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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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SCHEDULE 14D-9
SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO
SECTION 14(D)(4) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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HILLS STORES COMPANY
(NAME OF SUBJECT COMPANY)
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HILLS STORES COMPANY
(NAME OF PERSON FILING STATEMENT)
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<S> <C>
COMMON STOCK SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
PAR VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE PAR VALUE $0.10 PER SHARE
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(TITLES OF CLASSES OF SECURITIES)
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431692102 431692201
(CUSIP NUMBERS OF CLASSES OF SECURITIES)
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WILLIAM K. FRIEND
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT--SECRETARY AND CORPORATE COUNSEL
HILLS STORES COMPANY
15 DAN ROAD
CANTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02021
(781) 821-1000
(NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF PERSON
AUTHORIZED TO RECEIVE NOTICE AND COMMUNICATIONS
ON BEHALF OF THE PERSON FILING STATEMENT)
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COPIES TO:
PAUL S. PEARLMAN, ESQ.
KRAMER LEVIN NAFTALIS & FRANKEL LLP
919 THIRD AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
(212) 715-9100
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ITEM 1. SECURITY AND SUBJECT COMPANY.
The name of the subject company is Hills Stores Company, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and the address of the principal executive offices
of the Company is 15 Dan Road, Canton, Massachusetts 02021. The titles of the
classes of equity securities to which this statement relates are the Company's
common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), and the Company's
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.10 per share, including, in
each case, the associated preferred stock purchase rights (the "Preferred
Stock," and together with the Common Stock, the "Shares").
ITEM 2. TENDER OFFER OF THE BIDDER.
This statement relates to the tender offer (the "Offer") described in the
Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 14D-1, dated November 18, 1998 (as amended or
supplemented, the "Schedule 14D-l"), filed by Ames Department Stores, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("Ames"), and HSC Acquisition Corp. (the "Purchaser"), a
Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ames, with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), relating to an offer by the
Purchaser to purchase all the issued and outstanding Shares for an amount equal
to $1.50 per Share, net to the seller in cash (the "Offer Price"), and a
deferred contingent cash right (the "Equity DCCR"), upon the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth in the Purchaser's Offer to Purchase, dated
November 18, 1998, and the related Letter of Transmittal (together, as amended
or supplemented, the "Offer Documents"). As more particularly described in Item
3(b) of this Schedule 14D-9 under "The Merger Agreement," each Equity DCCR will
entitle the holder thereof to an amount equal to a pro rata share (rounded to
the nearest cent) of 25% of the Net Recovery (as defined), if any, in the
litigation (the "Hills Litigation") styled Hills Stores Company v. Bozic, et al.
(Del. Ch., filed September 1995) and related claims and counterclaims.
The Offer is being made pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated
as of November 12, 1998 (the "Merger Agreement"), among Ames, the Purchaser and
the Company. A copy of the Merger Agreement is filed as Exhibit 1 to this
Schedule 14D-9, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, as soon as practicable following the
consummation of the Offer and the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions,
the Purchaser will be merged with and into the Company (the "Merger"), with the
Company continuing as the surviving corporation (the "Surviving Corporation").
In the Merger, each Share outstanding at the Effective Time (as defined below)
(other than Shares held in the treasury of the Company, Shares owned by Ames,
the Purchaser or any subsidiary of Ames or the Purchaser, and Shares held by
stockholders who properly exercise their dissenters' rights under the Delaware
General Corporation Law ("Delaware Law" or the "DGCL")) will, by virtue of the
Merger and without any action by the holder thereof, be converted into the right
to receive the Offer Price, or any higher price per Share paid in the Offer, and
the Equity DCCR (together, the "Merger Consideration"), without interest, upon
the surrender of the certificate formerly representing such Share
("Certificate"). The Merger Agreement is summarized in Item 3(b) of this
Schedule 14D-9.
In accordance with the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser is also making an
offer (the "Note Tender Offer") to purchase all of the outstanding 12 1/2%
Senior Notes due 2003 of the Company (the "Notes") for an amount equal to $550
for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes (the "Note Tender Cash Consideration")
payable in cash, which amount includes all accrued and unpaid interest to but
not including the date of payment, plus a deferred contingent cash right (the
"Note DCCR"). Each Note DCCR will entitle the holder thereof to an amount equal
to a pro rata share (rounded to the nearest cent) of 50% of the Net Recovery, if
any, in the Hills Litigation. In conjunction with the Note Tender Offer, the
Purchaser is seeking consents (the "Consents") of holders of Notes to certain
proposed amendments to the indenture governing the Notes. A portion of the Note
Tender Cash Consideration equal to $30 for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes
is payment for delivery of a Consent by holders of the Notes before a specified
Consent Date. Among other things, the Offer is conditioned upon the Purchaser
having acquired not less than 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount of the
Notes.
According to the Offer Documents, the principal executive offices of Ames
and the Purchaser are located at 2418 Main Street, Rocky Hill, Connecticut
06067.
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ITEM 3. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND.
(a) The name and business address of the Company, which is the person
filing this Schedule 14D-9, are set forth in Item 1 above.
(b) Certain contracts, agreements, arrangements or understandings and any
actual or potential conflicts of interests between (A) the Company or its
affiliates and (B) certain of its executive officers, directors or affiliates
are, except as noted below, described in the Company's Proxy Statement for the
1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 17, 1998, excerpts of which are
filed as Exhibit 2 to this Schedule 14D-9, and are incorporated herein by
reference, under the headings "Beneficial Ownership," "Executive Compensation,"
"Employment Contracts," "Restricted Stock Agreements," "Compensation of
Directors," "Stock Option Table," "Option Exercises in Fiscal 1997," and
"Compensation Committee Report."
On October 27, 1998, the Company entered into an Executive Employment
Agreement with Chaim Y. Edelstein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, with a term expiring on May 1, 2000. The agreement provides for a base
salary of $1,000,000 per year. In addition, under the terms of the agreement,
Mr. Edelstein received a $500,000 signing bonus, which is required to be
returned to the Company on a pro rata basis if Mr. Edelstein terminates the
agreement without good reason (as defined) or is terminated for cause (as
defined) prior to the expiration of the term, subject to certain exceptions.
Mr. Edelstein is also entitled to receive a success bonus of up to $1,500,000,
if the Company engages during the term or, under certain circumstances, within a
specified period thereafter in a capital transaction (as defined) in which the
holders of the Common Stock of the Company receive consideration of at least
$2.50 per share; the Company's common stock price exceeds $2.50 per share during
certain specified time periods, subject to certain exceptions; or the Company's
Board of Directors determines in the fair and reasonable exercise of its
discretion that Mr. Edelstein has made a material contribution to the enterprise
value of the Company. If Mr. Edelstein terminates his employment for good reason
or if the Company terminates Mr. Edelstein's employment without cause,
Mr. Edelstein will be entitled to receive, in a lump sum, payment of his
remaining salary to the end of the term of the agreement and a continuation of
his health insurance policies through the end of the term. In addition,
Mr. Edelstein is entitled to terminate his employment following a change of
control (as defined), and, in addition to the other benefits payable on
termination for good reason, Mr. Edelstein will be entitled to receive up to
$1,500,000, less the amount of any success bonus previously paid or payable to
him, such difference to be pro rated based upon the term of the agreement
elapsed prior to the date of termination. On November 6, 1998, Mr. Edelstein and
the Company entered into a supplemental letter agreement relating to a business
combination with Ames. The letter agreement provides that, if Ames acquires more
than 51% of the Company's outstanding equity on or before June 30, 1999, then at
the time Ames acquires such equity interest, Mr. Edelstein will receive, in a
lump sum, payment equal to the full amount of the success bonus and the amount
of his salary to the end of the term of the agreement. Thereafter, he will be
required to continue his employment with the Company without any additional
remuneration for a period of 60 days.
On October 27, 1998, the Company entered into a severance agreement with
Mr. Gregory K. Raven, the former president and chief executive officer of the
Company. Under the terms of the severance agreement, which superseded the
relevant provisions of Mr. Raven's employment agreement, Mr. Raven received a
severance payment of $1,120,000 shortly after he resigned from his employment
with the Company, and he will be entitled to receive an additional $280,000 in
February 1999. In addition, if the Company engages in a change of control
transaction (as defined) on or before January 31, 1999, Mr. Raven will be
entitled to receive another $250,000. As provided in the severance agreement,
Mr. Raven surrendered all of his outstanding options to purchase the Company's
common stock, and was issued all 100,000 shares of restricted stock granted to
Mr. Raven under his prior employment agreement, which shares, to the extent not
previously vested, became fully vested, upon termination of his employment.
On October 26, 1998, the Company entered into a severance agreement with
Frederick L. Angst, the former executive vice president and chief merchandising
officer of the Company. Under the terms of this agreement, Mr. Angst received a
severance payment of $183,500 and terminated his employment agreement with the
Company, which would have otherwise expired on July 22, 2000.
On October 26, 1998, the Company adopted an executive retention bonus
program. Under the program, executives named herein below will be entitled to
receive a specified bonus if a covered change of control (as
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defined) occurs before June 30, 1999, in the case of a transaction with Ames, or
March 1, 1999, in the case of a transaction with any other person, and either
the executive is actively employed with the Company on the date of the
consummation of the transaction constituting the change of control or his
employment has been previously terminated by the Company other than for cause
(as defined). Consummation of the Offer will constitute a covered change of
control for these purposes. Bonuses are payable under the program as follows: C.
Scott Litten, executive vice president and chief financial officer, $350,000;
Michael R. Hamilton, executive vice president--operations, $168,000; William K.
Friend, senior vice president, secretary and corporate counsel, $181,000; Joseph
J. Staffieri, senior vice president--human resources, $80,000; John M. Doyle,
vice president--treasurer, $68,750; Richard C. Doran, assistant corporate
counsel, $58,950; and Jonathan Kasdan, director--tax, $55,000.
On November 11, 1998, the Company adopted short term retention bonus
programs for certain of its employees. Under these programs the below-named
executives will be entitled to receive a special bonus on the earlier of
March 1, 1999 or the date of their termination. Bonuses are payable to
executives under these programs as follows: Daniel L. Ostrowski, vice
president--regional manager, $50,000; Jeffrey R. Sims, senior vice
president--logistics, $50,000 and Alan M. Weingarden, senior vice
president--chief information officer, $75,000.
Except as described herein (including in Schedule II hereto) or
incorporated by reference herein, to the knowledge of the Company, as of the
date hereof there exists no material contract, agreement, arrangement or
understanding and no actual or potential conflict of interest between the
Company or its affiliates and (i) the Company's executive officers, directors or
affiliates or (ii) Ames or the Purchaser or the executive officers, directors or
affiliates of Ames or the Purchaser.
THE MERGER AGREEMENT
The following is a summary of certain provisions of the Merger Agreement.
This summary is not a complete description of the terms and conditions of the
Merger Agreement and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text
of the Merger Agreement which is filed with the Commission as an exhibit to this
Schedule 14D-9 and is incorporated herein by reference. Capitalized terms not
otherwise defined below shall have the meanings set forth in the Merger
Agreement.
Representations and Warranties. In the Merger Agreement, the Company has
made customary representations and warranties to Ames and the Purchaser with
respect to, among other things, corporate organization, subsidiaries,
certificate of incorporation and by-laws, capital stock, options or other rights
to acquire Shares, authority to enter into the Merger Agreement and the Stock
Option Agreement, no conflicts between the Merger Agreement, the Stock Option
Agreement and applicable laws and certain agreements to which the Company or its
assets may be subject, required consents, compliance with applicable laws,
filings with the Commission, financial statements, absence of certain changes or
events, litigation, employee benefit plans, labor and employment matters,
disclosures in proxy statement and tender offer documents, owned and leased real
and personal property, intellectual property, tax matters, environmental
matters, material contracts, insurance, certain payments, licenses and permits,
letters of credit, surety bonds and guarantees, brokers' and finders' fees, Year
2000, applicability of state takeover statutes, the Rights Agreement, receipt of
the Financial Advisor Opinion and full disclosure.
In the Merger Agreement, Ames and the Purchaser have made customary
representations and warranties to the Company with respect to, among other
things, corporate organization, authority to enter into the Merger Agreement and
the Stock Option Agreement, no conflicts between the Merger Agreement, the Stock
Option Agreement and the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of Ames or the
Purchaser or laws applicable to Ames or the Purchaser, required consents,
financing, disclosures in proxy statement and tender offer documents, and
brokers' and finders' fees.
Conditions to the Merger. The obligations of the Purchaser, on the one
hand, and the Company, on the other hand, to effect the Merger are subject to
the satisfaction of each of the following conditions, any and all of which may
be waived in whole or in part by the Company, Ames or the Purchaser, as the case
may be, to the extent permitted by applicable law: (i) the Merger Agreement and
the Transactions shall have been approved and adopted by the requisite vote of
the holders of Shares, if required by applicable law and the Certificate of
Incorporation, in order to consummate the Merger; (ii) any waiting period or
extension thereof applicable to the
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Merger under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated; (iii) no
foreign, United States or state governmental authority or other agency or
commission or foreign, United States or state court of competent jurisdiction
shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any law, rule,
regulation, executive order, decree, injunction or other order (whether
temporary, preliminary or permanent) which is then in effect (which order or
other action, the Company and Ames shall use their reasonable efforts to lift)
and has the effect of making the acquisition of Shares by the Purchaser or any
affiliate of the Purchaser or the consummation of the Merger illegal under
applicable law or otherwise restricting, preventing or prohibiting under
applicable law the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement; (iv) the Purchaser or its permitted assignee shall have purchased all
Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer; (v) the
Supplemental Indenture (as defined below) shall have been entered into and the
Purchaser or its permitted assignee shall have purchased all Notes validly
tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Note Tender Offer; and (vi) the
Purchaser shall have received sufficient financing, on terms at least as
favorable to it as those specified in the Commitment Letter, to pay the
aggregate Merger Consideration payable under the Merger Agreement, to purchase
the Notes pursuant to the Note Tender Offer and to satisfy the ongoing working
capital needs of the Surviving Corporation.
Note Tender Offer. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, as promptly as
reasonably practicable after the date of the Merger Agreement, but in no event
later than five business days after the first public announcement of the
execution thereof, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Merger Agreement, the Purchaser or its designee shall make the Note Offer to
Purchase. In connection with such Note Offer to Purchase, the Purchaser or its
designee intends to solicit Consents from the holders of the Notes to amend or
eliminate certain sections of the Indenture. The Purchaser's obligation to
accept for payment and pay for the Notes and related Consents tendered pursuant
to the Note Tender Offer is subject to the condition that (i) the aggregate
principal amount of Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the
expiration of the Note Tender Offer, combined with the Notes already owned by
Ames, the Purchaser or any of their affiliates, constitutes at least 66 2/3% in
aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes at the expiration of
the Note Tender Offer, (ii) the Purchaser receives Consents from at least
66 2/3% of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes, (iii) the Purchaser
has acquired or is simultaneously acquiring not less than 51% of the then
outstanding Shares (the "Stock Purchase Condition") and (iv) to other conditions
(including, without limitation, the Minimum Stock Condition). The Note Tender
Offer shall be made at a price of 55% of the principal amount of the Notes
(which amount includes all accrued and unpaid interest to but not including the
date of payment) plus a deferred contingent cash right, upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Merger Agreement and the Note Tender Offer. In
the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser expressly reserved the right to waive any
condition, to increase the price payable for each Note and related Consent
tendered in the Note Tender Offer, and to make any other changes in the terms
and conditions of the Note Tender Offer; provided, however, that, without the
consent of the Company, no change may be made which decreases the price payable
for each Note and related Consent tendered in the Note Tender Offer, which
reduces the Minimum Note Condition, which eliminates the Stock Purchase
Condition, which otherwise modifies or amends the conditions to the Note Tender
Offer or any other term of the Note Tender Offer in a manner that is materially
adverse to the holders of the Notes, which imposes additional conditions to the
Note Tender Offer, or which extends the expiration date of the Note Tender Offer
beyond January 4, 1999 (except that the Purchaser may extend the expiration date
of the Note Tender Offer through January 9, 1999 as required to comply with any
rule, regulation or interpretation of the SEC). Subject to the terms and
conditions of the Note Tender Offer (including, without limitation, the Minimum
Note Condition), the Purchaser has agreed in the Merger Agreement to pay, as
promptly as practicable after expiration of the Note Tender Offer, for all Notes
and related Consents validly tendered and not withdrawn. At such time as the
Purchaser receives Consents from at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding principal
amount of the Notes, the Company has agreed to execute, and to cause the
Guarantors party to the Indenture to execute, and to use all reasonable efforts
to cause the trustee under the Indenture to execute, a supplemental indenture
(the "Supplemental Indenture") in order to give effect to the amendments of the
indenture contemplated in the Note Tender Offer documents; provided, however,
that notwithstanding the fact that the Supplemental Indenture will become
effective upon such execution, the proposed amendments set forth in the
Supplemental Indenture (the "Proposed Amendments") will not become operative
unless and until the Minimum Note Condition is satisfied and all the other
conditions to the Note Tender Offer set forth in Annex B to the Merger Agreement
have been satisfied or waived by Ames and the Purchaser, and the Purchaser
accepts all Notes (and related Consents) validly tendered for purchase and
payment pursuant to the Note Tender Offer. In
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such event, the parties to the Merger Agreement have agreed that the Proposed
Amendments will be deemed operative as of the date immediately prior to such
acceptance for payment, and the Purchaser will thereafter be obligated to make
all payments for the Notes (and related Consents) so tendered.
Equity DCCRs. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, the DCCR to
be issued to holders of Shares (other than Ames or the Purchaser, or the
Company, or their respective subsidiaries) in the Offer and the Merger will
entitle each such holder to an amount equal to a pro rata share (rounded up to
the nearest cent) of 25% of the Net Recovery (as defined below), if any. For
these purposes a holder's pro rata share is a fraction, the numerator of which
is the number of Shares held by such person immediately prior to the
consummation of the Offer or at the time of the Merger, as the case may be, and
the denominator of which is the total number of Shares outstanding immediately
prior to the consummation of the Offer after giving effect to the exercise after
the consummation of the Offer of any options, warrants and rights under the
Company's Associate Stock Purchase Plan. The Merger Agreement defines the term
"Net Recovery" to mean (1) the sum of (A) cash payments, if any, actually
received by the Surviving Corporation in respect of a final, non-appealable
judgment in or settlement (including any cash tax refund received by any
defendant and paid over to the Surviving Corporation) of the Hills Litigation
(as defined below) and any advances to other parties recovered by the Surviving
Corporation and (B) amounts received after the consummation of the Offer from
certain employees of the Company who settled related claims prior to such time
or who otherwise make payments after such time in respect of such related claims
(including any cash tax refund received by any such persons and paid over to the
Surviving Corporation), together with any interest earned on the foregoing (such
cash payments are hereinafter collectively referred to as, the "Cash Payment"),
minus, without prioritization, (2) the sum of (A) the aggregate expenses
incurred after consummation of the Offer by Ames, the Purchaser, the Company or
the Surviving Corporation in prosecuting and defending the Hills Litigation and
obtaining such Cash Payment, (B) the aggregate payments or advances by the
Company or the Surviving Corporation after Consummation of the Offer to or on
behalf of third parties relating to claims of indemnification in connection with
the Hills Litigation, (C) a fee to be paid to members of the Litigation
Committee (as defined below) to be designated by the Company's Board of
Directors prior to the Consummation of the Offer as compensation for the
performance of their services under the Merger Agreement in connection with the
Hills Litigation, (D) any indemnification payments on behalf of the Litigation
Committee pursuant to the applicable section of the Merger Agreement, and
(E) any payments or settlements made by the Surviving Corporation on
counterclaims under the Hills Litigation.
Certain Matters Relating to Deferred Contingent Cash Rights. The Merger
Agreement provides that DCCRs will not (i) be transferable by any recipient
thereof, except by will or pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution or
by operation of law, (ii) be evidenced by a certificate or other instrument,
(iii) possess any voting rights, (iv) receive or be entitled to receive any
dividends or interest, or (v) represent any equity interest in the Surviving
Corporation.
The Surviving Corporation will maintain books of record of the recipients
of the DCCRs in the Offer, the Merger and the Note Tender Offer as provided by
the Merger Agreement, which books of record shall show the names and addresses
of the respective recipients of the DCCRs.
Payment, if any, on the DCCRs will be made to the registered recipients
thereof from time to time following the date, if ever, that the Surviving
Corporation receives and accumulates $1,000,000 of previously undistributed Net
Recovery after the establishment of a reasonable reserve. Such payments shall be
made to the registered recipients of DCCRs at their respective addresses in the
books of record of the Surviving Corporation. All Cash Payments shall be
maintained in a segregated account until distributed and shall be invested in
U.S. government obligations to the extent practicable, and any interest thereon
shall be added to the Net Recovery.
Unless otherwise agreed to by the three individuals (who will be reasonably
acceptable to Ames and not have any independent interest in the Hills Litigation
other than as a holder of DCCRs) designated by the Company's Board of Directors
prior to the consummation of the offer to serve as the members of such committee
(the "Litigation Committee"), the Surviving Corporation will continue to
prosecute and defend the Hills Litigation; provided, however, that in no event
will the Surviving Corporation be obligated to expend after consummation of the
offer an amount in excess of $1,000,000 (the "Litigation Cap") in connection
with such prosecution and defense, exclusive of payments or advances to or on
behalf of other parties to the Hills Litigation relating to claims of
indemnification. The Hills Litigation shall continue to be prosecuted and
defended by the
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law firm of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, unless otherwise agreed to by
the Surviving Corporation and the Litigation Committee; provided, however, that
the Surviving Corporation may engage other counsel to defend the Hills
Litigation, in which case the costs of such defense shall not be included in the
Litigation Cap; and, provided further, that, at such time as the Litigation Cap
and any Non-Recourse Financing (as defined below) will have been expended, the
Surviving Corporation shall have sole discretion in choosing a law firm to
continue to prosecute the Hills Litigation. Subject only to the two foregoing
sentences, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Merger Agreement
or otherwise, the Surviving Corporation will retain sole and exclusive control
of the Hills Litigation, provided, however, that, unless the amount of the
Litigation Cap and any Non-Recourse Financing have been expended, the Surviving
Corporation will not settle or dismiss the Hills Litigation without the consent
of a majority of the Litigation Committee, which consent will not unreasonably
be withheld.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Merger Agreement or
otherwise, (i) no recipient of a DCCR will have any rights against the Surviving
Corporation or its directors, officers, stockholders or affiliates or the
Litigation Committee for any decision regarding the conduct or disposition of
the Hills Litigation and (ii) the Surviving Corporation's determination of the
amounts of the Net Recovery will be final, conclusive and binding on the
recipients of the DCCRs, subject to review of such computation by the Litigation
Committee. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Merger Agreement or
otherwise, any and all distributions of Net Recovery, if any, must be in
compliance with applicable laws, including, but not limited to, applicable
federal and state securities laws.
The members of the Litigation Committee will have no other duties, rights
or obligations except as specifically set forth in the applicable section of the
Merger Agreement and no implied covenants or obligations will be read in to the
Merger Agreement against such members. The Litigation Committee will be entitled
to an aggregate fee (the "Committee Fee") of 2% of the Net Recovery, if any,
less any Advances (as defined below) from the Surviving Corporation, as full
compensation for the performance of their services under the Merger Agreement.
The Surviving Corporation shall make an advance at the rate of $10,000 per annum
to each member of the Litigation Committee (the "Advance") for a period equal to
the earlier of three years from the Effective Time or the final distribution of
all Net Recovery. Each such Advance shall be considered an expenditure by the
Surviving Corporation in prosecution of the Hills Litigation.
Subject to the next sentence, the Surviving Corporation will indemnify and
hold harmless each member of the Litigation Committee from any third party
judgments, losses, claims, damages and liabilities with respect to the
performance of his responsibilities under the applicable section of the Merger
Agreement (including reasonable attorneys fees, costs of investigation and other
expenses reasonably incurred by the Litigation Committee in performing its
responsibilities under the applicable section of the Merger Agreement), except
to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction issues a final decision
that such member acted in bad faith or with gross negligence or willful
misconduct. The foregoing obligation of indemnification will be limited to
unexpended funds under the Litigation Cap and the amount of any Net Recovery.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Merger Agreement
or otherwise, if no payments on the DCCRs have been made by the fifth
anniversary of the Effective Time, the DCCRs will expire and the Surviving
Corporation will have no further obligations with respect thereto; provided
however, that the Surviving Corporation and the Litigation Committee will use
commercially reasonable efforts to extend the term of the applicable section of
the Merger Agreement if the Hills Litigation is not resolved within such five
year period or if any settlement entered into has not been fully performed.
The Litigation Committee, to the extent required, is authorized to obtain
financing ("Non-Recourse Financing") to prosecute and defend the Hills
Litigation in the event the Litigation Cap is fully expended (provided that such
financing is recourse only to the Net Recovery) on terms otherwise reasonably
satisfactory to Ames and the Surviving Corporation, and without cost (other than
its proportionate share of the Net Recovery) or contractual liability to Ames or
the Surviving Corporation.
The Litigation Committee may enforce the provisions of the Merger Agreement
relating to the DCCRs on behalf of the recipients thereof, and will be entitled
to reimbursement of its expenses (including costs of investigation and
reasonable attorneys fees) in connection therewith irrespective of whether the
Litigation Committee prevails in such enforcement action, unless such
enforcement action is not in good faith or without basis in law or fact. The
foregoing reimbursement will be limited to unexpended funds under the Litigation
Cap
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and the amount of any Net Recovery. The Litigation Committee will have the
authority to act on behalf of the recipients in resolving with the Surviving
Corporation any ambiguities in the Merger Agreement pertaining to the DCCRs, and
to compromise or settle with the Surviving Corporation on behalf of the
recipients any conflicts or disputes relating to the DCCRs.
For the purposes of the discussion of DCCRs and the definitions of
"Hills Litigation" and "Net Recovery" in Item 2 to this Schedule 14D-9, the
term "Surviving Corporation" shall refer to either the Surviving Corporation or
the Company after the consummation of the Offer and the terms "Company" and
"Surviving Corporation" shall include in each case any of their respective
subsidiaries.
The Company Board. The Merger Agreement provides that, promptly upon the
purchase by the Purchaser of Shares pursuant to the Offer, and from time to time
thereafter, Ames shall be entitled to designate up to such number of directors,
rounded up to the next whole number, on the Company Board as shall give Ames
representation on the Company Board equal to the product of the total number of
directors on the Company Board (giving effect to the directors elected pursuant
to this sentence) multiplied by the percentage that the aggregate number of
Shares beneficially owned by the Purchaser or any affiliate of the Purchaser at
such time bears to the total number of Shares then outstanding. Pursuant to the
Merger Agreement, the Company agrees, at such time of purchase, to promptly take
all actions necessary to cause the Purchaser's designees to be elected as
directors of the Company, including increasing the size of the Company Board or
securing the resignations of incumbent directors or both. The Merger Agreement
also provides that, at such times, the Company shall use all reasonable efforts
to cause persons designated by Ames to constitute the same percentage as persons
designated by Ames shall constitute of the Company Board with respect to
(a) each committee of the Company Board (some of whom may be required to be
independent as required by applicable law or requirements of the New York Stock
Exchange (the "NYSE")), (b) each board of directors of each Subsidiary and
(c) each committee of each such board, in each case only to the extent permitted
by applicable law.
The Merger Agreement provides that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the
parties thereto shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to ensure
that at least two of the members of the Company Board shall, at all times prior
to the Effective Time, be Continuing Directors (as defined below). From and
after the time, if any, that Ames' designees constitute a majority of the
Company Board, any amendment or modification of the Merger Agreement, any
amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company
inconsistent with the Merger Agreement, any termination of the Merger Agreement
by the Company, any extension of time for performance of any of the obligations
of Ames or the Purchaser under the Merger Agreement, any waiver of any condition
to the Company's obligations under the Merger Agreement or any of the Company's
rights under the Merger Agreement or other action by the Company under the
Merger Agreement may be effected only by the action of a majority of the
Continuing Directors of the Company, which action shall be deemed to constitute
the action of any committee specifically designated by the Company Board to
approve the actions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Transactions
and the full Company Board; provided, that, if there shall be no Continuing
Directors, such actions may be effected by majority vote of the entire Company
Board.
"Continuing Director" is defined as (i) any member of the Company Board as
of the date of the Merger Agreement, or (ii) any successor of a Continuing
Director who is (A) unaffiliated with, and not a designee or nominee, of Ames or
the Purchaser, and (B) recommended to succeed a Continuing Director by a
majority of the Continuing Directors then on the Company Board, and in each case
under clauses (i) and (ii), who is not an employee of the Company.
Stockholders' Meeting. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, in the event that
the affirmative vote of the holders of Shares is required to approve the Merger
under Delaware Law, the Company shall duly call, give notice of, convene and
hold a special meeting of its stockholders as soon as practicable following
consummation of the Offer for the purpose of considering and taking action on
the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby (the "Special
Stockholders' Meeting"). The Merger Agreement provides that, in the event that
the affirmative vote of holders of Shares is required to approve the Merger, the
Company shall, as soon as practicable following consummation of the Offer, file
with the Commission under the Exchange Act, and use its best efforts to have
cleared by the Commission, a proxy statement and related proxy materials (the
"Proxy Statement") with respect to the Special Stockholders' Meeting and shall
cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to stockholders of the Company at the
earliest practicable time. The Company has also agreed, subject to the fiduciary
duties of the Company Board under applicable law as advised by Company's
counsel, to include in the
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Proxy Statement the unanimous recommendation of the Company Board that the
stockholders of the Company approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby and to use all reasonable efforts to obtain
such approval and adoption. The Purchaser has agreed to vote all Shares
beneficially owned by it in favor of the Merger.
Options; Warrants, etc. The Merger Agreement provides that after the
Effective Time, to the extent provided for in the Stock Option Plans (as defined
below), each holder of an outstanding option to purchase any shares of capital
stock of the Company (in each case, an "Option") shall be entitled, upon
exercise of such Option, to receive, in lieu of Common Shares, an amount of cash
and DCCRs equal to the amount thereof to which such holder would actually have
been entitled if such holder had exercised such option immediately prior to the
Effective Time.
The Merger Agreement provides that the Company shall take all actions
necessary and appropriate so that all stock option or other equity based plans
maintained with respect to the Shares ("Stock Option Plans"), shall terminate as
of the Effective Time and the provisions in any other Benefit Plan providing for
the issuance, transfer or grant of any capital stock of the Company or any
interest in respect of any capital stock of the Company shall be deleted as of
the Effective Time, and the Company shall use its best efforts to ensure that
following the Effective Time no holder of an Option or any participant in any
Stock Option Plan shall have any right thereunder to acquire any capital stock
of the Company, Ames, the Purchaser or the Surviving Corporation.
The Merger Agreement provides that after the Effective Time, to the extent
provided for in the Warrants, each holder of Warrants shall be entitled, upon
exercise of such Warrants, to receive, in lieu of Common Shares, an amount of
cash and DCCRs equal to the amount thereof to which such holder would actually
have been entitled if such holder had exercised such Warrant immediately prior
to the Effective Time.
In addition, the Merger Agreement provides that prior to the Effective
Time, the Company shall (i) use all reasonable efforts (but not including any
payment to holders of Options or Warrants) to obtain all necessary consents
from, and provide (in a form acceptable to Ames) any required notices to,
holders of Warrants and Options, and (ii) amend the terms of the applicable
Stock Option Plan, in each case as is necessary to give effect to the foregoing.
With respect to the options pursuant to the Company's Associate Stock
Purchase Plan (the "Stock Purchase Plan"), the Merger Agreement provides that
(i) the holder of each option outstanding as of the Effective Time will be
entitled to receive as of the Effective Time upon exercise, in lieu of the
number of shares of Common Stock as to which such option was exercisable, the
Merger Consideration to which such holder would have been entitled pursuant to
the terms of the Merger Agreement, as if such holder had been the holder of
record (as of the last business day prior to the Effective Time) of a number of
shares of Common Stock equal to the number of shares for which such option was
exercisable; provided, however, that if the Effective Time is on or before
December 31, 1998, such holder shall be entitled to receive his contributions to
such plan to the extent provided for in such plan and (ii) the Company shall
amend the Stock Purchase Plan to provide for (A) the suspension of participation
during any offering periods commencing subsequent to the date of the Merger
Agreement for the pendency of the Merger and subject to the successful
consummation of the Merger and (B) the termination of the Stock Purchase Plan as
of the Effective Time.
