger
(the "Effective Time").
Section 1.04 DIRECTORS. (a) The directors of the Merger Sub immediately
prior to the Effective Time, plus Andrew M. Chapman and Edward A. Clerico, shall
be the directors of the Surviving Corporation, each of such directors to hold
office, subject to the applicable provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation
and by-laws of the Surviving Corporation, until the next annual shareholders'
meeting of the Surviving Corporation and until their respective successor shall
be duly elected or appointed and qualified.
(b) Parent shall take all necessary action to cause Andrew M. Chapman
to be elected as a director, as of the Effective Time, of Thames Water North
America Inc. or such other subsidiary of Parent as shall act as the holding
company for Parent's businesses in North America.
(c) Parent shall take all necessary action to cause Anne Evans
Estabrook to be elected as a member, as of the Effective Time, of Thames Water
International Services Ltd.'s International Supervisory Board.
Section 1.05 OFFICERS. The officers of the Company immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be the initial officers of, and shall hold the same
positions with, the Surviving Corporation and shall hold office from the
Effective Time until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed
and qualified in the manner provided in the certificate of incorporation and
by-laws of the Surviving Corporation, or as otherwise provided by the NJBCA.
Section 1.06 HEADQUARTERS OF THE COMPANY. Parent agrees to maintain an
operational headquarters of the Surviving Corporation in the State of New
Jersey.
ARTICLE II
TREATMENT OF SHARES
Section 2.01 EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON CAPITAL STOCK. At the Effective Time,
by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any holder of any
capital stock of the Company or Parent:
(a) Shares of Merger Sub Stock. Each share of common stock, no par
value, of Merger Sub (the "Merger Sub Common Stock") that is issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into one
fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock, without par value, of the
Surviving Corporation.
(b) Cancellation of Certain Company Common Stock. Each share of common
stock, no par value, of the Company (the "Company Common Stock") that is owned
by the Company as treasury stock and all shares of Company Common Stock that are
owned by Parent (if any) shall be canceled and shall cease to exist, and no cash
or other consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor.
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(c) Conversion of Company Common Stock. Each share of Company Common
Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than
shares to be canceled in accordance with Section 2.01(b)) shall be canceled and
converted in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.01 into the right
to receive cash in U.S. dollars in the amount of $68.00 (the "Merger
Consideration"), payable, without interest, to the holder of such share of
Company Common Stock, upon surrender, in the manner provided in Section 2.02
hereof, of the certificate formerly evidencing such share.
Section 2.02 SURRENDER OF SHARES. (a) Deposit with Paying Agent. Prior
to the Effective Time, Parent or Merger Sub shall designate a bank or trust
company reasonably acceptable to the Company to act as agent (the "Paying
Agent") for the benefit of the holders of Company Common Stock to receive the
funds to which holders of Company Common Stock shall become entitled pursuant to
Section 2.01(c) (the "Exchange Fund"). From time to time at, immediately prior
to or after the Effective Time, Parent shall make or cause to be made available
to the Paying Agent immediately available funds in amounts and at the times
necessary for the payment of the Merger Consideration upon surrender of
Certificates (as defined in Section 2.02(b)) in accordance with Section 2.02(b),
it being understood that any and all interest or other income earned on funds
made available to the Paying Agent pursuant to this Section 2.02(a) shall belong
to and shall be paid (at the time provided for in Section 2.02(e)) as directed
by Parent or Merger Sub. Any such funds deposited with the Paying Agent by
Parent shall be invested by the Paying Agent as directed by Parent or Merger
Sub.
(b) Exchange Procedure. As soon as practicable after the Effective
Time, the Paying Agent shall mail to each holder of record of a certificate or
certificates (the "Certificates") which immediately prior to the Effective Time
represented outstanding Company Common Stock (the "Canceled Shares") that were
canceled and became instead the right to receive the Merger Consideration
pursuant to Section 2.01(c): (i) a letter of transmittal in such form as Parent
and the Company may reasonably agree (which shall specify that delivery shall be
effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon
actual delivery of the Certificates to the Paying Agent) and (ii) instructions
for effecting the surrender of the Certificates in exchange for the Merger
Consideration. Upon surrender of a Certificate or Certificates to the Paying
Agent for cancellation (or to such other agent or agents as may be appointed by
Parent and are reasonably acceptable to the Company), together with a duly
executed letter of transmittal and such other documents as the Paying Agent
shall require, the holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive the
Merger Consideration in exchange for each share of Company Common Stock formerly
evidenced by such Certificate which such holder has the right to receive
pursuant to Section 2.01(c). In the event of a transfer of ownership of Canceled
Shares which is not registered in the transfer records of the Company, the
Merger Consideration in respect of such Canceled Shares may be given to the
transferee thereof if the Certificate or Certificates representing such Canceled
Shares is presented to the Paying Agent, accompanied by all documents required
to evidence and effect such transfer and by evidence satisfactory to the Paying
Agent that any applicable stock transfer taxes have been paid. At any time after
the Effective Time, each Certificate shall be deemed to represent only the right
to receive the Merger Consideration subject to and upon the surrender of such
Certificate as contemplated by this Section 2.02. No interest shall be paid or
will accrue on the Merger Consideration payable to holders of Certificates
pursuant to Section 2.01(c).
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(c) No Further Ownership Rights in Company Common Stock. The Merger
Consideration paid upon the surrender of Certificates in accordance with the
terms of Section 2.01(c) shall be deemed to have been paid at the Effective Time
in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the shares of Company Common
Stock represented thereby. From and after the Effective Time, the share transfer
books of the Company shall be closed and there shall be no further registration
of transfers thereon of the shares of Company Common Stock which were
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective
Time, Certificates are presented to Parent for any reason, they shall be
canceled and exchanged as provided in this Section 2.02.
(d) Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In the event any owner of
any Certificate shall claim that such Certificate shall have been lost, stolen
or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the owner of such
Certificate and delivery of that affidavit to the Paying Agent and, if required
by Parent, the posting by such person of a bond in customary amount as indemnity
against any claim that may be made against Parent, the Company or the Surviving
Corporation with respect to such Certificate, the Paying Agent will issue in
exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the Merger Consideration
payable upon due surrender of, and deliverable pursuant to this Section 2.02 in
respect of, the shares of Company Common Stock to which such Certificate
relates.
(e) Termination of Exchange Fund. Any portion of the Exchange Fund
which remains undistributed to the shareholders of the Company for one year
after the Effective Time shall be delivered to the Surviving Corporation upon
demand, and any shareholders of the Company who have not theretofore complied
with this Article II shall thereafter look only to the Surviving Corporation
(subject to abandoned property, escheat and other similar laws) as general
creditors for payment of their claim for the Merger Consideration payable upon
due surrender of the Certificates held by them. Neither Parent nor the Surviving
Corporation shall be liable to any former holder of shares of Company Common
Stock for the Merger Consideration delivered to a public official pursuant to
any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.
Section 2.03 WITHHOLDING RIGHTS. Each of the Surviving Corporation and
Parent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise
payable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of Company Common Stock, such
amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of
such payment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),
or any provision of state, local or foreign tax law, including the tax laws of
the United Kingdom; provided, however, that if such withholding may be
eliminated or reduced through the delivery of any certificate or other
documentation, each of the Surviving Corporation and the Parent shall provide
each holder of Company Common Stock with a reasonable opportunity to deliver
such certificate or other documentation. To the extent that amounts are so
withheld by the Surviving Corporation or Parent, as the case may be, such
withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having
been paid to the holder of Company Common Stock in respect of which such
deduction and withholding was made by the Surviving Corporation or Parent, as
the case may be.
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ARTICLE III
THE CLOSING
Section 3.01 CLOSING. The closing of the Merger (the "Closing") shall take
place at the offices of Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts, New York, New York,
at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second business day immediately
following the date on which the last of the conditions set forth in Article VIII
hereof is fulfilled or waived (other than conditions that by their nature are
required to be performed on the Closing Date, but subject to satisfaction of
such conditions), or at such other time and date and place as the Company and
Parent shall mutually agree (the "Closing Date").
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Sub as
follows:
Section 4.01 ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION. Except as set forth in
Section 4.01 of the Company Disclosure Schedule (as defined in Section 7.05),
the Company and each of its subsidiaries (as defined below) is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, has all requisite corporate power
and authority, and has been duly authorized by all necessary approvals and
orders, to own, lease and operate its assets and properties to the extent owned,
leased and operated and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted
and is duly qualified and in good standing to do business in each jurisdiction
in which the nature of its business or the ownership or leasing of its assets
and properties makes such qualification necessary, other than in such
jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would
not, when taken together with all other such failures, reasonably be expected to
have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, financial condition
or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or
on the ability of the Company to consummate this Agreement (any such material
adverse effect being hereafter referred to as a "Company Material Adverse
Effect"). As used in this Agreement, the term "subsidiary" of a person shall
mean any corporation or other entity (including partnerships and other business
associations) of which a majority of the outstanding capital stock or other
voting securities having voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect
directors or similar members of the governing body of such corporation or entity
shall at the time be held, directly or indirectly, by such person.
Section 4.02 SUBSIDIARIES. Section 4.02 of the Company Disclosure Schedule
sets forth a description as of the date hereof, of all material subsidiaries of
the Company, including the name of each such entity, the state or jurisdiction
of its incorporation or organization, the Company's interest therein and a brief
description of the principal line or lines of business conducted by each such
entity. Except as set forth in Section 4.02 of the Company Disclosure Schedule,
all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock owned by the Company
of each Company subsidiary are validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and
free of preemptive rights, and are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company
free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances, security interests, equities,
charges and options of any nature
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whatsoever, and there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, calls,
contracts, voting trusts, proxies, rights or warrants, including any right of
conversion or exchange under any outstanding security, instrument or other
agreement, obligating any such subsidiary to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to
be issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of its capital stock or
obligating it to grant, extend or enter into any such agreement or commitment.
Section 4.03 CAPITALIZATION. The authorized capital stock of the Company
consists of 15,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock. As of the close of
business on November 17, 1999, there were issued and outstanding 8,685,984
shares of Company Common Stock. All of the issued and outstanding shares of the
capital stock of the Company are validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and
free of preemptive rights. Except as set forth in Section 4.03 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, as of the date hereof, there are no outstanding bonds,
debentures, notes or other indebtedness of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries having the right to vote on matters on which shareholders of the
Company generally may vote. Except as set forth in Section 4.03 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, there are no securities, options, warrants, calls, rights,
commitments, agreements, arrangements or undertaking of any kind to which the
Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party, or by which any of them is bound,
obligating the Company or any of its subsidiaries to issue, deliver or sell, or
cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of capital stock or
other voting securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or voting
securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or obligating the Company
or any of its subsidiaries to issue, grant, extend or enter into any such
security, option, warrant, call, right, commitment, agreement, arrangement or
undertaking. Except as set forth in Section 4.03 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, as of the date of this Agreement, there are no outstanding obligations
of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise
acquire any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
to provide funds to, or make any investment in any other person, other than a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
Section 4.04 AUTHORITY; NON-CONTRAVENTION; STATUTORY APPROVALS; COMPLIANCE.
(a) Authority. The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to
enter into this Agreement and, subject to obtaining the Company Shareholders'
Approval (as defined in Section 4.13) and the Company Required Statutory
Approvals (as defined in Section 4.04(c)), to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby have been
duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and
no other corporate or shareholder proceedings on the part of the Company are
necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the Merger other than the
obtaining of the Company Shareholders' Approval. This Agreement has been duly
and validly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due
authorization, execution and delivery by the other signatories hereto,
constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against
it in accordance with its terms.
(b) Non-Contravention. Except as set forth in Section 4.04(b) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the
Company do not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
will not, violate, conflict with, or result in a breach of any provision of, or
constitute a default (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) under, or
result in a right of termination, cancellation, or acceleration of any
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obligation under, or result in the creation of any lien, security interest,
charge or encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any
of its subsidiaries (any such violation, conflict, breach, default, right of
termination, cancellation or acceleration, loss or creation, a "Violation" with
respect to the Company (such term when used in Article V having a correlative
meaning with respect to Parent)) pursuant to any provisions of (i) the
certificate of incorporation, by-laws or similar governing documents of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) subject to obtaining the Company
Required Statutory Approvals and the receipt of the Company Shareholders'
Approval, any statute, law, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment, decree,
order, injunction, writ, permit or license of any Governmental Authority (as
defined in Section 4.04(c)) applicable to the Company, any of its subsidiaries
or any of their respective properties or assets or (iii) subject to obtaining
the third-party consents or other approvals set forth in Section 4.04(b) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule (the "Company Required Consents") any note, bond,
mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, franchise, permit, concession,
contract, lease or other instrument, obligation or agreement of any kind to
which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of
its properties or assets may be bound or affected, excluding from the foregoing
clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) such Violations as would not reasonably be expected
to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Statutory Approvals. Except as described in Section 4.04(c) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, no declaration, filing or registration with, or
notice to or authorization, consent or approval of, any court, federal, state,
local or foreign governmental or regulatory body (including a public utility
commission, a stock exchange or other self-regulatory body) or authority (each,
a "Governmental Authority") is necessary for the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by the Company or the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated hereby, where the failure to obtain, make or give such declaration,
filing, registration, notice, authorization, consent or approval would
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company
Material Adverse Effect (the "Company Required Statutory Approvals").
(d) Compliance. Except as set forth in Section 4.04(d) or Section 4.11
of the Company Disclosure Schedule, or as disclosed in the Company SEC Reports
(as defined in Section 4.05) filed prior to the date hereof, neither the Company
nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of, or has been given notice of any
purported violation of, any law, statute, order, rule, regulation (collectively,
the "Laws") or judgment, order or decree (collectively, the "Orders") or Permits
(as defined below) (including, without limitation, any applicable Environmental
Law, as defined in Section 4.11(g)(ii)) of any Governmental Authority except for
violations that, individually or in the aggregate, are not reasonably expected
to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in Section
4.04(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedule or in Section 4.11 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, the Company and its subsidiaries have all permits,
licenses, franchises and other governmental authorizations, consents and
approvals necessary to conduct their respective businesses as currently
conducted in all respects (collectively, the "Permits"), except those which the
failure to obtain would, individually or in the aggregate, not reasonably be
expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in
Section 4.04(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company and each of its
subsidiaries are not in breach or violation of or in default in the performance
or observance of any term or provision of, and no event has occurred which, with
lapse of time or action by a third
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party, could result in a default under, (i) its certificate of incorporation or
by-laws or (ii) any material contract, commitment, agreement, indenture,
mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease, bond, license, approval or other
instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its
property is subject, except for breaches, violations or defaults that,
individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a
Company Material Adverse Effect.
(e) Non-Competition. Except as set forth in Section 4.04(e) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, there is no "non-competition" or other similar
contract or agreement that restricts the ability of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries to conduct business in any geographic area or that would reasonably
be likely to restrict the Surviving Corporation or any of its subsidiaries to
conduct business in any geographic area.
Section 4.05 REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The filings required to
be made by the Company and its subsidiaries since January 1, 1998 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and applicable state
public utility laws and regulations have been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") or the appropriate state public utilities
commission, as the case may be, including all forms, statements, reports,
exhibits and amendments appertaining thereto, and complied, as of their
respective dates, in all material respects with all applicable requirements of
the appropriate statute and the rules and regulations thereunder. The Company
has made available to Parent a true and complete copy of each report, schedule,
registration statement and definitive proxy statement filed by the Company with
the SEC since January 1, 1998 (as such documents have since the time of their
filing been amended, the "Company SEC Reports"). As of their respective dates
(or, if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of this Agreement or
the Closing Date, then on the date of such filing), the Company SEC Reports did
not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading. The audited consolidated financial
statements and unaudited interim financial statements (including the related
notes) of the Company included in the Company SEC Reports (collectively, the
"Company Financial Statements") have been prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis ("GAAP") (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 Company as of the dates thereof and
the consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the periods then
ended. True and complete copies of the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended,
and by-laws of the Company, as in effect on the date hereof, have been made
available to Parent.
Section 4.06 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS. Except as disclosed in
the Company SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof or as set forth in
Section 4.06 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, since December 31, 1998, the
Company and each of its subsidiaries have conducted their business only in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, and there has not
been, and no fact or condition exists which has or could reasonably be expected
to have, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
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Section 4.07 LITIGATION. Except as disclosed in the Company SEC Reports
filed prior to the date hereof or as set forth in Section 4.07, Section 4.09 or
Section 4.11 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, (i) there are no claims, suits,
actions or proceedings, pending or threatened, nor are there any investigations
or reviews pending or threatened against, relating to or affecting the Company
or any of its subsidiaries, and (ii) there are no judgments, decrees,
injunctions, rules or orders of any court, governmental department, commission,
agency, instrumentality or authority or any arbitrator applicable to the Company
or any of its subsidiaries, except for any of the foregoing under clauses (i)
and (ii) that individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected
to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.08 INFORMATION SUPPLIED. The proxy statement relating to the
Company Special Meeting (as defined in Section 7.03), as amended or supplemented
from time to time (as so amended and supplemented, the "Proxy Statement"), and
any other documents to be filed by the Company with the SEC in connection with
the Merger and other transactions contemplated hereby will comply as to form in
all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and will not, on
the date of their respective filings or, in the case of the Proxy Statement, at
the date it is mailed to shareholders of the Company, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they are made, not misleading, except that no representation or warranty is made
by the Company with respect to information supplied in writing by or on behalf
of Parent or Merger Sub expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference
therein.
Section 4.09 TAX MATTERS. "Taxes," as used in this Agreement, means any
federal, state, county, local or foreign taxes, charges, fees, levies or other
assessments, including, without limitation, all net income, gross income,
alternative minimum, sales and use, ad valorem, transfer, gains, profits,
excise, franchise, real and personal property, environmental (including taxes
under Section 59A of the Code), gross receipts, capital stock, production,
business and occupation, disability, employment, payroll, social security,
unemployment, license, estimated, stamp, custom duties, severance or withholding
taxes or charges imposed by any governmental entity, and includes any interest
and penalties (civil or criminal) on or additions to any such taxes. "Tax
Return," as used in this Agreement, means a report, return or other written
information required to be supplied to a governmental taxing authority with
respect to Taxes.
Except as disclosed in Section 4.09 of the Company Disclosure Schedule:
(a) Filing of Timely Tax Returns. The Company and each of its
subsidiaries have duly filed (or there has been filed on its behalf) within the
time prescribed by law all material Tax Returns required to be filed by each of
them under applicable law. All such Tax Returns were and are in all material
respects true, complete and correct.
(b) Payment of Taxes. The Company and each of its subsidiaries have,
within the time and in the manner prescribed by law, paid all material Taxes
that are currently due and payable except for those being contested in good
faith in appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been
taken.
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(c) Tax Reserves. The Company and its subsidiaries have established on
their books and records adequate reserves for all Taxes and for any liability
for deferred income taxes in accordance with GAAP.
(d) Extensions of Time for Filing Tax Returns. Neither the Company nor
any of its subsidiaries has requested any extension of time within which to file
any material Tax Return, which Tax Return has not since been filed.
(e) Waivers of Statute of Limitations. Neither the Company nor any of
its subsidiaries has in effect any extension, outstanding waivers or comparable
consents regarding the application of the statute of limitations with respect to
any material Taxes or material Tax Returns.
(f) Expiration of Statute of Limitations. The Tax Returns of the
Company and each of its subsidiaries either have been examined and settled with
the appropriate Tax authority or closed by virtue of the expiration of the
applicable statute of limitations for all years through and including 1995.
(g) Audit, Administrative and Court Proceedings. No audits or other
administrative proceedings are presently pending or threatened with regard to
any Taxes or Tax Returns of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (other than
those being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been
established). There is no material dispute or claim concerning any Tax liability
of any of the Company and its subsidiaries either (i) claimed or raised by any
Governmental Entity in writing or (ii) as to which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries has actual knowledge.
(h) Tax Rulings. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has
received a Tax Ruling (as defined below) or entered into a Closing Agreement (as
defined below) with any taxing authority that would have a continuing effect
after the Closing Date. "Tax Ruling," as used in this Agreement, shall mean a
written ruling of a taxing authority relating to Taxes. "Closing Agreement," as
used in this Agreement, shall mean a written and legally binding agreement with
a taxing authority relating to Taxes.
(i) Availability of Tax Returns. The Company has provided or made
available to Parent complete and accurate copies of (i) all Federal income tax
returns, and any amendments thereto, filed by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries covering the years 1994 through 1998, (ii) all State income tax
returns, and any amendments thereto, filed by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries covering the years 1995 through 1998, (iii) all revenue agent's or
other audit reports received from any taxing authority relating to any Tax
Return filed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries covering the years 1995
through 1998, and (iv) any Closing Agreements entered into by the Company or any
of its subsidiaries with any taxing authority since 1995.
(j) Tax Sharing Agreements. Neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries is a party to any agreement relating to allocating or sharing of
Taxes.
(k) Liability for Others. Neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries has any liability for any material Taxes of any person other than
the Company and its subsidiaries (i)
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under Treasury Regulation section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state,
local or foreign law), (ii) as a transferee or successor, (iii) by contract or
(iv) otherwise.
(l) Code Section 897. To the best knowledge of the Company, no foreign
person owns or has owned beneficially more than five percent of the total fair
market value of Company Common Stock during the applicable period specified in
Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code.
Section 4.10 EMPLOYEE MATTERS; ERISA. (a) Each "employee benefit plan"
(as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended ("ERISA")), bonus, deferred compensation, share option or other
written agreement relating to employment or fringe benefits for employees,
leased employees, former employees, officers or directors of the Company or any
of its subsidiaries ("Company Personnel") or which provides benefits as of the
date hereof to Company Personnel or pursuant to which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries has or could reasonably be expected to have any liability
(collectively, the "Company Employee Benefit Plans") is listed in Schedule
4.10(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule. Each Company Employee Benefit Plan
is in material compliance with applicable law, and has been administered and
operated in all material respects in accordance with its terms. Each Company
Employee Benefit Plan which is intended to be qualified within the meaning of
Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from
the IRS as to such qualification and, to the knowledge of the Company, no event
has occurred and no condition exists which could reasonably be expected to
result in the revocation of any such determination.
(b) Complete and correct copies of the following documents have been
made available to Parent as of the date of this Agreement: (i) all Company
Employee Benefit Plans (or in each case of an unwritten plan, a written
description thereof) and any related trust agreements or insurance contracts,
(ii) the most current summary descriptions of each Company Employee Benefit Plan
subject to ERISA, (iii) the most recent Form 5500s and Schedules thereto for
each Company Employee Benefit Plan subject to such reporting, (iv) the most
recent determination of the IRS with respect to the qualified status of any
Company Employee Benefit Plan, (v) the most recent accountings with respect to
each Company Employee Benefit Plan funded through a trust and (vi) the most
recent actuarial report of the qualified actuary of each Company Employee
Benefit Plan with respect to which actuarial valuations are conducted.
(c) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.10(c) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, none of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any other entity
required to be aggregated with the Company or any of its subsidiaries under
Section 4.14(b) or (c) of the Code (the "Controlled Group") has, within the
five-year period preceding the date of this Agreement, at any time contributed
to any "multiemployer plan," as that term is defined in Section 4001 of ERISA.
(d) Except as disclosed on Section 4.10(d) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, as of the date hereof, there are no actions, suits or claims pending
or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened (other than routine claims for
benefits in the ordinary course) with respect to any Company Employee Benefit
Plan. No event has occurred, and to the knowledge of the Company there exists no
condition or set of circumstances in connection with any Company Employee
Benefit Plan, under which the Company or any subsidiary, directly or indirectly
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(through any indemnification agreement or otherwise), could be subject to any
liability under ERISA, the Code or any other applicable law which, individually
or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Company Material
Adverse Effect.
(e) None of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any member of the
Controlled Group has incurred any liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation (the "PBGC") or otherwise under Title IV of ERISA (other than the
payment of premiums none of which are overdue) that has not been satisfied in
full and no event or condition exists or has existed which could reasonably be
expected to result in any such material liability. As of the date of this
Agreement, no "reportable event" within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA has
occurred with respect to any Company Employee Benefit Plan that is a defined
benefit plan under Section 3(35) of ERISA.
(f) Full payment has been made of all material amounts which the
Company or any affiliate thereof was required under the terms of Company
Employee Benefit Plans to have paid as contributions to such plans with respect
to periods prior to the date hereof (excluding any amounts not yet due) or there
has been an accrual on the books and records of the Company with respect to any
such amounts and none of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any member of
the Controlled Group (including for this purpose any entities required to be
aggregated under Section 414(m) or (o) of the Code) has incurred or reasonably
expects to incur any "accumulated funding deficiency" within the meaning of
Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, whether or not waived. Other
than the Employees Retirement Plan of Elizabethtown Water Company ("Pension
Plan"), no Company Employee Benefit Plan is subject to Section 412 of the Code
or Title IV of ERISA.