Conduct of Business. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company has
covenanted and agreed that, between the date of the Merger Agreement and the
election or appointment of the Purchaser's designees to serve on the Company's
Board of Directors upon the purchase by the Purchaser of any Shares pursuant to
the Offer (the "Purchaser's Election Date"), unless Ames shall otherwise agree
in writing, the businesses of the Company and the Subsidiaries shall be
conducted only in, and the Company and the Subsidiaries shall not take any
action except in, the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
and the Company shall use all reasonable best efforts consistent with good
business judgment under the current circumstances to preserve intact the
business organization of the Company and its Subsidiaries, to keep available the
services of the current officers, employees and consultants of the Company and
its Subsidiaries and to preserve the current relationships of the Company and
its Subsidiaries with customers, suppliers, vendors, distributors and other
persons with which the Company or any Subsidiary has business relations to the
end that their goodwill and ongoing businesses shall be unimpaired in all
material respects at the Effective Time. The Merger Agreement also provides
that, except with the prior written consent of Ames or as contemplated by the
Merger Agreement, the Company agrees that neither
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the Company nor any Subsidiary shall, between the date of the Merger Agreement
and the Purchaser's Election Date, directly or indirectly do, or propose to do,
any of the following without the prior written consent of Ames: (a) amend or
otherwise change its Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws or equivalent
organizational documents, each as amended to date (the "Constituent Documents");
(b) issue, sell, pledge, dispose of, grant, encumber, or authorize the issuance,
sale, pledge, disposition, grant or encumbrance of (i) any shares of capital
stock of any class of the Company or any Subsidiary, or any options, warrants,
convertible securities or other rights of any kind to acquire any shares of such
capital stock, or any other ownership interest (including, without limitation,
any phantom interest), of the Company or any Subsidiary and except pursuant to
the Stock Option Agreement and outstanding Options and Warrants and the Stock
Purchase Plan or (ii) any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, except for
sales in the ordinary course of business and in a manner consistent with past
practice; (c) declare, set aside, make or pay any dividend or other
distribution, payable in cash, stock, property or otherwise, with respect to any
of its capital stock, except for such declarations, set asides, dividends and
other distributions made by any Subsidiary to the Company; (d) reclassify,
combine, split, subdivide or redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or
indirectly, any of its capital stock; (e) (i) acquire (including, without
limitation, by merger, consolidation, or acquisition of stock or assets or any
other business combination) any corporation, partnership, other business
organization or any division thereof or any material amount of assets other than
in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; (ii) incur or
modify any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue any debt securities or
assume, guarantee or endorse, pledge in respect of or otherwise as an
accommodation become responsible for the obligations of any person, or make any
loans, advances or capital contributions, except in the ordinary course of
business and consistent with past practice; (iii) enter into any contract or
agreement, other than any contract or agreement entered into in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice and which requires payments by
the Company or the Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount of less than $5,000,000
with respect to all such agreements taken together; (iv) terminate, cancel or
request any material change in, or agree to any material change in, any Material
Contract, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice, or waive, release or assign any material rights or claims; or
(v) authorize capital commitments, in an aggregate amount, in excess of
$2,500,000 for the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (f) increase
the compensation payable or to become payable to its officers or employees,
except for increases in accordance with past practices in salaries or wages of
employees of the Company or any Subsidiary who are not officers of the Company,
or grant or modify any severance or termination pay to, or enter into any
employment or severance agreement with, any director, officer or other employee
of the Company or any Subsidiary (other than in connection with hiring and
terminating employees in the ordinary course of the Company's business), or
establish, adopt, enter into or amend any collective bargaining agreement, any
material bonus, profit sharing, thrift, compensation, stock option, restricted
stock, pension, retirement, deferred compensation, employment, retention,
termination or severance plan, benefit, agreement, trust, fund, policy or
arrangement for the benefit of any director, officer or employee or circulate to
any employee any details of any proposal to adopt or amend any such plan or
make, authorize or approve the payment of any extraordinary amount to any
outside advisor, attorney or consultant in all cases, except as required by law;
(g) take any action, other than reasonable and usual actions in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice, with respect to accounting
policies or procedures (including, without limitation, procedures with respect
to the payment of accounts payable and collection of accounts receivable);
(h) make any tax election or settle or compromise any federal, state, local or
foreign income tax liability; (i) pay, discharge or satisfy any claim, liability
or obligation (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or
otherwise), other than the payment, discharge or satisfaction, in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice, of claims, liabilities or
obligations reflected or reserved against in, or contemplated by, the
consolidated financial statements (or the notes thereto) of the Company and its
consolidated Subsidiaries, or subsequently incurred in the ordinary course of
business and consistent with past practice; (j) waive the benefits of, or agree
to modify in any manner any confidentiality, standstill or similar agreement to
which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, other than in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; (k) settle or
comprise any pending or threatened suit, action or claim that is material or
which relates to any of the Transactions; (l) announce an intention, enter into
any formal or informal agreement, or otherwise make a commitment, to do any of
the foregoing; or (m) take any action that would result in (i) any of its
representations and warranties set forth in the Merger Agreement that are
qualified as to materiality becoming untrue, (ii) any of such representations
and warranties that are not qualified as to materiality becoming untrue in any
material respect or (iii) any of the
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conditions to the Offer or the Note Tender Offer, as set forth in the Merger
Agreement, not being satisfied (subject to the Company's right to take action
specifically permitted by the Merger Agreement).
No Solicitation. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed
that it shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, nor shall it
authorize (and shall use its best efforts not to permit) any officer, director
or employee of, or any investment banker, attorney or other advisor or
representative of, the Company or any of its subsidiaries to, (i) solicit or
initiate, or encourage, directly or indirectly, any inquiries or the submission
of, any Takeover Proposal (as defined below), (ii) participate in any
discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any Person any information
or data with respect to or access to the properties of, or take any other action
to knowingly facilitate the making of any proposal that constitutes, or may
reasonably be expected to lead to, any Takeover Proposal or (iii) enter into any
agreement with respect to any Takeover Proposal or approve or resolve to approve
any Takeover Proposal; provided that nothing contained in the applicable
provisions of the Merger Agreement shall prohibit the Company or the Company
Board from (A) taking and disclosing to the Company's stockholders a position
with respect to a tender or exchange offer by a third party pursuant to
Rules 14d-9 and 14e-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act, or (B) making such
disclosure to the Company's stockholders as, in the good faith judgment of the
Company Board, following consultation with outside counsel, is required under
applicable Law, provided that the Company may not, except as permitted by the
following paragraph, withdraw or modify, or propose to withdraw or modify, its
position with respect to the Offer or the Merger or approve or recommend, or
propose to approve or recommend any Takeover Proposal, or enter into any
agreement with respect to any Takeover Proposal. Upon execution of the Merger
Agreement, the Company will immediately cease any existing activities,
discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted prior to the date of the
Merger Agreement with respect to any of the foregoing. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, prior to the time of acceptance of Shares for payment pursuant to the
Offer, the Company may furnish information concerning its business, properties
or assets to any Person or group concerning a Takeover Proposal if: (x) such
Person or group has submitted a Superior Proposal (as defined below); and
(y) in the opinion of the Company Board such action is required to discharge the
Company Board's fiduciary duties to the Company's stockholders under applicable
law, determined in good faith following consultation with outside counsel to the
Company that the failure to provide such information or access or to engage in
such discussions or negotiations would cause the Company Board to violate its
fiduciary duties to the Company's stockholders under applicable law. The Company
will promptly (but in no case later than 24 hours) notify Ames of the existence
of any proposal, discussion, negotiation or inquiry received by the Company
regarding any Takeover Proposal, and the Company will promptly (but in no case
later than 24 hours) communicate to Ames the terms of any proposal, discussion,
negotiation or inquiry which it may receive regarding any Takeover Proposal (and
will promptly provide to Ames copies of any written materials received by the
Company in connection with such proposal, discussion, negotiation or inquiry)
and the identity of the party making such proposal or inquiry or engaging in
such discussion or negotiation. The Company will promptly provide to Ames any
non-public information concerning the Company provided to any other Person in
connection with any Takeover Proposal which was not previously provided to Ames.
The Company will keep Ames informed of the status and details of any such
Takeover Proposal and will promptly notify Ames (but in no case later than 24
hours) of any determination by the Company Board that a Superior Proposal has
been made.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, except as set forth in this paragraph,
neither the Company Board nor any committee thereof shall (i) withdraw or
modify, or propose to withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to Ames or the
Purchaser, the approval or recommendation by the Company Board or any such
committee of the Offer, the Merger Agreement or the Merger, (ii) approve or
recommend, or propose to approve or recommend, any Takeover Proposal or
(iii) enter into any agreement with respect to any Takeover Proposal.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to compliance with this paragraph prior
to the time of acceptance for payment of Shares pursuant to the Offer, the
Company Board may withdraw or modify its approval or recommendation of the
Offer, the Merger Agreement or the Merger, approve or recommend a Superior
Proposal, or enter into an agreement with respect to a Superior Proposal, in
each case at any time after the fifth business day following Ames' receipt of
written notice from the Company advising Ames that the Company Board has
received a Superior Proposal which it intends to accept, specifying the material
terms and conditions of such Superior Proposal and identifying the person making
such Superior Proposal, but only if the Company shall have caused its financial
and legal advisors to negotiate with Ames to make such adjustments to the terms
and conditions of the Merger Agreement as would enable the Company to proceed
with the Transactions on such adjusted terms. The term "Takeover
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Proposal" means any bona fide proposal or offer, whether in writing or
otherwise, from any Person other than Ames, the Purchaser or any affiliates
thereof (a "Third Party") to acquire beneficial ownership (as defined under
Rule 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of all or a material portion of the assets of
the Company or any of its material Subsidiaries or 30% or more of any class of
equity securities of the Company or any of its material Subsidiaries pursuant to
a merger, consolidation or other business combination, sale of shares of capital
stock, sale of assets, tender offer, exchange offer or similar transaction with
respect to either the Company or any of its material Subsidiaries, including any
single or multi-step transaction or series of related transactions, which is
structured to permit such Third Party to acquire beneficial ownership of any
material portion of the assets of or 30% or more of the equity interest in
either the Company or any of its material Subsidiaries. The term "Superior
Proposal" means an unsolicited bona fide proposal by a Third Party to acquire,
directly or indirectly, for consideration consisting of cash and/or securities,
more than a majority of the Shares then outstanding or all or substantially all
of the assets of the Company or to acquire, directly or indirectly, the Company
by merger or consolidation, and otherwise on terms which the Company Board
determines in good faith to be more favorable to the Company's stockholders than
the Offer and the Merger (based on advice of the Company's independent financial
advisor that the value of the consideration provided for in such proposal is
superior to the value of the consideration provided for in the Offer and the
Merger), for which financing, to the extent required, is then committed or
which, in the good faith reasonable judgment of the Company Board, based on
advice from the Company's independent financial advisor, is reasonably capable
of being financed by such Third Party and which, in the good faith reasonable
judgment of the Company Board is reasonably likely to be consummated within a
period of time not materially longer in duration than the period of time
reasonably believed to be necessary to consummate the Offer and Merger.
Termination. The Merger Agreement may be terminated and the Merger
contemplated therein may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time,
whether before or after approval of matters presented in connection with the
Merger by the stockholders of the Company:
(a) By the mutual written consent of Ames and the Company; provided,
however, that if Ames shall have a majority of the directors pursuant to the
applicable provisions of the Merger Agreement, such consent of the Company may
only be given if approved by the Continuing Directors.
(b) By either of Ames or the Company if (i) a statute, rule or executive
order shall have been enacted, entered or promulgated prohibiting the
Transactions on the terms contemplated by the Merger Agreement or (ii) any
governmental entity shall have issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any
other action (which order, decree, ruling or other action the parties to the
Merger Agreement shall use their reasonable efforts to lift), in each case
permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement and such order, decree, ruling or other
action shall have become final and non-appealable.
(c) By either of Ames or the Company if the Note Tender Offer and the Offer
shall not have been consummated by January 4, 1999 (except the Purchaser may
extend the expiration date of the Note Tender Offer and the Offer through
January 9, 1999 as required to comply with any rule, regulation or
interpretation of the SEC) or the Effective Time shall not have occurred on or
before April 30, 1999; provided, that the party seeking to terminate the Merger
Agreement pursuant to this paragraph (c) shall not have breached in any material
respect its obligations under the Merger Agreement in any manner that shall have
proximately contributed to the failure to consummate the Merger on or before
such date;
(d) By the Company: (i) if the Company has entered into an agreement with
respect to a Superior Proposal or has approved or recommended a Superior
Proposal in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Merger Agreement,
provided the Company has complied with all provisions thereof, including the
notice provisions therein, and that it simultaneously terminates the Merger
Agreement and makes simultaneous payment to Ames of the Expenses and the
Termination Fee; (ii) if Ames or the Purchaser shall have terminated the Offer
or the Offer expires without the Purchaser purchasing any Shares pursuant
thereto; (iii) if, Ames, the Purchaser or any of their affiliates shall have
failed to commence the Offer on or prior to five business days following the
date of the initial public announcement of the Offer; or (iv) if there shall be
a material breach by Ames or the Purchaser of any of their representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements contained in the Merger Agreement.
(e) By Ames or the Purchaser: (i) if prior to the purchase of the Shares
pursuant to the Offer, (A) the Company Board shall have withdrawn, or modified
or changed in a manner adverse to Ames or the Purchaser its
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<PAGE>
approval or recommendation of the Offer, the Merger Agreement or the Merger or
shall have recommended or approved a Takeover Proposal, or (B) there shall have
been a material breach of any provision of the section of the Merger Agreement
summarized under "No Solicitation" above; (ii) if Ames or the Purchaser shall
have terminated the Offer without Ames or the Purchaser purchasing any Shares
thereunder; (iii) if Ames or the Purchaser shall have terminated the Note Tender
Offer without Ames or the Purchaser purchasing any Notes thereunder; (iv) if,
due to an occurrence that if occurring after the commencement of the Offer would
result in a failure to satisfy any of the conditions set forth in Annex A of the
Merger Agreement, Ames, the Purchaser or any of their affiliates shall have
failed to commence the Offer on or prior to five (5) business days following the
date of the initial public announcement of the Offer; (v) if any Person or
"group" (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than Ames or
the Purchaser or their affiliates or any group of which any of them is a member,
shall have acquired beneficial ownership (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 25% or more of the Shares; (vi) if, prior
to the purchase of the Shares pursuant to the Offer, the Company receives a
Takeover Proposal from any Person (other than Ames or the Purchaser), and the
Company Board takes a neutral position or makes no recommendation with respect
to such Takeover Proposal after a reasonable amount of time (and in no event
more than five business days following such receipt) has elapsed for the Company
Board to review and make a recommendation with respect to such Takeover
Proposal; or (vii) if, after the Consummation of the Offer, there shall be a
material breach by the Company of any of its representations, warranties,
covenants or agreements contained in the Merger Agreement or the Stock Option
Agreement.
Termination Fee. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, if (x) Ames or the
Purchaser terminates the Merger Agreement pursuant to clauses (e)(i), (e)(v) or
(e)(vi) under the heading "Termination" above or (y) the Company terminates the
Merger Agreement pursuant to clause (d)(i) under the heading "Termination"
above, then in each case, the Company shall pay, or cause to be paid to Ames or
the Purchaser, at the time of termination, an amount equal to $5,000,000 (the
"Termination Fee") plus an amount equal to Ames' and the Purchaser's actual and
reasonably documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Ames or the Purchaser
in connection with the Offer, the Merger, the Merger Agreement and the
consummation of the Transactions, including, without limitation, the fees (other
than any break-up, success or other contingent fee) and out-of-pocket expenses
payable to all banks, investment banking firms, and other financial institutions
and Persons and their respective agents and counsel incurred in connection with
acting as Ames' or the Purchaser's financial advisor with respect to, or
arranging or committing to provide or providing any financing for, the
Transactions up to an aggregate of $2,500,000 (the "Expenses"). In addition, if
the Merger Agreement is terminated by Ames or the Purchaser pursuant to clause
(e)(ii), (e)(iii) or (e)(vii) under the heading "Termination" above (other than
by reason of a breach of the section in the Merger Agreement summarized under
"No Solicitation" above) or, prior to the Consummation of the Offer, by reason
of a breach of the conditions set forth in paragraph (d) of Annexes A and B of
the Merger Agreement ("Conditions to the Stock Tender Offer and the Note Tender
Offer"), or by the Company pursuant to clause (d)(ii) under the heading
"Termination" above and at the time of such termination, neither Ames nor the
Purchaser is in material breach of the Merger Agreement, then the Company shall
pay to Ames at the time of termination, the Expenses, and, if the Company shall
thereafter, within 12 months after such termination, announce its intention to
enter into an agreement with respect to a Takeover Proposal and the Company
subsequently consummates the transaction(s) contemplated by such agreement, then
the Company shall pay the Termination Fee concurrently with such consummation;
provided, however, that, with respect to a termination pursuant to clause
(e)(ii) or (e)(iii) under the heading "Termination" above, the Expenses and the
Termination Fee will be payable only if the Offer and the Note Tender Offer
shall have remained continuously open for a period of at least 20 business days
and neither the Minimum Stock Condition nor the Minimum Note Condition were
satisfied at the expiration of the Offer or the Note Tender Offer, as the case
may be. Any payments required to be made pursuant to this paragraph shall be
made by wire transfer of same day funds to an account designated by the
Purchaser.
Indemnification. The Merger Agreement provides that the Company shall,
and, from and after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall,
indemnify and hold harmless, each present and former director, officer or
employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties") against any costs or expenses (including reasonable
attorneys' fees), judgments, losses, claims, damages and liabilities incurred in
connection with, and amounts paid in settlement of, any claim, action, suit,
proceeding or
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investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and
wherever asserted, brought or filed, (x) arising out of or pertaining to the
Transactions or (y) otherwise with respect to any acts or omissions or alleged
acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time to the same extent
as such persons are entitled to indemnification as of the Effective Time. In the
event of any such claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation (whether
arising before or after the Effective Time), (i) any counsel retained by the
Indemnified Parties for any period after the Effective Time must be reasonably
satisfactory to the Surviving Corporation, and (ii) the Surviving Corporation
will cooperate in the defense of any such matter; provided, however, that the
Surviving Corporation will not be liable for any settlement effected without its
written consent (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld). The
Indemnified Parties as a group may retain only one law firm to represent them
with respect to any single action unless there is, under applicable standards of
professional conduct, a conflict on any significant issue between the positions
of any two or more Indemnified Parties. The indemnity agreements of the
Surviving Corporation in the applicable provision of the Merger Agreement shall
extend, on the same terms to, and shall inure to the benefit of and shall be
enforceable by, each Person or entity who controls, or in the past controlled,
any present or former director, officer or employee of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.
The Merger Agreement provides that not later than 30 days after the
consummation of the Offer, the Surviving Corporation will procure directors' and
officers' liability insurance policies (the "New Insurance") covering for a
period of six years after the Effective Time those Persons who are currently
covered by the Company's directors' and officers' liability insurance policies
(the "Current Insurance") and providing coverage (including but not limited to
amounts of coverage, amounts of deductibles, employment practices liability and
other terms) that are no less favorable than the terms (exclusive of year 2000
coverage) contained in the Current Insurance. Pursuant to the terms of the
Merger Agreement, the Surviving Corporation will maintain the New Insurance
continuously in effect for such six years period and will not cancel the Current
Insurance unless and until the New Insurance has been procured. If the New
Insurance is provided under any insurance policies other than a "run-off" of the
Company's existing insurance policies, such new policies shall be in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Continuing Directors. The Merger
Agreement further provides that the foregoing indemnification provisions shall
survive the consummation of the Merger at the Effective Time, is intended to
benefit the Company, the Surviving Corporation and the Indemnified Parties,
shall be binding on all successors and assigns of the Surviving Corporation and
shall be enforceable by the Indemnified Parties.
Miscellaneous. The Merger Agreement provides that Ames shall be responsible
for the performance of, and if necessary, shall perform, or cause to be
performed, each obligation of the the Purchaser or the Surviving Corporation, or
either of their permitted successors and assigns under the Merger Agreement.
THE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
The following is a summary of the material terms of the Stock Option
Agreement, dated as of November 12, 1998, between the Company and Ames (the
"Stock Option Agreement"). This summary is not a complete description of the
terms and conditions of the Stock Option Agreement and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the full text of the Stock Option Agreement, which is
incorporated by reference and a copy of which has been filed with the Commission
as an exhibit to this Schedule 14D-9. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined
herein or in the following summary shall have the meaning set forth in the Stock
Option Agreement.
Grant of Option. The Stock Option Agreement provides for the grant by the
Company to Ames of an irrevocable option (the "Stock Option") to purchase up to
2,073,753 shares of Common Stock, or such other number of shares of Common Stock
as equals 19.9% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock at the time of
exercise of the Stock Option, at a price of $1.50 per share (the "Exercise
Price"), payable in cash in accordance with the terms of the Stock Option
Agreement.
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Exercise of Option. The Stock Option Agreement provides that the Stock
Option may be exercised by Ames in whole or in part, at any time or from time to
time (a) after the Merger Agreement is terminated pursuant to a Trigger Event
(as defined below) or (b) after the Purchaser accepts for payment the Shares
tendered pursuant to the Offer and prior to the Effective Time. For the purposes
of the Stock Option Agreement, "Trigger Event" means the termination of the
Merger Agreement either (i) by the Company, if it has entered into an agreement
with respect to a Superior Proposal or has approved or recommended a Superior
Proposal in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Merger Agreement,
provided the Company has complied with all provisions thereof, including the
notice provisions therein, and that it simultaneously terminates the Merger
Agreement and makes simultaneous payment to Ames of the Expenses and the
Termination Fee, or (ii) by Ames, if prior to the purchase of the Shares
pursuant to the Offer, the Company Board shall have withdrawn, or modified or
changed in a manner adverse to Ames or the Purchaser its approval or
recommendation of the Offer, the Merger Agreement, or the Merger or shall have
recommended or approved a Takeover Proposal.
Termination. The Stock Option Agreement provides that the Stock Option
will terminate upon the earliest of: (i) the Effective Time of the Merger;
(ii) the termination of the Merger Agreement pursuant to the termination
provisions thereof, other than a termination as a result of the occurrence of a
Trigger Event; or (iii) 120 days following any termination of the Merger
Agreement as a result of the occurrence of a Trigger Event (or if, at the
expiration of such 120 day period the Stock Option cannot be exercised by reason
of any applicable judgment, decree, order, law or regulation, or because the
applicable waiting period under the HSR Act has not expired or been terminated,
10 business days after such impediment to exercise has been removed or has
become final and not subject to appeal, but in no event later than 210 days
after the date of termination of the Merger Agreement). The Stock Option
Agreement further provides that the Stock Option may not be exercised if Ames is
in material breach of any of its representation, warranties, covenants or
agreements contained in the Stock Option Agreement or the Merger Agreement.
Certain Repurchases. The Stock Option Agreement provides that, at the
request of Ames at any time during which the Stock Option is exercisable (the
"Repurchase Period"), the Company (or any successor entity) will repurchase from
Ames the Stock Option, or any portion thereof, for a price equal to the amount
by which the Market/Tender Offer Price (as defined below) for shares of Common
Stock as of the date Ames gives notice of its intent to exercise its rights to
"put" the Stock Option to the Company exceeds the Exercise Price, multiplied by
the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable pursuant to the Stock Option
(or portion thereof with respect to which Ames is exercising its rights to "put"
the Stock Option to the Company). For purposes of the Stock Option Agreement,
Market/Tender Offer Price means the higher of (A) the highest price per Share of
Common Stock paid as of such date pursuant to any tender or exchange offer or
other Takeover Proposal or (B) the average of the closing sale prices of shares
of Common Stock on the NYSE for the ten trading days immediately preceding such
date.
Registration Rights. The Stock Option Agreement provides that in the event
that Ames desires to sell any of the shares of Common Stock purchased pursuant
to the Stock Option within three years after such purchase, and such sale
requires in the opinion of counsel to Ames, which opinion shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Company and its counsel, registration of such shares under
the Securities Act, Ames may, by written notice (the "Registration Notice") to
the Company, request the Company to register under the Securities Act all or any
part of the shares of Common Stock purchased pursuant to the Stock Option
("Restricted Shares") beneficially owned by Ames (the "Registrable Securities")
pursuant to a bona fide firm commitment underwritten public offering in which
Ames and the underwriters will effect as wide a distribution of such Registrable
Securities as is reasonably practicable and will use their best efforts to
prevent any person and its affiliates from purchasing through such offering
Restricted Shares representing more than 2% of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock on a fully diluted basis (a "Permitted Offering"). The Company (and/or any
person designated by the Company) will have the option, exercisable by written
notice delivered to Ames within 10 business days after the receipt of the
Registration Notice, to purchase all or any part of the Registrable Securities
for cash at a price (the "Option Price") equal to the product of (i) the number
of Registrable Securities and (ii) the Fair Market Value (as defined in the
Stock Option Agreement) of such Registrable Securities. The Purchaser is
entitled to request an aggregate of two effective registration statements under
the terms of the Stock Option Agreement.
Adjustment upon Changes in Capitalization. The Stock Option Agreement
provides that in the event of any change in the Common Stock by reason of stock
dividends, stock splits, mergers (other than the Merger),
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recapitalizations, combinations, exchange of shares or the like, the type and
number of shares or securities subject to the Stock Option, and the Exercise
Price per share, will be adjusted appropriately.
Confidentiality Agreement
The following is a summary of certain provisions of the Confidentiality
Agreement, dated as of August 21, 1998, between Ames and the Company (the
"Confidentiality Agreement"). This summary is not a complete description of the
terms and conditions of the Confidentiality Agreement and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the full text of the Confidentiality Agreement filed
with the Commission as an exhibit to this Schedule 14D-9 and is incorporated
herein by reference. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined below shall have
the meanings set forth in the Confidentiality Agreement.
Pursuant to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement that the Company and
Ames dated as of August 21, 1998, the Company and Ames agreed to provide, among
other things, for the confidential treatment of their discussions regarding the
Offer, the Note Offer to Purchase and the Merger, and the exchange of certain
confidential information concerning the Company. The term of the Confidentiality
Agreement is for one year, unless terminated earlier. the Purchaser further
agreed, until the earliest of (i) the acquisition of the Company by Ames or any
third party, (ii) 12 months following termination of the Confidentiality
Agreement, or (iii) 15 months from the date of the Confidentiality Agreement,
(A) it would not initiate or maintain contact with any officer or senior-level
employee of the Company, and (B) it will not specifically target any other
employees of the Company for employment.
In addition, provided Ames has received substantially all of the
information requested from the Company, Ames has agreed that neither it nor any
of its Representatives will, for a period of the later of 15 months from the
date of the Confidentiality Agreement or 12 months from the termination of the
Confidentiality Agreement: (A)(i) commence a tender or exchange offer for voting
securities of the Company, or (ii) solicit proxies or otherwise attempt to
influence the voting of the Company's securities; or (B) act, or express any
intent to act, whether alone or with any other group, to seek with regard to the
Company, (i) a merger, business combination, or acquisition of all or
substantially all assets, (ii) a restructuring or recapitalization, or (iii)
control or influence over the management, the Board of Directors or the policies
of the Company, unless there has been a public disclosure of a tender offer or
similar attempt by a third party to acquire all or substantially all assets or
voting securities of the Company.
ITEM 4. THE SOLICITATION OR RECOMMENDATION
(a) Recommendation of Board of Directors; Background
The Company's Board of Directors has determined unanimously that the Offer
and the Merger are fair to and in the best interests of the stockholders of the
Company and recommends that all stockholders of the Company accept the Offer and
tender all their Shares pursuant to the Offer. This recommendation is based in
part upon an opinion received by the Company from the Company's financial
advisor, Warburg Dillon Read LLC ("Warburg Dillon Read"), that, as of the date
of such opinion and based upon certain matters considered relevant by Warburg
Dillon Read, the $1.50 per Share in cash to be offered to the holders of Shares
by the Purchaser pursuant to the Offer and the Merger is fair, from a financial
point of view, to such holders. Such opinion did not address or take into
consideration the value of the Equity DCCRs. THE FULL TEXT OF SUCH OPINION,
DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 11, 1998, WHICH SETS FORTH THE PROCEDURES FOLLOWED,
ASSUMPTIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS MADE, MATTERS CONSIDERED AND LIMITATIONS OF THE
REVIEW UNDERTAKEN BY WARBURG DILLON READ, IS ATTACHED AS SCHEDULE I TO THIS
SCHEDULE 14D-9. STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ SUCH OPINION IN ITS ENTIRETY.
In late June 1998, Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. ("Bear Stearns"), Ames'
investment bankers, contacted a member of the Company's Board of Directors to
advise of Ames' interest in exploring a possible business combination with the
Company. Following such contact, on June 29, 1998, Bear Stearns sent an
information request to Gregory K. Raven, the Company's then President and Chief
Executive Officer. Beginning on July 9, 1998, Joseph R. Ettore, President and
Chief Executive Officer of Ames, and representatives of Bear Stearns had
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several discussions with, and sent letters to, Mr. Raven concerning the
possibility of an acquisition transaction and made further requests for Company
information.
On August 18, 1998, the Company's Board of Directors met with Mercer
Management Consulting, Inc. ("Mercer") to consider alternatives for improving
the Company's stockholders value. These alternatives included the combination of
the Company with other discount retailers. The Board of Directors also held an
executive meeting to review the status of discussions with Ames and to authorize
the execution of the confidentiality agreement. Also, starting in March 1998 and
through the beginning of November 1998, the Company had episodic contacts with
another discount retailer regarding a possible business combination transaction
between the two companies. The companies negotiated the terms of two
confidentiality and standstill agreements, neither of which was executed. In
later conversations, the other discount retailer indicated that its interest was
in acquiring store locations from the Company rather than in pursuing a business
combination transaction. As a result of the execution of the Merger Agreement,
the Company discontinued contacts with the other discount retailer.
In August 1998, the Company and Ames negotiated the terms of a
confidentiality agreement, which was executed on August 24, 1998 and dated as of
August 21, 1998. Beginning in September 1998, Ames began to conduct a due
diligence review of the Company's business and held meetings with the Company's
chief financial officer and other officers of the Company concerning the
Company, its financial status and tax and other financial considerations in
connection with a possible business combination.
Also in August 1998, representatives of Bear Stearns met with certain
directors of the Company, to discuss certain issues relating to such a
transaction.
On Septembder 3, 1998, the Company issued a press release announcing
same-store sales for August had decreased by 8.5%. On October 8, 1998, the
Company issued another press release announcing same-store sales for September
had decreased by 5.9%.
In October 1998, the Company retained Warburg Dillon Read to render
financial advisory services and assist the Company with respect to its
consideration of financial alternatives for the Company, including a possible
sale of the Company. Warburg Dillon Read then began discussions with Bear
Stearns concerning the acquisition transaction, including price, structure and
timing. At a meeting of the Company's Board of Directors on October 20, 1998,
Warburg Dillon Read reported to the Board on its discussions with Bear Stearns
and presented to the Board certain preliminary financial analyses.
On October 21, 1998, Bear Stearns and Ames' legal counsel met in New York
with Warburg Dillon Read and the Company's legal counsel to discuss certain
threshold issues with respect to a possible transaction. Representatives of the
Company indicated at the time that, in the view of the Company, the
consideration to stockholders in any business combination transaction should
include an interest in any recovery in the Hills Litigation. During the week of
October 26, 1998, senior officers of Ames and the Company met in New York and
discussed certain business due diligence and adverse changes in the Company's
business.
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Thereafter, the respective financial advisors, legal counsel and other
representatives of Ames and the Company continued to negotiate the terms of an
acquisition of the Company by Ames, and Ames continued to conduct its due
diligence review of the Company.
On October 27, 1998, Mr. Raven resigned as the Company's President and
Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Edelstein was appointed to replace Mr. Raven.
On November 5, 1998, the Company released its October 1998 sales figures which
showed a 9.7% decrease from comparable store sales in October 1997.
Intensive discussions concerning the terms of the Merger Agreement took
place between Ames, the Company and their respective legal representatives
beginning on November 9, 1998 and continuing through November 11, 1998. During
the evening of November 10, 1998, the Board of Directors of the Company held a
telephonic Board meeting at which Mr. Edelstein, the Company's Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, and the Company's legal counsel outlined the principal
terms of the business combination negotiated with Ames, substantially as
provided in the Merger Agreement, and Warburg Dillon Read gave its preliminary
view of the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the $1.50 per Share in
cash to be offered to the holders of Shares in the proposed transaction. It was
the sense of the Board, subject to a further presentation by Warburg Dillon Read
and a more detailed presentation of the terms of the Merger Agreement, that the
proposed transaction was in the best interests of the Company's stockholders.
On November 11, 1998, the Company's Board of Directors met to consider the
Offer, the Merger and the Merger Agreement. At the meeting, the Board of
Directors of the Company reviewed the Offer, the Merger and the Merger Agreement
with the Company's executive officers, the Company's outside legal counsel and
representatives of Warburg Dillon Read. The Board of Directors heard a
presentation by representatives of Warburg Dillon Read with respect to the
financial terms of the proposed Offer and the Merger, including background
information and various financial analyses. The Board of Directors also heard
presentations by its outside legal counsel with respect to the terms of the
proposed offer, the Merger and the Merger Agreement, and outside legal counsel
advised the Board that negotiations for the Merger Agreement were substantially
complete. The Board of Directors, with the participation of the Company's
executive officers, the Company's outside legal counsel and the representatives
of Warburg Dillon Read, also reviewed the alternatives for the Company.