(g) Neither the Company nor any other person, including any fiduciary,
has engaged in any "prohibited transaction" (as defined in Section 4975 of the
Code or Section 406 of ERISA), which could subject any of the Company Employee
Benefit Plans (or their trusts), the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any
other person who the Company or any of its subsidiaries has an obligation to
indemnify, to any material tax or penalty imposed under Section 4975 of the Code
or Section 502 of ERISA.
(h) Except as set forth in Section 4.10(h) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, the events contemplated by this Agreement (either alone or together
with any other event) will not (w) entitle any Company Personnel to severance
pay, unemployment compensation, or other similar payments under any Company
Employee Benefit Plan, (x) accelerate the time of payment or vesting or increase
the amount of benefits due under any Company Employee Benefit Plan or
compensation to any Company Personnel, (y) result in any payments (including
parachute payments) under any Company Employee Benefit Plan or law becoming due
to any Company Personnel, or (z) terminate or modify or give a third party a
right to terminate or modify the provisions or terms of any Company Employee
Benefit Plan.
(i) Except as set forth on Section 4.10(i) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, the Company has reserved the right to amend, terminate or modify at
any time, with respect to Company Personnel, any plan or arrangement providing
for post-employment health or life insurance coverage.
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(j) All collective bargaining agreements and other contracts with
labor unions to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party are
described on Section 4.10(j) of the Company Disclosure Schedule. Except as set
forth on such Section 4.10(j), no labor organization or group of employees of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries has made a pending demand for recognition
or certification, and there are no representation or certification proceedings
or petitions seeking a representation proceeding presently pending or, to the
knowledge of the Company, threatened to be brought or filed, with the National
Labor Relations Board or any other labor relations tribunal or authority. Except
as set forth in Schedule 4.10(j) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there are
no organizing activities, strikes, work stoppages, slowdowns, lockouts,
arbitrations or grievances, or other labor disputes pending or, to the knowledge
of the Company, threatened against or involving the Company or any of its
subsidiaries which could reasonably be expected to have a Company Material
Adverse Effect. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries is in compliance with
all applicable laws and collective bargaining agreements respecting employment
and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment, wages and hours
and occupational safety and health, except for non-compliances which in the
aggregate could not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect.
Section 4.11 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. Except as set forth in Section 4.11
of the Company Disclosure Schedule or in the Company SEC Reports filed prior to
the date hereof:
(a) Compliance. The Company and each of its subsidiaries are in
substantial compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws (as defined in
Section 4.11(g)(ii)) and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has
received any written communication from any Governmental Authority that alleges
that the Company or any of its subsidiaries is not in compliance in a material
respect with applicable Environmental Laws.
(b) Environmental Permits. The Company and each of its subsidiaries
have obtained all environmental, health and safety permits and governmental
authorizations (collectively, the "Environmental Permits") necessary for the
construction of their facilities or the conduct of their operations, and all
such Environmental Permits are in good standing or, where applicable and as
described in Section 4.11(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, a renewal
application has been timely filed and is pending agency approval, and the
Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with all terms and conditions of
the Environmental Permits, except where the failure to obtain or to be in such
compliance would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Environmental Claims. There are no Environmental Claims (as
defined in Section 4.11(g)(i)) pending (i) against the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, or (ii) against any real or personal property or operations that
the Company or any of its subsidiaries owns, leases or manages, in whole or in
part that, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to have, in the
aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Releases. Except for Releases (as defined in Section 4.11(g)(iv))
of Hazardous Materials (as defined in Section 4.11(g)(iii)) the liability for
which would not reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a Company
Material Adverse Effect, there
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have been no Releases of any Hazardous Material that would be reasonably likely
to form the basis of any Environmental Claim against the Company or any of its
subsidiaries.
(e) Predecessors. The Company has no knowledge of any Environmental
Claim pending or threatened, or of any Release of Hazardous Materials that would
be reasonably likely to form the basis of any Environmental Claim, in each case
against any person or entity (including, without limitation, any predecessor of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries) whose liability the Company or any of
its subsidiaries has or may have retained or assumed either contractually or by
operation of law, except for Releases of Hazardous Materials the liability for
which would not reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
(f) Disclosure. The Company has made available to Parent or its agents
all material studies, reports and investigations in the possession, custody or
control of the Company relating to (i) the environmental conditions on, under or
about the properties or assets currently or formerly owned, leased, operated or
used by the Company or any predecessor in interest thereto and (ii) any
Hazardous Materials used, managed, handled, transported, treated, generated,
stored, discharged, emitted, or otherwise Released on, under or from any of the
properties currently or (to the knowledge of the Company) formerly owned or
leased by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
(g) As used in this Agreement:
(i) "Environmental Claim" means any and all administrative,
regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, directives,
claims, liens, investigations, proceedings or notices of noncompliance or
violation by any person or entity (including any Governmental Authority)
alleging potential liability (including, without limitation, potential
responsibility for or liability for enforcement costs, investigatory costs,
cleanup costs, governmental response costs, removal costs, remedial costs,
natural-resources damages, property damages, personal injuries, fines or
penalties) arising out of, based on or resulting from (A) the presence, or
Release or threatened Release into the environment, of any Hazardous
Materials at any location, whether or not owned, operated, leased or
managed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries; or (B) circumstances
forming the basis of any violation, or alleged violation, of any
Environmental Law; or (C) any and all claims by any third party seeking
damages, contribution, indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or
injunctive relief resulting from the presence or Release of any Hazardous
Materials.
(ii) "Environmental Laws" means all applicable federal, United
Kingdom, state, local laws, rules, ordinances and regulations relating to
pollution, the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air,
surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or
protection of human health as it relates to the environment including,
without limitation, laws and regulations relating to Releases or threatened
Releases of Hazardous Materials, or otherwise relating to the manufacture,
processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or
handling of Hazardous Materials.
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(iii) "Hazardous Materials" means (A) any petroleum or petroleum
products, radioactive materials, asbestos in any form that is or could
become friable, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, coal tar residue, and
transformers or other equipment that contain dielectric fluid containing
polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCBs") in regulated concentrations; 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," "hazardous constituents" 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 under any Environmental Law in a jurisdiction in which the
Company or any of its subsidiaries operates or has stored, treated or
disposed of Hazardous Materials.
(iv) "Release" means any release, spill, emission, leaking,
injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration
into the atmosphere, soil, surface water, groundwater or property.
Section 4.12 REGULATION AS A UTILITY. (a) Except as set forth in
Section 4.12 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of
its subsidiaries is subject to regulation as a public utility or public service
company (or similar designation) by any state in the United States other than
New Jersey or by any foreign country. Neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries is a "holding company", a "subsidiary company", a "public utility
company" or (to the knowledge of the Company) an "affiliate" of a "public
utility company" or a "holding company" as such terms are defined in the Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.
(b) Except as set forth in Section 4.12(b) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, from December 31, 1989 to the date of this Agreement no Governmental
Entity has denied the request of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to
include any utility plant asset in rate base for recovery in the amount of
$250,000 or more.
Section 4.13 VOTE REQUIRED. The approval of the Merger by a majority of the
votes cast by all holders of Company Common Stock entitled to vote thereon (the
"Company Shareholders' Approval") is the only vote of the holders of any class
or series of the capital stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
required to approve this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby.
Section 4.14 OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR. The Board of Directors of the
Company has received the opinion of Salomon Smith Barney Inc. to the effect
that, as of the date of this Agreement, the Merger Consideration is fair from a
financial point of view to the holders of Company Common Stock.
Section 4.15 OWNERSHIP OF PARENT COMMON STOCK. Except as set forth in
Section 4.15 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company does not
"beneficially own" (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 13(d) of the
Exchange Act) any shares of capital stock of Parent.
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Section 4.16 TAKEOVER PROVISIONS; RIGHTS PLAN. The Company has taken all
action required to be taken by it in order to exempt this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby from, and this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby are exempt from the requirements of, any "moratorium,"
"control share," "fair price" or other anti-takeover laws and regulations
(collectively, "Takeover Laws") of the State of New Jersey, including the New
Jersey Shareholders Protection Act of the NJBCA. Neither Parent nor Merger Sub
is, solely by virtue of the execution and delivery of this Agreement, a
"Beneficial Owner" of Company Common Stock as such term is defined in the Rights
Agreement, dated as of February 4, 1991, between the Company and The Bank of New
York (the "Company Rights Agreement").
Section 4.17 YEAR 2000. All computer systems and computer software used by
the Company or any of its subsidiaries (i) recognize or are being adapted so
that, prior to December 31, 1999, they shall recognize the advent of the year
2000 without any adverse change in operation associated with such recognition,
(ii) can correctly recognize or are being adapted so that they can correctly
recognize and manipulate date information relating to dates before, on or after
January 1, 2000, including but not limited to accepting date input, performing
calculations on dates or portion of dates and providing date output, and the
operation and functionality of such computer systems and such computer software
will not be adversely affected by the advent of the year 2000 or any
manipulation of data featuring information relating to dates before, on or after
January 1, 2000, and (iii) can suitably interact with other computer systems and
computer software in a way that does not compromise (y) its ability to correctly
recognize the advent of the year 2000 or (z) its ability to correctly recognize
and manipulate date information relating to dates before, on or after January 1,
2000 (the operations of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) together, "Millennium
Functionality"), except in each case for such computer systems and computer
software, the failure of which to achieve Millennium Functionality, individually
or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material
Adverse Effect. The Company SEC Reports filed with the SEC prior to the date
hereof sets forth the Company's good faith estimate as of the date hereof of the
costs to be incurred by the Company and its subsidiaries in order to achieve
Millennium Functionality.
Section 4.18 REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY. (a) Real Property. Except as
set forth on Section 4.18(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company and
its subsidiaries own, or have a valid and enforceable right to use under
existing franchises, water rights, easements or licenses, or a valid and
enforceable leasehold interest in, all real property (including all buildings,
fixtures and other improvements thereto) necessary for the conduct of the
respective businesses as such businesses are now being conducted. Except as
disclosed in the Company SEC Reports or Section 4.18(a) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company's nor any of its subsidiaries'
ownership of or leasehold interest in any such property is subject to any
mortgage, pledge, lien, option, conditional sale agreement, encumbrance,
security interest, title exception or restriction or claim or charge of any kind
(collectively, "Liens"), except for such Liens that would not, individually or
in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect. Except as set forth on Section 4.18(a) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, all such property is in good condition and repair and is suitable in
all material respects for the purposes for which it is now being used in the
conduct of the businesses of the Company and its subsidiaries, except to the
extent that the poor condition or unsuitability of any such property would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
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(b) Personal Property. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Company
SEC Reports or Section 4.18(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, all personal
property that is owned by the Company or any of its subsidiaries and used by any
of them in the conduct of their respective businesses is owned free and clear of
any Liens, except for such Liens that would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Except as set forth on Section 4.18(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, all
such property is in good working condition, subject to normal wear and tear, and
is suitable in all material respects for the purposes for which it is now being
used in the conduct of the businesses of the Company and its subsidiaries,
except to the extent that the poor condition or unsuitability of any such
property would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to
have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.19 CERTAIN CONTRACTS. Section 4.19 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule sets forth a true and correct list of (i) all Contracts between or
among the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, on the one hand, and any
other person, on the other hand, which are terminable or which contain any
provision that would be triggered as a result of the consummation of any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement (other than Company Employee Benefit
Plans), and (ii) all Contracts upon which, in the sole judgment of the Company,
the Company's business is substantially dependent as of the date hereof,
including, without limitation, continuing Contracts to sell and purchase water.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB
Parent and Merger Sub represent and warrant to the Company as follows:
Section 5.01 ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION. Parent and each of its
subsidiaries is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization,
has all requisite corporate power and authority, and has been duly authorized by
all necessary approvals and orders, to own, lease and operate its assets and
properties to the extent owned, leased and operated and to carry on its business
as it is now being conducted and is duly qualified and in good standing to do
business in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the
ownership or leasing of its assets and properties makes such qualification
necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified
and in good standing would not, when taken together with all other such
failures, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the
business, properties, financial condition or results of operations of Parent and
its subsidiaries taken as a whole or on the ability of Parent and Merger Sub to
consummate this Agreement (any such material adverse effect being hereafter
referred to as a "Parent Material Adverse Effect"). Parent has previously
delivered to the Company correct and complete copies of the memorandum and
articles of association (or other comparable charter documents) of Parent and
the articles of incorporation and by-laws of Merger Sub.