At the conclusion of its presentation, representatives of Warburg Dillon
Read delivered the oral opinion of Warburg Dillon Read to the Board of Directors
(subsequently confirmed in writing) that, as of such date, the $1.50 per Share
in cash to be offered to the holders of Shares by the Purchaser in the Offer and
the Merger is fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders.
Based upon such discussions, presentations and opinion, the Board of
Directors, by the unanimous vote of all directors present, (i) approved the
Offer and the Merger and authorized the officers of the Company to finalize and
execute definitive documentation for the transaction and (ii) decided to
recommend that the Company's stockholders accept the Offer and tender their
Shares and approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement. A representative of the
Company then contacted Ames to inform it of the Board's determinations.
Following the meeting, counsel for Ames and the Company completed final
negotiations concerning the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement and the Stock
Option Agreement were executed by the respective parties on November 12, 1998. A
joint press release announcing the execution of the Merger Agreement was
released by the parties prior to the opening of the U.S. financial markets on
November 12, 1998. A copy of the joint press release is filed as Exhibit 5 to
this Schedule 14D-9 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. On
November 18, 1998, pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser
commenced the Offer and the Note Tender Offer.
(b) Reasons for Recommendation of Board of Directors
In arriving at its decision to approve the Offer and Merger and recommend
that the Company's stockholders accept the Offer and tender their Shares, the
Board of Directors of the Company considered a number of factors, including,
without limitation, the following:
(i) the Company's business, financial condition, results of
operations, assets, liabilities, business strategy and prospects, as well
as various uncertainties associated with those prospects. In particular,
the Board of Directors considered the financial condition of the Company,
including the recent downtrend in the Company's sales and operating
results, and the substantial prospects that the Company would be required
to
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seek protection under the federal bankruptcy laws in the near term if its
business did not improve and the Offer and the Note Tender Offer were not
consummated;
(ii) the oral opinion (subsequently confirmed in writing) of Warburg
Dillon Read to the effect that, as of the date thereof and based upon
certain matters considered relevant by Warburg Dillon Read, the $1.50 per
Share in cash to be offered to the holders of Shares by the Purchaser
pursuant to the Offer and the Merger is fair, from a financial point of
view, to such holders. The full text of Warburg Dillon Read's written
opinion is attached to this Schedule 14D-9 as Schedule I and is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Such opinion should be
read in its entirety for a description of the procedures followed,
assumptions and qualifications made, matters considered and limitations of
the review undertaken by Warburg Dillon Read in connection with such
opinion;
(iii) the presentation of Warburg Dillon Read to the Board of
Directors at its meeting on November 11, 1998, as to various financial and
other matters deemed relevant to the Board of Directors' consideration,
including, among other things, a liquidation analysis utilizing in part
estimated asset values furnished by management of the Company, a discounted
cash flow analysis of the projections prepared by management of the
Company, a comparable company analysis and a comparable acquisition
analysis;
(iv) the historical and current market prices of the Company's Common
Stock, and the fact that the Merger Consideration to be received by the
Company's stockholders in both the Offer and the Merger represents a
premium over the closing market price of $1.25 on November 10, 1998, the
last full trading day prior to the approval and execution of the Merger
Agreement;
(v) the prospects that the Offer and the Merger would be consummated,
including the fact that the Offer was subject to a financing condition and
the fact that the Offer was conditioned, among other things, on the
Purchaser having acquired prior to or simultaneously with the consummation
of the Offer 66 2/3% of the then outstanding Notes and the prospects for
consummation of the Note Tender Offer;
(vi) the alternatives to the Offer and the Merger available to the
Company, including, without limitation, continuing to maintain the Company
as an independent company;
(vii) the fact that the Offer and the Merger is a stock transaction
with cash consideration, thus eliminating corporate taxation that would be
triggered in an asset sale and any uncertainties in valuing the
consideration to be received by the Company's stockholders;
(viii) the receipt by stockholders in the Offer and Merger of the
Equity DCCRs, although there is substantial uncertainty in the outcome of
the Hills Litigation and, therefore, there can be no assurance that the
Equity DCCRs would have any value resulting in any payment being made to
stockholders with respect thereto;
(ix) the financial and other terms and conditions of the Offer, the
Merger and the Merger Agreement, including, without limitation, the facts
that the terms of the Merger Agreement will not prevent the Board of
Directors from determining, in the exercise of its fiduciary duties in
accordance with the Merger Agreement, to provide information to and engage
in negotiations with third parties making certain bona fide proposals
subsequent to execution of the Merger Agreement and will permit the
Company, subject to the non-solicitation provisions and the payment of the
termination fee discussed above, to enter into a transaction with a third
party that would provide more valuable consideration to the Company's
stockholders than the Offer and the Merger; and
(x) the advice of the Company's legal advisors with respect to the
terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, the Offer and the Merger.
The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered and
given weight by the Board of Directors is not intended to be exhaustive. In view
of the variety of factors considered in connection with its evaluation of the
Offer and the Merger, the Board of Directors did not find it practicable to, and
did not, quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to, the specific factors
considered in reaching its determination. Rather, the Board of Directors viewed
its recommendation as being based on the totality of the information presented
to and considered by it. In addition, individual members of the Board of
Directors may have given different weights to different factors. In arriving at
its decision, the Board was aware of the financial interests of Mr. Edelstein
and certain other members of the Company's senior management in the consummation
of the Offer, as set forth above.
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ITEM 5. PERSONS RETAINED, EMPLOYED OR TO BE COMPENSATED
In October 1998, the Company retained Warburg Dillon Read to render
financial advisory services and assist the Company with respect to its
consideration of financial alternatives for the Company, including a possible
sale of the Company. Pursuant to the engagement letter, dated October 20, 1998,
between the Company and Warburg Dillon Read (the "Engagement Letter"), the
Company has agreed to pay Warburg Dillon Read (a) a monthly fee of $150,000 per
month in the first three months of its engagement and $100,000 per month for
each successive month thereafter with the minimum aggregate amount of such
monthly fees being $450,000, and (b) a fee of $3.6 million (net of the monthly
fees paid during the first three months) upon consummation of a sale of the
Company or other similar transaction, including the consummation of the Offer.
The Engagement Letter also provides that, upon the request of the Company,
Warburg Dillon Read will provide the Company's Board of Directors an opinion
with respect to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the
consideration to be received by the Company's stockholders in such sale or
transaction.
The Company has agreed to reimburse Warburg Dillon Read's reasonable
expenses, including the fees and disbursements of its counsel, and to indemnify
and defend Warburg Dillon Read and certain related persons against certain
liabilities in connection with the engagement.
Except as set forth above, neither the Company nor any person acting on its
behalf has or currently intends to employ, retain or compensate any person to
make solicitations or recommendations to the stockholders of the Company on its
behalf with respect to the Offer or the Merger.
ITEM 6. RECENT TRANSACTIONS AND INTENT WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES
(a) During the past sixty (60) days, no transactions in the Shares have
been effected by the Company or, to the best of the Company's knowledge, by any
executive officer, director, affiliate or subsidiary of the Company.
(b) To the best of the Company's knowledge, all of the Company's executive
officers and directors (other than any executive officer owning less than 5,000
shares) currently intend to tender to the Purchaser all of the Shares
beneficially owned by them pursuant to the Offer as of the expiration date of
the Offer.
ITEM 7. CERTAIN NEGOTIATIONS AND TRANSACTIONS BY THE SUBJECT COMPANY
(a) Except as set forth herein, no negotiation is being undertaken or is
underway by the Company in response to the Offer which relates to or would
result in (i) an extraordinary transaction, such as a merger or reorganization,
involving the Company or any subsidiary thereof; (ii) a purchase, sale or
transfer of a material amount of assets by the Company or any subsidiary
thereof; (iii) a tender offer for or other acquisition of securities by or of
the Company; or (iv) any material change in the present capitalization or
dividend policy of the Company.
(b) Except as set forth in this Schedule 14D-9, there is no transaction,
board resolution, agreement in principle or signed contract in response to the
Offer that relates to, or would result in, one or more of the events referred to
in Item 7(a) above.
ITEM 8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED
(a) The Information Statement attached as Schedule II hereto is being
furnished in connection with the possible designation by Ames, pursuant to the
Merger Agreement, of certain persons to be appointed to the Board of Directors
other than at a meeting of the Company's stockholders, as described in Item
3(b) above.
Short-Form Merger. Section 253 of the DGCL provides that, if a corporation
owns at least 90% of the outstanding shares of each class of another
corporation, the corporation holding such stock may merge itself into such
corporation without any action or vote on the part of the board of directors or
the stockholders of such other corporation. In the event that Ames and any other
subsidiaries of Ames acquire in the aggregate at least 90% of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock and at least 90% of the outstanding shares of Preferred
Stock pursuant to the Offer or otherwise, then, at the election of Ames, a
short-form merger of the Purchaser with and into the Company could be effected
without any approval of the Company Board or the stockholders of the Company,
subject to compliance with the provisions of Section 253 of the DGCL. Even if
Ames and the Purchaser do not own 90% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
or 90% of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock following consummation of
the Offer, Ames and the Purchaser could seek to purchase additional shares in
the open market or otherwise in order to reach the applicable 90% threshold and
employ a short-form merger. The
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per share consideration paid for any Shares so acquired may be greater or less
than that paid in the Offer. Ames presently intends to effect such a short-form
merger if permitted to do so under the DGCL.
General. Except as described in this Item 8, based on information provided
by Ames and the Purchaser, none of the Company, the Purchaser or Ames is aware
of any license or regulatory permit that appears to be material to the business
of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that might be adversely
affected by the acquisition of Shares by Ames or the Purchaser pursuant to the
Offer, the Merger or otherwise, except as set forth above, of any approval or
other action by any government, administrative or regulatory agency or
authority, domestic or foreign, that would be required prior to the acquisition
of Shares by the Purchaser pursuant to the Offer, the Merger or otherwise.
(b) Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law
As a Delaware corporation, the Company is subject to Section 203
("Section 203") of the Delaware Law. Under Section 203, certain "business
combinations" between a Delaware corporation whose stock is publicly traded or
held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders and an "interested stockholder"
are prohibited for a three-year period following the date that such a
stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless (i) the corporation has
elected in its original certificate of incorporation not to be governed by
Section 203 (the Company did not make such an election), (ii) the transaction in
which the stockholder became an interested stockholder or the business
combination was approved by the board of directors of the corporation before the
other party to the business combination became an interested stockholder,
(iii) upon consummation of the transaction that made it an interested
stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock
of the corporation outstanding at the commencement of the transaction (excluding
voting stock owned by directors who are also officers or held in employee
benefit plans in which the employees do not have a confidential right to tender
or vote stock held by the plan) or (iv) the business combination was approved by
the board of directors of the corporation and ratified by 66 2/3% of the voting
stock which the interested stockholder did not own. The term "business
combination" is defined generally to include mergers or consolidations between a
Delaware corporation and an "interested stockholder," transactions with an
"interested stockholder" involving the assets or stock of the corporation or its
majority-owned subsidiaries and transactions which increase an "interested
stockholder's" percentage ownership of stock. The term "interested stockholder"
is defined generally as a stockholder who, together with affiliates and
associates, owns (or, within three years prior, did own) 15% or more of a
Delaware corporation's voting stock.
In accordance with the Merger Agreement and Section 203, the Company's
Board of Directors approved the Offer and the Merger and, therefore, the
restrictions of Section 203 are inapplicable to the Offer and the Merger.
ITEM 9. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS.
Exhibit 1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 12, 1998, among
Ames, the Purchaser and the Company.
Exhibit 2 Excerpts from the Company's Proxy Statement for its 1998 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders, held on June 17, 1998.
Exhibit 3 Stock Option Agreement, dated as of November 12, 1998, between Ames
and the Company.
Exhibit 4 Letter to Stockholders of the Company, dated November 18, 1998, from
Chaim Y. Edelstein, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
of the Company.*
Exhibit 5 Joint Press Release issued by the Company and Ames on November 12,
1998.
Exhibit 6 Fairness Opinion of Warburg Dillon Read LLC dated November 11, 1998.*
- ------------------------
* Included in copies mailed to stockholders
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SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
HILLS STORES COMPANY
By: /s/ CHAIM Y. EDELSTEIN
---------------------------------
Name: Chaim Y. Edelstein
Title: Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
Dated: November 18, 1998
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SCHEDULE I
[WARBURG DILLON READ LLC LETTERHEAD]
November 11, 1998
The Board of Directors
Hills Stores Company
15 Dan Road
Canton, Massachusetts 02021
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We understand that Hills Stores Company (the "Company") is considering a
transaction whereby Ames Department Stores, Inc. (the "Purchaser") will acquire
the Company (the "Transaction"). Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan
of Merger, dated as of November 12, 1998, by and among the Purchaser, HSC
Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Purchaser ("Sub"), and the
Company (the "Purchase Agreement"), Sub will make a cash tender offer (the
"Offer") to purchase (i) all the issued and outstanding shares of common stock,
par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the "Common Shares"), and (ii) all
the issued and outstanding shares of Series A convertible preferred stock, par
value $0.10 per share, of the Company (the "Preferred Shares" and, together with
the Common Shares, the "Shares"), in each case together with the associated
preferred share purchase rights issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement, dated
as of August 16, 1994, between the Company and Chemical Bank, as rights agent,
for $1.50 per Share (such amount being hereinafter referred to as the "Per Share
Cash Amount") net to the seller in cash, and an Equity Deferred Contingent Cash
Right (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement and the Offer. The Purchase
Agreement further contemplates that, following consummation of the Offer, each
Share not acquired in the Offer (except those owned by the Purchaser, Sub, the
Company or any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Purchaser or
the Company or Dissenting Shares (as defined in the Purchase Agreement)) will be
converted in a subsequent merger of Sub with and into the Company (the "Merger")
into the right to receive an amount equal to the Per Share Cash Amount in cash
and an Equity Deferred Contingent Cash Right. The terms and conditions of the
Transaction are more fully set forth in the Purchase Agreement.
You have requested our opinion as to whether, as of the date hereof, the
Per Share Cash Amount to be offered to the holders of Shares by the Purchaser in
the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of
Shares.
Warburg Dillon Read LLC ("WDR") and its predecessors have acted as
financial advisor to the Board of Directors of the Company in connection with
the Transaction and will receive a fee upon the consummation thereof. In the
past, WDR and its predecessors may have provided investment banking services to
the Company and received customary compensation for the rendering of such
services. In the ordinary course of business, WDR, its successors and affiliates
may have traded securities of the Company or the Purchaser for their own
accounts and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such
securities.
Our opinion does not address the Company's underlying business decision to
effect the Transaction or constitute a recommendation to any shareholder of the
Company with respect to whether such shareholder should tender Shares pursuant
to the Offer or as to how such shareholder should vote with respect to the
Merger. Furthermore, at your direction, this opinion does not address the value
of, or fairness to the holders of Shares of, the Equity Deferred Contingent Cash
Rights.
At your direction, we have not been asked to, nor do we, offer any opinion
as to the material terms of the Purchase Agreement (including, without
limitation, the Note Tender Offer (as defined in the Purchase Agreement)) or the
form of the Transaction. In rendering this opinion, we have assumed, with your
consent, that the final executed form of the Purchase Agreement does not differ
in any material respect from the draft that we have examined, and that the
Company, the Purchaser and Sub will comply with all the material terms of the
Purchase Agreement.
I-1
<PAGE>
In arriving at our opinion, we have, among other things: (i) reviewed
certain publicly available business and historical information relating to the
Company, (ii) reviewed the historical price and trading activity for the Common
Shares, (iii) reviewed certain internal financial information and other data
relating to the business and financial prospects of the Company, including
estimates and financial forecasts prepared by management of the Company, that
were provided to us by the Company and not publicly available, (iv) conducted
discussions with members of the senior management of the Company; (v) reviewed
publicly available financial and stock market data with respect to certain other
companies in lines of business we believe to be generally comparable to those of
the Company, (vi) compared the financial terms of the Transaction with the
publicly available terms of certain other transactions which we believe to be
generally relevant, (vii) reviewed drafts of the Purchase Agreement, and
(viii) conducted such other financial studies, analyses, and investigations, and
considered such other information as we deemed necessary or appropriate. We were
not requested to, and did not, solicit third party indications of interest in
acquiring the Company.
In connection with our review, at your direction, we have not assumed any
responsibility for independent verification for any of the information reviewed
by us for the purpose of this opinion and have, at your direction, relied on its
being complete and accurate in all material respects. In addition, at your
direction, we have not made or received any independent evaluation or appraisal
of any of the assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries, nor have we been furnished with any such evaluation or
appraisal. With respect to financial forecasts, estimates and projections
referred to above, we have assumed, at your direction, that they have been
reasonably prepared on a basis reflecting the best currently available estimates
and judgments of the management of the Company as to the future performance of
the Company. Our opinion is necessarily based on economic, monetary, market and
other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to us as
of, November 11, 1998. In addition, we have not been asked to and do not express
any opinion as to the tax consequences of the Transaction to any holder of
Shares.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as the
date hereof, the Per Share Cash Amount to be offered to the holders of Shares by
the Purchaser in the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the
holders of Shares.
Very truly yours,
Warburg Dillon Read LLC
I-2
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE II
HILLS STORES COMPANY
15 DAN ROAD
CANTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02021
------------------------
INFORMATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(F)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
AND RULE 14F-1 THEREUNDER
------------------------
The following information is being furnished to holders of the common
stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), and the Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.10 per share (the "Preferred Stock,"
and together with the Common Stock, the "Shares"), of Hills Stores Company, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company" or "Hills"), in connection with the possible
designation by Ames Department Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Ames"), of
at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company (the
"Board") pursuant to the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
November 12, 1998 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and among the Company, Ames and
HSC Acquisition Corp. (the "Purchaser"), a Delaware corporation and a wholly
owned subsidiary of Ames. THIS INFORMATION IS BEING PROVIDED SOLELY FOR
INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND NOT IN CONNECTION WITH A VOTE OF THE COMPANY'S
STOCKHOLDERS.
The Merger Agreement provides that promptly following the purchase of any
Shares pursuant to the tender offer described in the Tender Offer Statement on
Schedule 14D-1, dated November 18, 1998, filed by Ames and the Purchaser with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), Ames shall be
entitled to designate up to such number of directors, rounded up to the next
whole number, on the Board as shall give Ames representation on the Board equal
to the product of the total number of directors on the Board (giving effect to
the directors elected pursuant to this sentence) multiplied by the percentage
that the aggregate number of Shares beneficially owned by the Purchaser or any
affiliate of the Purchaser at such time bears to the total number of Shares then
outstanding and the Company has agreed to promptly take all actions necessary to
cause persons designated by Ames to be elected as directors of the Company (the
"Ames Designees"), provided that, prior to the consummation of the Merger, the
Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board of Directors") shall always have
at least two members who are directors as of the date hereof or persons
designated by such directors and are neither employees of the Company nor
designees of Ames. The Company has also agreed to increase the size of the Board
of Directors or use all reasonable efforts to secure the resignation of existing
directors so as to enable the Ames Designees to be elected to the Board of
Directors in accordance with such provisions.
The information contained in this Schedule II concerning Ames and the
Purchaser has been furnished to the Company by Ames, and the Company assumes no
responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any such information.
VOTING SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY
As of November 12, 1998, there were issued and outstanding 10,420,870
shares of Common Stock and 848,931 shares of Preferred Stock, each of which
entities the holder to one vote.
II-1
<PAGE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial
ownership, as of November 12, 1998, of the Common Stock by any person known by
the Company to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock.
The information was obtained from the Company records and information supplied
by the stockholders, including Schedules 13D and 13G filed with the Commission
pursuant to Sections 13(d) and 13(g) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the "1934 Act"). No person has reported ownership of more than five
(5%) of the Preferred Stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES OF
COMMON STOCK PERCENT OF PERCENT OF
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER(1) BENEFICIALLY OWNED COMMON STOCK VOTING STOCK(1)
- ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------- ------------ ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ML-Lee Acquisition Fund II, L.P.,
ML-Lee Acquisition Fund (Retirement
Accounts) II, L.P., Thomas H. Lee
Advisors II, L.P.(2)...................................... 799,293 7.7 7.1
World Financial Center
South Tower, 23rd Floor
New York, NY 10080-6123
Europe American Capital Foundation
Lugano Switzerland........................................ 755,000 7.3 6.7
</TABLE>
- ------------------
(1) Represents the shares of Common Stock owned beneficially as a percentage of
the aggregate of 10,420,870 shares of Common Stock outstanding and 848,931
shares of Preferred Stock outstanding as of November 12, 1998. Each share
of Preferred Stock is immediately convertible into one share of Common
Stock, and the Preferred Stock has coextensive voting rights with the
Common Stock.
(2) ML-Lee Acquisition Fund II, L.P. owns beneficially 521,048 shares of Common
Stock, and ML-Lee Acquisition Fund (Retirement Accounts) II L.P. owns
beneficially 278,245 shares of Common Stock. Thomas H. Lee Advisors II,
L.P., as the investment advisor to both Funds, shares the power to vote and
to direct the disposition of securities held by the Funds and therefore may
be deemed to own beneficially the 799,293 shares of Common Stock owned
beneficially in the aggregate by the Funds. Thomas H. Lee, who was the
Chairman of the Board of the Company until July 5, 1995, is a general
partner of both funds.
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial
ownership, as of November 12, 1998, of the Common Stock by (i) each director of
the Company; (ii) the Company's Chief Executive Officer during Fiscal 1997 and
each of the four most highly compensated executive officers (collectively, the
"Named Officers") whose total salaries and bonuses exceeded $100,000 for
services rendered to the Company during Fiscal 1997; and (iii) all directors and
executive officers of the Company as a group, including the Named Officers. None
of these persons owns any shares of Preferred Stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES OF
COMMON STOCK PERCENT OF PERCENT OF
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER BENEFICIALLY OWNED (1) COMMON STOCK VOTING STOCK (2)
- ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------- ------------ ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Chaim Y. Edelstein........................................ 45,935 (3) * *
Stanton J. Bluestone...................................... 2,245 (4) * *
John W. Burden III........................................ 4,245 (5) * *
Alan S. Cooper............................................ 2,245 (4) * *
Mark B. Dickstein......................................... 143,315 (6) * *
Samuel L. Katz............................................ 3,245 (7) * *
Richard E. Montag......................................... 5,000 * *
Gregory K. Raven.......................................... 136,010 (8) 1.3 1.2
Michael R. Hamilton....................................... 33,704 (9) * *
C. Scott Litten........................................... 50,118 (10) * *
Frederick L. Angst........................................ 40,000 (11) * *
Mark P. Ramsdell.......................................... 4,400 (12) * *
Directors and Executive Officers as a Group
(24 Persons)............................................ 518,178 (13) 4.9 4.6
</TABLE>
II-2
<PAGE>
- ------------------
* Represents less than 1% of outstanding shares.
(1) Each director and executive officer has sole voting and investment power
with respect to the shares beneficially owned, except as otherwise noted in
the footnotes to this table. For purposes of this table, a person or group
of persons is deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of any shares of Common
Stock which such person has the right to acquire on or within 60 days of
November 12, 1998. For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding
Common Stock and the percentage of voting stock held by each person or
group of persons named above, any shares which such person has the right to
acquire on or within 60 days after November 12, 1998 are deemed to be
outstanding, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of
computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
(2) Represents the shares of Common Stock owned beneficially as a percentage of
the aggregate of 10,420,870 shares of Common Stock outstanding and 848,931
shares of Preferred Stock outstanding as of November 12, 1998. Each share
of Preferred Stock is immediately convertible into one share of Common
Stock, and the Preferred Stock has coextensive voting rights with the
Common Stock.
(3) Consists of 10,935 exercisable stock options and 35,000 shares of Common
Stock (including 10,000 shares of restricted stock).
(4) Consists of exercisable stock options.
(5) Consists of 2,000 shares of Common Stock and 2,245 exercisable stock
options.
(6) Includes 2,245 exercisable stock options owned by Mr. Dickstein
individually, 92,270 shares of Common Stock owned by Dickstein & Co. L.P.,
40,000 shares of Common Stock owned by Dickstein International Limited and
8,800 shares of Common Stock owned by Dickstein Focus Fund L.P.
Mr. Dickstein, a Director of the Company, is the President and sole
director of Dickstein Partners Inc., which is the general partner of
Dickstein Partners, L.P. and the advisor to Dickstein International
Limited. Dickstein Partners L.P. is the general partner of Dickstein & Co.
L.P. and Dickstein Focus Fund L.P.
(7) Consists of 1,000 shares of Common Stock and 2,245 exercisable stock
options.
(8) Consists of 136,010 shares of Common Stock, including 100,000 shares of
formerly restricted stock which became unrestricted pursuant to Mr. Raven's
severance agreement described in Item 3(b) of Schedule 14D-9. As of
October 27, 1998, Mr. Raven resigned as President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company.
(9) Consists of 15,902 shares of Common Stock and 17,802 exercisable stock
options.
(10) Consists of 35,192 shares of Common Stock and 14,926 exercisable stock
options.
(11) Consists of Common Stock. Effective November 15, 1998, Mr. Angst terminated
his employment with the Company.
(12) Consists of 2,000 shares of Common Stock and 2,400 exercisable stock
options.
(13) Consists of 427,870 shares of Common Stock (including 10,000 shares of
restricted stock), 89,621 exercisable stock options and 687 shares issuable
upon exercise of Series 1993 Warrants.
II-3
<PAGE>
BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AMES DESIGNEES
AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The persons named below are the current members of the Board of Directors.
Directors of the Company are elected for a term of one year or until their
successors are elected and qualified. The following sets forth as to each
director his age (as of November 12, 1998), principal occupation and business
experience, and the period during which he has served as a director.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SERVED AS A
NAME AGE POSITION DIRECTOR SINCE
- ------------------------------------------------------ ----- ---------------------------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Chaim Y. Edelstein.................................... 56 Chairman of the Board 1995
and Chief Executive Officer
Stanton J. Bluestone.................................. 64 Director 1995
John W. Burden III.................................... 61 Director 1995
Alan S. Cooper........................................ 40 Director 1995
Mark B. Dickstein..................................... 40 Director 1995
Samuel L. Katz........................................ 33 Director 1995
Richard E. Montag..................................... 66 Director 1997
</TABLE>
Chaim Y. Edelstein was elected Chief Executive Officer of the Company in
October 1998 and Chairman of the Board in February 1996. He has been a director
and a consultant to the Company since July 1995. He has been a retail consultant
since February 1994. From 1985 to February 1994 he was Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Abraham & Straus, a division of Federated Department
Stores, Inc. Mr. Edelstein is a director of Independence Community Bank and
Leslie Fay Companies, Inc., a designer, manufacturer and marketer of women's
apparel.
Stanton J. Bluestone has been a Director since July 1995. Since February
1998 he has been Chairman of Carson Pirie Scott, a Division of Proffitt's, Inc.
(a department store retailer). From March 1996 to February 1998 he was Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Carson Pirie Scott & Co. From August
1993 to March 1996 he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Carson
Pirie Scott & Co. From 1991 to August 1993 he was President and Acting Chief
Executive Officer of Carson Pirie Scott & Co. He is a director of Sak's, Inc.
John W. Burden III has been a Director since July 1995. Since January 1998
he has been a retail consultant. From 1993 to December 1997, he was a consultant
and partner in Retail Options, Inc. Mr. Burden is a director of Sak's, Inc.,
Chico's Inc., a women's specialty retailer and J. Crew, an apparel retailer.
Alan S. Cooper has been a Director since December 1995. He has been Vice
President--General Counsel of Dickstein Partners Inc. since March 1992. Prior to
that, he was an attorney with the firm of Rosenman & Colin since 1983. He is a
director of Specialty Catalogue Corp., a direct catalogue marketer.
Mark B. Dickstein has been a Director since July 1995 and was Chairman of
the Board from July 1995 to February 1996. He has been the President of
Dickstein Partners Inc. since prior to 1990 and is primarily responsible for the
operations of Dickstein & Co., L.P., Dickstein Focus Fund L.P. and Dickstein
International Limited (collectively, the "Dickstein Funds"). He is a director of
News Communications Inc., a publisher and distributor of community newspapers,
The Leslie Fay Company, Inc., a manufacturer of women's sportswear, and Marvel
Enterprises, Inc., an entertainment based marketing and licensing company.
Samuel L. Katz has been a Director since July 1995. He is Executive Vice
President, Strategic Development of Cendant Corporation (f/k/a HFS
Incorporated), a franchiser of hotels and real estate brokerage services. From
January 1996 to April 1998 he was Senior Vice President--Acquisitions of Cendant
Corporation. From January 1996 to June 1996 Mr. Katz was a consultant to the
Company. From July 1993 to December 1995 he was a Vice President of Dickstein
Partners Inc. From February 1992 to July 1993, Mr. Katz was the Co-Chairman of
Saber Capital, Inc., a firm making private equity investments.
II-4
<PAGE>
Richard E. Montag has been a Director since June 1997. Mr. Montag is
presently retired. He previously served as Vice President--Development of The
Richard E. Jacobs Group, a developer of regional shopping malls. He is a
director of Getty Petroleum Marketing, Inc.
INFORMATION CONCERNING AMES DESIGNEES TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ames has informed the Company that the Ames Designees will be the persons
set forth in the following table. The following table sets forth the name, age,
present principal occupation or employment and five-year history of each Ames
Designee. The business address of each such person is c/o Ames Department
Stores, Inc., 2418 Main Street, Rocky Hill, Connecticut 06067.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OR
NAME AGE EMPLOYMENT AND FIVE-YEAR EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
- ------------------------------ ----- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Joseph R. Ettore.............. 59 Mr. Ettore has been President, Chief Executive Officer, and a Director of
Ames since June, 1994. Prior to joining Ames, he was President, Chief
Executive Officer and Director of Jamesway Corporation ("Jamesway") from
July, 1993 to June, 1994. Jamesway filed for protection under Chapter 11
of the Bankruptcy Code ("Chapter 11") in July, 1993, emerged from the
Chapter 11 case in January, 1995, and re-filed for protection under
Chapter 11 in October, 1995.
Rolando de Aguiar............. 50 Mr. de Aguiar joined Ames as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer on April 14, 1998. Prior to joining Ames, he was President of
Aguiar Associates from March, 1997 to March, 1998. He served as Executive
Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for Gruma from October,
1994 to January, 1997, and from September, 1991 to August, 1994 he held
senior financial positions at Sears, Roebuck & Co., the most recent of
which was Vice President and Controller--Merchandise Group.
David H. Lissy................ 54 Mr. Lissy became Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate
Secretary of Ames in December, 1992. Mr. Lissy joined Ames in June 1990.
He has been the owner of Samuel Lehrer & Co., Inc., a wholesaler of fine
quality fabrics, since 1988.
</TABLE>
Ames has advised the Company that, to the best knowledge of Ames, none of
the Ames Designees currently is a director of or holds any position with the
Company, and except as disclosed in the Offer to Purchase, none of the Ames
Designees beneficially owns any securities (or rights to acquire any securities)
of the Company or has been involved in any transaction with the company or any
of its directors, executive officers or affiliates that are required to be
disclosed pursuant to the rules of the Commission, except that as may be
disclosed in the Offer to Purchase. Ames has also informed the Company that
certain Ames Designees and/or their respective associates may also be directors
or officers of other companies and organizations that have engaged in
transactions with the Company or its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of
business, and that the Purchaser believes that the interest of such persons in
such transaction is not of material significance.
Ames has advised the Company that, to the best knowledge of Ames, each of
the persons listed in the table above has consented to act as a director, and
that none of such persons has during the last five years been convicted in a
criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and similar misdemeanors) or
was a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of
competent jurisdiction and a result of such proceeding was, or is, subject to a
judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting
activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or findings of any
violation of such laws.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS; MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee, a
HR/Compensation Committee (Option Committee) and Nominating Committee to assist
it in the discharge of its responsibilities. The principal responsibilities of
each committee and the members of each committee are described in the succeeding
paragraphs. The Company's Board of Directors held seven meetings during the
fiscal year ended January 31,
II-5
<PAGE>
1998 ("Fiscal 1997"). All Directors attended at least 75% of the meetings held
by the Board of Directors and by the committees on which they served during
Fiscal 1997.
The Audit Committee's functions include recommendations to the Board of
Directors concerning the engagement or discharge of independent auditors; review
with auditors of plans and results of auditing procedures; review, for approval
of the Board, of each significant professional service provided by auditors and
review of the independence of the auditors; consideration of the range of audit
and nonaudit fees and the adequacy of the Company's system of internal
accounting controls. The Audit Committee is composed of three non-employee
directors, Messrs. Katz, Cooper and Montag. The Audit Committee held three
meetings during Fiscal 1997.
The functions of HR/Compensation (Option Committee) include reviewing the
corporate compensation programs and policies, including compensation of the
Chief Executive Officer, to assure said programs and policies are competitive
and provide for internal equity; reviewing and advising the Chief Executive
Officer on specific compensation matters for officers and executives; overseeing
the Company's performance bonus programs; administering the Company's 1993 Stock
Option Plan; administering the Company's 162(m) Bonus Plan; and performing such
other duties as the Chairman of the Board may require. The HR/Compensation
(Option Committee) is composed of three non-employee directors, Messrs.
Dickstein, Bluestone and Burden. The HR/Compensation (Option Committee) held six
meetings during Fiscal 1997.
The Nominating Committee's functions include evaluating potential
candidates for membership on the Company's Board of Directors and making
recommendations to the Board regarding such candidates. The Nominating Committee
is composed of three non-employee directors, Messrs. Bluestone, Burden and
Montag.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
The Company pays a fee of $2,000 per month to non-employee Directors, plus
$1,000 for each meeting of the Board of Directors and $500 for each committee
meeting attended, plus expenses. Committee chairmen receive $750 for each
committee meeting attended. Mr. Edelstein does not receive Directors fees.
Pursuant to the Company's 1996 Directors Stock Option Plan, each
Participating Director has been granted an option to purchase 4,000 shares of
the Company's Common Stock and will be granted an option to purchase 2,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock on the first business day of each fiscal
year. Mr. Edelstein did not receive grants under the 1996 Directors Stock Option
Plan.
During Fiscal 1997, the Company paid Mr. Edelstein consulting fees of
$400,000. The Company entered into a consulting agreement dated as of February
8, 1998 with Mr. Edelstein which extended a previous agreement dated February 7,
1997. The consulting agreement, under which Mr. Edelstein would assist the
Company with its merchandise, marketing and strategic planning efforts, was for
a term to February 7, 1999 and provided for compensation of $250,000. The
consulting agreement provided that the Company will pay Mr. Edelstein a
consulting fee of $250,000 per year. The consulting agreement terminated when
Mr. Edelstein entered into the executive employment agreement discussed in Item
3(b) of the Schedule 14D-9.
II-6
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Executive officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors and
until their successors are elected and qualified. The following table sets forth
certain information concerning the executive officers of the Company (as of
November 12, 1998) who are expected to serve in such capacity until the
consummation of the Merger (none of whom has a family relationship with any
other executive officer):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
- ----------------------------------------------- ----- -----------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Chaim Y. Edelstein............................. 56 Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer
Michael R. Hamilton............................ 52 Executive Vice President--Operations
C. Scott Litten................................ 49 Executive Vice President--Chief Financial
Officer
James P. Fitzpatrick........................... 54 Senior Vice President--Merchandise Planning and
Control
William K. Friend.............................. 52 Senior Vice President--Secretary and Corporate
Counsel
Gregory B. Jones............................... 45 Senior Vice President--Marketing/Sales
Promotion
Jeffrey R. Sims................................ 47 Senior Vice President--Logistics
Mark P. Ramsdell............................... 41 Senior Vice President--Hardlines and Home
Division
Joseph J. Staffieri............................ 52 Senior Vice President--Human Resources
Alan M. Weingarden............................. 51 Senior Vice President--Chief Information
Officer
Jeffrey S. Califano............................ 43 Vice President--Ladies Apparel and Accessories
John M. Doyle.................................. 39 Vice President--Treasurer
Robert A. Greenwald............................ 51 Vice President--Boston Softlines
Ralph D. Nemeth................................ 44 Vice President--Regional Manager
Daniel L. Ostrowski............................ 42 Vice President--Regional Manager
Brian J. Sheehan............................... 43 Vice President--Controller
</TABLE>
The following is a brief summary of the background of each executive officer of
the Company:
Chaim Y. Edelstein was elected Chief Executive Officer on October 27, 1998.
He has been Chairman of the Board since February 1996 and a Director and a
consultant to the Company since July 1995. He has been a retail consultant since
February 1994. From 1985 to February 1994 he was Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Abraham & Straus, a division of Federated Department Stores, Inc.
Mr. Edelstein is a director of Independence Community Bank and Leslie Fay
Companies, Inc., a designer, manufacturer and marketer of women's apparel.
Michael R. Hamilton joined the Company as Executive Vice
President--Operations on October 21, 1996. Prior to joining Hills, Mr. Hamilton
had been Executive Vice President of Store Operations for Venture Stores, Inc.
He joined Venture in 1973 and at the date of his departure from Venture he
served as Executive Vice President of Stores, asset protection and leased
businesses. In January 1998 Venture Stores, Inc. filed a petition for
reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.
C. Scott Litten was elected Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer on April 23, 1996. Previously, he served as Senior Vice
President--Finance of Hechinger Stores Company from May 1994 to September 1995
and as Chief Financial Officer at The Butler Group, Inc. from January 1993 to
May 1994. He previously had served as Senior Vice President--Finance of Family
Dollar Stores, Inc., as Vice President--Controller of Neiman Marcus Stores and
was employed for approximately eight years by Arthur Andersen & Co. He is a
certified public accountant.
James P. Fitzpatrick has been Senior Vice President--Merchandise Planning
and Control since August 4, 1997. He was a consultant from March 1997 to July
1997. He was Senior Vice President of Lechmere, Inc. and
II-7
<PAGE>
Montgomery Ward & Co. from November 1995 to February 1997. He was Vice
President--Merchandise Planning and Allocation of Hills from January 1994 to
November 1995. He was Vice President--Controller of Hills from 1991 to January
1994.
William K. Friend is Senior Vice President--Secretary and Corporate
Counsel. From December 1985 to April 1, 1998, he was Vice President--Secretary
and Corporate Counsel for Hills. Prior to joining Hills, Mr. Friend held senior
management positions with SOCA Industries Inc. and Shoe Corporation of America,
Hills' predecessor companies.
Gregory B. Jones has been Senior Vice President--Marketing/Sales Promotion
since September 2, 1997. He was Vice President, Marketing of Carpet One from
August 1995 to August 1997. He was Vice President, Marketing of Today's Man from
1991 to August 1995.
Jeffrey R. Sims is Senior Vice President--Logistics. From March 1997 to
April 1, 1998, he was Vice President--Logistics. He was Director of Supply Chain
Operations of Sunbeam, Inc. from December 1996 through February 1997. He was
Vice President--Logistics of Thorn Americas, Inc. from March 1995 to March 1996.
He was Vice President--Logistics of Lesco, Inc. from September 1992 to November
1994.
Joseph J. Staffieri has been Senior Vice President--Human Resources since
January 14, 1998. He was Director of Staffing and Associate Relations from July
1997 to January 14, 1998. He was Assistant Vice President--Field Human Resources
of TJX Companies from June 1995 to July 1997. He was Vice President of Human
Resources of Lechmere, Inc. from prior to 1993 until June 1995.
Alan M. Weingarden has been Senior Vice President--Chief Information
Officer since February 27, 1998. He was Senior Vice President--Chief Information
Officer of Bradlee's, Inc. from April 1995 to February 1998. He was Vice
President--Management Information Services of Laura Ashley, Inc. from April 1993
until April 1995. In June 1995 Bradlee's, Inc. filed a petition for
reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.
Jeffrey S. Califano has been Vice President--Ladies Apparel and Accessories
since December 1, 1997. He was Assistant Vice President--Merchandise
Manager--Sportswear of the Company from May 1994 to October 1997 and was
Merchandise Manager--Sportswear from January 1990 to May 1994.
John M. Doyle joined the Company as Vice President--Treasurer on
September 23, 1996. He had been Vice President and Treasurer of Carson Pirie
Scott & Co. from 1995 to September 1996, and held various financial management
positions since joining that company in 1991 and at Marshall Field's from 1985
to 1990. Mr. Doyle is a certified public accountant.
Robert A. Greenwald has been Vice President--Boston Softlines since
January 29, 1998. He was Vice President--General Merchandise Manager of Roses
Stores, Inc. from January 1997 to January 1998. He was Executive Vice
President--Merchandising and Advertising of Rich's Department Stores from April
1995 to January 1997. He was Senior Vice President--General Merchandise Manager
of Jamesway Stores Inc. from May 1992 to April 1995. In October 1995, Jamesway
Stores Inc. filed a petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United
States Bankruptcy Code. In December 1996, Rich's Department Stores filed a
petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy
Code.
Ralph D. Nemeth has been Vice President--Regional Manager since April 6,
1998. He was Senior Vice President of APS Holding Corporation, a distributor of
automotive replacement parts, from October 1996 to March 1998. He was Senior
Vice President--Regional Manager of Venture Stores, Inc. from 1992 to September
1996. In February 1998, APS Holding Corporation filed a petition for
reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.
Daniel L. Ostrowski has been Vice President--Regional Manager since
January 6, 1997. He was Divisional Vice President--District Manager of Venture
Stores Inc. from prior to 1993 to January 1997.
Mark P. Ramsdell has been Senior Vice President--Hardlines and Home
Division since May 26, 1998. He was Vice President--Home Division from February
1997 to May 1998. He was Merchandise Manager--Electronics Home Entertainment
Division from May 1996 to February 1997. He was Vice President--General
II-8
<PAGE>
Manager of the Toy Works Division of Melville Corp. from February 1994 to May
1996. He was Senior Vice President--General Merchandise Manager of Wholesale
Depot LLP from prior to 1993 to February 1994.
Brian J. Sheehan joined the Company as Vice President--Controller on
September 5, 1996. Prior to joining Hills, Mr. Sheehan was Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of Healthcare Direct Inc., since November 1995. He
served as Assistant Corporate Controller of Caldor Corporation from 1990 to
1995.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS
Effective February 7, 1996, the Company entered into an employment contract
with Gregory K. Raven, the former President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company. The contract provided for a term commencing February 8, 1996 and
terminating January 30, 1999, subject to automatic one-year renewals thereafter
unless either the Company or Mr. Raven gave notice of non-renewal at least
ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the term. The contract provided for
an initial base salary of $700,000 per year, subject to annual review, and a
bonus target of 50% of base salary if performance goals established by the
HR/Compensation Committee (Option Committee) of the Board of Directors were met.
Mr. Raven had the right to terminate his employment contract for "Good Reason,"
defined as assignment of duties inconsistent with his position, removal from his
position, a material reduction in benefits, a relocation of the Company's
principal office outside the Boston metropolitan area or material breach by the
Company. If the Company terminated Mr. Raven without cause or if he terminated
his employment for "Good Reason," then Mr. Raven was entitled to severance pay
equal to two times his base pay then in effect. If within two years following a
Change in Control (as defined in the employment contract) the Company terminated
Mr. Raven's employment without cause or he terminated his employment contract
for Good Reason (other than a relocation of the Company's office), Mr. Raven's
severance pay would be three times his then current base pay and three times his
bonus for the current fiscal year (assuming all performance goals had been
achieved). For purposes of Mr. Raven's employment contract, a Change in Control
shall have occurred if: (i) a person or entity (other than Dickstein Partners
Inc. and its affiliates) acquires 30% or more of the Company's voting stock,
(ii) the majority of the Board of Directors consists of persons who were not
Incumbent Directors (members of the Board on February 7, 1996 or a person who
becomes a member of the Board of Directors subsequent to February 7, 1996 whose
election was supported by a majority of Incumbent Directors), (iii) the Company
liquidates or sells substantially all of its assets, or (iv) the Company merges
or consolidates with another company and the stockholders of the Company
immediately before the combination hold 50% or less of the combined entity. If
the Company gave Mr. Raven notice of non-renewal of Mr. Raven's employment
contract, the Company would be required to pay Mr. Raven a lump sum equal to two
times Mr. Raven's then base pay and continue his benefits for one year following
expiration of the employment contract. Mr. Raven's employment contract provided
for the issuance of 100,000 shares of restricted stock to Mr. Raven on the terms
described in the section below captioned "Restricted Stock Agreements."
Mr. Raven's employment contract also provided for the issuance to Mr. Raven of
options to purchase 300,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock under the
Company's 1993 Stock Option Plan. See sections below captioned "Stock Option
Table" and "Ten Year Option Repricings." Mr. Raven terminated his employment
with the Company on October 27, 1998. See Item 3(b) of Schedule 14D-9.
On November 11, 1996, the Company entered into an employment contract with
Michael R. Hamilton, Executive Vice President--Operations, for a term of three
years to October 21, 1999 at an initial base salary of $312,000 per year,
subject to annual review and a bonus target of 50% of base salary. On
November 2, 1998, Mr. Hamilton's agreement was amended to extend the term to
October 20, 2000. Mr. Hamilton is entitled to participate in any bonus, stock
option or other incentive compensation plans and other benefit plans of the
Company at a level commensurate with his position. See section below captioned
"Stock Option Table".
Effective November 11, 1997, the Company entered into an employment
contract with C. Scott Litten, Executive Vice President--Chief Financial
Officer, for a term of three (3) years to November 11, 2000 at an initial base
salary of $350,000 per year, subject to annual review and a bonus target of 50%
of base salary if performance goals are met. Mr. Litten is entitled to
participate in any bonus, stock option or other incentive compensation plans and
other benefit plans of the Company at a level commensurate with his position.
Effective July 22, 1997, the Company entered into an employment contract
with Frederick L. Angst, Executive Vice President--Chief Merchandising Officer,
for a term of three (3) years to July 22, 2000 at a base
II-9
<PAGE>
salary of $350,000 per year, subject to annual review and a bonus target of 50%
of base salary if performance goals are met. Mr. Angst was entitled to
participate in any bonus, stock option or other incentive compensation plans and
other benefit plans of the Company at a level commensurate with his position.
Mr. Angst terminated his employment with the Company effective November 15,
1998. See Item 3(b) of Schedule 14D-9.
Hills executives who participate in the Company's bonus plan, including
Messrs. Raven, Hamilton, Litten, Angst and Ramsdell during the term of their
employment, may receive a bonus up to 50% greater than the target amount if
performance goals are exceeded. See the Compensation Committee Report.
RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENTS
The Company entered into a Restricted Stock Agreement dated as of
February 8, 1996 with Gregory K. Raven, the former President and Chief Executive
Officer. Pursuant to said agreement, the Company issued Mr. Raven 100,000 shares
of Common Stock, subject to the restrictions described below. Said shares may
not be sold or otherwise disposed of until the restrictions expire. The
restrictions were to expire as to 60,000 shares on January 30, 1999 and as to
40,000 shares on January 29, 2000. Furthermore, said restrictions were to
terminate immediately upon (i) a Change in Control, as defined in Mr. Raven's
employment contract, (ii) termination by the Company of Mr. Raven's employment
contract other than for Cause, as defined in Mr. Raven's employment contract or
(iii) termination of Mr. Raven's employment by Mr. Raven for Good Reason, as
defined in Mr. Raven's employment contract. The shares are subject to forfeiture
prior to vesting upon the termination of Mr. Raven's employment other than as
described in (ii) and (iii) above. Following the termination of Mr. Raven's
employment with the Company on October 27, 1998, all shares of restricted stock
issued to Mr. Raven immediately vested.
The Company entered into a Restricted Stock Agreement with Chaim Y.
Edelstein, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, dated as of
February 8, 1996. Pursuant to said agreement, the Company issued Mr. Edelstein
20,000 shares of Common Stock, subject to the restrictions described below. The
restricted shares may not be sold or otherwise disposed of until the
restrictions expire. The restrictions will expire as to 5,000 shares on each of
the first four anniversaries of February 8, 1996, so long as Mr. Edelstein is at
that time available, willing and able to provide consulting services to the
Company and Mr. Edelstein's consulting agreement has not been terminated by the
Company for Cause (as defined in the consulting agreement). The restrictions
shall immediately terminate in the event of death or disability or if
Mr. Edelstein terminates the consulting agreement for Good Reason after a Change
of Control, as defined therein. The shares are subject to forfeiture prior to
vesting should Mr. Edelstein not be available, willing and able to perform
consulting services for the Company.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act requires the Company's directors and
executive officers, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered
class of the Company's equity securities, to file reports of ownership and
changes in ownership of Common Stock and other equity securities of the Company
with the Commission and the New York Stock Exchange. Officers, directors and
greater than ten percent stockholders are required by the rules and regulations
of the Commission to furnish the Company with copies of all
Section 16(a) forms they file.
To the Company's knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such
reports furnished to the Company and written representations that no other
reports were required, the Company believes that, during the fiscal year ended
January 31, 1998, its officers, directors and greater than ten percent
beneficial owners complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable
to them.
II-10
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth the annual and long-term compensation earned
by or paid to the Named Officers for services rendered to the Company during
Fiscal 1997 and the two prior fiscal years (identified as fiscal years 1997,
1996 and 1995, respectively):
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
ANNUAL COMPENSATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG TERM
COMPENSATION
FISCAL OTHER ANNUAL AWARDS: STOCK ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION OPTIONS (#) COMPENSATION
- ----------------------------------- ------ -------- -------- ------------ ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gregory K Raven(1) ................ 1997 $700,000 $ 0 $117,137(2) 218,704(3) $ 0
President and Chief 1996 665,274 172,000(4) 141,221(5) 300,000 0
Executive Officer 1995 -- -- -- -- --
Michael R. Hamilton ............... 1997 318,667 0 111,411(6) 39,561(7) 3,200(8)
Executive Vice President-- 1996 87,533 175,000(4) 16,644(9) 50,000 0
Operations 1995 -- -- -- -- --
C. Scott Litten ................... 1997 310,417 0 10,347(10) 38,725(3) 3,200(8)
Executive Vice President-- 1996 177,230 85,000(4) 121,931(11) 50,000 0
Chief Financial Officer 1995 -- -- -- -- --
Frederick L. Angst(12) ............ 1997 309,535 0 0 39,973(3) 3,200(8)
Executive Vice President-- 1996 263,334 51,000 7,891(13) 5,000 3,200(8)
Chief Merchandising Officer 1995 283,276 100,000 0 10,000(7) 3,000(8)
Mark P. Ramsdell .................. 1997 171,959 54,000 0 12,000 1,591(8)
Senior Vice President-- 1996 90,902 7,500 0 0 --
Hardlines and Home Division 1995 -- -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
- ------------------
(1) As of October 27, 1998, Mr. Raven terminated his employment with the
Company, and his options were cancelled upon such termination.
(2) Consists of relocation expenses including a "gross up" of $43,629 for
federal and state taxes.
(3) Includes repricing of options previously granted. See sections below
captioned "Stock Option Table" and "Ten Year Option Repricings."
(4) The amounts shown represent, in the case of Mr. Raven, a bonus guaranteed
by his employment contract; in the case of Mr. Hamilton, a hiring bonus of
$75,000 and a guaranteed bonus of $100,000; and in the case of Mr. Litten,
a hiring bonus of $25,000 and a guaranteed bonus of $60,000.
(5) Consists of relocation expenses, including a "gross up" of $54,984 for
federal and state taxes.
(6) Consists of relocation expenses, including a "gross up" of $46,885 for
federal and state taxes.
(7) Consists of repricings of options previously granted. See section below
captioned "Ten year Option Repricings."
(8) Consists of Company contributions to the Company's 401(k) plan.
(9) Consists of relocation expenses.
(10) Consists of relocation expenses, including a "gross up" of $4,710 for
federal and state taxes.
(11) Consists of relocation expenses, including a "gross up" of $48,375 for
federal and state taxes.
(12) Effective November 15, 1998, Mr. Angst terminated his employment with the
Company, and his options were cancelled upon such termination.
(13) Consists of relocation expenses, including a "gross up" of $3,691 for
federal and state taxes.
II-11
<PAGE>
OPTION GRANTS TABLE
The following table sets forth grants during Fiscal 1997 of options to
purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock under the Company's 1993 Stock
Option Plan to the Named Officers. In addition to the grants described in the
table below, on March 10, 1998, the Named Officers were granted options to
purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock under the 1993 Stock Option Plan
as follows: Mr. Raven, 30,000 shares; Messrs. Hamilton, Litten and Angst, 10,000
shares each; and Mr. Ramsdell, 3,000 shares. Said grants are at an exercise
price of $2.75 per share, the closing price of the Company's Common Stock on the
New York Stock Exchange on the date of the grant, and have a ten year term,
expiring March 10, 2008.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
VALUE AT ASSUMED
NUMBER OF % OF TOTAL ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK
SECURITIES OPTIONS PRICE APPRECIATION
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO EXERCISE FOR OPTION TERM(1)
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES IN OR BASE EXPIRATION ---------------------
NAME GRANTED FISCAL YEAR PRICE DATE 5%
- -------------------------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- ---------- ---------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gregory K. Raven(2)................... 193,704(3) 26.1% $ 5.00 02/07/06 $ 456,747
25,000 3.4 4.625 03/11/07 63,747
Michael R. Hamilton................... 39,561(3) 5.3 5.00 10/21/06 102,967
C. Scott Litten....................... 28,725(3) 3.9 5.00 04/23/06 69,459
10,000 1.4 4.625 03/11/07 25,499
Frederick L. Angst(4)................. 5,917(3) * 5.00 04/21/04 10,227
3,056(3) * 5.00 03/25/06 7,296
6,000 * 4.625 03/11/07 15,299
25,000 3.4 2.75 07/22/07 39,681
Mark P. Ramsdell...................... 4,500 * 4.625 03/11/07 11,475
4,000 * 5.125 08/20/07 11,965
3,500 * 3.75 11/11/07 7,915
<CAPTION>
NAME 10%
- -------------------------------------- ---------------------
<S> <C>
Gregory K. Raven(2)................... $ 1,901,861
157,013
Michael R. Hamilton................... 250,942
C. Scott Litten....................... 166,814
62,805
Frederick L. Angst(4)................. 23,263
17,474
31,735
98,763
Mark P. Ramsdell...................... 28,262
29,852
19,886
</TABLE>
- ------------------
* Less than 1%
(1) The amounts shown as potential realizable value illustrate what might be
realized upon exercise immediately prior to expiration using the 5% and 10%
appreciation rates established in regulations of the Commission, compounded
annually. The potential realizable value is not intended to predict future
appreciation of the price of the Company's Common Stock. The values shown do
not consider nontransferability, vesting over five years or termination of
the options upon termination of employment.
(2) Mr. Raven's options were cancelled upon his resignation as of October 27,
1998.
(3) Repricing of previously granted option. See table captioned "Ten Year Option
Repricings" below.
(4) Mr. Angst's options were cancelled upon his resignation effective November
15, 1998.
II-12
<PAGE>
TEN YEAR OPTION REPRICINGS
The following table sets forth all stock option repricings during Fiscal
1997 and during the Company's last ten (10) years relating to the Named
Officers.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF NUMBER OF LENGTH OF
SECURITIES SECURITIES ORIGINAL
UNDERLYING UNDERLYING EXERCISE MARKET OPTION TERM
OPTIONS OPTIONS PRICE AT PRICE AT NEW REMAINING
PRIOR TO AFTER TIME OF TIME OF EXERCISE AT DATE OF
NAME DATE REPRICING REPRICING REPRICING REPRICING PRICE REPRICING
- --------------------------- -------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- -------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gregory K. Raven(1)........ 03/11/97 300,000 193,704 $10.125 $ 4.625 $ 5.00 02/07/06
03/08/96 300,000 300,000 12.00 9.875 10.125 02/07/06
Michael R. Hamilton........ 03/11/97 50,000 39,561 7.125 4.625 5.00 10/21/06
C. Scott Litten............ 03/11/97 50,000 28,725 12.75 4.625 5.00 04/23/06
Frederick L. Angst(2)...... 03/11/97 10,000 5,917 12.00 4.625 5.00 04/21/04
03/11/97 5,000 3,056 11.25 4.625 5.00 03/25/06
11/04/95 15,000 10,000 19.50 9.25 12.00 04/21/04
Mark P. Ramsdell........... -- -- -- -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
- ------------------
(1) Mr. Raven's options were cancelled upon his resignation as of October 27,
1998.
(2) Mr. Angst's options were cancelled upon his resignation effective November
15, 1998.
On March 11, 1997, the Company offered to Hills employees holding stock
options the opportunity to reprice their then existing stock options. Under the
terms of the offer, subject to certain restrictions on exercise, the holder of a
stock option was given the opportunity to exchange his or her stock options,
which had exercise prices ranging from $3.00 to $12.75 per share, for a reduced
number of stock options at an exercise price of $5.00 per share. On March 11,
1997, the closing price of the Company's Common Stock on the New York Stock
Exchange was $4.625 per share.
The amount of the reduction in the number of stock options was based on a
formula pursuant to which Vice Presidents and above, including Mr. Raven, had
their stock options reduced to a proportionately greater degree than other
members of management. In addition, the repricing was contingent on recipients
agreeing not to exercise any repriced stock options for one year following
repricing and not to exercise more than one-half of otherwise exercisable
repriced stock options during the second year following the repricing. Subject
to the foregoing sentence, vesting did not change.
A majority of Hills executives holding stock options, including Messrs.
Raven, Litten, Hamilton and Angst, accepted the offer, and their stock options
were repriced accordingly.
As a result of the March 1997 repricings, holders of the Company's stock
options relinquished, on a net basis, options to purchase 226,015 shares of
Common Stock, including 144,037 options relinquished, on a net basis, in the
aggregate by Mr. Raven and the other Named Officers.
II-13
<PAGE>
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
The following table sets forth information regarding the number and value
of stock option exercises during the last fiscal year and unexercised stock
options as of January 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED VALUE OF UNEXERCISED IN THE
OPTIONS AT FISCAL MONEY OPTIONS AT
SHARES YEAR END YEAR END
ACQUIRED VALUE ---------------------------- ----------------------------
NAME ON EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ----------------------------------- ----------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gregory K. Raven(1)................ 0 0 96,851(2) 121,853 0 0
Michael R. Hamilton................ 0 0 7,912(2) 31,649 0 0
C. Scott Litten.................... 0 0 5,745(2) 32,980 0 0
Frederick L. Angst(3).............. 0 0 5,048(2) 34,925 0 $ 9,375
Mark P. Ramsdell................... 0 0 0 12,000 0 0
</TABLE>
- ------------------
(1) Mr. Raven's options were cancelled upon his resignation as of October 27,
1998.
(2) In connection with their March 11, 1997 stock option repricings, all holders
of repriced stock options, including Messrs. Raven, Litten, Hamilton and
Angst, agreed not to exercise any stock options for one year following the
repricings and not to exercise more than one-half of the stock options which
would otherwise be exercisable during the second year following the
repricing. See section above captioned "Ten Year Option Repricings."
(3) Mr. Angst's options were cancelled upon his resignation effective November
15, 1998.
II-14
<PAGE>
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION(1)
The Company's Board of Directors has established the HR/Compensation
Committee (Option Committee) (the "Committee"), consisting entirely of
non-employee Directors. The Committee's functions include:
<TABLE>
<C> <S>
(i) Reviewing the corporate compensation programs, including the compensation of the Chief Executive
Officer, and policies to insure that the programs and policies are competitive and provide for
internal fairness;
(ii) Reviewing and advising the Chief Executive Officer about specific compensation matters for
officers and executives;
(iii) Overseeing the Company's performance bonus program;
(iv) Administering the Hills Stores Company 1993 Incentive and Nonqualified Stock Option Plan;
(v) Administering the Hills Stores Company 162(m) Bonus Plan; and
(vi) Such other duties as the Chairman of the Board may assign.
</TABLE>
Overview
The objective of the Company's executive compensation program is to attract
and retain executives with high levels of talent and expertise in areas related
to retailing and to encourage these executives to achieve superior performance
on behalf of the Company and its shareholders. The company believes the changes
made to its executive compensation program in 1996 (adjusting salaries,
especially below the vice president level, and tying bonus eligibility and
payout more closely to individual performance) have brought the Company more in
line with the companies with which it competes for executive talent, enabled it
to attract and retain talented people and to become more competitive in the
marketplace.
Executive compensation generally consists of the following basic
components: base salary, performance bonus, stock option grants and awards of
restricted stock.
Base Salary
Base salaries for executive officers are determined by the company by
evaluating the duties and responsibilities of each position and the experience
of the executive and by conducting executive salary surveys and comparing
salaries for similar positions with other companies. Annual salary increases and
adjustments are determined by the Company and based on individual performance,
changes in responsibilities, and market-based salary comparisons with other
retail companies. Salaries of all executives are reviewed annually.
Performance Bonus
A portion of executive compensation is directly related to Company
performance by means of the Company's performance bonus program, which was
revised in 1996 to place greater emphasis on individual performance and to
provide additional incentives for outstanding performance. Depending on
position, bonus targets range from 15% to 50% of an executive's base salary.
Actual payout is determined by Company performance, including achievement of
financial and profit goals, and by individual performance.
Early in each year, the Board of directors approves performance goals for
the Company and for individual executives. Individual performance goals vary by
position. Even if company performance goals are met, individual bonuses may be
less than targeted amounts if individual goals are not met. In addition, it is
possible for an executive who meets or exceeds individual goals to receive a
bonus even if Company goals are not met. In order to reward superior
performance, bonuses for certain individuals can exceed the target amount by up
to 50% if performance goals are exceeded.
- ------------------
(1) The material in this report is not "soliciting material," is not deemed
filed with the Commission, and is not to be incorporated by reference into
any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or
the 1934 Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective
of any general incorporation language contained in any such filing.
II-15
<PAGE>
For the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998, the company goal was a target
of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). The
size of the bonus pool is determined by the level of attainment of the Company's
goals. EBITDA thresholds in descending amounts were established for a full
target bonus pool and lesser bonus pools. In Fiscal 1997, the company failed to
meet its bonus goals. Therefore, executives whose bonus eligibility was tied
entirely to Company performance, including Messrs. Raven, Litten, Hamilton and
Angst, did not receive bonuses. Because a portion of Mr. Ramsdell's bonus
eligibility was based on his attainment of individual goals, and because he far
exceeded those goals, Mr. Ramsdell earned a cash bonus of $54,000.
Stock Option Plan
The Company's 1993 Stock Option Plan is intended to provide a long-term
incentive and to motivate executives to increase the long-term market value of
the Company's Common Stock. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998,
options to purchase a total of 742,240 shares of the Common Stock of the Company
were granted to 126 individuals, including Messrs. Raven, Litten, Hamilton,
Angst and Ramsdell. See the section captioned "Option Grants Table".
The Committee determines the amount and timing of grants under the
Company's 1993 Stock Option Plan. No member of the Committee has received a
grant under the 1993 Stock Option Plan.
Repricing of Stock Options
On March 11, 1997, recognizing that exercise prices with respect to options
held by employees under the 1993 Stock Option Plan were substantially above the
fair market value of the Common Stock, the Committee offered Hills employees
holding stock options, including Mr. Raven and the other then current executive
officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, the opportunity to reprice
their then existing stock options. Under the terms of the offer, subject to
agreeing to certain restrictions on exercise, the holder of an option was given
the opportunity to exchange his or her stock options, which had exercise prices
ranging from $3.00 to $12.75 per share, for a reduced number of stock options at
an exercise price of $5.00 per share. On March 11, 1997, the closing price of
the Company's Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $4.625 per share.
The amounts of the reduction in the number of options was based on a
formula, with Vice Presidents and above, including Mr. Raven, having their
options reduced to a proportionately greater degree than other members of
management. In addition, the offer was conditioned on the holder of an option
agreeing not to exercise any repriced stock options for one year after the
repricing and not to exercise more than one-half of repriced stock options which
would otherwise be exercisable during the second year following the repricing.
Subject to the foregoing sentence, vesting did not change.
A majority of executives holding stock options, including Messrs. Raven,
Litten, Hamilton and Angst, accepted the offer, and their stock options were
repriced accordingly. The results of the repricing are as follows: Mr. Raven
exchanged 300,000 stock options with an exercise price of $10.125 per share for
193,704 stock options with an exercise price of $5.00 per share. Mr. Litten
exchanged 50,000 stock options with an exercise price of $12.75 per share for
28,725 stock options with an exercise price of $5.00 per share. Mr. Hamilton
exchanged 50,000 stock options with an exercise price of $7.125 per share for
39,561 stock options with an exercise price of $5.00 per share. Mr. Angst
exchanged 10,000 stock options with an exercise price of $12.00 per share for
5,917 stock options with an exercise price of $5.00 per share and 5,000 stock
options with an exercise price of $11.25 per share for 3,056 stock options with
an exercise price of $5.00 per share.
As a result of the March 1997 repricings, holders of the Company's stock
options relinquished, on a net basis, options to purchase 226,015 shares of
Common Stock, including 144,037 options relinquished, on a net basis, in the
aggregate by Mr. Raven and the other Named Officers.
The Committee believes that the foregoing option repricings will motivate
and provide additional incentive to the grantees to improve the Companies
performance and enhance shareholder value.
Restricted Stock Awards
From time to time the Committee may make awards of restricted stock to
individuals including executive officers. On February 7, 1996, the Company
awarded Mr. Raven 100,000 shares of restricted stock and
II-16
<PAGE>
Mr. Edelstein 20,000 shares of restricted stock. The Company believes that
restricted stock awards assist the Company in attracting and retaining qualified
individuals and serve to motivate the recipients to improve the company's
operating results and enhance shareholder value.