Section 5.02 CAPITALIZATION. (a) The authorized capital stock of Parent
consists of 976,128,916 shares of Parent ordinary shares ("Parent Ordinary
Shares") and 380,367,532 B
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preference shares. As of the close of business on November 17, 1999, there were
issued and outstanding 351,300,874 Parent Ordinary Shares and 29,141,672 B
preference shares.
(b) The authorized capital stock of Merger Sub consists of 1,000
shares of Merger Sub Common Stock. As of the close of business on November 19,
1999, there were issued and outstanding 100 shares of Merger Sub Common Stock,
all of which were owned indirectly by Parent.
Section 5.03 AUTHORITY; NON-CONTRAVENTION; STATUTORY APPROVAL; COMPLIANCE.
(a) Authority. Parent has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter
into this Agreement and, subject to obtaining the Parent Required Statutory
Approval (as defined in Section 5.03(c)), to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement, and the
consummation by Parent and Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby
have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of
Parent. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by
Parent and Merger Sub and, assuming the due authorization, execution and
delivery by the Company, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of each of
Parent and Merger Sub enforceable against each of them in accordance with its
terms.
(b) Non-Contravention. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Parent do not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will
not, result in a Violation pursuant to any provisions of (i) the memorandum and
articles of association or other comparable charter documents of Parent or any
of its subsidiaries that would be considered "significant subsidiaries" as
defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act ("Parent
Subsidiaries"), (ii) subject to obtaining the Parent Required Statutory
Approval, any statute, law, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment, decree,
order, injunction, writ, permit or license of any Governmental Authority
applicable to Parent or any Parent Subsidiaries or any of their respective
properties or assets or (iii) any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of
trust, license, franchise, permit, concession, contract, lease or other
instrument, obligation or agreement of any kind to which Parent or any Parent
Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its properties or assets may be
bound or affected, excluding from the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) such
Violations as would not reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a
Parent Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Statutory Approval. Except for Hart-Scott-Rodino Anitrust
Improvements Act clearance (the "Parent Required Statutory Approval"), and, to
the extent required, filings or notices by Parent in respect of the application
for approval of the Merger by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, no
declaration, filing or registration with, or notice to or authorization, consent
or approval of, any Governmental Authority is necessary for the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by Parent and Merger Sub or the consummation by
Parent and Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby, the failure to
obtain, make or give which would reasonably be expected to have, in the
aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Compliance. Neither Parent nor any Parent Subsidiaries is in
violation of, or has been given notice of any purported violation of, any law,
statute, or order, rule, regulation or judgment (including, without limitation,
any applicable Environmental Law) of any Governmental Authority, except for
violations that, in the aggregate, are not reasonably expected
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to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Parent and the Parent Subsidiaries
have all permits, licenses, franchises and other governmental authorizations,
consents and approvals necessary to conduct their respective businesses as
currently conducted in all respects, except those which the failure to obtain
would, in the aggregate, not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material
Adverse Effect. Parent and the Parent Subsidiaries are not in breach or
violation of or in default in the performance or observance of any term or
provision of, and no event has occurred which, with lapse of time or action by a
third party, could result in a default under (i) its memorandum and articles of
association or other comparable charter documents or (ii) any material contract,
commitment, agreement, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease, bond,
license, approval or other instrument to which it is a party or by which it is
bound or to which any of its property is subject, except for breaches,
violations or defaults that, in the aggregate, are not reasonably expected to
have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.04 INFORMATION SUPPLIED. The information supplied by Parent and
Merger Sub and included in the Proxy Statement with the consent of Parent or
Merger Sub, as the case may be, will not, at the date mailed to the Company's
shareholders, contain any untrue statements of a material fact or omit to state
any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that no
representation or warranty is made by Parent or Merger Sub with respect to
statements made or incorporated by reference in the Proxy Statement based on
information supplied by the Company for inclusion or incorporation by reference
therein.
Section 5.05 VOTE REQUIRED. No vote of the holders of any class or series
of the capital stock of Parent or any of the Parent Subsidiaries is required to
enable Parent to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
hereby.
Section 5.06 OWNERSHIP OF THE COMPANY COMMON STOCK. Parent does not
"beneficially own" (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 13(d) of the
Exchange Act) any shares of Company Common Stock.
Section 5.07 FINANCING. Parent has or will have available, prior to the
Effective Time, sufficient cash in U.S. dollars in immediately available funds
to pay or to cause Merger Sub to pay the Merger Consideration pursuant to
Article II hereof and to consummate the Merger and other transactions
contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE VI
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER
Section 6.01 COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES. After the date hereof and prior to
the Effective Time or earlier termination of this Agreement, Parent and the
Company each agree as follows, each as to itself and to each of its
subsidiaries, except as expressly contemplated or permitted in this Agreement,
or to the extent the other parties hereto shall otherwise consent in writing:
(a) Ordinary Course of Business. The Company shall, and shall cause
its subsidiaries to, carry on their respective businesses in the ordinary course
in substantially the
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same manner as heretofore conducted and use all commercially reasonable efforts
to (i) preserve intact their present business organizations and goodwill and
preserve the goodwill and relationships with customers, suppliers and others
having business dealings with them, (ii) subject to prudent management of
workforce needs and ongoing programs currently in force, keep available the
services of their present officers and employees as a group, and (iii) maintain
and keep material properties and assets in as good repair and condition as at
present, subject to ordinary wear and tear; maintain supplies and inventories in
quantities consistent with past practice; and (iv) maintain their rights and
franchises except for terminations or expirations thereof which, in the
reasonable judgment of the Company, are necessary or desirable in the conduct of
the business of the Company and its subsidiaries and which would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Dividends. The Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of its
subsidiaries to: (i) declare or pay any dividends on or make other distributions
in respect of any capital stock other than (A) dividends by a direct or indirect
subsidiary to the Company, (B) regular dividends on outstanding preferred stock
of the Company's subsidiaries, (C) regular quarterly dividends on Company Common
Stock that do not exceed the current regular dividends on Company Common Stock;
provided that in the event the Closing has not occurred by September 30, 2000,
then the Company may increase the annual rate of such dividends by not more than
3%, and (D) if the Effective Time does not occur between a record date and
payment date of a regular quarterly dividend, a special dividend with respect to
the quarter in which the Effective Time occurs with a record date on or prior to
the date on which the Effective Time occurs, which does not exceed an amount
equal to the product of (x) the number of days between the last payment date of
a regular quarterly dividend and the record date of such special dividend,
multiplied by (y) the quarterly dividend rate then in effect; (ii) split,
combine or reclassify any capital stock of the Company or the capital stock of
any subsidiary or issue or authorize or propose the issuance of any other
securities in respect of, in lieu of, or in substitution for, shares of capital
stock of the Company or the capital stock of any subsidiary; (iii) redeem,
repurchase or otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock of the Company or
the capital stock of any subsidiary other than (A) redemptions, repurchases and
other acquisitions of shares of capital stock in connection with the
administration of employee benefit and dividend reinvestment plans as in effect
on the date hereof in the ordinary course of the operation of such plans
consistent with past practice, or (B) intercompany acquisitions of capital
stock; or (iv) except to the extent permitted by Section 6.02 or as provided in
Section 4.02 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, adopt a plan of partial or
complete liquidation or resolutions providing for, or authorizing, such
liquidation or a dissolution, merger, consolidation restructuring,
recapitalization or other reorganization of the Company or any subsidiary.
(c) Issuance of Securities. Except as set forth in Section 6.01(c) of
the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company shall not, nor shall it permit any
of its subsidiaries to, issue, agree to issue, deliver, sell, pledge, dispose of
or otherwise encumber any shares of their capital stock of any class or any
securities convertible into or exchangeable for, or any rights, warrants or
options to acquire, any such shares or convertible or exchangeable securities,
other than (i) pursuant to currently outstanding stock options granted under
Company Employee Benefit Plans, (ii) pursuant to the Company's dividend
reinvestment and stock purchase plan in effect on the date hereof, (iii)
pursuant to the Company's 401(k) Plan, (iv) pursuant to the terms of the
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Company's outstanding convertible subordinated debentures referred to in
Section 7.14, or (v) in the case of subsidiaries, for issuances of capital stock
to the Company or another subsidiary.
(d) Charter Documents; Other Actions. Neither party shall, nor shall
any party permit any of its subsidiaries to, (i) amend its respective articles
of organization, by-laws or regulations, or similar organic documents, or (ii)
take or fail to take any other action, which in any such case would reasonably
be expected to prevent or materially impede or interfere with the Merger (except
to the extent permitted by Section 6.02 and Article IX).
(e) Acquisitions. Except as disclosed in Section 6.01(e) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of
its subsidiaries to, acquire or agree to acquire, by merging or consolidating
with, or by purchasing a substantial equity interest in or a substantial portion
of the assets of, or by any other manner, any business or any corporation,
partnership, association or business organization or division thereof, or
otherwise acquire or agree to acquire any material amount of assets other than
in the ordinary course of business and acquisitions having an aggregate
acquisition consideration payable by the Company of not more than $5,000,000.
(f) Capital Expenditures. Except (i) as set forth in Section 6.01(f)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule, (ii) as may be required by law, (iii) as
reasonably deemed necessary by the Company following a catastrophic event, (iv)
as may be funded by customer advances or contributions in aid of construction,
or (v) as may be required to serve industrial or wholesale customers who
generate sufficient revenues to support such capital expenditures, the Company
shall not, nor shall it permit any of its subsidiaries to, make capital
expenditures in excess of 110% of the aggregate cumulative amount budgeted by
the Company or its subsidiaries for capital expenditures as set forth in Section
6.01(f) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.
(g) No Dispositions. Except as set forth in Section 6.01(g) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of
its subsidiaries to, sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of, any of its respective
assets, other than (i) dispositions in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice for consideration not in excess of $1,000,000 per
disposition or $5,000,000 in the aggregate, and (ii) sales of real property by
E'town Properties, Inc. or, to the extent not required for utility operations,
by Elizabethtown Water Company or The Mount Holly Water Company.
(h) Indebtedness; Investments. Except as set forth in Section 6.01(h)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company shall not, nor shall it permit
any of its subsidiaries to, (i) other than in connection with actions permitted
by Section 6.01(e), make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or
investments in, any other person, other than loans, advances, capital
contributions and investments by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company to
or in the Company or any wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, (ii) except
upon reasonable prior notice to Parent and with Parent's consent (which will not
be unreasonably withheld or delayed), pay, discharge or satisfy any claim,
liability or obligation (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, or otherwise
in excess of $100,000), other than payments, discharges or satisfactions
incurred or committed to in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice or reflected in the most recent consolidated financial statements (or
the notes thereto) of the Company included in the most recent Company SEC
Reports filed prior to the
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date of this Agreement or (iii) other than in connection with actions permitted
by Sections 6.01(e) and 6.01(f), create, incur or assume any indebtedness,
guarantees, "keep well" agreements, loans or advances not in existence as of the
date of this Agreement except for (x) short-term indebtedness incurred in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (y) loans and
advances among the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries and (z) in
connection with the refunding of existing indebtedness at a lower cost of funds.
(i) Compensation, Benefits. Except as set forth in Section 6.01(i) of
the Company Disclosure Schedule or as may be required by applicable law and
applicable collective bargaining agreements, or as expressly contemplated by
this Agreement, the Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of its
subsidiaries to, (i) enter into, adopt or amend or increase the amount or
accelerate the payment or vesting of any benefit or amount payable under any
Company Employee Benefit Plan, or otherwise increase the compensation or
benefits of any director, officer or other employee of such party or any of its
subsidiaries, except for normal increases in compensation and benefits in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice that, with respect to
employees who are not officers, do not result in an increase in the aggregate
amount expended for benefits and compensation by the Company and its
subsidiaries in excess of 3.35 percent per year, or (ii) enter into or amend any
employment, severance or special pay arrangement with respect to the termination
of employment or other similar contract, agreement or arrangement with any
director or officer or other employee other than with respect to employees who
are not officers of the Company in the ordinary course of business consistent
with current industry practice in an aggregate amount not to exceed $30,000.
(j) Accounting. Except as set forth in Section 6.01(j) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, the Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of its
subsidiaries to, make any changes in their accounting methods in effect on
December 31, 1998, except as required by law, rule, regulation or GAAP.