Compensation of Chief Executive Officer
The Company entered into an employment agreement dated February 8, 1996
with Gregory K. Raven as President and Chief Executive Officer for a term from
February 8, 1996 to January 30, 1999 at a salary of $700,000 per year, subject
to annual review. Mr. Raven's contract provides for a targeted bonus amount of
50% of his base salary, subject to meeting performance goals. Because the
company failed to meet its bonus goals for fiscal 1997, Mr. Raven did not
receive a bonus. Mr. Raven's contract provides for a targeted bonus amount of
50% of his base salary, subject to meeting performance goals. Because the
company failed to meet its bonus goals for fiscal 1997, Mr. Raven did not
receive a bonus. Mr. Raven's contract provided for a grant of 300,000 options
pursuant to the 1993 Stock Option Plan and an award of 100,000 shares of
restricted stock.
Section 162(m) Policy
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue code provides that annual
compensation in excess of $1,000,000 to the Company's Chief Executive Officer or
any other Named officer will not be tax deductible by the Company, subject to
certain exceptions, which include shareholder approved programs. The Hills
Stores Company 162(m) Bonus Plan permits the Company to maximize tax
deductibility of cash compensation in excess of $1,000,000 by setting
performance standards and designating participants early in each year.
Executives who participate in the Company's 162(m) Bonus Plan do not participate
in the Company's regular performance bonus plan.
While it is the policy of the Committee to maximize the tax deductibility
to the Company of compensation to executive officers where practicable, the
Committee reserves the right to establish alternative arrangements for otherwise
eligible executives if it determines in its discretion that it would be in the
best interest of the Company and its shareholders to do so, even if the result
is loss of tax deductibility to the company for certain compensation
arrangements.
No member of the Committee is a current or former officer or employee of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
HR/COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
(OPTION COMMITTEE)
Mark B. Dickstein
Stanton J. Bluestone
John W. Burden III
II-17
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
During Fiscal 1997, no executive officer of the Company (i) served on the
board of directors of any company of which Mr. Dickstein, Mr. Bluestone or
Mr. Burden (the members of the Company's HR/Compensation Committee (Option
Committee)) was an executive officer or (ii) served as a member of the
compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent functions
or, in the absence of such a committee, on the board) of another entity, one of
whose executive officers if a member of the Board of Directors of the Company.
PERFORMANCE GRAPHS
The following graphs compare the percentage change in cumulative total
stockholders return on the Common Stock of the Company and Hills Department
Stores, Inc. (the "Predecessor Company") to the cumulative total stockholders
return of the S&P 500 and to the cumulative total stockholders return of the S&P
Retail Composite. The Predecessor Company graph covers the period January 31,
1993 to October 4, 1993 and assumes an investment of $100 in the Common Stock of
the Predecessor Company and each index on January 31, 1993. The Company graph
covers the period from October 5, 1993 to January 31, 1998 and assumes an
investment of $100 in the Company's Common Stock and in each index on
October 5, 1993.
TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURNS
Period Jan-93 4-Oct-98
------------- --------
Retail Stores-Composite 100.00 94.08
S&P 500 Index 100.00 107.36
Hills Department Stores, Inc. 100.00 26.68
Oct-93 Jan-94 Jan-95 Jan-96 Jan-97 Jan-98
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Retail Stores-Composite 100.00 102.36 94.78 102.20 122.00 180.91
S&P 500 Index 100.00 105.12 105.68 146.54 185.14 234.96
Hills Department
Stores, Inc. 100.00 100.58 99.42 47.67 12.79 14.53
II-18
<PAGE>
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
by and among
AMES DEPARTMENT STORES, INC.,
HSC ACQUISITION CORP.
and
HILLS STORES COMPANY
Dated as of November 12, 1998
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
<S> <C> <C>
ARTICLE I THE OFFER............................................................................... 2
SECTION 1.01 The Offer............................................................................... 2
SECTION 1.02 Note Tender Offer....................................................................... 3
SECTION 1.03 Company Action.......................................................................... 6
ARTICLE II THE MERGER.............................................................................. 8
SECTION 2.01 The Merger.............................................................................. 8
SECTION 2.02 Effective Time; Closing................................................................. 8
SECTION 2.03 Effect of the Merger.................................................................... 8
SECTION 2.04 Certificate of Incorporation; Bylaws.................................................... 9
SECTION 2.05 Directors and Officers.................................................................. 9
SECTION 2.06 Conversion of Securities................................................................ 9
SECTION 2.07 Stock Options; Warrants................................................................. 10
SECTION 2.08 Surrender of Shares; Stock Transfer Books............................................... 11
SECTION 2.09 Dissenting Shares....................................................................... 13
SECTION 2.10 Withholding Taxes....................................................................... 13
SECTION 2.11 Certain Matters Relating to Deferred Contingent Cash Rights............................. 13
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY........................................... 16
SECTION 3.01 Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries............................................ 16
SECTION 3.02 Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws................................................. 17
SECTION 3.03 Capitalization.......................................................................... 17
SECTION 3.04 Authority Relative to this Agreement.................................................... 18
SECTION 3.05 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.............................................. 19
SECTION 3.06 Compliance.............................................................................. 20
SECTION 3.07 SEC Filings; Financial Statements....................................................... 20
SECTION 3.08 Absence of Certain Changes or Events.................................................... 21
SECTION 3.09 Absence of Litigation................................................................... 22
SECTION 3.10 Employee Benefit Plans.................................................................. 22
SECTION 3.11 Labor Matters........................................................................... 25
SECTION 3.12 Offer Documents; Schedule 14D-9; Proxy Statement........................................ 25
</TABLE>
i
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<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
SECTION 3.13 Tangible Property; Real Property and Leases............................................. 26
SECTION 3.14 Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights...................................................... 27
SECTION 3.15 Taxes................................................................................... 28
SECTION 3.16 Environmental Matters................................................................... 30
SECTION 3.17 Contracts............................................................................... 31
SECTION 3.18 Insurance; Workers' Compensation........................................................ 32
SECTION 3.19 Certain Payments; Absence of Certain Business Practices................................. 33
SECTION 3.20 Licenses and Permits.................................................................... 33
SECTION 3.21 Letters of Credit, Surety Bonds, Guarantees............................................. 33
SECTION 3.22 Brokers................................................................................. 33
SECTION 3.23 Year 2000............................................................................... 33
SECTION 3.24 Applicability of State Takeover Statutes................................................ 34
SECTION 3.25 Amendment to Rights Agreement........................................................... 34
SECTION 3.26 Opinion of Financial Advisor............................................................ 34
SECTION 3.27 Full Disclosure......................................................................... 34
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND PURCHASER.................................. 34
SECTION 4.01 Corporate Organization.................................................................. 35
SECTION 4.02 Authority Relative to This Agreement.................................................... 35
SECTION 4.03 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.............................................. 35
SECTION 4.04 Financing............................................................................... 36
SECTION 4.05 Offer Documents; Proxy Statement........................................................ 36
SECTION 4.06 Brokers................................................................................. 37
ARTICLE V CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER.................................................. 37
SECTION 5.01 Conduct of Business by the Company Pending the Merger................................... 37
ARTICLE VI ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS................................................................... 40
SECTION 6.01 Special Stockholders' Meeting........................................................... 40
SECTION 6.02 Proxy Statement......................................................................... 40
SECTION 6.03 Company Board Representation; Section 14(f)............................................. 41
SECTION 6.04 Access to Information; Confidentiality.................................................. 42
SECTION 6.05 No Solicitation......................................................................... 42
SECTION 6.06 Directors' and Officers' Indemnification and Insurance.................................. 44
SECTION 6.07 Notification of Certain Matters......................................................... 45
SECTION 6.08 Further Action; Reasonable Efforts...................................................... 45
</TABLE>
ii
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<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
SECTION 6.09 Public Announcements.................................................................... 46
SECTION 6.10 Confidentiality Agreement............................................................... 46
SECTION 6.11 State Takeover Laws..................................................................... 46
SECTION 6.12 Employment Covenant..................................................................... 46
SECTION 6.13 Financing............................................................................... 47
ARTICLE VII CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER................................................................ 47
SECTION 7.01 Conditions to the Merger................................................................ 47
ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER....................................................... 48
SECTION 8.01 Termination............................................................................. 48
SECTION 8.02 Effect of the Termination............................................................... 50
SECTION 8.03 Fees and Expenses....................................................................... 50
SECTION 8.04 Amendment............................................................................... 51
SECTION 8.05 Waiver.................................................................................. 51
ARTICLE IX GENERAL PROVISIONS...................................................................... 51
SECTION 9.01 Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements.............................. 51
SECTION 9.02 Notices................................................................................. 52
SECTION 9.03 Certain Definitions..................................................................... 52
SECTION 9.04 Severability............................................................................ 56
SECTION 9.05 Entire Agreement, Assignment............................................................ 56
SECTION 9.06 Parties in Interest..................................................................... 57
SECTION 9.07 Specific Performance.................................................................... 57
SECTION 9.08 Governing Law........................................................................... 57
SECTION 9.09 Headings................................................................................ 57
SECTION 9.10 Counterparts............................................................................ 57
SECTION 9.11 Certain Undertakings by Parent.......................................................... 57
</TABLE>
Stock Option Agreement -- Exhibit A
Disclosure Schedule
Section 3.01 -- Subsidiaries of the Company
Section 3.03 -- Capitalization and Stock Option Plans
Section 3.06 -- Compliance
Section 3.07 -- SEC Filings; Financial Statements
Section 3.08 -- Certain Developments
Section 3.09 -- Legal Proceedings
Section 3.10 -- Employee Benefit Plans
Section 3.11 -- Labor Matters
Section 3.13 -- Real and Leased Properties
Section 3.14 -- Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights
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<PAGE>
Section 3.15 -- Taxes
Section 3.16 -- Environmental Matters
Section 3.17 -- Material Contracts
Section 3.18 -- Insurance Policies and Workers' Compensation
Section 3.21 -- Letters of Credit, Surety Bonds, Guarantees, etc.
Section 5.01 -- Conduct of Business
Annex A -- Conditions to the Stock Tender Offer
Annex B -- Conditions to the Note Tender Offer
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Glossary of Defined Terms
Location of Definitions
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Advances....................................................................................... ss. 2.11(f)
affiliate...................................................................................... ss. 9.03(a)
Agreement...................................................................................... Preamble
beneficial owner............................................................................... ss. 9.03(b)
Blue Sky Laws.................................................................................. ss. 3.05(b)
Board.......................................................................................... Recitals
business day................................................................................... ss. 9.03(c)
Cash Equivalents............................................................................... ss. 9.03(d)
Cash Payment................................................................................... ss. 9.03(l)
Certificate of Merger.......................................................................... ss. 2.02
Certificates................................................................................... ss. 2.08(b)
COBRA.......................................................................................... ss. 3.10(e)
Commitment Letter.............................................................................. ss. 4.04
Committee Fee.................................................................................. ss. 2.11(f)
Common Shares.................................................................................. Recitals
Company........................................................................................ Preamble
Confidentiality Agreement...................................................................... ss. 6.04(b)
Consents....................................................................................... Recitals
Consent Solicitation........................................................................... Recitals
Constituent Documents.......................................................................... ss. 3.02
Continuing Director............................................................................ ss. 9.03(e)
control........................................................................................ ss. 9.03(f)
controlled by.................................................................................. ss. 9.03(f)
DCCR........................................................................................... Recitals
Delaware Law................................................................................... Recitals
Disclosure Schedule............................................................................ ss. 3.01
Dissenting Shares.............................................................................. ss. 2.09
Effective Time................................................................................. ss. 2.02
Employees...................................................................................... ss. 3.11
Environmental Law.............................................................................. ss. 3.16(a)
Equity Deferred Contingent Cash Right.......................................................... ss. 9.03(g)
Equity DCCR ................................................................................... Recitals
ERISA.......................................................................................... ss. 3.10(a)
ERISA Affiliate................................................................................ ss. 3.10(a)
Exchange Act................................................................................... ss. 1.03(b)
Expenses....................................................................................... ss. 8.03(b)
Financial MAC.................................................................................. ss. 3.01
GAAP........................................................................................... ss. 3.07(b)
Hazardous Substances........................................................................... ss. 3.16(a)
Hills Litigation............................................................................... ss. 9.03(h)
</TABLE>
v
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<TABLE>
<S> <C>
HSR Act........................................................................................ ss. 3.05(b)
Indemnified Parties............................................................................ ss. 6.07(a)
Indenture...................................................................................... ss. 1.02(a)
Information Statement.......................................................................... ss. 3.12
Inventory...................................................................................... ss. 9.03(i)
IRS............................................................................................ ss. 3.10(a)
Litigation Cap................................................................................. ss. 2.11(d)
Litigation Committee........................................................................... ss. 9.03(j)
Lender......................................................................................... ss. 4.04
Loan Agreement................................................................................. ss. 9.03(k)
Material Adverse Effect........................................................................ ss. 3.01
Material Contracts............................................................................. ss. 3.17(a)
Merger......................................................................................... Recitals
Merger Consideration........................................................................... ss. 2.06(a)
Minimum Note Condition......................................................................... ss. 1.02(a)
Minimum Stock Condition........................................................................ ss. 1.01(a)
Multiemployer Plan............................................................................. ss. 3.10(a)
Net Recovery................................................................................... ss. 9.03(l)
Non-Recourse Financing......................................................................... ss. 2.11(i)
Note DCCR...................................................................................... Recitals
Note Deferred Contingent Cash Right Recitals................................................... ss. 9.03(m)
Note Offer to Purchase......................................................................... Recitals
Note Tender Offer.............................................................................. Recitals
Note Tender Offer Documents.................................................................... ss. 1.02(b)
Noteholders.................................................................................... ss. 1.02(b)
Notes.......................................................................................... Recitals
Offer.......................................................................................... Recitals
Offer Documents................................................................................ ss. 1.01(b)
Offer to Purchase.............................................................................. ss. 1.01(b)
Option......................................................................................... ss. 2.07(a)
Parent......................................................................................... Preamble
Paying Agent................................................................................... ss. 2.08(a)
Per Share Cash Amount.......................................................................... Recitals
person......................................................................................... ss. 9.03(n)
Plans.......................................................................................... ss. 3.10(a)
Preferred Shares............................................................................... Recitals
Proposed Amendments............................................................................ ss. 1.02(c)
Proxy Statement................................................................................ ss. 3.12
Purchaser...................................................................................... Preamble
Purchaser's Election Date...................................................................... ss. 5.01
Representative................................................................................. ss. 9.03(o)
Right; Rights.................................................................................. ss. 2.06(a)
Rights Agreement............................................................................... ss. 2.06(a)
Schedule 14D-1................................................................................. ss. 1.01(b)
Schedule 14D-9................................................................................. ss. 1.03(b)
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
<S> <C>
SEC............................................................................................ ss. 1.01(a)
SEC Reports.................................................................................... ss. 3.07(a)
Section 203 Approval........................................................................... ss. 1.03(a)
Securities Act................................................................................. ss. 3.07(a)
Shares......................................................................................... Recitals
Special Stockholders' Meeting.................................................................. ss. 6.01
Stock Option Agreement......................................................................... Recitals
Stock Option Plans............................................................................. ss. 2.07(b)
Subsidiary..................................................................................... ss. 3.01
subsidiary; subsidiaries....................................................................... ss. 9.03(p)
Superior Proposal.............................................................................. ss. 9.03(q)
Supplemental Indenture......................................................................... ss. 1.02(c)
Surviving Corporation.......................................................................... ss. 2.01
Takeover Proposal.............................................................................. ss. 9.03(r)
Tax; Taxes..................................................................................... ss. 3.15(p)
Tax Return..................................................................................... ss. 3.15(p)
Termination Fee................................................................................ ss. 8.03(b)
Third Party.................................................................................... ss. 9.03(r)
Transactions................................................................................... ss. 3.04
under common control with...................................................................... ss. 9.03(f)
WARN........................................................................................... ss. 3.11
Warrants....................................................................................... ss. 3.03
Working Capital................................................................................ ss. 9.03(s)
</TABLE>
vii
<PAGE>
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of November 12, 1998 (this
"Agreement"), by and among Ames Department Stores, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("Parent"), HSC Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent ("Purchaser"), and Hills Stores Company, a
Delaware corporation the "Company").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of Parent, Purchaser and the
Company have each determined that it is in the best interests of their
respective stockholders for Parent and Purchaser to acquire the Company upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, in furtherance of such acquisition, it is proposed that
Purchaser shall make a cash tender offer (the "Offer" or the "Tender Offer")
to acquire (i) all the issued and outstanding shares of common stock, par
value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the "Common Shares"), and (ii) all
the issued and outstanding shares of Series A convertible preferred stock,
par value $0.10 per share, of the Company (the "Preferred Shares" and,
together with the Common Shares, the "Shares"), in each case together with
the associated Rights (as hereinafter defined), for $1.50 per Share (such
amount being hereinafter referred to as the "Per Share Cash Amount") net to
the seller in cash, subject to withholding of taxes, if applicable, and an
Equity Deferred Contingent Cash Right (as defined below) ("Equity DCCR"),
upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and the
Offer; and
WHEREAS, also in furtherance of such acquisition, it is proposed
that, simultaneously with the Offer, Purchaser shall make an offer to
purchase for cash (the "Note Offer to Purchase") all of the Company's 12
1/2% Senior Notes due 2003 (the "Notes") and solicit consents ("Consents")
from the holders of the Notes to amend the Indenture (as defined herein) as
herein provided (the "Consent Solicitation" and collectively with the Note
Offer to Purchase, the "Note Tender Offer") at a price of 55% of the
principal amount of the Notes and a Note Deferred Contingent Cash Right (as
defined below) ("Note DCCR" and, together with the
<PAGE>
Equity DCCR, the "DCCRs"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this
Agreement and the Note Tender Offer; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") has
unanimously approved the making of the Offer and the Note Tender Offer and
resolved and agreed to recommend that holders of Shares tender their Shares
pursuant to the Offer; and
WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of Parent, Purchaser and the
Company have each approved the merger (the "Merger") of Purchaser with and into
the Company in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware ("Delaware Law") following the consummation of the Offer and the Note
Tender Offer and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;
and
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and as a condition to Parent's and Purchaser's willingness to
enter into this Agreement, the Company, Parent and Purchaser have entered
into a Stock Option Agreement (the "Stock Option Agreement") attached as
Exhibit A;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
covenants and agreements herein contained, and intending to be legally bound
hereby, Parent, Purchaser and the Company hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
THE OFFER
SECTION 1.01 The Offer. (a) Provided that this Agreement shall not
have been terminated in accordance with Section 8.01 and none of the events
or circumstances set forth in Annex A hereto shall have occurred or be
existing, Purchaser agrees to, and Parent agrees to cause Purchaser to,
commence the Offer as promptly as reasonably practicable after the date
hereof, but in no event later than five business days after the first public
announcement of the execution hereof. Parent and Purchaser agree that the
obligation of Purchaser to accept for payment and pay for Shares tendered
pursuant to the Offer shall be subject to the conditions that (i) the number
of Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration of the
Offer, combined with the Shares already owned by Parent, Purchaser or any of
their
2
<PAGE>
affiliates, constitute at least 60% of the then outstanding Shares at the
expiration of the Offer (the "Minimum Stock Condition"), (ii) Purchaser has
acquired or is simultaneously acquiring not less than 66 2/3% in the aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Notes (the "Note Purchase Condition"), and
(iii) also shall be subject to the satisfaction of the other conditions set
forth in Annex A. Purchaser expressly reserves the right to waive any such
condition, to increase the price per Share payable in the Offer, and to make any
other changes in the terms and conditions of the Offer; provided, however, that
Parent and Purchaser agree that no change may be made without the consent of the
Company which decreases the price per Share payable in the Offer, which changes
the form of consideration to be paid in the Offer, which reduces the maximum
number of Shares to be purchased in the Offer, which eliminates the Note
Purchase Condition, which reduces the Minimum Stock Condition to below 51% of
the then outstanding Shares, which otherwise modifies or amends the conditions
to the Offer or any other term of the Offer in a manner that is materially
adverse to the holders of the Shares, which imposes conditions to the Offer in
addition to those set forth in Annex A hereto or which extends the expiration
date of the Offer beyond January 4, 1999 (except that the Purchaser may extend
the expiration date of the Offer through January 9, 1999 as required to comply
with any rule, regulation or interpretation of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC")). The Per Share Cash Amount shall, subject to applicable
withholding of taxes, be net to the seller in cash, upon the terms and subject
to the conditions of the Offer. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Offer
(including, without limitation, the Minimum Stock Condition), Purchaser agrees
to, and Parent agrees to cause Purchaser to, pay, as promptly as practicable
after expiration of the Offer, for all Shares validly tendered and not
withdrawn.
(b) As soon as reasonably practicable on the date of commencement
of the Offer, Parent and Purchaser agree that Parent and Purchaser will file
with the SEC a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 14D-1 (together with all
amendments and supplements thereto, the "Schedule 14D-1") with respect to
the Offer and the other Transactions (as hereinafter defined). Parent and
Purchaser agree that the Schedule 14D-1 will contain or will incorporate by
reference an offer to purchase (the "Offer to Purchase") and forms of the
related letter of transmittal and any related summary advertisement (the
Schedule 14D-1, the Offer to Purchase and such other documents, together
with all supplements and amendments thereto, being referred to herein
collectively as the "Offer
3
<PAGE>
Documents"). Parent and Purchaser will take all steps necessary to ensure that
the Offer Documents will comply in all material respects with the provisions of
applicable federal and state securities laws. Parent and Purchaser and the
Company agree to correct promptly any information provided by any of them for
use in the Offer Documents which shall have become false or misleading, and
Parent and Purchaser further agree to take all steps necessary to cause the
Schedule 14D-1 as so corrected to be filed with the SEC and the other Offer
Documents as so corrected to be disseminated to holders of Shares, in each case
as and to the extent required by applicable federal securities laws.
SECTION 1.02 Note Tender Offer. (a) Provided that this Agreement
shall not have been terminated in accordance with Section 8.01 and none of
the events or circumstances set forth in Annex B hereto shall have occurred
or be existing, Purchaser agrees that it or its designee will, and Parent
agrees to cause Purchaser or its designee, as the case may be, to commence
the Note Offer to Purchase as promptly as reasonably practicable after the
date hereof, but in no event later than five business days after the first
public announcement of the execution hereof. The aggregate consideration
payable to each holder of Notes pursuant to the Note Offer to Purchase and
related Consent Solicitation shall be an amount equal to 55% of the
principal amount of the Notes held by such holder and a Note DCCR. In
connection with the Note Offer to Purchase, Purchaser intends to solicit
Consents in substance previously described to the Company to amend or
eliminate certain sections of the Indenture, dated as of April 19, 1996 among
the Company, the Guarantors party thereto and Fleet National Bank, as Trustee
(the "Indenture") and any other sections thereof agreed to by the Company, so
that such Sections are not applicable to or after the Merger or are amended
following the consummation of the Note Tender Offer or the Merger. Purchaser
agrees that its obligation to accept for payment and pay for the Notes and
related Consents tendered pursuant to the Note Tender Offer shall be subject to
the condition that (i) the aggregate principal amount of Notes validly tendered
and not withdrawn prior to the expiration of the Note Tender Offer, combined
with the Notes already owned by Parent, Purchaser or any of their affiliates,
constitutes at least 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount of the then
outstanding Notes at the expiration of the Note Tender Offer (the "Minimum Note
Condition"), (ii) Purchaser receive Consents from at least 66 2/3% of the
outstanding principal amount of the Notes, (iii) Purchaser has acquired or is
simultaneously acquiring not less than 51% of the then outstanding
4
<PAGE>
Shares (the "Stock Purchase Condition"), and (iv) also shall be subject to the
satisfaction of the other conditions set forth in Annex B hereto (including,
without limitation, the Minimum Stock Condition). Purchaser expressly reserves
the right to waive any such condition, to increase the price payable for each
Note and related Consent tendered in the Note Tender Offer, and to make any
other changes in the terms and conditions of the Note Tender Offer; provided,
however, that Purchaser agrees that no change may be made without the consent of
the Company which decreases the price payable for each Note and related Consent
tendered in the Note Tender Offer, which reduces the Minimum Note Condition,
which eliminates the Stock Purchase Condition which otherwise modifies or amends
the conditions to the Note Tender Offer or any other term of the Note Tender
Offer in a manner that is materially adverse to the holders of the Notes, which
imposes conditions to the Note Tender Offer in addition to those set forth in
Annex B hereto, or which extends the expiration date of the Note Tender Offer
beyond January 4, 1999 (except that Purchaser may extend the expiration date of
the Note Tender Offer through January 9, 1999 as required to comply with any
rule, regulation or interpretation of the SEC). The Purchaser further agrees
that unless otherwise agreed to by the Company, it will be obligated to extend
the expiration of the Consent Solicitation until the earlier of (i) the receipt
of Consents from at least 66-2/3 of the then outstanding principal amount of the
Notes and tender to the Purchaser of not less than 66-2/3% in aggregate
principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and (ii) 20 business days after
the commencement of the Note Tender Offer. The Note Tender Offer shall provide
that any tender of Notes under the Note Tender Offer shall also constitute a
Consent. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Note Tender Offer
(including, without limitation, the Minimum Note Condition), Purchaser agrees to
pay, as promptly as practicable after expiration of the Note Tender Offer, for
all Notes and related Consents validly tendered and not withdrawn.
(b) Parent and Purchaser agree to disseminate to the record holders
of the Notes, and to the extent disclosed to Parent or Purchaser by the
Company, the beneficial owners of the Notes (collectively, the
"Noteholders"), the Note Tender Offer pursuant to the terms of an offer to
purchase and consent solicitation statement, together with related letters
of transmittal and similar ancillary agreements (such documents, together
with all supplements and amendments thereto, being referred to herein
collectively as the "Note Tender Offer Documents"), which shall
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have been provided to the Company and its counsel a reasonable time prior to
dissemination to holders of the Notes and to which the Company shall not have
reasonably objected. Parent, Purchaser and the Company agree to correct promptly
any information provided by any of them for use in the Note Tender Offer
Documents which shall have become false or misleading, and Parent and Purchaser
further agree to take all steps necessary to cause the Note Tender Offer
Documents as so corrected to be disseminated to holders of Notes, in each case
as and to the extent required by applicable federal securities laws.
(c) At such time as Purchaser receives Consents from at least 66
2/3% of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes, the Company agrees to
execute, and to cause the Guarantors party to the Indenture to execute, and
will use all reasonable efforts to cause the trustee under the Indenture to
execute, a supplemental indenture (the "Supplemental Indenture") in order to
give effect to the amendments of the Indenture contemplated in the Note
Tender Offer Documents; provided, however, that notwithstanding the fact
that the Supplemental Indenture will become effective upon such execution,
the proposed amendments set forth therein (the "Proposed Amendments") will
not become operative unless and until the Minimum Note Condition is
satisfied and all other conditions to the Note Tender Offer set forth on
Annex B have been satisfied or waived by Parent and Purchaser and Purchaser
accepts all Notes (and related Consents) validly tendered for purchase and
payment pursuant to the Note Tender Offer. In such event, the parties hereto
agree that the Proposed Amendments will be deemed operative as of
immediately prior to such acceptance for payment, and Purchaser will
thereafter be obligated to make all payments for the Notes (and related
Consents) so tendered.
(d) The Company agrees to promptly furnish Purchaser with mailing
labels containing the names and addresses of all record holders of Notes and
with security position listings of the Notes held in depositories, each as
of a recent date, together with all other available listings and computer
files containing names, addresses and security position listings of
Noteholders. The Company agrees to furnish Purchaser with such additional
information, including, without limitation, updated listings and computer
files of Noteholders, mailing labels and security position listings, and
such other assistance as Purchaser or its agents may reasonably request.
Subject to the requirements of applicable law, and except for such steps as
are necessary to
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disseminate the Note Tender Offer Documents and any other documents
necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby, Purchaser
shall hold in confidence the information contained in such labels, listings
and files, shall use such information only in connection with the Note
Tender Offer and, if this Agreement shall be terminated in accordance with
Section 8.01, shall deliver to the Company all copies of such information
then in its possession.
(e) Parent and Purchaser agree that they will not solicit Consents
in the Consent Solicitation to amend or eliminate any section of the
Indenture, that, by the terms thereof, requires the approval of the holders
of 100% of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes.
SECTION 1.03 Company Action. (a) The Company hereby approves of and
consents to the Offer and the Note Tender Offer and represents that (i) the
Board, at a meeting duly called and held on November 11, 1998, has
unanimously (A) determined that this Agreement, the Stock Option Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby, including each of the Offer and
the Merger, are fair to and in the best interests of the stockholders of the
Company and has declared this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby to be advisable, (B) approved and adopted this Agreement, the Stock
Option Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby,
including, without limitation, the Merger, and such approval (the "Section
203 Approval") constitutes approval of the foregoing for purposes of Section
203 of Delaware Law, (C) taken all necessary action to avoid the occurrence
of a "Distribution Date" (as defined in the Rights Agreement referred to in
Section 2.06) with respect to the Rights, (D) recommended that the
stockholders of the Company accept the Offer and approve and adopt this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without
limitation, the Merger, (E) based on the alternatives considered by the
Board at such meeting, expressed its belief, while offering no formal opinion,
that acceptance of the Note Tender Offer is preferable to such alternatives, and
(F) approved the modifications to the Notes and the Indenture as provided for in
the Consents, and (ii) Warburg Dillon Read LLC has delivered to the Board a
written opinion to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion, the
consideration to be received by the holders of Shares (other than Parent,
Purchaser and their affiliates) pursuant to each of the Offer and the Merger is
fair to such holders of Shares from a financial point of view. Subject only to
the fiduciary duties of the Board
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under applicable law as determined by the Board in good faith following
consultation with the Company's outside counsel, the Company hereby consents to
the inclusion in the Offer Documents of the recommendation of the Board
described in the immediately preceding sentence. The Company represents to
Parent and Purchaser that the Company has been advised by each of its directors
and executive officers (which shall consist of the President, each Executive
Vice President and any Senior Vice President that beneficially owns in excess of
5,000 Shares) that they intend (i) either to tender or cause to be tendered all
Shares beneficially owned by them to Purchaser pursuant to the Offer or to vote
such Shares in favor of the approval and adoption by the stockholders of the
Company of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, and (ii) to
tender or cause to be tendered all Notes beneficially owned by them to Purchaser
pursuant to the Note Tender Offer, and, with respect to such Notes, to give the
Consents solicited pursuant to the Consent Solicitation.
(b) As soon as reasonably practicable on the date of commencement
of the Offer, the Company agrees that it will file with the SEC a
Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (together with all
amendments and supplements thereto, the "Schedule 14D-9") containing,
subject only to the fiduciary duties of the Board under applicable law as
determined by the Board in good faith following consultation with the
Company's outside counsel, the recommendation of the Board described in
Section 1.03(a) and shall disseminate the Schedule 14D-9 to the extent
required by Rule 14d-9 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and any other applicable federal
securities laws. The Company will take all steps necessary to ensure that
the Schedule 14D-9 will comply in all material respects with the provisions
of applicable federal and state securities laws. The Company, Parent and
Purchaser agree to correct promptly any information provided by any of them
for use in the Schedule 14D-9 which shall have become false or misleading,
and the Company further agrees to take all steps necessary to cause the
Schedule 14D-9 as so corrected to be filed with the SEC and disseminated to
holders of Shares, in each case as and to the extent required by applicable
federal securities laws. Parent and its counsel shall be given a reasonable
opportunity to review
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and comment upon the Schedule 14D-9 and all amendments and supplements thereto
prior to their filing with the SEC or dissemination to stockholders of the
Company. The Company and its counsel shall be given a reasonable opportunity to
review and comment upon the Offer Documents prior to their filing with the SEC
or dissemination to stockholders of the Company. The Company agrees to provide
Parent and its counsel with copies of any written comments that the Company or
its counsel may receive from the SEC or its staff with respect to the Schedule
14D-9 promptly after the receipt of such comments and each of Parent and
Purchaser agrees to provide the Company and its counsel with copies of any
written comments that Parent, Purchaser or their counsel may receive from the
SEC or its staff with respect to the Offer Documents promptly after the receipt
of such comments.
(c) The Company agrees to promptly furnish Purchaser with mailing
labels containing the names and addresses of all record holders of Shares
and with security position listings of Shares held in stock depositories,
each as of a recent date, together with all other available listings and
computer files containing names, addresses and security position listings of
record holders and beneficial owners of Shares. The Company agrees to
furnish Purchaser with such additional information, including, without
limitation, updated listings and computer files of stockholders, mailing labels
and security position listings, and such other assistance as Parent, Purchaser
or their agents may reasonably request. Subject to the requirements of
applicable law, and except for such steps as are necessary to disseminate the
Offer Documents and any other documents necessary to consummate the Offer or the
Merger, Parent and Purchaser shall hold in confidence the information contained
in such labels, listings and files, shall use such information only in
connection with the Offer and the Merger and, if this Agreement shall be
terminated in accordance with Section 8.01, shall deliver to the Company all
copies of such information then in their possession.
ARTICLE II
THE MERGER
SECTION 2.01 The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in Article VII, and in accordance with Delaware Law, at
the Effective Time (as hereinafter defined), Purchaser shall be merged with
and into the Company. As a result of the Merger, the separate corporate
existence of Purchaser shall cease and the Company shall continue as the
surviving corporation of the Merger (the "Surviving Corporation"), and shall
continue to be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.