(k) Cooperation, Notification. Each party shall, and shall cause its
subsidiaries to, (i) confer on a regular and frequent basis with one or more
representatives of the other party to discuss, subject to applicable law,
material operational and business matters; (ii) keep the other party reasonably
informed, orally or in writing, of major developments which have occurred in its
business; (iii) in the case of the Company, advise Parent of any change or event
which has had or could reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material
Adverse Effect; and (iv) promptly provide the other party with copies of all
filings made by such party or any of its subsidiaries with any court,
administrative agency, commission or other Governmental Authority in connection
with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; provided that no
party shall be required to make any disclosure to the extent such disclosure
would constitute a violation of any applicable law or regulation.
(l) Third-Party Consents. The Company shall, and shall cause its
subsidiaries to, use all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all the
Company Required Consents. The Company shall promptly notify Parent of any
failure or prospective failure to obtain any such consents and shall provide to
Parent copies of all the Company Required Consents obtained by the Company.
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(m) No Breach, Etc. No party shall, nor shall any party permit any of
its subsidiaries to, take any action within its control that would or is
reasonably likely to result in a material breach of any provision of this
Agreement or in the Company or Parent being unable to meet the conditions set
forth in Sections 8.02(b) and 8.03(b), respectively, on and as of the Closing
Date.
(n) Contracts. Except as set forth in Section 6.01(n) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule or in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice, the Company shall not, and shall cause its subsidiaries not to, (i)
modify, amend, terminate, renew or fail to use commercially reasonable efforts
to renew any material contract or agreement to which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries is a party, (ii) or waive, release or assign any material rights or
claims of the Company or any of its subsidiaries against third parties, or (iii)
enter into new material contracts.
(o) Insurance. The Company shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries to,
maintain with financially responsible insurance companies insurance in such
amounts and against such risks and losses as are consistent with the Company's
insurance coverages as of the date hereof.
(p) Permits. The Company shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries to,
use reasonable efforts to maintain in effect all existing Permits, except for
those Permits the expiration or termination of which would not reasonably be
expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(q) Takeover Laws. Neither party shall take any action that would
cause the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be subject to
requirements imposed by any Takeover Law, and each of them shall take all
necessary steps within its control to exempt (or ensure the continued exemption
of) the transactions contemplated by this Agreement from any applicable Takeover
Law.
(r) Taxes. The Company shall not, and shall cause its subsidiaries not
to, (A) make or rescind any express or deemed material election relating to
Taxes, (B) except for the matters set forth in Section 6.01(r) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, settle or compromise any material claim, audit, dispute,
controversy, examination, investigation or other proceeding relating to Taxes,
(C) materially change any of its methods of reporting income or deductions for
federal income Tax purposes, except as may be required by applicable law, or (D)
file any material Tax Return that has been prepared other than in a manner
consistent in all material respects with past custom and practice.
(s) Utility Filings. Except for filings in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice that would not reasonably be expected to
have a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company shall inform Parent
reasonably in advance of making a filing to implement any changes in any of its
or its subsidiaries' rates or surcharges for water service or executing any
agreement with respect thereto and shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries to,
deliver to Parent a copy of each such filing or agreement. The Company shall not
permit Elizabethtown Water Company to file for an increase in base rates prior
to August 21, 2000. Elizabethtown Water Company may file for an increase in base
rates after August 21, 2000; provided, however, that if such filing is
thereafter consolidated under one docket number with the proceeding before
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the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities referred to in Section 4.04(c) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, then, upon the written request of Parent received
within 10 business days following such consolidation, the Company shall cause
Elizabethtown Water Company to promptly withdraw such filing, and Elizabethtown
Water Company shall not make a further request to increase base rates without
the consent of Parent.
(t) Conduct of Business of Merger Sub. Prior to the Effective Time,
except as may be required by applicable law and subject to the other provisions
of this Agreement, Parent shall cause Merger Sub to (i) perform its obligations
under this Agreement in accordance with its terms, and (ii) not engage directly
or indirectly in any business or activities of any type or kind and not enter
into any agreements or arrangements with any person, or be subject to or bound
by any obligation or undertaking, which is inconsistent with this Agreement.
(u) Certain Mergers and Other Actions by Parent. Parent shall not, and
shall not permit any of its subsidiaries to, acquire or agree to acquire by
merging or consolidating with, or by purchasing a substantial portion of the
assets of or equity in, any business or any corporation, partnership or other
business organization with material regulated utility operations in the State of
New Jersey, if the entering into of a definitive agreement relating to or the
consummation of such acquisition, merger or consolidation could reasonably be
expected to (i) impose any material delay in the obtaining of, or significantly
increase the risk of not obtaining, any authorizations, consents, orders,
declarations or approvals of any Governmental Authority necessary to consummate
the Merger or the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period,
(ii) significantly increase the risk of any Governmental Authority entering an
order prohibiting the consummation of the Merger, (iii) significantly increase
the risk of not being able to remove any such order on appeal or otherwise or
(iv) materially delay the consummation of the Merger.
Section 6.02 COVENANT OF THE COMPANY; ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS. (a) From and
after the date hereof, the Company agrees (i) that it and its subsidiaries will
not, and it will cause its and its subsidiaries' officers, directors, employees,
agents and representatives (including, without limitation, any investment
banker, attorney or accountant retained by it or any of its subsidiaries) not
to, directly or indirectly, encourage, initiate or solicit (including by way of
furnishing information) any inquiries or the making of any proposal or offer
(including, without limitation, any proposal or offer to its shareholders) which
constitutes or may reasonably be expected to lead to an Alternative Proposal (as
defined below) from any person or engage in any discussion or negotiations
concerning, or provide any non-public information or data to make or implement
an Alternative Proposal; (ii) that it will immediately cease and cause to be
terminated any existing solicitation, initiation, encouragement, activity,
discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore with a view of
formulating an Alternative Proposal; and (iii) that it will immediately notify
Parent orally and in writing of the receipt of any such inquiry, offer or
proposals, and that it shall keep Parent informed of the status of any such
inquiry, offer or proposal, the identity of the person or group making it, and
the material terms thereof.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the Company may at any
time prior to the time the Company shareholders shall have voted to approve this
Agreement (i) engage in discussions or negotiations with a third party who,
without solicitation in violation of
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the terms hereof, seeks to initiate such discussions or negotiations and may
furnish such third party information concerning the Company and its business,
properties and assets if, and only to the extent that, (A)(x) the third party
has first made an Alternative Proposal that, in the good faith judgment of the
Company's Board of Directors, is reasonably likely to result in a Superior
Proposal (as defined below) and (y) the Company's Board of Directors shall
conclude in good faith, based upon the advice of outside counsel and such other
matters as the Company's Board of Directors deems relevant, that such actions
are necessary for the Company's Board of Directors to act in a manner consistent
with its fiduciary duties to shareholders under applicable law, and (B) prior to
furnishing such information to, or entering into discussions or negotiations
with, such person or entity, the Company (x) provides prompt written notice to
Parent to the effect that it intends to furnish information to, or intends to
enter into discussions or negotiations with, such person or entity, and of the
identity of the person or group making the Alternative Proposal and the material
terms thereof and (y) receives from such person an executed confidentiality
agreement in reasonably customary form except that such confidentiality
agreement shall not prohibit such person from making an unsolicited Alternative
Proposal, (ii) comply with Rule 14e-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act with
regard to a tender or exchange offer and/or (iii) accept an Alternative Proposal
from a third party, provided that the Company's Board of Directors determines in
good faith, after receiving advice from its financial advisor, that such
Alternative Proposal is a Superior Proposal and provided further that the
Company has complied with the conditions for the termination of this Agreement
set forth in Section 9.01(e). "Alternative Proposal" shall mean any merger,
acquisition, consolidation, reorganization, share exchange, tender offer,
exchange offer or similar transaction involving the Company or any proposal or
offer to acquire in any manner, directly or indirectly (x) 50% or more of the
outstanding Company Common Stock, (y) 50% or more of the outstanding common
stock of Elizabethtown Water Company, or (z) all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. Nothing herein
shall prohibit a disposition permitted by Section 6.01(g) hereof. "Superior
Proposal" shall mean an Alternative Proposal on terms which the Company's Board
of Directors determines in good faith, based on advice of its financial advisor,
to be more favorable to the Company's shareholders than the Merger and for which
adequate financing, to the extent required, has been reasonably demonstrated to
be available.
Section 6.03 CONTROL OF OTHER PARTY'S BUSINESS. Nothing contained in this
Agreement shall give Parent or Merger Sub, directly or indirectly, the right to
control or direct the Company's operations prior to the Effective Time. Nothing
contained in this Agreement shall give the Company, directly or indirectly, the
right to control or direct Parent's or Merger Sub's operations prior to the
Effective Time. Prior to the Effective Time, each of the Company and Parent
shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
complete control and supervision over its respective operations.
ARTICLE VII
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
Section 7.01 ACCESS TO INFORMATION. Upon reasonable notice and during
normal business hours, the Company shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries to,
afford to the
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officers, directors, employees, agents and accountants of Parent (collectively,
"Representatives") reasonable access, throughout the period prior to the
Effective Time, to all of its properties, books, contracts, commitments and
records to the extent that the Company or any of its subsidiaries is not under a
legal obligation not to provide access or to the extent that such access would
not constitute a waiver of the attorney-client privilege and does not
unreasonably interfere with the business and operations of the Company; provided
that such right of access shall not include environmental inspections or testing
with respect to the properties of the Company's subsidiaries. During such
period, the Company shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries to, furnish promptly
to Parent (i) a copy of each material report, schedule and other document filed
or received by it or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to the requirements of
securities laws or filed with or sent to any regulatory agency or commission,
and (ii) access to all information concerning the Company and its subsidiaries
as may be reasonably requested by Parent in connection with any filings,
applications or approvals required or contemplated by this Agreement. Each party
shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries and Representatives to, hold in strict
confidence all Evaluation Material (as defined in the Confidentiality Agreement)
concerning the other parties furnished to it in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement in accordance with the Confidentiality and
Standstill Agreement, dated as of September 9, 1999, between the Company and
Parent, as it may be amended from time to time (the "Confidentiality
Agreement").
Section 7.02 REGULATORY MATTERS. Each party hereto shall cooperate and use
its best efforts to promptly prepare and file all necessary documentation, to
effect all necessary applications, notices, petitions, filings and other
documents, and to use all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain no later
than the Initial Termination Date (as defined in Section 9.01(b)), as such date
may be extended pursuant to Section 9.01(b), all permits, consents, approvals
and authorizations of all Governmental Authorities necessary to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, the
Company Required Statutory Approvals and the Parent Required Statutory Approval.
Section 7.03 SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL; PROXY STATEMENT. (a) The Company shall,
as soon as reasonably practicable after the date hereof, but subject to Section
6.02, (i) take all steps necessary to duly call, give notice of, convene and
hold a meeting of its shareholders (the "Company Special Meeting") for the
purpose of securing the Company Shareholders' Approval, (ii) prepare, file with
the SEC, and distribute to its shareholders the Proxy Statement in accordance
with applicable federal and state law and with its Certificate of Incorporation
and by-laws, (iii) subject to the fiduciary duties of its Board of Directors,
recommend to its shareholders the approval of this Agreement and the Merger and
(iv) cooperate and consult with Parent with respect to each of the foregoing
matters.
(b) Each of the parties hereto shall furnish all information
concerning itself which is required or customary for inclusion in the Proxy
Statement. The information provided by any party hereto for use in the Proxy
Statement shall be true and correct in all material respects without omission of
any material fact which is required to make such information, in the
circumstances under which it is provided, not false or misleading. The Company
shall furnish to Parent a draft of the Proxy Statement or any amendment or
supplement thereto reasonably in advance of the date the Company expects to file
it with the SEC, and will give reasonable consideration to any comments of
Parent with respect thereto. The Company shall also include
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in the Proxy Statement its recommendation that its shareholders approve this
Agreement and the Merger as contemplated by clause (a)(iii) of this Section.
Section 7.04 DIRECTORS' AND OFFICERS' INDEMNIFICATION. (a) Indemnification.
To the extent, if any, not provided by an existing right of indemnification or
other agreement or policy, from and after the Effective Time, Parent and the
Surviving Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
indemnify, defend and hold harmless each person who is now, or has been at any
time prior to the date hereof, or who becomes prior to the Effective Time, an
officer, director or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (each an
"Indemnified Party" and collectively, the "Indemnified Parties") against (i) all
losses, expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees and expenses), claims,
damages or liabilities or, subject to the last sentence of this Section 7.04(a),
amounts paid in settlement, arising out of actions or omissions occurring at or
prior to the Effective Time (and whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or
after the Effective Time) that are, in whole or in part, based on or arising out
of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer or employee of the
Company or a subsidiary of the Company (the "Indemnified Liabilities") and (ii)
all Indemnified Liabilities to the extent they are based on or arise out of or
pertain to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In the event of any
such loss, expense, claim, damage or liability (whether or not arising before
the Effective Time), Parent shall pay or cause to be paid the reasonable fees
and expenses of counsel selected by the Indemnified Parties, which counsel shall
be reasonably satisfactory to Parent, promptly after statements therefor are
received and otherwise advance to such Indemnified Party upon request
reimbursement of documented expenses reasonably incurred. Any determination
required to be made with respect to whether an Indemnified Party's conduct
complies with the standards set forth in Section 14A:3-5 of the NJBCA and the
Certificate of Incorporation or by-laws of the Company shall be made by
independent counsel mutually acceptable to Parent and the Indemnified Party.
Parent shall not be liable for any settlement effected without its written
consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
(b) Insurance. For a period of six years after the Effective Time,
Parent shall (i) cause to be maintained in effect policies of directors' and
officers' liability insurance for the benefit of those persons who are currently
covered by such policies of the Company on terms no less favorable than the
terms of such current insurance coverage or (ii) provide tail coverage for such
persons which provides coverage for a period of six years for acts prior to the
Effective Time on terms no less favorable than the terms of such current
insurance coverage, in each case so long as the annual premium therefor would
not be in excess of 200% of the last annual premium paid prior to the date of
this Agreement; provided that if the annual premium therefore would exceed such
amount, Parent shall purchase as much coverage as is available for such amount.
(c) Successors. In the event Parent or any of its successors or
assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other person and shall not be
the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or
merger or (ii) transfers all or substantially all of its properties and assets
to any person, then, and in either such case, proper provisions shall be made so
that the successors and assigns of Parent shall assume the obligations set forth
in this Section 7.04.
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(d) Survival of Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by
law, from and after the Effective Time, all rights to indemnification as of the
date hereof in favor of the employees, agents, directors and officers of the
Company and its subsidiaries with respect to their activities as such prior to
the Effective Time, as provided in its respective articles of incorporation and
by-laws in effect on the date hereof, or otherwise in effect on the date hereof,
shall survive the Merger and shall continue in full force and effect for a
period of not less than six years from the Effective Time.
(e) Benefit. The provisions of this Section 7.04 are intended to be
for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each Indemnified Party, his or
her heirs and his or her representatives.
Section 7.05 COMPANY DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE. On the date hereof, the Company
has delivered to Parent a schedule (the "Company Disclosure Schedule"),
accompanied by a certificate signed by its Treasurer stating that the Company
Disclosure Schedule is being delivered pursuant to this Section 7.05. The
Company Disclosure Schedule constitutes an integral part of this Agreement and
modifies the respective representations, warranties, covenants or agreements of
the Company contained herein to the extent that such representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements expressly refer to the Company Disclosure
Schedule. Anything to the contrary contained herein or in the Company Disclosure
Schedule notwithstanding, any and all statements, representations, warranties or
disclosures set forth in the Company Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to have
been made on and as of the date hereof.
Section 7.06 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS. Subject to each party's disclosure
obligations imposed by law or the rules of any applicable securities exchange or
Governmental Authority, the Company and Parent 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 shall not issue any public announcement or
statement with respect hereto without the consent of the other party (which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld).
Section 7.07 RIGHTS AGREEMENT. Within five business days following the
execution of this Agreement, the Company shall take all action required to
render the rights (the "Company Rights") under the Company Rights Agreement
inapplicable to the Merger and shall amend the Company Rights Agreement so that
(i) Parent and Merger Sub will not become an "Acquiring Person" as a result of
the Merger, (ii) no "Distribution Date" or "Shares Acquisition Date" (as each
such term is defined in the Company Rights Agreement) will occur as a result of
the Merger, and (iii) all Company Rights issued and outstanding under the
Company Rights Agreement will expire immediately prior to the Effective Time.
Except as approved in writing by Parent, the Company shall not (i) amend the
Company Rights Agreement, (ii) redeem the Company Rights or (iii) take any
action with respect to, or make any determination under, the Company Rights
Agreement. If any "Distribution Date" or "Shares Acquisition Date" (as each such
term is defined in the Company Rights Agreement) or any event described in
Section 11(a)(ii) of the Company Rights Agreement occurs under the Company
Rights Agreement at any time during the period from the date of this Agreement
to the Effective Time, Parent and the Company shall make such adjustments to
this Agreement, if any, as Parent and the Company shall mutually agree so as to
preserve the economic benefits that Parent and the Company each
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reasonably expected on the date of this Agreement to receive as a result of the
consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the
Agreement.
Section 7.08 CERTAIN EMPLOYEE AGREEMENTS AND ARRANGEMENTS. Subject to
Section 7.09, Parent and the Surviving Corporation and its subsidiaries shall
honor, assume and perform, without modification, all contracts, agreements
(including without limitation the change in control agreements set forth in
Section 4.10(h) of the Company Disclosure Schedule), collective bargaining
agreements and commitments of the Company and its subsidiaries entered into
prior to the date hereof (or entered into by the Company or its subsidiaries
after the date hereof and prior to the Effective Time, to the extent permitted
by this Agreement) which apply to any current or former employee or current or
former director of the Company and its subsidiaries; provided, however, that the
foregoing shall not prevent Parent or the Surviving Corporation from enforcing
such contracts, agreements, collective bargaining agreements and commitments in
accordance with their terms, including, without limitation, any reserved right
to amend, modify, suspend, revoke or terminate any such contract, agreement,
collective bargaining agreement or commitment. Parent's goal is to create a
working environment within the Surviving Corporation which will satisfy the
objectives of all of the stakeholders of the Surviving Corporation.
Section 7.09 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. (a) Subject to applicable law and
obligations under collective bargaining agreements, for a period of not less
than twelve months immediately following the Closing Date , the compensation,
benefits and coverage provided to those individuals who continue to be employees
of the Surviving Corporation, Parent or their respective subsidiaries (the
"Continuing Company Employees") pursuant to employee benefit plans or
arrangements maintained by Parent, the Surviving Corporation or their respective
subsidiaries shall be not less favorable than those provided to such employees
immediately prior to the Closing Date (it being understood that, after the
Closing Date, Company Common Stock, or options to purchase Company Common Stock,
need not be issued under any employee benefit plans or arrangements).
Notwithstanding the foregoing (but subject to Section 7.08), any such employee
benefit plan or arrangement that provides as of the date hereof for a
continuation period longer than twelve months shall be honored by Parent or the
Surviving Corporation. None of Parent, the Surviving Corporation or their
respective subsidiaries shall terminate any Continuing Company Employee during
the twelve-month period immediately following the Closing Date other than for
cause; provided that termination by Parent, the Surviving Corporation or their
respective subsidiaries shall not include voluntary retirement or voluntary
termination by a Continuing Company Employee.
(b) Subject to applicable law and obligations under collective
bargaining agreements, Parent shall, or shall cause the Surviving Corporation
to, give the Continuing Company Employees full credit for purposes of
eligibility, vesting, benefit accrual and determination of the level of benefits
under any pension plans maintained by the Surviving Corporation in effect as of
the Closing Date for such Continuing Company Employees' service with the Company
or any subsidiary of the Company (or any prior employer) to the same extent
recognized by the Company or such subsidiary immediately prior to the Closing
Date, provided that such credit shall not be required to be given to the extent
crediting such service would result in duplication of benefits under such
pension plans.
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(c) Subject to applicable law and obligations under collective
bargaining agreements, Parent shall, or shall cause the Surviving Corporation
to, (i) waive all limitations as to preexisting conditions, exclusions and
waiting periods with respect to participation and coverage requirements
applicable to the Continuing Company Employees under any welfare benefit plan
established to replace any Company welfare benefit plans in which such
Continuing Company Employees may be eligible to participate after the Closing
Date, other than limitations or waiting periods that are already in effect with
respect to such Continuing Company Employees and that have not been satisfied as
of the Closing Date under any Company welfare plan maintained for the Continuing
Company Employees immediately prior to the Closing Date and (ii) provide each
Continuing Company Employee with credit for any co-payments and deductibles paid
prior to the Closing Date for the plan year in which the Closing Date occurs in
satisfying any applicable deductible or out-of-pocket requirements under any
welfare plans that such Continuing Company Employees are eligible to participate
in after the Closing Date.
(d) Subject to applicable law and obligations under collective
bargaining agreements, Parent shall, or shall cause the Surviving Corporation
to, provide, for a period of not less than twelve months immediately following
the Closing Date, retiree medical plan coverage which shall be not less
favorable than the coverage under the Company retiree medical policy as of the
date hereof to any former employee of the Company (and his or her eligible
dependents) who is currently receiving such benefits thereunder and to any
current employee who retires prior to the Closing Date (and his or her eligible
dependents).
Section 7.10 EXPENSES. Subject to Section 9.03, all costs and expenses
incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses.
Section 7.11 FURTHER ASSURANCES. Each party will, and will cause its
subsidiaries to, execute such further documents and instruments and take such
further actions as may reasonably be requested by any other party in order to
consummate the Merger in accordance with the terms hereof.
Section 7.12 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. After the Effective Time, Parent will
or will cause the Surviving Corporation to make charitable contributions to the
communities served by the Surviving Corporation and otherwise maintain a level
of involvement in community activities in the State of New Jersey consistent
with the level of community development and related activities customarily
carried on by Parent's regulated utility subsidiaries.
Section 7.13 TRANSITION PLANNING. (a) The Company and Parent shall each
appoint two persons to serve from time to time as their respective
representatives on a committee that will be responsible for coordinating
transition planning and implementation relating to the Merger. The initial
representatives of the Company shall be Michael Carmedy and Debbie Wrench. The
initial representatives of Parent shall be Andrew M. Chapman and Edward A.
Clerico.
(b) Between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time, Parent
at its discretion and expense may locate up to two of its representatives at the
offices of the Company
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(it being understood that such representatives shall not interfere with the
business and operations of the Company or its subsidiaries and shall have no
authority whatsoever with respect to the operation of the business of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries). During such period the Company shall cause
one or more of its designated representatives to consult as reasonably requested
by Parent with such representatives of Parent and to discuss the general status
of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries consistent with Sections
6.03 and 7.01 hereof.
Section 7.14 COMPANY CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES. At the written
request of Parent made after (i) receipt of the approval of the New Jersey Board
of Public Utilities referred to in Section 4.04(c) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule (which shall not be subject to any petition for appeal or rehearing),
(ii) satisfaction of the condition referred to in Section 8.01(e) hereof, and
(iii) satisfaction of the condition referred to in Section 8.02 (e) hereof, the
Company shall forthwith call for redemption all convertible subordinated
debentures of the Company outstanding under the Indenture dated as of January 1,
1987, between the Company and The Bank of New York, as successor Trustee (the
"Indenture"), such redemption to occur at the earliest time permitted by the
terms of the Indenture. If the above-mentioned redemption has not occurred,
Parent shall, prior to the Effective Time, join in the execution and delivery by
the Company of a supplemental indenture described in Section 6.01(2) of the
Indenture, whereby, pursuant to Section 11.12 of the Indenture, Parent obligates
itself, after the Effective Time, to deliver the Merger Consideration upon
conversion of the convertible subordinated debentures of the Company outstanding
under such Indenture.
Section 7.15 COMPLIANCE WITH ISRA. Prior to the Closing Date, the Company
will undertake, at its own cost and expense, all activities necessary to
consummate the Merger in compliance with the Industrial Site Recovery Act,
N.J.S.A. 13:1K-6 et seq. ("ISRA"). For purposes of this Section 7.15, compliance
with ISRA shall be deemed to have been achieved upon receipt by the Company of
one of the following: (i) a "Letter of Non-Applicability" issued by the New
Jersey Department of Environmental Protection ("NJDEP") with respect to the
Merger, (ii) approval of a "Negative Declaration" by the NJDEP, (iii) a "no
further action letter" issued by the NJDEP, or (iv) an executed "Remediation
Agreement" with the NJDEP (as each such term is defined pursuant to ISRA);
provided, however, that in no event shall the Company be required to execute a
Remediation Agreement with the NJDEP which, in the Company's reasonable
judgment, could be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, unless
such Remediation Agreement by its terms would be binding on the Company only if
the Merger is consummated.