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SECTION 2.02 Effective Time; Closing. As promptly as practicable
after the satisfaction or, if permissible, waiver of the conditions set
forth in Article VII, the parties hereto shall cause the Merger to be
consummated by filing a certificate of merger (the "Certificate of Merger")
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, in such form as is
required by, and executed in accordance with the relevant provisions of,
Delaware Law. The Merger shall become effective upon such filing or at such
time thereafter as is provided in the Certificate of Merger as the Company
and Parent shall agree (the "Effective Time"). Prior to such filing, a
closing shall be held at the offices of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, 767
Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10153, or such other place as the parties
shall agree, for the purpose of confirming the satisfaction or waiver, as
the case may be, of the conditions set forth in Article VII.
SECTION 2.03 Effect of the Merger. At the Effective Time, the
effect of the Merger shall be as provided in the applicable provisions of
Delaware Law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject
thereto, at the Effective Time, all the property, rights, privileges, powers
and franchises of the Company and Purchaser shall vest in the Surviving
Corporation, and all debts, liabilities, obligations, restrictions,
disabilities and duties of the Company and Purchaser shall become the debts,
liabilities, obligations, restrictions, disabilities and duties of the
Surviving Corporation.
SECTION 2.04 Certificate of Incorporation; Bylaws. (a) The
Certificate of Incorporation 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 applicable law
and such Certificate of Incorporation.
(b) The Bylaws of the Company, as in effect immediately prior to
the Effective Time, shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until
thereafter amended as provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation of
the Surviving Corporation and such Bylaws.
SECTION 2.05 Directors and Officers. The directors of Purchaser
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the initial directors of
the Surviving Corporation, each to hold office in accordance with the
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation, and
the officers of Purchaser
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immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the initial officers of the
Surviving Corporation, in each case until their respective successors are duly
elected or appointed and qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation or
removal in accordance with the Surviving Corporation's Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws.
SECTION 2.06 Conversion of Securities. At the Effective Time, by
virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Purchaser, the
Company or the holders of any of the Shares:
(a) Each Common Share and each Preferred Share, in each case
together with the associated right to purchase shares of Series B
Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $0.10 (individually, the
"Right" and collectively, the "Rights"), issued pursuant to the Rights
Agreement dated as of August 16, 1994, between the Company and Chemical
Bank, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agreement"), issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than any Shares to be
canceled pursuant to Section 2.06(b) and Dissenting Shares (as defined in
Section 2.09)) shall be canceled and shall be converted automatically into
the right to receive an amount equal to the Per Share Cash Amount in cash
and an Equity DCCR (the "Merger Consideration"), payable, without interest,
to the holder of such Share, upon surrender, in the manner provided in
Section 2.08, of the certificate that formerly evidenced such Share;
(b) Each Share, together with the associated Right, owned by
Parent, Purchaser, the Company or any direct or indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of Parent or of the Company immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall be canceled and retired without any conversion thereof and no
payment or distribution shall be made with respect thereto; and
(c) Each share of common stock of Purchaser issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and exchanged
for one fully-paid and non-assessable share of common stock, par value $.01 per
share, of the Surviving Corporation.
SECTION 2.07 Stock Options; Warrants. (a) After the Effective Time,
to the extent provided for in the Stock Option Plans (as defined below),
each holder of an outstanding option to purchase any shares of capital stock
of the Company (in each case, an "Option") shall be entitled, upon exercise
of such Option, to
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receive, in lieu of Common Shares, an amount of cash and Equity DCCRs equal to
the amount thereof to which such holder would actually have been entitled if
such holder had exercised such option immediately prior to the Effective Time.
(b) The Company shall take all actions necessary and appropriate so
that all stock option or other equity based plans maintained with respect to
the Shares, including, without limitation, the plans listed in Section 3.03
of the Disclosure Schedule ("Stock Option Plans"), shall terminate as of the
Effective Time and the provisions in any other Plan providing for the
issuance, transfer or grant of any capital stock of the Company or any
interest in respect of any capital stock of the Company shall be deleted as
of the Effective Time, and the Company shall use its best efforts to ensure
that following the Effective Time no holder of an Option or any participant
in any Stock Option Plan shall have any right thereunder to acquire any
capital stock of the Company, Parent, Purchaser or the Surviving
Corporation.
(c) After the Effective Time, to the extent provided for in the
Warrants, each holder of Warrants shall be entitled, upon exercise of such
Warrants, to receive, in lieu of Common Shares, an amount of cash and Equity
DCCRs equal to the amount thereof to which such holder would actually have
been entitled if such holder had exercised such Warrant immediately prior to
the Effective Time.
(d) Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall (i) use all
reasonable efforts (but not including any payment to holders of Options or
Warrants) to obtain all necessary consents from, and provide (in a form
acceptable to Parent) any required notices to, holders of Warrants and
Options, and (ii) amend the terms of the applicable Stock Option Plan, in
each case as is necessary to give effect to the provisions of paragraphs (a)
and (b) of this Section 2.07.
(e) Stock Purchase Plan. With respect to the options pursuant to
the Hills Associate Stock Purchase Plan:
(i) the holder of each option outstanding as of the
Effective Time will be entitled to receive as of the Effective Time
upon exercise, in lieu of the number of Common Shares as to which
such option was exercisable, the Merger Consideration to which such
holder would have been entitled pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement, as if such holder
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had been the holder of record (as of the last business day prior to
the Effective Time) of a number of shares of Common Shares equal to
the number of shares for which such option was exercisable;
provided, however, that if the Effective Time is on or before
December 31, 1998, such holder shall be entitled to receive his
contributions to such Plan to the extent provided for in such Plan;
and
(ii) the Company shall amend the Hills Associate Stock
Purchase Plan to provide for (A) the suspension of participation
during any offering periods commencing subsequent to the date of
this Agreement for the pendency of the Merger and subject to the
successful consummation of the Merger and (B) the termination of
the Plan as of the Effective Time.
SECTION 2.08 Surrender of Shares; Stock Transfer Books. (a) Prior
to the Effective Time, Parent shall designate Chase Mellon Shareholder
Services or such other bank or trust company as shall be reasonably
acceptable to the Company to act as agent (the "Paying Agent") for the
holders of Shares in connection with the Merger to receive the funds to
which holders of Shares shall become entitled pursuant to Section 2.06(a),
and Parent shall deposit with such Paying Agent an amount sufficient to pay
the aggregate Per Share Cash Amount. Such funds shall be invested by the
Paying Agent as directed by the Surviving Corporation, provided that such
investments shall be in obligations of or guaranteed by the United States of
America or of any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of
the United States of America or in commercial paper obligations rated A-1 or
P-1 or better by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's
Ratings Group, respectively.
(b) Promptly after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation
shall cause to be mailed to each person who was, at the Effective Time, a
holder of record of Shares entitled to receive the Merger Consideration
pursuant to Section 2.06(a) a form of letter of transmittal (which shall
specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the
certificates evidencing such Shares (the "Certificates") shall pass, only
upon proper delivery of the Certificates to the Paying Agent) and
instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates pursuant
to such letter of transmittal (or, if such Shares are uncertificated, such
other form of evidence of record ownership as is required by the Paying
Agent). Upon surrender to
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the Paying Agent of a Certificate (or, with respect to uncertificated Shares,
such other evidence of record ownership as is required by the Paying Agent),
together with such letter of transmittal, duly completed and validly executed in
accordance with the instructions thereto, and such other documents as may be
required pursuant to such instructions, the holder of such Certificate (or
uncertificated Share, as the case may be) shall be entitled to receive in
exchange therefor the Per Share Cash Amount for each Share formerly evidenced by
such Certificate (or uncertificated Share, as the case may be), and such
Certificate (or uncertificated Share, as the case may be) shall then be
canceled. No interest shall accrue or be paid on the Merger Consideration
payable upon the surrender of any Certificate (or uncertificated Share, as the
case may be) for the benefit of the holder of such Certificate (or
uncertificated Share, as the case may be). If payment of the Merger
Consideration is to be made to a person other than the person in whose name the
surrendered Certificate (or uncertificated Share, as the case may be) is
registered on the stock transfer books of the Company, it shall be a condition
of payment to the holder of a Certificate that it be endorsed properly or, with
respect to Certificates and uncertificated Shares, otherwise be in proper form
for transfer and that, with respect to Certificates and uncertificated Shares,
the person requesting such payment shall have paid all transfer and other taxes
required by reason of the payment of the Merger Consideration to a person other
than the registered holder thereof or shall have established to the satisfaction
of the Surviving Corporation that such taxes either have been paid or are not
applicable.
(c) At any time following 90 days after the Effective Time, the
Surviving Corporation shall be entitled to require the Paying Agent to
deliver to it any funds which had been made available to the Paying Agent
and not disbursed to holders of Shares (including, without limitation, all
interest and other income received by the Paying Agent in respect of all
funds made available to it) and, thereafter, such holders shall be entitled
to look to the Surviving Corporation (subject to abandoned property, escheat
and other similar laws) only as general creditors thereof with respect to
any Merger Consideration that may be payable upon due surrender of the
Certificates held by them (or, if such Shares are uncertificated, such other
form of evidence of record ownership as is required by the Paying Agent),
without any interest thereon. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the
Surviving Corporation nor the Paying Agent shall be
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liable to any holder of a Share for any Merger Consideration delivered in
respect of such Share to a public official pursuant to any abandoned property,
escheat or other similar law.
(d) At the close of business on the day of the Effective Time, the
stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed and, thereafter, there
shall be no further registration of transfers of Shares on the records of
the Company. From and after the Effective Time, the holders of Shares
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to have any
rights with respect to such Shares except as otherwise provided herein or by
applicable law.
(e) If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed,
upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such
Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by the
Surviving Corporation, the posting by such Person of a bond in such
reasonable amount as the Surviving Corporation may direct as indemnity against
any claim that may be made against it with respect to such Certificate, the
Paying Agent shall pay in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed
Certificate the Merger Consideration pursuant to this Agreement.
SECTION 2.09 Dissenting Shares. Notwithstanding any other provision
of this Agreement to the contrary, Shares that are outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time and which are held by stockholders who shall
have not voted in favor of the Merger or consented thereto in writing and
who properly shall have demanded appraisal for such shares in accordance
with Delaware Law (collectively, the "Dissenting Shares") shall not be
converted into or represent the right to receive the Merger Consideration.
Such stockholders instead shall be entitled to receive payment of the
appraised value of such Shares held by them in accordance with the
provisions of Delaware Law, except that all Dissenting Shares held by
stockholders who shall have failed to perfect or who effectively shall have
withdrawn or otherwise lost their rights to appraisal of such Shares under
Delaware Law shall thereupon be deemed to have been converted into and to
have become exchangeable, as of the Effective Time, for the right to
receive, without any interest thereon, the Merger Consideration upon
surrender in the manner provided in Section 2.08, of the Certificate or
Certificates (or, if such Shares are uncertificated, such other form of
evidence of record ownership as is required by the Paying Agent) that,
immediately prior to the Effective Time, evidenced such Shares. The Company
shall give
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Parent (i) prompt notice of any written demands for appraisal of any Shares,
attempted withdrawals of such demands and any other instruments served pursuant
to Delaware Law and received by the Company relating to stockholders' rights of
appraisal, and (ii) the opportunity to direct all negotiations and proceedings
with respect to demands for appraisal under Delaware Law. The Company shall not,
except with the prior written consent of Parent, voluntarily make any payment
with respect to, or settle or offer to settle, any such demand for payment.
SECTION 2.10 Withholding Taxes. Parent and Purchaser shall be
entitled to deduct and withhold, or cause the Paying Agent to deduct and
withhold, from the Per Share Cash Amount or the Merger Consideration payable
to a holder of Shares pursuant to the Offer or the Merger any withholding
and stock transfer Taxes and such amounts as are required under the Code, or
any applicable provision of state, local or foreign Tax law. To the extent
that amounts are so withheld by Parent or Purchaser, such withheld amounts
shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to
the holder of the Shares in respect of which such deduction and withholding
was made by Parent or Purchaser.
SECTION 2.11 Certain Matters Relating to Deferred Contingent Cash
Rights. (a) No DCCR shall (i) be transferable by any recipient thereof in
connection with the Offer, the Merger or the Note Tender Offer, except by
will or pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution or by operation of
law, (ii) be evidenced by a certificate or other instrument, (iii) possess any
voting rights, (iv) receive or be entitled to receive any dividends or interest,
or (v) represent any equity interest in the Surviving Corporation.
(b) The Surviving Corporation will maintain books of record of the
recipients of DCCRs in the Offer, the Merger and the Note Tender Offer as
provided by this Agreement. Such books of record shall show the names and
addresses of the respective recipients of DCCRs.
(c) Payment, if any, on the DCCRs shall be made to the registered
recipients thereof from time to time following the date on which the
Surviving Corporation receives and accumulates $1,000,000 of previously
undistributed Net Recovery after the establishment of a reasonable reserve.
Any such payments on the DCCRs shall be made to the registered recipients of
DCCRs at their respective addresses in the books of record of the Surviving
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Corporation. All Cash Payments shall be maintained in a segregated account
until distributed and shall be invested in U.S. government obligations to
the extent practicable, and any interest thereon shall be added to the Net
Recovery.
(d) Unless otherwise agreed to by the Litigation Committee, the
Surviving Corporation shall continue to prosecute and defend the Hills
Litigation; provided, however, that in no event shall the Surviving
Corporation be obligated to expend after consummation of the Offer an amount
in excess of $1,000,000 (the "Litigation Cap") in connection with such
prosecution and defense, exclusive of payments or advances to or on behalf
of other parties to the Hills Litigation relating to claims of
indemnification. The Hills Litigation shall continue to be prosecuted and
defended by the law firm of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, unless
otherwise agreed to by the Surviving Corporation and the Litigation
Committee; provided, however, the Surviving Corporation may engage other
counsel to defend the Hills Litigation, in which case the costs of such
defense shall not be included in the Litigation Cap; and provided further
that, at such time as the Litigation Cap and any Non-Recourse Financing
shall have been expended, the Surviving Corporation shall have sole
discretion in choosing a law firm to continue to prosecute the Hills
Litigation. Subject only to the two foregoing sentences, and notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement or otherwise, the Surviving
Corporation shall retain sole and exclusive control of the Hills Litigation,
provided, however, that, unless the amount of the Litigation Cap and any
Non-Recourse Financing have been expended, the Surviving Corporation shall
not settle or dismiss the Hills Litigation without the consent of a majority
of the Litigation Committee, which consent shall not unreasonably be
withheld.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or
otherwise, (i) no recipient of DCCRs shall have any rights against the
Surviving Corporation or its directors,
officers, stockholders or affiliates or the Litigation Committee for any
decision regarding the conduct or disposition of the Hills Litigation, and
(ii) the Surviving Corporation's determination of the amounts of the Net
Recovery will be final, conclusive and binding on the recipients of DCCRs,
subject to review by the Litigation Committee of such computation.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or otherwise, any
and all distributions of Net Recovery, if any, shall be in compliance
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with applicable laws, including, but not limited to, applicable federal and
state securities laws.
(f) The members of the Litigation Committee shall have no other
duties, rights or obligations except as specifically set forth herein and no
implied covenants or obligations shall be read in to this Agreement against
such members. The Litigation Committee shall be entitled to an aggregate fee
of 2% of the Net Recovery, if any, (the "Committee Fee"), less any Advances
(as defined below) from the Surviving Corporation as full compensation for
performance of their services hereunder. The Surviving Corporation shall
make an advance at the rate of $10,000 per annum to each member of the
Litigation Committee (the "Advances") for a period equal to the earlier of
three years from the Effective Time or the final distribution of all Net
Recovery. Such Advances shall be considered an expenditure by the Surviving
Corporation in prosecution of the Hills Litigation.
(g) Subject to the next sentence, the Surviving Corporation shall
indemnify and hold harmless each member of the Litigation Committee from any
third party judgments, losses, claims, damages and liabilities with respect
to the performance of his responsibilities hereunder (including reasonable
attorneys fees, costs of investigation and other expenses reasonably
incurred by the Litigation Committee in performing its responsibilities
hereunder), except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction
issues a final decision that such member acted in bad faith or with gross
negligence or willful misconduct. The foregoing obligation of
indemnification shall be limited to unexpended funds under the Litigation
Cap and the amount of any Net Recovery.
(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement or otherwise, if no payments of the DCCRs have been made by the
fifth anniversary of the Effective Time, the DCCRs shall expire and the
Surviving Corporation shall have no further obligations with respect
thereto; provided however, that the Surviving Corporation and the Litigation
Committee will use commercially reasonable efforts to extend the term hereof
if the Hills Litigation is not resolved within such five year period or if
any settlement entered into has not been fully performed.
(i) The Litigation Committee, to the extent required, is authorized
to obtain financing ("Non-Recourse Financing") to prosecute and defend the
Hills Litigation in the event the
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Litigation Cap is fully expended; provided that such financing is recourse only
to the Net Recovery, on terms otherwise reasonably satisfactory to Parent and
the Surviving Corporation, and without cost (other than its proportionate share
of the Net Recovery) or contractual liability to Parent or the Surviving
Corporation.
(j) The Litigation Committee may enforce the provisions of the
Merger Agreement relating to the DCCRs on behalf of the recipients, and
shall be entitled to reimbursement of their expenses (including costs of
investigation and reasonable attorneys fees) in connection therewith
irrespective of whether the Litigation Committee prevails in such
enforcement action, unless such enforcement action is not in good faith or
without basis in law or fact. The foregoing reimbursement shall be limited
to unexpended funds under the Litigation Cap and the amount of any Net
Recovery. The Litigation Committee shall have the authority to act on behalf
of the recipients in resolving with the Surviving Corporation any
ambiguities in this Agreement pertaining to the DCCRs, and to compromise or
settle with the Surviving Corporation on behalf of the recipients any
conflicts or disputes relating to the DCCRs.
(k) For the purposes of this Section 2.11 and the definitions of
"Hills Litigation" and "Net Recovery" in Section 9.03, the term "Surviving
Corporation" shall refer to either the Surviving Corporation or the Company
after the consummation of the Offer and the terms "Company" and "Surviving
Corporation" shall include in each case any of their respective Subsidiaries.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company hereby represents and warrants to Parent and Purchaser
that:
SECTION 3.01 Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries. Each of
the Company and each subsidiary of the Company (a "Subsidiary") is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has the requisite power
and authority and all necessary governmental approvals to own, lease and
operate its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being
conducted. The Company and each Subsidiary is duly qualified or licensed as
a foreign corporation to do business, and is in good standing, in each
jurisdiction where the character of the properties owned, leased or operated
by it or the nature of its
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business makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except for such
failures to be so qualified or licensed and in good standing that would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined
below). When used in connection with the Company or any Subsidiary, the term
"Material Adverse Effect" means any effect that is or is reasonably likely to be
materially adverse to the business, results of operation, financial condition,
assets or liabilities (including, without limitation, contingent liabilities) of
the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, except that, with regard to
the financial condition or results of operation of the Company, it shall
constitute a Material Adverse Effect only if, at December 26, 1998, (i) Working
Capital is less than $197,000,000, or (ii) the sum of the outstanding balance
under the Loan Agreement and book merchandise/trade accounts payable owed by the
Company and its Subsidiaries exceeds $230,000,000 (the "Financial MAC"). A true
and complete list of all the Subsidiaries, together with the jurisdiction of
incorporation of each Subsidiary and the percentage of the outstanding capital
stock of each Subsidiary owned by the Company and each other Subsidiary, is set
forth in Section 3.01 of the Disclosure Schedule, which has been delivered prior
to the date of this Agreement by the Company to Parent (the "Disclosure
Schedule"). Except as disclosed in such Section 3.01, the Company does not
directly or indirectly beneficially own any equity or similar interest in, or
any interest convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any equity or
similar interest in, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company,
joint venture or other business association or entity.
SECTION 3.02 Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. The Company
has heretofore furnished or made available to Parent a complete and correct
copy of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws or equivalent
organizational documents, each as amended to date (the "Constituent
Documents"), of the Company and each Subsidiary, in each case as amended as
of the date of this Agreement. The Constituent Documents of the Company and
its Subsidiaries are in full force and effect. Neither the Company nor any
Subsidiary is in violation of any provision of its Constituent Documents.
The Constituent Documents of the Subsidiaries of the Company do not contain
any provision limiting or otherwise restricting the ability of the Company
to control such Subsidiaries.
SECTION 3.03 Capitalization. The authorized capital stock of the
Company consists of 15,000,000 Preferred Shares and
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50,000,000 Common Shares. As of the date hereof, (i) 10,420,870 Common Shares
are issued and outstanding, all of which are validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable, (ii) 5,407 Common Shares and 4,685 Preferred Shares are held in
the Company's treasury, (iii) no Shares are held by the Subsidiaries, (iv)
1,382,211 Common Shares are reserved for issuance pursuant to grants or awards
under the Stock Option Plans, (v) 432,903 Common Shares are reserved for
issuance upon exercise of warrants (the"Warrants") expiring on October 4, 2000,
with an exercise price of $30.00 per share, (vi) 848,931 Preferred Shares are
issued and outstanding, all of which are validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable, and (vii) $195,000,000 in principal amount of the Notes are
outstanding. Except as set forth above or on Section 3.03 of the Disclosure
Schedule, as of the date of this Agreement: (i) no shares of capital stock or
other voting securities of the Company are issued, reserved for issuance or
outstanding; (ii) there are no stock appreciation rights, phantom stock units,
restricted stock grants, contingent stock grants or Plans which grant awards of
any of the foregoing, and there are no other outstanding contractual rights to
which the Company is a party the value of which is based on the value of Shares;
(iii) all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are, and all Shares
which may be issued will be, when so issued, duly authorized, validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to preemptive rights; and (iv)
there are no bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of the Company
having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities
having the right to vote) on any matters on which stockholders of the Company
may vote. Except as set forth in this Section 3.03 or Section 3.03 of the
Disclosure Schedule, and except for the Stock Option Agreement, there are no
options, warrants or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments of
any character obligating the Company or any Subsidiary to issue or sell any
shares of capital stock of, or other equity interests in, the Company or any
Subsidiary. Section 3.03 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list, as of the
date hereof, of the names of each person holding options under the Stock Option
Plans, and the number of shares purchasable under, the exercise price of such
options, date such options were granted and the date on which such options
expire. There are no outstanding contractual obligations of the Company or any
Subsidiary to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Shares or any capital
stock of any Subsidiary or to provide funds to, or make any investment (in the
form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in, any Subsidiary or any
other person. Each outstanding share of capital
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stock of each Subsidiary is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable, and, except as set forth in Section 3.03 of the Disclosure
Schedule, each such share owned by the Company or another Subsidiary is owned
free and clear of all security interests, liens, claims, pledges, options,
rights of first refusal, agreements, limitations on the Company's or such other
Subsidiary's voting rights, charges and other encumbrances of any nature
whatsoever. Following the Effective Time, no holder of Options will have any
right to receive shares of common stock of the Surviving Corporation upon
exercise of Options.
SECTION 3.04 Authority Relative to this Agreement. The Company has
all necessary corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this
Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement, to perform its obligations
hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby, including, without limitation, all actions required to
be taken by the Company hereunder in connection with the Merger, the Offer
and the Note Tender Offer (the "Transactions"). The execution and delivery
of this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement by the Company and the
consummation by the Company of the Transactions have been duly and validly
authorized by all necessary corporate action and no other corporate
proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to authorize this
Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement or to consummate the Transactions
(other than, with respect to the Merger, the approval and adoption of this
Agreement by the affirmative vote of the stockholders of the Company to the
extent required by Delaware Law, the filing of the Certificate of Merger and,
with respect to the execution of the Supplemental Indenture, the satisfaction of
the Minimum Note Condition). Each of this Agreement and the Stock Option
Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and,
assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by Parent and Purchaser,
constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable
against the Company in accordance with its terms, except that (i) such
enforcement may be subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium
or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights
generally, and (ii) the remedy of specific performance and injunctive relief may
be subject to equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which
any proceeding therefor may be brought.
SECTION 3.05 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents. (a) The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and
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the Stock Option Agreement by the Company do not, and the consummation of the
Transactions and compliance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Stock
Option Agreement by the Company will not, (i) conflict with or violate the
Constituent Documents of the Company or any Subsidiary, (ii) assuming that
required filings under the HSR Act (as hereinafter defined) are made by the
appropriate parties, conflict with or violate any law, rule, regulation, order,
judgment or decree applicable to the Company or any Subsidiary or by which any
property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or affected, or
(iii) conflict with, result in any breach of or constitute a default (or an
event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under,
or give to others any right of termination, amendment, acceleration or
cancellation of, or result in the loss of a material benefit under, or result in
the creation of a lien or other encumbrance of any nature on any property or
asset of the Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or other
instrument or obligation to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by
which the Company or any Subsidiary or any property or asset of the Company or
any Subsidiary is bound or affected, except, in cases of (ii) and (iii), for any
such conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults or other occurrences which would
not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The execution and delivery of each of this Agreement and the
Stock Option Agreement by the Company do not, and the performance of this
Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement by the Company will not, require
any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or registration,
declaration or filing with, or notification to, any governmental or
regulatory authority, domestic or foreign, except (i) for applicable
requirements, if any, of the Exchange Act, state securities or "blue sky"
laws ("Blue Sky Laws") and state takeover laws, the pre-merger notification
requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the "HSR Act"),
and filing of the Certificate of Merger pursuant to Delaware Law, and (ii) where
failure to obtain such consents, approvals, authorizations or permits, or to
make such filings or notifications, would not prevent or delay consummation of
the Offer, the Note Tender Offer or the Merger, or otherwise prevent the Company
from performing its obligations under this Agreement or the Stock Option
Agreement, and would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
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Material Adverse Effect. The Board has taken all appropriate action so that
neither Parent nor Purchaser will be an "interested stockholder" within the
meaning of Section 203 of Delaware Law by virtue of Parent, Purchaser and the
Company entering into this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement or any other
agreement contemplated hereby or thereby and consummating the Transactions.
SECTION 3.06 Compliance. Except as set forth in Section 3.06 of the
Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default or
violation of (i) any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree
applicable to the Company or any Subsidiary or by which any property or
asset of the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or subject, or (ii) any
note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license,
permit, franchise or other instrument or obligation to which the Company or
any Subsidiary is a party or by which the Company or any Subsidiary or any
property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or affected,
except for any such defaults or violations that would not, individually or
in the aggregate, (x) have a Material Adverse Effect, or (y) prevent or
delay consummation of the Offer, the Note Tender Offer or the Merger, or
otherwise prevent the Company from performing its obligations under this
Agreement.
SECTION 3.07 SEC Filings; Financial Statements. (a) The Company has
filed all forms, reports and documents required to be filed by it with the
SEC since February 3, 1996, and has heretofore delivered or made available
to Parent, in the form filed with the SEC, (i) its Annual Reports on Form
10-K for the fiscal years ended February 3, 1996, February 1, 1997, and
January 31, 1998, respectively, (ii) its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the period ended August 1, 1998, (iii) all proxy statements relating to the
Company's meetings of stockholders (whether annual or special) held since
February 3, 1996, and (iv) all other forms, reports and other registration
statements (other than Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q not referred to in
clause (ii) above) filed by the Company with the SEC since February 3, 1996
(the forms, reports and other documents referred to in clauses (i), (ii),
(iii) and (iv) above being referred to herein, collectively, as the "SEC
Reports"). The SEC Reports (i) were prepared in accordance with the
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), and the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder and, at the time they were filed (or at
the effective date thereof with respect to registration statements under the
Securities Act)
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complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act,
or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder applicable to such SEC Reports, and (ii) did not, at the
time they were filed (or at the effective date thereof with respect to
registration statements under the Securities Act), contain any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. No Subsidiary
is required to file any form, report or other document with the SEC.
(b) The financial statements of the Company included in the SEC
Reports as of the dates of such SEC Reports, are true and complete and
complied as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting
requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect
thereto, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP") in the United States applied on a consistent basis
during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes
thereto) and fairly presented the consolidated financial position of the
Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the
consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the periods then
ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end
audit adjustments).
(c) Except as and to the extent set forth on the consolidated
balance sheet of the Company and the consolidated Subsidiaries as at January
31, 1998 including the notes thereto, in Section 3.07 of the Disclosure
Schedule or in any SEC Report filed by the Company after January 31, 1998,
neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any liability or obligation of
any nature (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) that would
be required to be reflected on a balance sheet, or in the notes thereto,
prepared in accordance with GAAP, except for liabilities and obligations
incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice
since January 31, 1998.
(d) The Company has heretofore furnished or made available to
Parent complete and correct copies of all amendments and modifications (if
any) that have not been filed by the Company with the SEC to all agreements,
documents and other instruments that previously had been filed by the
Company with the SEC and are currently in effect.
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SECTION 3.08 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since January
31, 1998 except as set forth in Section 3.08 of the Disclosure Schedule or
as contemplated by this Agreement or disclosed in any SEC Report filed since
January 31, 1998 and prior to the date of this Agreement, the Company and
the Subsidiaries have conducted their businesses only in the ordinary course
and in a manner consistent with past practice, there has not been (i) any
change in the business, operations, properties, financial condition, assets
or liabilities (including, without limitation, contingent liabilities) of
the Company or any Subsidiary having, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect, (ii) any damage, destruction or loss (whether or not
covered by insurance) with respect to any property or asset of the Company or
any Subsidiary having, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect, (iii) any material change by the Company in its accounting methods,
principles or practices, (iv) except for merchandise markdowns made in the
ordinary course of business, any material revaluation by the Company of any
asset (including, without limitation, any writing down of the value of inventory
or writing off of notes or accounts receivable), (v) any failure by the Company
to revalue any asset in accordance with GAAP, (vi) any entry by the Company or
any Subsidiary into any commitment or transaction material to the Company and
the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (vii) any declaration, setting aside or
payment of any dividend or distribution in respect of any capital stock of the
Company or any redemption, purchase or other acquisition of any of its
securities, (viii) any material increase in or establishment of any material
bonus, insurance, severance, deferred compensation, pension, retirement, profit
sharing, stock option (including, without limitation, the granting of stock
options, stock appreciation rights, performance awards or restricted stock
awards), stock purchase or other employee benefit plan, or any other material
increase in the compensation payable or to become payable to any officers or key
employees of the Company or any Subsidiary, except in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice, or (ix) any entering into, renewal,
modification or extension of, any contract, arrangement or agreement with any
other party having, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.09 Absence of Litigation. Except as set forth in Section
3.09 of the Disclosure Schedule or as disclosed in the SEC Reports filed
prior to the date of this Agreement, (a) there is no claim, suit, action,
proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened against the Company or any Subsidiary, or any property or asset
of the Company or
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any Subsidiary, before any court, arbitrator or administrative, governmental or
regulatory authority or body, domestic or foreign, which (i) individually or in
the aggregate, is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii)
seeks to, or is reasonably likely to, prevent or delay the consummation of the
Offer, the Note Tender Offer or the Merger, or otherwise prevent the Company
from Performing its obligations under this Agreement, and (b) as of the date
hereof, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary nor any property or asset of the
Company or any Subsidiary is subject to any order, writ, judgment, injunction,
decree, determination or award having, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.10 Employee Benefit Plans. (a) Section 3.10(a) of the
Disclosure Schedule contains a true and complete list of all employee
benefit plans (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")) and all other material
employee benefit arrangements or payroll practices, including, without
limitation, bonus, stock option, stock purchase, restricted stock, incentive,
deferred compensation, retiree medical or life insurance, supplemental
retirement or severance plans, programs or policies, and all employment,
termination or severance contracts to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a
party, with respect to which the Company or any Subsidiary has any material
obligation or which are maintained, contributed to or sponsored by the Company
or any Subsidiary for the benefit of any current or former employee, officer or
director of the Company or any Subsidiary (collectively, the "Plans"). Except as
set forth in Section 3.10(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company,
any Subsidiary or any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is
or has ever been under common control, or which is or has ever been treated as a
single employer, with the Company or any Subsidiary under Section 414(b), (c),
(m) or (o) of the Code ("ERISA Affiliate") has within the last six years
contributed or been obligated to contribute to an "employee pension plan", as
defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of
the Code, or a multiemployer plan, as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA
("Multiemployer Plan"). The Company has previously furnished or made available
to Parent a true and complete copy of each Plan (and all amendments thereto) and
a true and complete copy of each material document prepared in connection with
each Plan, including, without limitation, to the extent applicable (i) a copy of
each trust or other funding arrangement
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(and all amendments thereto), (ii) each summary plan description and summary of
material modifications, (iii) the three most recently filed Internal Revenue
Service ("IRS") Forms 5500 and all schedules and attachments thereto, (iv) the
most recently received IRS determination letter for each such Plan, and (v) the
most recently prepared actuarial valuation report and financial statement in
connection with each such Plan. Except as set forth in Section 3.10(a) of the
Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has within the last
six months made a general written announcement or entered into an agreement (i)
to create or adopt a new benefit plan or (ii) except in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice or as required by applicable law, to
amend any Plan.