Section 7.16 STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK. (a) At the Effective Time,
each option under the Company's 1987 Company Stock Option Plan and the 1998
Company Stock Option Plan (the "Company Options") which is vested and
outstanding immediately prior thereto shall be cancelled, and in exchange
therefor, each holder shall have the right to receive (i) the Merger
Consideration into which the share or shares of Company Common Stock issuable
upon exercise of such Company Option would have been converted if such Company
Option had been exercised immediately prior to the Effective Time, reduced by
(ii) (A) the aggregate exercise price for the shares of Company Common Stock
then issuable upon exercise of such Company Option and (B) the amount of any
withholding taxes which may be required thereon. The Company or the Company's
Board of Directors may give any notice or
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take any other action prior to the Effective Time that is permitted by the terms
of any Company Option in order to cause the vesting thereof.
(b) Between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, the
Company or the Company's Board of Directors may take all actions as may be
necessary or desirable in order that all restrictions and vesting provisions
applicable to the restricted stock awards heretofore granted under the Company
1990 Performance Stock Program, the Company Management Incentive Plan and the
Company 1998 Directors Stock Plan are cancelled and eliminated as of the
Effective Time, so that the holders of such restricted stock may receive in
accordance with Section 2.02 the Merger Consideration applicable to such
restricted stock (in return for customary releases).
(c) From and after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall not
permit any additional options to purchase shares of Company Common Stock or
grants of restricted Company Common Stock to be issued or granted under the
Company's stock option plans, performance stock plans, management incentive
plans, directors stock plans or otherwise.
ARTICLE VIII
CONDITIONS
Section 8.01 CONDITIONS TO EACH PARTY'S OBLIGATION TO EFFECT THE MERGER.
The respective obligations of each party to effect the Merger shall be subject
to the satisfaction or waiver on or prior to the Closing Date of each of the
following conditions:
(a) Company Shareholder Approvals. The Company Shareholders' Approval
shall have been obtained.
(b) HSR Act. Any waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable
to the consummation of the Merger under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, shall have expired or been terminated.
(c) No Injunction. No temporary restraining order or preliminary or
permanent injunction or other order by any federal or state court preventing
consummation of the Merger shall have been issued and be continuing in effect,
and the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby shall not have
been prohibited under any applicable federal or state law or regulation.
(d) Statutory Approvals. The Company Required Statutory Approvals and
Parent Required Statutory Approval shall have been obtained at or prior to the
Effective Time; and such approvals shall have become Final Orders. A "Final
Order" means action by the relevant regulatory authority (i) which has not been
reversed, stayed, enjoined, set aside, annulled or suspended, (ii) with respect
to which any waiting period prescribed by law before the transactions
contemplated hereby may be consummated has expired, and as to which all
conditions to the consummation of such transactions prescribed by law,
regulation or order have been satisfied, and (iii) as to which all periods
prescribed by law during which petitions for appeal or rehearing may be made
have expired.
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(e) ISRA Approval. Compliance of the Merger with ISRA shall have been
achieved as set forth in Section 7.15.
Section 8.02 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF PARENT TO EFFECT THE MERGER. The
obligation of Parent and Merger Sub to effect the Merger shall be further
subject to the satisfaction (or waiver by Parent), on or prior to the Closing
Date, of each of the following conditions:
(a) Performance of Obligations of the Company. The Company shall have
performed in all material respects each of its agreements and covenants required
by this Agreement to be so performed by the Company at or prior to the Closing.
(b) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties
of the Company set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct on and as
of the Closing Date with the same effect as though such representations and
warranties had been made on and as of the Closing Date (except for
representations and warranties that expressly speak only as of a specific date
or time other than the date hereof or the Closing Date, which need only be true
and correct as of such date or time) except for such failures of representations
or warranties to be true and correct (without regard to any materiality
qualifications contained therein) which, individually and in the aggregate,
would not reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Closing Certificates. Parent shall have received a certificate
signed by the President of the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect
that, to the best of such officer's knowledge, the conditions set forth in
Section 8.02(a) and Section 8.02(b) have been satisfied.
(d) No Company Material Adverse Effect. No Company Material Adverse
Effect not contemplated by Section 4.06 of the Company Disclosure Schedule or
the Company SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof shall have occurred, and
there shall exist no fact or circumstance other than facts and circumstances
described in Section 4.06 of the Company Disclosure Schedule or the Company SEC
Reports filed prior to the date hereof which could reasonably be expected to
have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(e) Company Required Statutory Approvals. The Company Required
Statutory Approvals shall not impose terms or conditions specifically in
relation to the Merger which, in the reasonable judgment of Parent, could be
expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, properties,
financial condition or results of operations of the Surviving Corporation and
its subsidiaries taken as a whole if the Merger were consummated.
(f) Company Required Consents. The Company Required Consents the
failure of which to obtain would reasonably be expected to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect shall have been obtained.
Section 8.03 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANY TO EFFECT THE MERGER.
The obligation of the Company to effect the Merger shall be further subject to
the satisfaction (or waiver by the Company), on or prior to the Closing Date, of
each of the following conditions:
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(a) Performance of Obligations of Parent. Parent shall have performed
in all material respects each of its agreements and covenants required by this
Agreement to be so performed by Parent at or prior to the Closing.
(b) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties
of Parent set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct on and as of the
Closing Date with the same effect as though such representations and warranties
had been made on and as of the Closing Date (except for representations and
warranties that expressly speak only as of a specific date or time other than
the date hereof or the Closing Date, which need only be true and correct as of
such date or time) except for such failures of representations or warranties to
be true and correct (without regard to any materiality qualifications contained
therein) which, individually and in the aggregate, would not reasonably be
expected to result in a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Closing Certificates. The Company shall have received a
certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer of Parent, dated the Closing
Date, to the effect that, to the best of such officer's knowledge, the
conditions set forth in Section 8.03(a) and Section 8.03(b) have been satisfied.
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.01 TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated, and the Merger
and other transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned, at any time prior
to the Effective Time, whether before or after approval by the shareholders of
the respective parties hereto contemplated by this Agreement:
(a) by mutual written consent of the Boards of Directors of the
Company and Parent;
(b) by Parent or the Company, by written notice to the other parties,
if the Effective Time shall not have occurred on or before the date which is
nine months from the date hereof (the "Initial Termination Date"); provided,
however, that (i) the right to terminate the Agreement under this Section
9.01(b) shall not be available to any party whose failure to fulfill any
obligation under this Agreement has been the cause of, or resulted directly or
indirectly in, the failure of the Effective Time to occur on or before such
date; (ii) if on the Initial Termination Date the condition to the Closing set
forth in Section 8.01(d) shall not have been fulfilled but all other conditions
to the Closing shall be fulfilled or shall be capable of being fulfilled on such
date, then the Initial Termination Date shall be extended to the date which is
twelve months from the date hereof (the "Extended Termination Date"); and (iii)
if on the Extended Termination Date the condition to the Closing set forth in
Section 8.01(d) shall not have been fulfilled solely because the periods
described in clause (iii) of such Section 8.01(d) shall not have expired, the
Extended Termination Date shall be extended to the date of expiration of such
periods;
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(c) by Parent or the Company, by written notice to the other parties,
if the Company Shareholders' Approval shall not have been obtained at a duly
held Company Special Meeting, including any adjournments thereof;
(d) by Parent or the Company, if any law, order, rule or regulation
binding upon either of them is adopted or issued, which has the effect, as
supported by the written opinion of outside counsel for such party, of
prohibiting the Merger, or if any court of competent jurisdiction in the United
States or any State 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; (provided that the
right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.01(d) shall not be
available to any party that has not defended such lawsuit or other legal
proceeding (including seeking to have any stay or temporary restraining order
entered by any court or other Governmental Authority vacated or reversed));
(e) by the Company if (i) the Company's Board of Directors shall have
determined in good faith, based on the advice of outside counsel, that it is
necessary, in order to act consistently with its fiduciary duties to the
Company's shareholders under applicable law, to terminate this Agreement in
order to enter into an agreement with respect to, or to consummate a transaction
constituting, a Superior Proposal, (ii) the Company shall have given notice to
Parent advising Parent that the Company has received a Superior Proposal from a
third party, specifying the material terms and conditions (including the
identity of the third party), and that the Company intends to terminate this
Agreement in accordance with this Section 9.01(e), (iii) either (A) Parent shall
not have revised its proposal for the Merger within 10 days from the time on
which such notice is deemed to have been given to Parent or (B) if Parent within
such period shall have delivered to the Company's Board of Directors a firm
revised proposal for the Merger, the Company's Board of Directors, after
receiving advice from the Company's financial advisor, shall have determined in
its good faith judgment that notwithstanding a binding commitment to consummate
this Agreement and concessions that may be offered by Parent's revised proposal,
the third party's Alternative Proposal is superior to Parent's revised proposal
for the Merger, and (iv) the Company, at the time of such termination, pays the
expenses and the termination fee in accordance with Section 9.03(b);
(f) by the Company, by written notice to Parent, if (i) there exist
breaches of the representations and warranties of Parent made herein as of the
date hereof which breaches, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably
be expected to give rise to the failure of the condition set forth in 8.03(b),
and such breaches shall not have been remedied within 20 days after receipt by
Parent of notice in writing from the Company, specifying the nature of such
breaches and requesting that they be remedied, or (ii) there shall have been a
material breach of any agreement or covenant of Parent hereunder, which breach
would reasonably be expected to give rise to the failure of the condition set
forth in Section 8.03(a), and such breach shall not have been remedied within 20
days after receipt by Parent of notice in writing from the Company, specifying
the nature of such failure and requesting that it be remedied; or
(g) by Parent, by written notice to the Company, if (i) there exist
breaches of the representations and warranties of the Company made herein as of
the date hereof which breaches, individually or in the aggregate, would
reasonably be expected to give rise to the
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failure of the condition set forth in Section 8.02(b), and such breaches shall
not have been remedied within 20 days after receipt by the Company of notice in
writing from Parent, specifying the nature of such breaches and requesting that
they be remedied, (ii) there shall have been a material breach of any agreement
or covenant of the Company hereunder, which breach would reasonably be expected
to give rise to the failure of the condition set forth in Section 8.02(a), and
such breach shall not have been remedied within 20 days after receipt by the
Company of notice in writing from Parent, specifying the nature of such failure
and requesting that it be remedied, or (iii) the Board of Directors takes any
action to withdraw or modify in a manner adverse to Parent or Merger Sub its
approvals or recommendation of the Merger or this Agreement or to recommend any
Alternative Proposal or shall resolve to do any of the foregoing.
Section 9.02 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. In the event of a valid termination of
this Agreement by either the Company or Parent pursuant to Section 9.01, this
Agreement shall forthwith become null and void and there shall be no liability
on the part of either the Company or Parent or their respective officers or
directors hereunder, except that Section 7.10, Section 9.03, the agreement
contained in the last sentence of Section 7.01, and Sections 10.08, 10.09 and
10.10 shall survive the termination.
Section 9.03 TERMINATION FEES; EXPENSES. (a) If this Agreement is
terminated by Parent pursuant to Section 9.01(g)(i) or (ii), then the Company
shall promptly (but not later than five business days after receiving notice of
termination) pay to Parent in cash an amount equal to all documented
out-of-pocket expenses and fees incurred by Parent (including, without
limitation, fees and expenses payable to all legal, accounting, financial, and
other professionals arising out of, in connection with or related to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement) not in excess of $5 million. If
this Agreement is terminated by the Company pursuant to Section 9.01(f), then
Parent shall promptly (but not later than five business days after receiving
notice of termination) pay to the Company in cash an amount equal to all
documented out-of-pocket expenses and fees incurred by the Company (including,
without limitation, fees and expenses payable to all legal, accounting,
financial, and other professionals arising out of, in connection with or related
to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) not in excess of $5 million.
(b) In the event that (i) this Agreement is terminated by the Company
pursuant to Section 9.01(e) or (ii) any person or group shall have made an
Alternative Proposal that has not been withdrawn and this Agreement is
terminated by (A) Parent or the Company pursuant to Section 9.01(c) because the
Company Shareholders' Approval is not obtained, (B) Parent pursuant to Section
9.01(g)(iii), or (C) by the Company pursuant to Section 9.01(b), then the
Company shall promptly (but in no event later than the date of such termination)
pay or cause to be paid to Parent, by wire transfer of same day funds, a
termination fee of $16.5 million plus an amount equal to all documented
out-of-pocket expenses and fees incurred by Parent arising out of, or in
connection with or related to, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
not in excess of $5 million in the aggregate; provided, however, that if this
Agreement is terminated pursuant to the provisions of clause (ii) above, then no
payment of a termination fee or expenses by the Company to Parent shall be
required unless and until a definitive agreement with respect to the applicable
Alternative Proposal is executed within one year after such termination and, in
such event, a termination fee and expenses shall be payable within one business
day after the execution of such definitive agreement.
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<PAGE> 38
(c) Nature of Fees. The parties agree that the agreements contained in
this Section 9.03 are an integral part of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby and constitute liquidated damages and not a penalty. The
parties further agree that if any party is or becomes obligated to pay a
termination fee or expenses pursuant to Sections 9.03(a) or 9.03(b), the right
to receive such termination fee or expenses shall be the sole remedy of the
other party with respect to the facts and circumstances giving rise to such
payment obligation. If this Agreement is terminated by a party as a result of a
willful breach of a representation, warranty, covenant or agreement by the other
party, the non-breaching party may pursue any remedies available to it at law or
in equity and shall be entitled to recover any additional amounts thereunder.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 9.03, if one
party fails to promptly pay to the other any fee or expense due under this
Section 9.03, in addition to any amounts paid or payable pursuant to Section,
the defaulting party shall pay the costs and expenses (including legal fees and
expenses) in connection with any action, including the filing of any lawsuit or
other legal action, taken to collect payment, together with interest on the
amount of any unpaid fee at the publicly announced prime rate of The Bank of New
York from the date such fee was required to be paid.
Section 9.04 AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended at any time before or
after approval hereof by the shareholders of the Company and prior to the
Effective Time, but after such approval only to the extent permitted by
applicable law. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in
writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto.
Section 9.05 EXTENSION OR WAIVER. At any time prior to the Effective Time,
the Parent or the Company may (a) extend the time for the performance of any of
the obligations or other acts of the other parties hereto, (b) waive any
inaccuracies in the representations and warranties contained herein or in any
document delivered pursuant hereto and (c) waive compliance with any of the
agreements or conditions contained herein, to the extent permitted by applicable
law. Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to any such extension or waiver
shall be valid if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such
party. No waiver by any party of any term or condition of this Agreement, in any
one or more instances, shall be deemed to be or construed as a waiver of the
same or any other term or condition of this Agreement on any future occasion.
Section 9.06 PROCEDURE FOR TERMINATION, AMENDMENT, EXTENSION OR WAIVER. A
termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.01, an amendment of this
Agreement pursuant to Section 9.04 or an extension or waiver pursuant to Section
9.05 shall, in order to be effective, require, in the case of the Company,
action by its Board of Directors or the duly authorized committee or designee of
its Board of Directors to the extent permitted by law and its Certificate of
Incorporation and, in the case of Parent and Merger Sub, action by its Board of
Directors or the duly authorized committee or designee of its Board of Directors
to the extent permitted by law and its charter or governing documents.
37
<PAGE> 39
ARTICLE X
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 10.01 NON-SURVIVAL; EFFECT OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. All
representations, warranties and agreements in this Agreement shall not survive
the Merger, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and except for the
agreements contained in this Section 10.01, in Articles I and II and in Sections
7.04, 7.08, 7.09, 10.07, 10.08, 10.09 and 10.10.
Section 10.02 BROKERS. The Company represents and warrants that, except for
Salomon Smith Barney Inc., whose fees have been disclosed to Parent prior to the
date hereof, no broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any
brokerage, finder's or other fee or commission in connection with the Merger or
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by
or on behalf of the Company. Parent represents and warrants that, except for
Lazard Brothers & Co., Limited and Lazard Freres & Co. LLC, no broker, finder or
investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder's or other fee or
commission in connection with the Merger or the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Parent.
Section 10.03 NOTICES. All notices and other communications hereunder shall
be in writing and shall be deemed given if (i) delivered personally, (ii) sent
by reputable overnight courier service, (iii) telecopied (which is confirmed),
or (iv) five days after being mailed by registered or certified mail (return
receipt requested) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other
address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):
(a) If to the Company, to:
E'town Corporation
600 South Avenue
PO Box 788
Westfield, NJ 07090
Attention: Andrew M. Chapman
Telephone: (908) 654-1234
Telecopy: (908) 232-2719
with a copy to:
Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts
One Battery Park Plaza
New York, New York 10004-1490
Attention: David P. Falck, Esq.
Telephone: (212) 858-1000
Telecopy: (212) 858-1500
38
<PAGE> 40
(b) If to Parent, to:
Thames Water Plc
14 Cavendish Place
London W1M 0NU
United Kingdom
Attention: David Badcock
Telephone: +44-171-636-8686
Telecopy: +44-171-436-6755
with a copy to:
Debevoise & Plimpton
875 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attention: Michael W. Blair, Esq.
Telephone: (212) 909-6000
Telecopy: (212)-909-6836
and
Ronald E. Walsh, Esq.
Thames Water North America Inc.
Two Stamford Plaza
281 Tresser Boulevard
Stamford, CT 06901
Telephone: (203) 355-7400
Telecopy: (203) 355-7410
(c) If to Merger Sub, to:
Edward Acquisition Corp.
c/o Thames Water North America Inc.
Two Stamford Plaza, 15th Floor
281 Tresser Blvd.
Stamford, CT 06901
Attention: Ronald Walsh, Esq.
Telephone: (203) 355-7400
Telecopy: (203) 355-7410
with a copy to:
39
<PAGE> 41
Debevoise & Plimpton
875 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attention: Michael W. Blair, Esq.
Telephone: (212) 909-6000
Telecopy: (212)-909-6836
Section 10.04 MISCELLANEOUS. This Agreement (including the documents and
instruments referred to herein) (i) constitutes the entire agreement and
supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral,
among the parties, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof
other than the Confidentiality Agreement; (ii) shall not be assigned by
operation of law or otherwise; and (iii) shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey applicable to contracts
executed in and to be fully performed in such State, without giving effect to
its conflicts of law, rules or principles.
Section 10.05 INTERPRETATION. (a) When a reference is made in this
Agreement to Sections or Exhibits, such reference shall be to a Section or
Exhibit of this Agreement, respectively, unless otherwise indicated. The table
of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes
only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement. Whenever the words "include," "includes" or "including" are used in
this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without
limitation."
(b) If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid
or unenforceable under any present or future law or order, and if the rights or
obligations of any party hereto under this Agreement will not be materially and
adversely affected thereby, (i) such provision will be fully severable, (ii)
this Agreement will be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or
unenforceable provision had never comprised a part hereof, and (iii) the
remaining provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and
will not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by
its severance herefrom.
Section 10.06 COUNTERPARTS; EFFECT. This Agreement may be executed in one
or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all
of which shall constitute one and the same agreement.
Section 10.07 PARTIES IN INTEREST. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto, and, except for Article II and
for rights of Indemnified Parties as set forth in Section 7.04, nothing in this
Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any other person any
rights or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this
Agreement.
Section 10.08 SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVERS. Each of Parent and
Merger Sub irrevocably agrees that any legal action or proceeding with respect
to this Agreement or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect
hereof brought by the Company or its successors or assigns may be brought and
determined in a state court of the State of New York or in any court of the
United States located in New York, and each of Parent and Merger Sub hereby
irrevocably submits with regard to any such action or proceeding for itself and
in
40
<PAGE> 42
respect to its property, generally and unconditionally, to the nonexclusive
jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts. Any service of process to be made in such
action or proceeding may be made by delivery of process in accordance with the
notice provisions contained in Section 10.03. Each of Parent and Merger Sub
hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a
defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any action or proceeding with respect to
this Agreement, (a) the defense of sovereign immunity, (b) any claim that it is
not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts for any
reason other than the failure to serve process in accordance with this Section
10.08, (c) that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any
such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through
service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution
of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise), or (d) that (i) the suit,
action or proceeding in any such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (ii)
the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper and (iii) this
Agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such
courts.
Section 10.09 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES,
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A
TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED
ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HEREBY (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO
REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY
OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK
TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER
PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER
THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
Section 10.10 ENFORCEMENT. The parties agree that irreparable damage would
occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not
performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It
is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any court of the United States
located in the State of New York or in New York state court, this being in
addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.
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<PAGE> 43
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company, Parent and Merger Sub have caused this
Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as
of the date first written above.
E'TOWN CORPORATION
By:
/s/ Anne Evans Estabrook
-------------------------------------------
Name: Anne Evans Estabrook
Title: Chairman of the Board
THAMES WATER Plc
By:
/s/ William J. Alexander
-------------------------------------------
Name: William J. Alexander
Title: Chief Executive
EDWARD ACQUISITION CORP.
By:
/s/ David E. Chardavoyne
-------------------------------------------
Name: David E. Chardavoyne
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 99A
PRESS RELEASE
THAMES WATER PLC PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF E'TOWN CORPORATION ("E'TOWN")
PROVIDES FOR FURTHER NORTH AMERICAN EXPANSION
WESTFIELD, N.J. (NYSE - ETW) -- November 22, 1999 -- E'town today announces that
it has entered into an agreement with Thames Water Plc ("Thames Water") under
which Thames Water has agreed, subject to certain conditions, to acquire E'town
for $607 million, or $68 per share, in cash. Thames Water will also assume the
net debt of E'town, which was $341 million as of September 30, 1999. The
acquisition will take the form of a merger of E'town with a newly formed
subsidiary of Thames Water.
Anne Evans Estabrook, chairman of E'town said, "The Board of E'town
believes that the offer by Thames Water is in the best interests of our
shareholders, customers and employees who will all benefit from the advantages
of E'town becoming part of a larger international company.
<PAGE> 2
"The offer has the Board's full support and management looks forward to
developing the business vigorously as part of Thames Water."
William Alexander, chief executive of Thames Water said, "This transaction
will reinforce our position as the leading company solely focused on providing
water and wastewater operations and services around the world.
"Thames Water has been building its presence in the U.S. for some time and
we have concluded that the scale and speed with which we can secure new business
would be significantly enhanced by this acquisition. E'town has a proven track
record, is well placed for growth and operates in a region with strong
potential. In addition, we share a passion for excellence in customer service
and together our capability to address opportunities on a broader front will be
considerably strengthened."
E'town operates in New Jersey and is one of the largest investor-owned
water utilities in the United States. E'town is made up of two regulated water
utilities (Elizabethtown Water Company and The Mount Holly Water Company), two
non-regulated contract operations (Liberty Water Company and Edison Water
Company), a regulated wastewater company (Applied Wastewater Management, Inc.),
an engineering/operations business (Applied Water Management, Inc.) and a real
estate company (E'town Properties, Inc.). In the year ended December 31, 1998,
E'town supplied 51 billion gallons of water to approximately 234,000 retail
customers, serving a population of more than 1 million people.
<PAGE> 3
For the twelve months ended September 30, 1999, E'town had revenue of
$159.4 million, and net income of $24.5 million. E'town's shareholders' equity
was $229 million as of September 30, 1999.
The acquisition of E'town Corporation represents an important step in the
continuing development of Thames Water's international activities and enhance
its ability to accelerate the growth of its operations in North America. Thames
Water is the third largest global water service provider with more than 21
million customers and 12,500 employees worldwide.
Thames Water's strategy is to develop its position as the leading company
solely focused on providing water and wastewater operations and services around
the world. Expanding its presence in North America (the largest market in the
world) complements Thames' established businesses in Europe and Asia. Thames
Water currently serves a customer base of more than 9.8 million outside of the
U.K., and its international operations generated an operating profit of $33.8
million on sales of $104. 9 million in the six months ended September 30, 1999.
The acquisition of E'town will constitute Thames Water's most significant
investment in the United States market and will make a major contribution to its
international profile and spread of activities. The United States is expected to
provide opportunities for profitable growth in the water and wastewater market,
particularly as municipal authorities are increasingly willing to outsource
these operations to private companies.
<PAGE> 4
Thames Water intends to work closely with the E'town management team in
order to support the future development of the company and to achieve the added
value that will be generated by the combination of these two successful
companies. Anne Estabrook, chairman of E'town since May 1997 and a director of
E'town since 1985, will have an advisory role within Thames Water International.
Andrew Chapman, president of E'town since May 1997 and a director of E'town
since 1995, has agreed to lead E'town's management team.
The acquisition requires the approval of E'town shareholders. This approval
will be sought at a special shareholders meeting expected to be held during the
first quarter of 2000. The acquisition is also subject to approval by the New
Jersey Board of Public Utilities and the United States antitrust authorities.
These approvals are expected to be secured before the fourth quarter of 2000.
Contacts: Gail P. Brady
Sr. Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer & Treasurer
(908) 301-3200
Donna Gregory
Director -- Corporate Communication
(908) 301-3235
Erin Reilly
Corporate Communication Coordinator
(908) 301-3234