(b) Except as set forth on Section 3.10(b) of the Disclosure
Schedule, any Plan intended to qualify under Section 401 of the Code is the
subject of a favorable IRS determination letter, and nothing has occurred
with respect to the operation of any such Plan which is reasonably likely to
cause the loss of such qualification or exemption or the imposition of any
liability, penalty or tax under ERISA or the Code.
(c) Except as set forth on Section 3.10(c) of the Disclosure
Schedule, (i) the Plans have been maintained, in all material respects, in
accordance with their terms and with all provisions of ERISA and the Code
(including rules and regulations thereunder) and other applicable federal
and state laws and regulations; (ii) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary
nor, to the Company's knowledge, any "party in interest" or "disqualified
person" with respect to the Plans has engaged in a non-exempt "prohibited
transaction" within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of
ERISA; (iii) to the Company's knowledge, no fiduciary has any liability for
breach of fiduciary duty or any other failure to act or comply in connection
with the administration or investment of the assets of any Plan; (iv) there are
no pending actions, claims or lawsuits which have been asserted or instituted
against the Plans, the assets of any of the trusts under such plans or the plan
sponsor or the plan administrator, or, to the Company's knowledge, against any
fiduciary of the Plans with respect to the operation of such plans (other than
routine benefit claims), nor does the Company or any Subsidiary have knowledge
of facts which could reasonably be expected to form the basis for any such claim
or lawsuit; and (v) all amendments and actions required to bring the Plans into
conformity in all material respects with all of the applicable
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provisions of the Code, ERISA and other applicable laws have been made or taken
except to the extent that such amendments or actions are not required by law to
be made or taken until a date after the Effective Time.
(d) All contributions (including all employer contributions and
employee salary reduction contributions) required to have been made under
any of the Plans or by law (without regard to any waivers granted under
Section 412 of the Code), to any funds or trusts established thereunder or
in connection therewith have been made by the due date thereof (including
any valid extension), and all contributions for any period ending on or
before the Effective Time which are not yet due will have been paid or
accrued on the Company's financial statements filed with the SEC Reports on
or prior to the Effective Time.
(e) Except as set forth on Section 3.10(e) of the Disclosure
Schedule, none of the Plans provide for post-employment life or health
insurance, benefits or coverage for any participant or any beneficiary of a
participant, except as may be required under the Consolidate Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended ("COBRA") and at the expense of the
participant or the participant's beneficiary. Each of the Company, any
Subsidiary and any ERISA Affiliate which maintains a "group health plan"
within the meaning of Section 5000(b)(1) of the Code has complied with the
notice and continuation requirements of Section 4980B of the Code, COBRA,
Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA and the regulations thereunder.
(f) Except as set forth on Section 3.10(f) of the Disclosure
Schedule, no stock or other security issued by the Company or any Subsidiary
forms or has formed a material part of the assets of any Plan.
(g) Except as set forth in Section 3.10(g) of the Disclosure
Schedule, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will, on account of any
plan, agreement or arrangement in effect prior to the Effective Time (i) result
in any payment of severance or unemployment compensation becoming due to any
director or any employee of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries under any
Plan or otherwise from the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, (ii) increase any
benefits otherwise payable under any Plan, or (iii) result in any acceleration
of the time of payment or vesting of any such benefit.
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(h) Except as disclosed in Section 3.10(h) of the Disclosure
Schedule, the Company and the Subsidiaries do not have any unfunded
liabilities under pension, retirement or other employee benefit plans,
programs or arrangements maintained outside the United States by the Company
or any of the Subsidiaries for the employees thereof.
SECTION 3.11 Labor Matters. None of the employees of the Company or
any Subsidiary the ("Employees") is represented in his or her capacity as an
employee of the Company or any Subsidiary by any labor organization, and
neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has entered into any collective
bargaining agreement or union contract recognizing any labor organization as
the bargaining agent of any Employees. To the knowledge of the Company,
there is no union organization activity involving any of the Employees,
pending or threatened. Since February 3, 1996, or except as set forth on
Section 3.11 of the Disclosure Schedule, there has never been union
representation involving any of the Employees and there are no picketing,
strikes, slowdowns, work stoppages, other job actions, lockouts,
arbitrations, grievances or other labor disputes involving any of the
Employees, pending or threatened. Except as disclosed on Section 3.11 of the
Disclosure Schedule, there are no material complaints, charges or claims
against the Company or any Subsidiary pending or, to any of their knowledge,
threatened which could be brought or filed, with any public or governmental
authority, arbitrator or court based on, arising out of, in connection with,
or otherwise relating to the employment or termination of employment or
failure to employ by the Company or any Subsidiary, of any individual.
Except as set forth on Section 3.11 of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company
and the Subsidiaries are in material compliance with all laws, regulations
and orders relating to the employment of labor, including all such laws,
regulations and orders relating to wages, hours, the Worker Adjustment and
Retraining Notification Act and any similar state or local "mass layoff" or
"plant closing" law ("WARN"), collective bargaining, discrimination, civil
rights, safety and health, workers' compensation and the collection and
payment of withholding and/or social security taxes. There has been no "mass
layoff" or "plant closing" as defined by WARN with respect to the Company
and any Subsidiary within the six (6) months prior to the Effective Time.
SECTION 3.12 Offer Documents; Schedule 14D-9; Proxy
Statement. None of the Schedule 14D-9, the information supplied
by the Company for inclusion in the Offer Documents or the Note
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Tender Offer Documents or the information to be filed by the Company in
connection with the Offer pursuant to Rule 14f-1 promulgated under the
Exchange Act (the "Information Statement") shall, at the respective times
the Schedule 14D-9, the Offer Documents, the Note Tender Offer Documents,
the Information Statement or any amendments or supplements thereto are filed
with the SEC or are first published, sent or given to stockholders of the
Company, as the case may be, contain any untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The proxy statement
to be sent to the stockholders of the Company in connection with the Special
Stockholders' Meeting (as defined in Section 6.01 hereof) (such proxy
statement, as amended or supplemented, being referred to herein as the
"Proxy Statement") shall not, at the date the Proxy Statement is first
mailed to stockholders of the Company or at the time of the Special
Stockholders' Meeting and the Effective Time, and, with respect to the
Information Statement at the time Shares are accepted for payment in the
Offer and with respect to the Note Tender Offer at the time the Notes (and
related Consents) are accepted for payment in the Note Tender Offer, be
false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make
the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
they are made, not misleading or, with respect to the Proxy Statement,
necessary to correct any statement in any earlier communication with respect
to the solicitation of proxies for the Special Stockholders' Meeting which
shall have become false or misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to any information
supplied by Parent, Purchaser or any of their representatives which is
contained in any of the foregoing documents or the Offer Documents or the
Note Tender Offer Documents. The Schedule 14D-9, the Information Statement
and the Proxy Statement shall comply in all material respects as to form
with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder.
SECTION 3.13 Tangible Property; Real Property and Leases. (a) The
Company and the Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to, or valid
leasehold interests in, all their tangible properties and assets to conduct
their respective businesses as currently conducted or as contemplated to be
conducted, except as set forth on Section 3.13 of the Disclosure Schedule.
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(b) No parcel of real property owned or leased by the Company is
subject in any material respect to any governmental decree or order to be
sold nor is being condemned, expropriated or otherwise taken by any public
authority with or without payment of compensation therefor, nor, to the
knowledge of the Company, has any such condemnation, expropriation or taking
been proposed.
(c) Section 3.13 of the Disclosure Schedule lists (a) all real
property owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries, and (b) all leases
(including all amendments and modifications thereto) pursuant to which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries leases real or personal property, true,
correct and complete copies of which have previously been delivered or made
available to Parent. All leases of real property leased for the use or
benefit of the Company or any Subsidiary to which the Company or any
Subsidiary is a party and all amendments and modifications thereto are in
full force and effect and have not been modified or amended, and there
exists no default under any such lease by the Company or any Subsidiary, nor
any event which with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a
default thereunder by the Company or any Subsidiary, except as would not
materially and adversely affect the use of the property by the Company or
the Subsidiary, as the case may be. Set forth on Section 3.13 of the
Disclosure Schedule is a true and correct copy of the rent roll for the
leases listed on Section 3.13 of the Disclosure Schedule, indicating for
each lease the name of the tenant, the name of the landlord, the address of
the property, the date of the lease and any amendments, the commencement and
termination dates, and extension options, if any.
SECTION 3.14 Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights. Except as set
forth in Section 3.14(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company and the
Subsidiaries own or possess adequate licenses or other valid rights to use
all patents, patent rights, trademarks, trademark rights, trade names, trade
dress, trade name rights, copyrights, servicemarks, trade secrets,
applications for trademarks and for servicemarks, maskworks, know-how and
other proprietary rights and information used or held for use in connection
with the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries as conducted since
January 31, 1998, as currently conducted or as contemplated to be conducted,
and the Company is unaware of any assertion or claim challenging the
validity of any of the foregoing which, individually or in the aggregate,
would have a Material Adverse Effect. Section 3.14(b) of the Disclosure
Schedule lists each patent owned by the Company or any Subsidiary
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and specifies the number and date of each such patent. Section 3.14(c) of the
Disclosure Schedule lists each agreement pursuant to which a patent is licensed
to the Company or any Subsidiary as licensee for use in the business of the
Company and the Subsidiaries as currently conducted. Section 3.14(d) of the
Disclosure Schedule lists each trademark and servicemark owned by the Company,
or for which registration is currently pending. The conduct of the business of
the Company and the Subsidiaries as conducted since January 31, 1998, as
currently conducted and as contemplated to be conducted did not, does not and
will not conflict in any way with any patent, patent right, license, trademark,
trademark right, trade dress, trade name, trade name right, service mark,
maskwork or copyright of any third party except for conflicts that, individually
or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.15 Taxes. Except as set forth in Section 3.15 of the
Disclosure Schedule or as otherwise previously disclosed to Parent:
(a) The Company and the Subsidiaries, and each affiliated group
(within the meaning of Section 1504 of the Code) or combined or unitary
group of which the Company or any Subsidiary is a member, has timely filed
all federal income Tax Returns (as defined below), and all other Tax Returns
required to be filed by them. All such Tax Returns are true and correct in
all respects. The Company and the Subsidiaries have given or otherwise made
available to the Purchaser or Parent all federal and state income tax
returns for periods ending, or transactions consummated, on or after
February 3, 1996, provided with respect to certain returns for the year
ended January 31, 1998 the Company provided the most current drafts. Except
to the extent adequately reserved for in accordance with GAAP, all Taxes (as
defined below) due and payable by the Company and the Subsidiaries have been
timely paid. The most recent consolidated financial statements contained in
the SEC Reports reflect an adequate reserve in accordance with GAAP for all
Taxes payable by the Company and its Subsidiaries for all taxable periods
and portions thereof through the date of such financial statements. Since
January 31, 1998, neither the Company nor the Subsidiaries have incurred any
liability for Taxes other than in the ordinary course of business for which
adequate reserves have been established on subsequent unaudited financial
statements.
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(b) No deficiencies for any Taxes have been proposed, asserted or
assessed against the Company or any of the Subsidiaries that have not been
fully paid or adequately provided for in the appropriate financial
statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and no issue has been raised
in any examination which, by application of similar principles, could be
expected to result in the proposal or assertion of a Tax deficiency for any
other year not so examined, except to the extent adequate reserves have been
established therefor. No waivers or comparable consents of the time to
assess any Taxes are outstanding, and no power of attorney granted by the
Company or any Subsidiary with respect to any Taxes is currently in force.
No issues relating to Taxes have been raised in writing (or, in the case of
the presently pending federal income tax audit of the Company and the
Subsidiaries, verbally to the knowledge of the Company's Executive Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and the Company's Director of Taxes) by
any governmental authority during any presently pending audit or
examination.
(c) There are no liens or encumbrances for Taxes on any of the
assets of the Company or the Subsidiaries (other than for current taxes not
yet due and payable).
(d) The Company and the Subsidiaries have complied in all respects
with all applicable laws, rules and regulations relating to the payment and
withholding of Taxes.
(e) None of the Company or the Subsidiaries has filed a consent
under Section 341(f) of the Code.
(f) None of the Company or the Subsidiaries is a party to any
agreement that could obligate it to make any payments that would not be
deductible by reason of Section 280G or Section 162(m) of the Code.
(g) Neither the Company nor, since the date of its acquisition by
the Company, any Subsidiary is a party to any tax allocation, tax sharing
agreement, any closing agreement or similar agreement relating to Taxes with
any taxing authority of the Company.
(h) No federal, state, local or foreign audits or other
administrative proceedings or court proceedings are presently pending with
regard to any federal, state, local or foreign Taxes or Tax Returns of the
Company or any of the Subsidiaries and
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neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has received a written notice of
any pending or threatened audit or proceeding.
(i) Neither the Company nor, since the date of its acquisition by
the Company, any Subsidiary has agreed to or is required to make any
adjustment under Section 481(a) of the Code.
(j) To the knowledge of the Company, no property owned by the
Company or any Subsidiary (i) is property required to be treated as being
owned by another person pursuant to the provisions of Section 168(f)(8) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended and in effect immediately
prior to the enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1986; (ii) constitutes "tax
exempt use property" within the meaning of Section 168(h)(1) of the Code; or
(iii) is tax-exempt bond financed property within the meaning of Section
168(g) of the Code.
(k) The Company has not been (and will not be) a United States real
property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the
Code during the 5-year period ending on the consummation of the Offer.
(l) To the knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor any
Subsidiary has participated in or cooperated with an international boycott
within the meaning of Section 999 of the Code.
(m) Neither the Company nor the Subsidiaries have ever been a
member of any affiliated group filing a consolidated federal income Tax
Return (other than a group the common parent of which was the Company or
Hills Department Stores, Inc.) and the Company and the Subsidiaries have no
liability for Taxes of any other person under Treas. Reg. ss. 1.1502-6 (or
any similar provision of state, local or foreign law) other than as a member
of a group the common parent of which was the Company or Hills Department
Stores, Inc. All the members of the group of corporations filing a consolidated
federal income tax return of which the Company is the common parent are being
acquired in the Transactions.
(n) For purpose of this Agreement, (A) the terms "Tax" or "Taxes"
shall mean all taxes, fees, duties, tariffs, levies, imposts, or other
charges of any kind (together with any interest, penalties, additions to tax
or additional amounts imposed by any taxing authority with respect thereto),
including, without limitation, (i) taxes or other charges on or with respect
to
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income, franchise, gross receipts, property, sales, use, profits, capital
stock, payroll, employment, social security, workers compensation,
unemployment compensation or net worth, taxes or charges in the nature of
excise, withholding, ad valorem, stamp, transfer, value added or gains
taxes; license registration and documentation fees; and customs duties,
tariffs and similar charges of any kind whatsoever, and (ii) any joint,
consolidated, combined, unitary or transferee liability in respect of taxes
or any liability for taxes imposed by tax sharing, tax indemnity or similar
agreement, contract or arrangement; and (B) the term "Tax Return" shall mean
any report, return, document, declaration or any other information or filing
required to be supplied to any taxing authority with respect to Taxes.
SECTION 3.16 Environmental Matters. (a) For purposes of this
Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (i)
"Hazardous Substances" means any substance, material or waste which is
regulated, classified or otherwise characterized as hazardous, toxic, a
pollutant, contaminant or words of similar meaning or effect by any
governmental authority of the United States, including, without limitation,
petroleum or petroleum products, asbestos, urea formaldehyde and
polychlorinated biphenyls; (ii) "Environmental Law" means any applicable
federal, state, local, or foreign law (including common law), statute, code,
ordinance, rule, regulation or other requirement relating to the protection
of the environment, natural resources, or public or employee health and
safety and includes, but is not limited to, the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. ss. 9601 et seq., the
Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. ss. 1801 et seq., the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. ss. 6901 et seq., the
Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. ss. 1251 et seq., the Clean Air Act, 33 U.S.C.
ss. 2601 et seq., the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. ss. 2601 et
seq., the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, 7 U.S.C. ss.
136 et seq., the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, 33 U.S.C. ss. 2701 et seq., and
the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. ss. 651 et seq., as such
laws have been amended or supplemented, and the regulations promulgated
pursuant thereto, and all analogous state or local statutes.
(b) Except as described in Section 3.16 of the Disclosure Schedule
or as, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse
Effect: (i) the Company and each Subsidiary is in material compliance with
all applicable Environmental Laws; (ii) the Company and each Subsidiary have
obtained and currently
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maintain all permits, licenses and other material governmental authorizations
required under applicable Environmental Laws, and are in material compliance
with the terms and conditions thereof; (iii) no judicial or administrative
proceedings are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against
the Company or any Subsidiary alleging the violation of or seeking to impose
liability pursuant to any Environmental Law and, there are no investigations
pending or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened against the Company or any
Subsidiary or any real property owned, operated or leased by or for the Company
or any Subsidiary, which in any case could reasonably be expected to give rise
to liabilities under Environmental Laws; (iv) there are no facts, circumstances
or conditions relating to, arising from or attributable to the Company or any
Subsidiary or any real property currently or, to the knowledge of the Company,
formerly owned, operated or leased by or for the Company or the Subsidiary that
are reasonably likely to result in the Company or any Subsidiary incurring
material liabilities under Environmental Laws; and (v) the Company has provided
Purchaser with copies of all environmentally related audits, assessments,
studies, reports, analyses, and results of investigations of the any real
property currently or formerly owned, operated or leased by the Company or any
of the Subsidiaries that are in the possession, custody or control of the
Company. Except as described on Section 3.16 of the Disclosure Schedule, there
are no underground storage tanks under the control of the Company or the
Subsidiaries or any friable asbestos-containing materials at any real property
owned, operated or leased by or for the Company or its Subsidiaries, the
presence of which are reasonably likely to result in the Company or the
Subsidiaries incurring material liabilities under Environmental Laws.
SECTION 3.17 Contracts. (a) Except as set forth in the Company's
SEC Reports or Schedule 3.17 of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company
nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any (i) "material
contract" (as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of
the SEC), (ii) non-competition agreement or any other agreement or
obligation which purports to limit in any respect the manner in which, or
the localities in which, all or any material portion of the business of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, may be conducted, (iii)
transaction, agreement, arrangement or understanding with any affiliate of
the Company or such Subsidiary that would be required to be disclosed under
Item 404 of regulation S-K under the Securities Act, (iv) voting or other
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agreement governing how any Shares shall be voted, (v) material agreement
with any stockholders of the Company, (vi) acquisition, merger, asset
purchase or sale agreement, or (vii) contract or other agreement which would
prohibit or materially delay the consummation of the Merger or any of the
Transactions (all contracts of the type described in clauses (i) through
(vii) being referred to herein as "Material Contracts"). Each Material
Contract is valid and binding on the Company (or, to the extent a Subsidiary
of the Company is a party, such Subsidiary) and is in full force and effect and
the Company and each Subsidiary have, in all material respects, performed all
obligations required to be performed by them to date under each Material
Contract, except where such noncompliance, individually or in the aggregate,
would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. Neither the Company nor
any Subsidiary of the Company is in default or knows of, or has received notice
of, any violation or default under (nor, to the knowledge of the Company, does
there exist any condition which with the passage of time or the giving of notice
or both would result in such a violation or default under) any Material
Contract.
(b) Except as disclosed in the Company's SEC Documents or on
Schedule 3.17 of the Disclosure Schedule or as provided for in this
Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any
oral or written (i) employment, severance, retention or termination
agreements or consulting agreements not terminable on thirty (30) days' or
less notice, (ii) union or collective bargaining agreement, (iii) agreement
with any executive officer or other key employee of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries the benefits of which are contingent or vest, or the terms
of which are materially altered, upon the occurrence of a transaction
involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of the nature contemplated
by this Agreement, (iv) agreement with respect to any executive officer or
other key employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries providing any
term of employment or compensation guarantee or (v) agreement or plan,
including any stock option, stock appreciation right, restricted stock or
stock purchase plan, any of the benefits of which will be increased, or the
vesting of the benefits of which will be accelerated, by the occurrence of
any of the Transactions or the value of any of the benefits of which will be
calculated on the basis of any of the Transactions.
SECTION 3.18 Insurance; Workers' Compensation. (a) Section 3.18 of
the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true, complete and
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accurate list of each currently effective material insurance policy issued in
favor of the Company and each Subsidiary, setting forth the identity of the
respective insurance carriers and a description of the policy. All premiums due
and payable in respect of such policies have been paid, such policies are in
full force and effect and free from any right granted by Company of termination
on the part of the insurance carriers, except as provided in the respective
policies. Schedule 3.18 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a description,
indicating dates and nature of claims, of the workers' compensation experience
as of January 31, 1998 of the Company and each domestic Subsidiary since
February 3, 1996, or since the dates of their respective acquisition if later
than February 3, 1996 in the case of the Subsidiaries.
(b) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice
of cancellation with respect to any of its insurance policies, and, within
the three years preceding the date hereof,
neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has been refused any insurance
coverage sought or applied for, in each case where such cancellation or
refusal, individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse
Effect.
SECTION 3.19 Certain Payments; Absence of Certain Business
Practices. No director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any
Subsidiary, nor any other person acting on behalf of Company or any
Subsidiary, has made or caused to be made any payments to government
officials in violation of the laws of the United States or any other
jurisdiction and, as of the date hereof, neither the IRS nor any other
federal, state, local or foreign government agency or entity has notified
the Company or any Subsidiary of any pending or threatened investigation of
any payment made by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary of, or
alleged to be of, the type described in the immediately preceding sentence.
SECTION 3.20 Licenses and Permits. The Company and each Subsidiary
have obtained all governmental licenses and permits necessary to conduct
their respective businesses in accordance with past practice, except for
failures that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material
Adverse Effect and there are no appeals nor any other actions pending to
revoke any such licenses or permits. Such licenses and permits are valid and
in full force and effect, and no such licenses or permits will be terminated
or materially impaired or become terminable as a result
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of the Transactions, except for those that, individually or in the aggregate,
would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.21 Letters of Credit, Surety Bonds, Guarantees. Section
3.21 of the Disclosure Schedule lists, as of the date hereof, all letters of
credit, performance or payment bonds, guaranty arrangements and surety bonds
of any nature involving amounts in excess of $25,000 relating to the Company
or any Subsidiary.
SECTION 3.22 Brokers. No broker, finder or investment banker (other
than Warburg Dillon Read LLC) is entitled to any brokerage, finder's or
other fee or commission in connection with the Transactions based upon
arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company. The Company has heretofore
furnished to Parent a complete and correct copy of all agreements between
the Company and Warburg Dillon Read LLC pursuant to which such firm would be
entitled to any payment relating to the Transactions.
SECTION 3.23 Year 2000. The Company has made and will continue to
make reasonable efforts to enable the Company's computer systems and
software to accurately process date data, including but not limited to,
calculating, comparing and sequencing from, into and between the twentieth
century (through year 1999), the year 2000 and the twenty-first century,
including leap year calculations.
SECTION 3.24 Applicability of State Takeover Statutes. The Section
203 Approval is valid and in full force and effect. Section 203 of Delaware
Law will not apply to the Stock Option Agreement, the Offer, the acquisition
of Shares pursuant to the Offer or the Merger. No other state takeover
statute or similar statute or regulation applies or purports to apply to the
Offer, the Merger or the other Transactions.
SECTION 3.25 Amendment to Rights Agreement. The Company's Board of
Directors has taken all necessary action (including any amendment thereof)
under the Rights Agreement so that (x) none of the execution or delivery of
this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement, consummation of the Offer, or
any other transaction contemplated hereby or thereby will cause (i) the
Rights to become exercisable under the Rights Agreement, (ii) Parent or
Purchaser to be deemed an "Acquiring Person" (as defined in the Rights
Agreement), or (iii) the "Distribution Date" (as defined in the Rights
Agreement) to occur upon any such event and (y) the
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"Expiration Date" (as defined in the Rights Agreement) of the Rights shall occur
immediately prior to the Effective Time.
SECTION 3.26 Opinion of Financial Advisor. The Company has received
the opinion of Warburg Dillon Reed LLC to the effect that, as of the date of
this Agreement, the consideration to be received in the Offer and the Merger
by the Company's stockholders is fair to the Company's stockholders from a
financial point of view, and a complete and correct signed copy of such
opinion has been, or promptly upon receipt thereof will be, delivered to
Parent. The Company has been authorized by Warburg Dillon Reed LLC to permit
the inclusion of such opinion in its entirety in the Offer Documents and the
Schedule 14D-9 and the Proxy Statement, so long as such inclusion is in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to Warburg Dillon Reed LLC and its
counsel.
SECTION 3.27 Full Disclosure. No representation or warranty by the
Company in this Agreement and no statement contained in any document
(including, without limitation, the Disclosure Schedule), certificate, or
other writing specifically identified in this Agreement to be furnished by
the Company to Parent or Purchaser or any of its Representatives pursuant to
the provisions hereof or in connection with the Transactions, contains or
will contain any untrue statement of material fact or omits or will omit to
state any material fact necessary, in light of the circumstances under which
it was made, in order to make the statements herein or therein not
misleading.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND PURCHASER
Parent and Purchaser hereby represent and warrant to the Company
that:
SECTION 4.01 Corporate Organization. Each of Parent and Purchaser
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has the requisite
power and authority and all necessary governmental approvals to own, lease
and operate its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being
conducted, except where the failure to be so organized, existing or in good
standing or to have such power, authority and governmental approvals would
not, individually or in the
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aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, financial
condition, assets or liabilities (including, without limitation, contingent
liabilities) of Purchaser and their respective subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
SECTION 4.02 Authority Relative to This Agreement. Each of Parent
and Purchaser has all necessary corporate power and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement, to perform its
obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the Transactions. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement by
Parent and Purchaser and the consummation by Parent and Purchaser of the
Transactions have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary
corporate action and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Parent or
Purchaser are necessary to authorize this Agreement or the Stock Option
Agreement or to consummate the Transactions (other than with respect to the
Merger, the filing of the Certificate of Merger). Each of this Agreement and
the Stock Option Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered
by Parent and Purchaser and, assuming the due authorization, execution and
delivery by the Company, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation
of each of Parent and Purchaser enforceable against each of Parent and
Purchaser in accordance with its terms, except that (i) such enforcement may
be subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other
similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights
generally, and (ii) the remedy of specific performance and injunctive relief
may be subject to equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court
before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.
SECTION 4.03 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents. (a) The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Stock Option
Agreement by Parent and Purchaser do not, and the consummation of the
Transactions and compliance with the provisions of this Agreement by Parent
and Purchaser will not, (i) conflict with or violate the Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws of either Parent or Purchaser, (ii) assuming that
required filings under the HSR Act are made by the appropriate parties,
conflict with or violate any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or
decree applicable to Parent or Purchaser or by which any property or asset
of either of them is bound or affected, or (iii) conflict with, result in
any breach of or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or
lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any
rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result
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in the creation of a lien or other encumbrance on any property or asset of
Parent or Purchaser pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture,
contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument
or obligation to which Parent or Purchaser is a party or by which Parent or
Purchaser or any property or asset of either of them is bound or affected,
except, in cases of (ii) and (iii), for any such conflicts, violations,
breaches, defaults or other occurrences which would not, individually or in
the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business, operations,
financial condition, assets or liabilities (including, without limitation,
contingent liabilities) of Parent or Purchaser and their respective
subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(b) The execution and delivery of each of this Agreement and the
Stock Option Agreement by Parent and Purchaser do not, and the performance
of this Agreement by Parent and Purchaser will not, require any consent,
approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification to, any
governmental or regulatory authority, domestic or foreign, except (i) for
applicable requirements, if any, of the Exchange Act, Blue Sky Laws and
state takeover laws, the HSR Act, and the filing of the Certificate of
Merger as required by Delaware Law, and (ii) where failure to obtain such
consents, approvals, authorizations or permits, or to make such filings or
notifications, would not prevent or delay consummation of the Offer or the
Merger, or otherwise prevent Purchaser from performing its obligations under
this Agreement.
SECTION 4.04 Financing. Parent has commitments from BankAmerica
Business Credit, Inc. (the "Lender") to obtain sufficient funds to permit
Purchaser (i) to acquire all the outstanding Shares in the Offer and the
Merger, (ii) to acquire all of the Notes (and obtain all of the related
Consents) in the Note Tender Offer, written evidence of which has been
provided to the Company (the "Commitment Letter"), and (iii) to satisfy the
ongoing working capital needs of the Surviving Corporation. Except as set
forth in the Commitment Letter, other than as may be required by law, to
Parent's knowledge, there are no conditions or other limitations on the
obligations of the lender to make available the funds as aforesaid.
SECTION 4.05 Offer Documents; Proxy Statement. Neither the Offer
Documents nor the Note Tender Offer Documents will, at the time such
documents are filed with the SEC or are first published, sent or given to
stockholders of the Company, as the case may be,
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contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not
misleading. The information supplied by Parent for inclusion in the Schedule
14D- 9, the Information Statement or the Proxy Statement will not, on the date
such document (or any amendment or supplement thereto) is first mailed to
stockholders of the Company, with respect to the Information Statement, at the
time Shares are accepted for payment in the Offer and with respect to the Note
Tender Offer Documents, at the time the Notes (and related Consents) are
accepted for payment in the Note Tender Offer, and with respect to the Proxy
Statement at the time of the Special Stockholders' Meeting and at the Effective
Time, contain any statement which, at such time and in light of the
circumstances under which it is made, is false or misleading with respect to any
material fact, or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein not false or misleading or
necessary to correct any statement in any earlier communication with respect to
the solicitation of proxies for the Special Stockholders' Meeting which shall
have become false or misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Parent and
Purchaser make no representation or warranty with respect to any information
supplied by the Company or any of its representatives which is contained in any
of the foregoing documents or the Offer Documents or the Note Tender Offer
Documents. The Offer Documents and the Note Tender Offer Documents shall comply
in all material respects as to form with the requirements of the Exchange Act,
the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations
thereunder.
SECTION 4.06 Brokers. No broker, finder or investment banker (other
than Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.) is entitled to any brokerage, finder's or other
fee or commission in connection with the Transactions based upon arrangements
made by or on behalf of Parent or Purchaser.
ARTICLE V
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER
SECTION 5.01 Conduct of Business by the Company Pending the Merger.
The Company covenants and agrees that, between the date of this Agreement
and the election or appointment of Purchaser's
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designees to the Board pursuant to Section 6.03 upon the purchase by Purchaser
of any Shares pursuant to the Offer (the "Purchaser's Election Date"), unless
Parent shall otherwise agree in writing, the businesses of the Company and the
Subsidiaries shall be conducted only in, and the Company and the Subsidiaries
shall not take any action except in, the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice and the Company shall use all reasonable best efforts
consistent with good business judgment under the current circumstances to
preserve intact the business organization of the Company and the Subsidiaries,
to keep available the services of the current officers, employees and
consultants of the Company and the Subsidiaries and to preserve the current
relationships of the Company and the Subsidiaries with customers, suppliers,
vendors, distributors and other persons with which the Company or any Subsidiary
has business relations to the end that their goodwill and ongoing businesses
shall be unimpaired in all material respects at the Effective Time. By way of
amplification and not limitation, except as contemplated by this Agreement or by
Section 5.01 of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company agrees that neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary shall, between the date of this Agreement and the
Purchaser's Election Date, directly or indirectly do, or propose to do, any of
the following without the prior written consent of Parent:
(a) amend or otherwise change, directly or indirectly, its
Constituent Documents;
(b) issue, sell, pledge, dispose of, grant, encumber, or authorize
the issuance, sale, pledge, disposition, grant or encumbrance of (i) any
shares of capital stock of any class of the Company or any Subsidiary, or
any options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights of any kind to
acquire any shares of such capital stock, or any other ownership interest
(including, without limitation, any phantom interest), of the Company or any
Subsidiary, and except pursuant to the Stock Option Agreement and
outstanding Options and Warrants and the Company's Associate Stock Purchase
Plan, or (ii) any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, except for sales
in the ordinary course of business and in a manner consistent with past
practice;
(c) declare, set aside, make or pay any dividend or other
distribution, payable in cash, stock, property or otherwise, with respect to
any of its capital stock, except for such declarations, set asides,
dividends and other distributions made by any Subsidiary to the Company;
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(d) reclassify, combine, split, subdivide or redeem, purchase or
otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of its capital stock;
(e) (i) acquire (including, without limitation, by merger,
consolidation, or acquisition of stock or assets or any other business
combination) any corporation, partnership, other business organization or
any division thereof or any material amount of assets other than in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; (ii) incur or
modify any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue any debt securities or
assume, guarantee or endorse, pledge in respect of or otherwise as an
accommodation become responsible for the obligations of any person, or make
any loans, advances or capital contributions, except in the ordinary course
of business consistent with past practice; (iii) enter into any contract or
agreement, other than any contract or agreement entered into in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice and which requires payments
by the Company or the Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount of less than
$5,000,000 with respect to all such agreements taken together; (iv)
terminate, cancel or request any material change in, or agree to any
material change in, any Material Contract, except in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice, or waive, release or assign any
material rights or claims; or (v) authorize capital commitments, in an
aggregate amount in excess of $2,500,000 for the Company and the
Subsidiaries taken as a whole;
(f) increase the compensation payable or to become payable to its
officers or employees, except for increases in accordance with past
practices in salaries or wages of employees of the Company or any Subsidiary
who are not officers of the Company, or grant or modify any severance or
termination pay to, or enter into any employment or severance agreement
with, any director, officer or other employee of the Company or any
Subsidiary (other than in connection with hiring and terminating employees
in the ordinary course of the Company's business), or establish, adopt,
enter into or amend any collective bargaining agreement, any material bonus,
profit sharing, thrift, compensation, stock option, restricted stock,
pension, retirement, deferred compensation, employment, retention,
termination or severance plan, benefit, agreement, trust, fund, policy or
arrangement for the benefit of any director, officer or employee or
circulate to any employee any details of any proposal to adopt or amend any
such plan or make, authorize or approve the payment of any extraordinary
amount to
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any outside advisor, attorney or consultant in all cases, except
as required by law;
(g) take any action, other than reasonable and usual actions in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, with respect to
accounting policies or procedures (including, without limitation, procedures
with respect to the payment of accounts payable and collection of accounts
receivable);
(h) make any Tax election or settle or compromise any federal,
state, local or foreign income Tax liability;
(i) pay, discharge or satisfy any claim, liability or obligation
(absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise), other
than the payment, discharge or satisfaction, in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice, of claims, liabilities or
obligations reflected or reserved against in, or contemplated by, the
consolidated financial statements (or the notes thereto) of the Company and
its consolidated Subsidiaries, or subsequently incurred in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice;
(j) waive the benefits of, or agree to modify in any manner any
confidentiality, standstill or similar agreement to which the Company or any
Subsidiary is a party, other than in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice;
(k) settle or comprise any pending or threatened suit,
action or claim that is material or which relates to any of the
Transactions;
(l) announce an intention, enter into any formal or informal
agreement, or otherwise make a commitment, to do any of the foregoing; or
(m) take any action that would result in (i) any of its
representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement that are qualified as
to materiality becoming untrue, (ii) any of such representations and warranties
that are not so qualified becoming untrue in any material respect, or (iii) any
of the conditions to the Offer or the Note Tender Offer set forth in Annex A and
Annex B not being satisfied (subject to the Company's right to take action
specifically permitted by Section 6.05).
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ARTICLE VI
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
SECTION 6.01 Special Stockholders' Meeting. The Company, acting
through the Board, shall, in accordance with applicable law and its
Constituent Documents, unless not required under applicable "short-form"
merger provisions of Delaware Law, (i) duly call, give notice of, convene
and hold a special meeting of its stockholders as soon as practicable
following consummation of the Offer for the purpose of considering and
taking action on this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
(the "Special Stockholders' Meeting") and (ii) subject to its fiduciary
duties under applicable law as determined in good faith by the Board
following consultation with the Company's counsel, (A) include in the Proxy
Statement the unanimous recommendation of the Board that the stockholders of
the Company approve and adopt this Agreement and the Transactions,
including, without limitation, the Merger, and (B) use all reasonable
efforts to obtain such approval and adoption. At the Special Stockholders'
Meeting (or by consent if a stockholders meeting is not required), Parent
and Purchaser shall cause all Shares then owned by them and their
subsidiaries to be voted in favor of the approval and adoption of this
Agreement and the Transactions, including, without limitation, the Merger.
SECTION 6.02 Proxy Statement. As soon as practicable following
consummation of the Offer, the Company shall file the Proxy Statement with
the SEC under the Exchange Act, unless the Special Stockholders' Meeting is
not required under applicable "short-form" merger provisions of Delaware
Law, and shall use its best efforts to have the Proxy Statement cleared by
the SEC. Parent, Purchaser and the Company shall cooperate with each other
in the preparation of the Proxy Statement, and the Company shall notify
Parent of the receipt of any comments of the SEC with respect to the Proxy
Statement and of any requests by the SEC for any amendment or supplement
thereto or for additional information and shall provide to Parent promptly
copies of all correspondence between the Company or any representative of
the Company and the SEC. The Company shall give Parent and its counsel the
opportunity to review the Proxy Statement prior to its being filed with the
SEC and shall give Parent and its counsel the opportunity to review all
amendments and supplements to the Proxy Statement and all responses to
requests for additional information and replies to comments prior to their
being filed with, or sent to,
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the SEC. Each of the Company, Parent and Purchaser agrees to use all reasonable
efforts, after consultation with the other parties hereto, to respond promptly
to all such comments of and requests by the SEC and to cause the Proxy Statement
and all required amendments and supplements thereto to be mailed to the holders
of Shares entitled to vote at the Special Stockholders' Meeting at the earliest
practicable time.
SECTION 6.03 Company Board Representation; Section 14(f). (a)
Promptly upon the purchase by Purchaser of Shares pursuant to the Offer, and
from time to time thereafter, Parent shall be entitled to designate up to
such number of directors, rounded up to the next whole number, on the Board
as shall give Parent representation on the Board equal to the product of the
total number of directors on the Board (giving effect to the directors
elected pursuant to this sentence) multiplied by the percentage that the
aggregate number of Shares beneficially owned by Purchaser or any affiliate
of Purchaser at such time bears to the total number of Shares then
outstanding, and the Company shall, at such time, promptly take all actions
necessary to cause Parent's designees to be elected as directors of the
Company, including increasing the size of the Board or securing the
resignations of incumbent directors or both. At such times, the Company
shall use all reasonable efforts to cause persons designated by Parent to
constitute the same percentage as persons designated by Parent shall
constitute of the Board with respect to (i) each committee of the Board
(some of whom may be required to be independent as required by applicable
law or requirements of The New York Stock Exchange), (ii) each board of
directors of each Subsidiary, and (iii) each committee of each such board,
in each case only to the extent permitted by applicable law.
(b) The Company shall promptly take all actions required pursuant
to Section 14(f) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14f-1 promulgated thereunder
in order to fulfill its obligations under this Section 6.03 and shall
include the Information Statement containing such information with respect
to the Company and its officers and directors as is required under Section
14(f) and Rule 14f-1 as an annex to the Schedule 14D-9 to fulfill such
obligations. Parent or Purchaser shall supply to the Company and be solely
responsible for any information with respect to either of them and their
nominees, officers, directors and affiliates required by such Section 14(f)
and Rule 14f-1. The provisions of this Section 6.03 are in addition to and
shall not limit any rights which Purchaser, Parent or any of their
affiliates may have
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as a holder or beneficial owner of Shares as a matter of applicable law with
respect to the election of directors or otherwise.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6.03, the
parties hereto shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to ensure
that at least two of the members of the Board shall, at all times prior to
the Effective Time be, Continuing Directors. From and after the time, if
any, that Parent's designees constitute a majority of the Board, any
amendment or modification of this Agreement, any amendment to the Company's
Constituent Documents inconsistent with this Agreement, any termination of this
Agreement by the Company, any extension of time for performance of any of the
obligations of Parent or Purchaser hereunder, any waiver of any condition to the
Company's obligations hereunder or any of the Company's rights hereunder or
other action by the Company hereunder may be effected only by the action of a
majority of the Continuing Directors of the Company, which action shall be
deemed to constitute the action of any committee specifically designated by the
Board to approve the actions contemplated hereby and the Transactions and the
full Board; provided, that, if there shall be no Continuing Directors, such
actions may be effected by majority vote of the entire Board.
SECTION 6.04 Access to Information; Confidentiality. (a) The
Company shall (and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to) afford to the
Representatives of Parent reasonable access on reasonable prior notice to
the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or General
Counsel during normal business hours, throughout the period prior to the
earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement, to all
of its properties, offices, employees, contracts, commitments, books and
records (including but not limited to Tax Returns) and any report, schedule
or other document filed or received by it pursuant to the requirements of
federal or state securities laws and shall (and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries to) furnish promptly to Parent such additional financial and
operating data and other information as to its and its Subsidiaries'
respective businesses and properties as Parent may from time to time
reasonably request. Parent and Purchaser will make all reasonable efforts to
minimize any disruption to the businesses of the Company and its
Subsidiaries which may result from the requests for access to properties and
employees and for data and information hereunder.
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(b) Parent agrees that all information obtained by Parent or
Purchaser pursuant to this Section 6.04 shall be kept confidential, by
Purchaser, by Parent and by any other party which is to be afforded access
pursuant to Section 6.04(a), in accordance with the confidentiality
agreement, dated August 21, 1998 (the "Confidentiality Agreement"), between
Parent and the Company, including the obligation to return all documents,
work papers and other written materials obtained by Parent or its
representatives in the event of the termination of this Agreement without
the purchase of any Shares in the Offer.
SECTION 6.05 No Solicitation. (a) The Company shall not, nor shall
it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, nor shall it authorize (and shall use
its best efforts not to permit) any officer, director or employee of, or any
investment banker, attorney or other advisor or representative of, the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) solicit or initiate, or
encourage, directly or indirectly, any inquiries or the submission of, any
Takeover Proposal, (ii) participate in any discussions or negotiations
regarding, or furnish to any Person any information or data with respect to or
access to the properties of, or take any other action to knowingly facilitate
the making of any proposal that constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to
lead to, any Takeover Proposal or (iii) enter into any agreement with respect to
any Takeover Proposal or approve or resolve to approve any Takeover Proposal;
provided, that nothing contained in this Section 6.05 or any other provision
hereof shall prohibit the Company or the Board from (i) taking and disclosing to
the Company's stockholders a position with respect to a tender or exchange offer
by a third party pursuant to Rules 14d-9 and 14e-2 promulgated under the
Exchange Act, or (ii) making such disclosure to the Company's stockholders as,
in the good faith judgment of the Board, following consultation with outside
counsel, is required under applicable Law, provided that the Company may not,
except as permitted by Section 6.05(b), withdraw or modify, or propose to
withdraw or modify, its position with respect to the Offer or the Merger or
approve or recommend, or propose to approve or recommend any Takeover Proposal,
or enter into any agreement with respect to any Takeover Proposal. Upon
execution of this Agreement, the Company will immediately cease any existing
activities, discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore
with respect to any of the foregoing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to
the time of acceptance of Shares for payment pursuant to the Offer, the Company
may furnish information
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concerning its business, properties or assets to any Person or group concerning
a Takeover Proposal if:
(x) such Person or group has submitted a Superior
Proposal; and
(y) in the opinion of the Board such action is
required to discharge the Board's fiduciary duties to the Company's
stockholders under applicable Law, determined in good faith
following consultation with outside counsel to the Company that the
failure to provide such information or access or to engage in such
discussions or negotiations would cause the Board to violate its
fiduciary duties to the Company's stockholders under applicable
Law.
The Company will promptly (but in no case later than 24 hours)
notify Parent of the existence of any proposal, discussion, negotiation or
inquiry received by the Company regarding any Takeover Proposal, and the
Company will promptly (but in no case later than 24 hours) communicate to
Parent the terms of any proposal, discussion, negotiation or inquiry which
it may receive regarding any Takeover Proposal (and will promptly provide to
Parent copies of any written materials received by the Company in connection
with such proposal, discussion, negotiation or inquiry) and the identity of
the party making such proposal or inquiry or engaging in such discussion or
negotiation. The Company will promptly provide to Parent any non-public
information concerning the Company provided to any other Person in
connection with any Takeover Proposal which was not previously provided to
Parent. The Company will keep Parent informed of the status and details of
any such Takeover proposal and will promptly (but in no case later than 24
hours) notify Parent of any determination by the Board that a Superior
Proposal has been made.
(b) Except as set forth in this Section 6.05(b), neither the Board
nor any committee thereof shall (i) withdraw or modify, or propose to
withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to Parent or Purchaser, the approval
or recommendation by the Board or any such committee of the Offer, this
Agreement or the Merger, (ii) approve or recommend, or propose to approve or
recommend, any Takeover Proposal or (iii) enter into any agreement with
respect to any Takeover Proposal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to
compliance with the provisions of this Section 6.05, prior to the time of
acceptance for payment of Shares pursuant to the Offer, the Board may
withdraw or modify its approval or recommendation of
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the Offer, this Agreement or the Merger, approve or recommend a Superior
Proposal, or enter into an agreement with respect to a Superior Proposal, in
each case at any time after the fifth business day following Parent's receipt of
written notice from the Company advising Parent that the Board received a
Superior Proposal which it intends to accept, specifying the material terms and
conditions of such Superior Proposal and identifying the Person making such
Superior Proposal, but only if the Company shall have caused its financial and
legal advisors to negotiate with Parent to make such adjustments to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement as would enable the Company to proceed with the
Transactions on such adjusted terms.
SECTION 6.06 Directors' and Officers' Indemnification and
Insurance. (a) The Company shall, and from and after the Effective Time, the
Surviving Corporation shall, indemnify and hold harmless, each present and
former director, officer or employee of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties") against any costs or
expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees), judgments, losses, claims,
damages and liabilities incurred in connection with, and amounts paid in
settlement of, any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and wherever asserted,
brought or filed, (x) arising out of or pertaining to the Transactions or
(y) otherwise with respect to any acts or omissions or alleged acts or
omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time to the same extent as
such persons are entitled to indemnification as of the Effective Time. In
the event of any such claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation
(whether arising before or after the Effective Time), (i) any counsel
retained by the Indemnified Parties for any period after the Effective Time
must be reasonably satisfactory to the Surviving Corporation, and (ii) the
Surviving Corporation will cooperate in the defense of any such matter;
provided, however, that the Surviving Corporation shall not be liable for
any settlement effected without its written consent (which consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld). The Indemnified Parties as a group may retain
only one law firm to represent them with respect to any single action unless
there is, under applicable standards of professional conduct, a conflict on any
significant issue between the positions of any two or more Indemnified Parties.
The indemnity agreements of the Surviving Corporation in this Section 6.06 shall
extend, on the same terms to, and shall inure to the benefit of and shall be
enforceable by, each Person or entity who controls, or in the past controlled,
any present or former
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director, officer or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(b) Not later than 30 days after the consummation of the Offer, the
Surviving Corporation shall procure directors' and officers' liability
insurance policies (the "New Insurance") covering for a period of six years
after the Effective Time those Persons who are currently covered by the
Company's directors' and officers' liability insurance policies (the
"Current Insurance") and providing coverage (including but not limited to
amounts of coverage, amounts of deductibles, employment practices liability
and other terms) that are no less favorable than the terms (exclusive of
year 2000 coverage) contained in the Current Insurance. The Surviving
Corporation will maintain the New Insurance continuously in effect for such
six years period and will not cancel the Current Insurance unless and until
the New Insurance has been procured. If the New Insurance is provided under
any insurance policies other than a "run-off" of the Company's existing
insurance policies, such new policies shall be in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Continuing Directors.
(c) This Section 6.06 shall survive the consummation of the Merger
at the Effective Time, is intended to benefit the Company, the Surviving
Corporation and the Indemnified Parties, shall be binding on all successors
and assigns of the Surviving Corporation and shall be enforceable by the
Indemnified Parties.
SECTION 6.07 Notification of Certain Matters. The Company shall
give prompt notice to Parent, and Parent shall give prompt notice to the
Company, of (i) the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event the occurrence
or non-occurrence of which causes any representation or warranty contained
in this Agreement to be untrue or inaccurate in any material respect, and
(ii) any failure of the Company, Parent or Purchaser, as the case may be, to
comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied
with or satisfied by it hereunder; provided, however, that the delivery of
any notice pursuant to this Section 6.07 shall not limit or otherwise affect
the remedies available hereunder to the party receiving such notice.
SECTION 6.08 Further Action; Reasonable Efforts. Upon the terms and
subject to the conditions hereof, each of the parties hereto shall (i) make
promptly its respective filings, and thereafter make any other required
submissions, under the HSR Act
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with respect to the Transactions, (ii) use all reasonable efforts to take, or
cause to be taken, all appropriate action, and to do, or cause to be done, all
things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and regulations to
consummate and make effective the Transactions, including, without limitation,
using all reasonable efforts to obtain all licenses, permits (including, without
limitation, environmental permits), consents, approvals, authorizations,
qualifications and orders of governmental authorities and parties to contracts
with the Company and the Subsidiaries as are necessary for the consummation of
the Transactions and to fulfill the conditions to the Offer, the Note Tender
Offer and the Merger and including, without limitation, the defending of any
lawsuits or other legal proceedings, whether judicial or administrative,
challenging this Agreement or the consummation of any of the Transactions,
including seeking to have any stay or temporary restraining order entered by any
court or other governmental entity vacated or reversed, and (iii) except as
contemplated by this Agreement, use all reasonable efforts not to take any
action, or enter into any transaction, which would cause any of its
representations or warranties contained in this Agreement to be untrue or result
in a breach of any covenant made by it in this Agreement. In case at any time
after the Effective Time any further action is necessary or desirable to carry
out the purposes of this Agreement, the proper officers and directors of Parent
and the Company shall use all reasonable efforts to take all such action.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall Parent, Purchaser or the
Surviving Corporation be required to divest any of their respective assets or
agree to any restrictions in their businesses as currently or proposed to be
conducted.
SECTION 6.09 Public Announcements. Parent and the Company shall
consult with each other before issuing any press release or otherwise making
any public statements with respect to this Agreement or any Transaction and
shall not issue any such press release or make any such public statement
without the prior approval of the Chief Executive Officer of both Parent and
the Company, except as may be required by law or any listing agreement with
a national securities exchange to which Parent or the Company is a party.
SECTION 6.10 Confidentiality Agreement. Assuming the Minimum Stock
Condition has been satisfied, upon the acceptance for payment of Shares
pursuant to the Offer, the Confidentiality Agreement shall be deemed to have
terminated without further action by the parties thereto.
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SECTION 6.11 State Takeover Laws. Notwithstanding any other
provision in this Agreement, in no event shall the Section 203 Approval be
withdrawn, revoked or modified by the Board. If any state takeover statute
other than Section 203 of the Delaware Law becomes or is deemed to become
applicable to the Offer, the acquisition of Shares pursuant to the Offer or
the Merger, the Company shall take all action necessary to render such
statute inapplicable to all of the foregoing.
SECTION 6.12 Employment Covenant. Parent shall provide each
employee of the Company with credit for all service with or credited by the
Company under each of Parent's employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements
for purposes of eligibility, vesting and, to the extent not prohibited by
applicable regulation, calculation of benefits (except to the extent crediting
such service would result in the duplication of benefits). Nothing herein
obligates Parent to maintain any Plan, program or arrangement which it otherwise
has the ability to terminate.
SECTION 6.13 Financing. Parent and Purchaser will use reasonable
commercial efforts to consummate the financing pursuant to the Commitment
Letter, subject to satisfactory documentation in Parent's and Purchaser's
reasonable discretion.
ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
SECTION 7.01 Conditions to the Merger. The respective obligations
of each party to effect the Merger shall be subject to the satisfaction at
or prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions:
(a) Stockholder Approval. This Agreement and the Transactions,
including, without limitation, the Merger, shall have been approved and
adopted by the affirmative vote of the stockholders of the Company (unless
the vote of the stockholders is not required by Delaware Law);
(b) HSR Act. Any waiting period (and any extension thereof)
applicable to the consummation of the Merger under the HSR Act shall have
expired or been terminated;
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(c) No Order. No foreign, United States or state governmental
authority or other agency or commission or foreign, United States or state
court of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated,
enforced or entered any law, rule, regulation, executive order, decree,
injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent)
which is then in effect (which order or other action the parties hereto
shall use their reasonable efforts to lift) and has the effect of making the
acquisition of Shares by Purchaser or any affiliate of Purchaser or the
consummation of the Merger illegal under applicable law or otherwise
restricting, preventing or prohibiting under applicable law consummation of
the Transactions;
(d) Offer. Purchaser or its permitted assignee shall have purchased
all Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer;
(e) Note Tender Offer. The Supplemental Indenture shall
have been entered into and Purchaser or its permitted assignee shall have
purchased all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Note
Tender Offer; and
(f) Financing. Purchaser shall have received sufficient financing,
on terms at least as favorable to it as those specified in the Commitment
Letter, to pay the aggregate Merger Consideration payable hereunder, to
purchase the Notes pursuant to the Note Tender Offer and to satisfy the
ongoing working capital needs of the Surviving Corporation.
ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
SECTION 8.01 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the
Merger contemplated herein may be abandoned at any time prior to the
Effective Time, whether before or after approval of matters presented in
connection with the Merger by the stockholders of the Company:
(a) By the mutual written consent of Parent and the Company,
provided, however, that if Parent shall have a majority of the directors
pursuant to Section 6.03, such consent of the Company may only be given if
approved by the Continuing Directors.
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(b) By either of Parent or the Company if (i) a statute, rule or
executive order shall have been enacted, entered or promulgated prohibiting
the Transactions on the terms contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) any
governmental entity shall have issued an order, decree or ruling or taken
any other action (which order, decree, ruling or other action the parties
hereto shall use their reasonable efforts to lift), in each case permanently
restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Transactions and such
order, decree, ruling or other action shall have become final and
non-appealable.
(c) By either of Parent or the Company if the Note Tender Offer and
the Offer have not been consummated by January 4, 1999 (except the Purchaser
may extend the expiration date of the Note Tender Offer and the Offer
through January 9, 1999 as required to comply with any rule, regulation or
interpretation of the SEC) or the Effective Time shall not have occurred on
or before April 30, 1999; provided, that the party seeking to terminate this
Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.01(c) shall not have breached in any
material respect its obligations under this Agreement in any manner that
shall have proximately contributed to the failure to consummate the Merger
on or before such date;
(d) By the Company:
(i) if the Company has entered into an agreement with
respect to a Superior Proposal or has approved or recommended a Superior
Proposal in accordance with Section 6.05(b), provided the Company has complied
with all provisions thereof, including the notice provisions therein, and that
it simultaneously terminates this Agreement and makes simultaneous payment to
Parent of the Expenses and the Termination Fee; or
(ii) if Parent or Purchaser shall have terminated the
Offer or the Offer expires without Purchaser purchasing any Shares pursuant
thereto; or
(iii) if Parent, Purchaser or any of their affiliates
shall have failed to commence the Offer on or prior to five business days
following the date of the initial public announcement of the Offer; or
(iv) if there shall be a material breach by Parent or
Purchaser or any of their representations, warranties, covenants or
agreements contained in this Agreement.
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(e) By Parent or Purchaser:
(i) If prior to the purchase of the Shares pursuant to the
Offer, (A) the Board shall have withdrawn, or modified or changed in a
manner adverse to Parent or Purchaser its approval or recommendation of the
Offer, this Agreement or the Merger or shall have recommended or approved a
Takeover Proposal; or (B) there shall have been a material breach of any
provision of Section 6.05; or
(ii) if Parent or Purchaser shall have terminated the
Offer without Parent or Purchaser purchasing any Shares thereunder; or
(iii) if Parent or Purchaser shall have terminated the
Note Tender Offer without Parent or Purchaser purchasing any Notes
thereunder; or
(iv) if, due to an occurrence that if occurring after the
commencement of the Offer would result in a failure to satisfy any of the
conditions set forth in Annex A hereto, Parent, Purchaser or any of their
affiliates shall have failed to commence the Offer on or prior to five
business days following the date of the initial public announcement of the
Offer; or
(v) any Person or "group" (as defined in Section 13(d)(3)
of the Exchange Act), other than Parent, Purchaser or their affiliates or
any group of which any of them is a member, shall have acquired beneficial
ownership (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
Exchange Act) of 25% or more of the Shares; or
(vi) if, prior to the purchase of the Shares pursuant to
the Offer, the Company receives a Takeover Proposal from any Person (other
than Parent or Purchaser), and the Board takes a neutral position or makes
no recommendation with respect to such Takeover Proposal after a reasonable
amount of time (and in no event more than five business days following such
receipt) has elapsed for the Board to review and make a recommendation with
respect to such Takeover Proposal; or
(vii) if, after the consummation of the Offer, there shall
be a material breach by the Company of any of its representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement or the Stock
Option Agreement.
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SECTION 8.02 Effect of the Termination. In the event of termination
of this Agreement by either the Company or Parent or Purchaser as provided
in Section 8.01, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no
effect, without any liability or obligation on the part of Parent, Purchaser
or the Company, other than the provisions of Section 6.04(b), this Section
8.02, Section 8.03 and Article IX and except to the extent that such
termination results from the wilful and material breach by a party of any of
its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this
Agreement.
SECTION 8.03 Fees and Expenses. (a) Except as provided below, all
fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Offer, the Merger, this
Agreement and the Transactions shall be paid by the party incurring such
fees or expenses, whether or not the Offer or the Merger is consummated.
(b) If (x) Parent or Purchaser terminates this Agreement pursuant
to Section 8.01(e)(i), 8.01(e)(v) or 8.01(e)(vi) or (y) the Company
terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.01(d)(i), then in each case,
the Company shall pay, or cause to be paid to Parent, or Purchaser, at the
time of termination, an amount equal to $5,000,000 (the "Termination Fee")
plus an amount equal to Parent's and Purchaser's actual and reasonably
documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Parent or Purchaser in
connection with the Offer, the Merger, this Agreement and the consummation
of the Transactions, including, without limitation, the fees (other than any
break-up, success or other contingent fee) and out-of-pocket expenses
payable to all banks, investment banking firms and other financial
institutions and Persons and their respective agents and counsel incurred in
connection with acting as Parent's or Purchaser's financial advisor with
respect to, or arranging or committing to provide or providing any financing
for, the Transactions up to an aggregate of $2,500,000 (the "Expenses"). In
addition, if this Agreement is terminated by Parent or Purchaser pursuant to
Section 8.01(e)(ii), 8.01(e)(iii) or 8.01(e)(vii) (other than by reason of a
breach of Section 6.05) or, prior to consummation of the Offer, by reason of
a breach of the conditions set forth in paragraph (d) of Annex A, or by the
Company pursuant to Section 8.01(d)(ii) and at the time of such termination,
neither Parent nor Purchaser is in material breach of this Agreement, then
the Company shall pay to Parent, at the time of termination, the Expenses,
and, if the Company shall thereafter, within 12 months after such
termination, announce its intention to enter into an agreement with respect to a
Takeover
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Proposal and the Company subsequently consummates the transaction(s)
contemplated by such agreement, then the Company shall pay the Termination Fee
concurrently with such consummation; provided, however, that, with respect to a
termination pursuant to Section 8.01(e)(ii) or 8.01(e)(iii), the Expenses and
the Termination Fee will be payable only if the Offer and the Note Tender Offer
shall have remained continuously open for a period of at least 20 business days
and neither the Minimum Stock Condition nor the Minimum Note Condition were
satisfied at the expiration of the Offer or the Note Tender Offer, as the case
may be. Any payments required to be made pursuant to this Section 8.03 shall be
made by wire transfer of same day funds to an account designated by Parent.
(c) Expenses. The Company shall pay all Taxes, such as (a)
transfer, stamp and documentary Taxes or fees and (b) sales, use, gains,
real property transfer and other or similar Taxes or fees, incident to
preparing for, entering into and carrying out this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 8.04 Amendment. Subject to applicable Law, this Agreement
may be amended by the parties hereto by action taken by or on behalf of
their respective Boards of Directors at any time prior to the Effective
Time; provided, however, that, after the approval and adoption of this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby by the stockholders of
the Company, no amendment may be made which would reduce the amount or
change the type of consideration into which each Share shall be converted
upon consummation of the Merger. This Agreement may not be amended except by
an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.
SECTION 8.05 Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time, any
party hereto may (i) extend the time for the performance of any obligation
or other act of any other party hereto, (ii) waive any inaccuracy in the
representations and warranties contained herein or in any document delivered
pursuant hereto, and (iii) waive compliance with any agreement or condition
contained herein. Any such extension or waiver shall be valid if set forth
in an instrument in writing signed by the party or parties to be bound
thereby.
ARTICLE IX
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GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 9.01 Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties and
Agreements. The representations, warranties and agreements in this Agreement
shall terminate at the Effective Time or upon the termination of this
Agreement pursuant to Section 8.01, as the case may be, except that the
agreements set forth in Articles II and IX and Section 6.06 shall survive the
Effective Time indefinitely and those set forth in Sections 6.04(b), 8.02, 8.03
and Article IX shall survive termination indefinitely.
SECTION 9.02 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and
other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and
shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt or refusal by the
addressee thereof) by delivery in person, by a recognized overnight courier,
or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt
requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such
other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in
accordance with this Section 9.02):
if to Parent or Purchaser:
Ames Department Stores, Inc.
2418 Main Street
Rocky Hill, Connecticut 06067
Attn: David Lissy, Esq.
with a copy to:
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10153
Attn: Jeffrey J. Weinberg, Esq.
if to the Company:
Hills Stores Company
15 Dan Road
Canton, Massachusetts 02021
Attn: William Friend, Esq.
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with a copy to:
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
919 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attn: Paul S. Pearlman, Esq.
SECTION 9.03 Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement,
the term:
(a) "affiliate" of a specified person means a person who directly
or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by,
or is under common control with, such specified person;
(b) "beneficial owner" with respect to any Shares means a person
who shall be deemed to be the beneficial owner of such Shares (i) that such
person or any of its affiliates or associates (as such term is defined in
Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act) beneficially owns, directly or
indirectly, (ii) that such person or any of its affiliates or associates has,
directly or indirectly, (A) the right to acquire (whether such right is
exercisable immediately or subject only to the passage of time), pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding or upon the exercise of consideration
rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, or (B) the right to
vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding or (iii) that are
beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other persons with whom such
person or any of its affiliates or associates or person with whom such person or
any of its affiliates or associates has any agreement, arrangement or
understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any
Shares;
(c) "business day" means any day on which the principal offices of
the SEC in Washington, D.C. are open to accept filings, or, in the case of
determining a date when any payment is due, any day on which banks are not
required or authorized to close in the City of New York;
(d) "Cash Equivalents" means cash and highly liquid investments
with maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase and whose
cost approximates market value due to the short maturity of the investments;
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(e) "Continuing Director" means (i) any member of the Board of
Directors of the Company as of the date hereof, or (ii) any successor of a
Continuing Director who is (A) unaffiliated with, and not a designee or
nominee, of Parent or Purchaser, and (B) recommended to succeed a Continuing
Director by a majority of the Continuing Directors then on the Board of
Directors of the Company, and in each case under clauses (i) and (ii), who
is not an employee of the Company;
(f) "control" (including the terms "controlled by" and "under
common control with") means the possession, directly or indirectly or as
trustee or executor, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the
management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or credit arrangement or
otherwise;
(g) "Equity Deferred Contingent Cash Right" means an amount,
rounded up the nearest whole cent, equal to 25% of the Net Recovery (as
defined below) divided by the total number of Shares outstanding immediately
before consummation of the Offer, after giving effect to the exercise after
consummation of the Offer of any Options, Warrants and rights under the
Hills Associate Stock Purchase Plan outstanding on the date hereof;
(h) "Hills Litigation" shall mean the claims filed against the
defendants in Hills Stores Company v. Bozic, et al, (Del. Ch., filed
September 1995), and the counterclaims asserted in such action, and any
other claims by the Company arising out of or with respect to the subject matter
of the claims filed by the Company against the defendants in the aforesaid
action;
(i) "Inventory" means all inventory, goods, merchandise and other
tangible personal property intended for sale or lease, valued using the
retail method on the lower of last-in, first-out (LIFO) cost or market
basis;
(j) "Litigation Committee" means the three individuals (who shall
be reasonably acceptable to the Parent and not have any independent interest
in the Hills Litigation other than as a holder of DCCRs) designated by the
Company's Board of Directors prior to the consummation of the Offer to serve
as the members of such committee. Any vacancy on the Litigation Committee
shall be filled by the remaining members of the Litigation Committee. Any
action of the Litigation Committee must be taken by a majority of its
members;
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(k) "Loan Agreement" means the Loan and Security Agreement, dated
as of September 30, 1996, as subsequently amended, among the financial
institutions named therein as lenders, BankAmerica Business Credit, Inc. as
agent, Hills Department Stores Company as borrower, C.R.H. International,
Inc. as borrower, and the other loan parties named therein;
(l) "Net Recovery" means (1) the sum of (A) cash payments, if any,
actually received by the Surviving Corporation in respect of a final,
non-appealable judgment in or settlement (including any cash tax refund
received by any defendant and paid over to the Surviving Corporation) of the
Hills Litigation and any advances to other parties recovered by the
Surviving Corporation and (B) amounts received after the consummation of the
Offer from certain employees of the Company who settled related claims prior
to such time or who otherwise make payments after such time in respect of
such related claims (including any cash tax refund received by any such
persons and paid over to the Surviving Corporation), together with any
interest earned on the foregoing (such cash payments are hereinafter
referred to as the "Cash Payment") minus, without prioritization, (2) the
sum of (A) the aggregate expenses incurred after consummation of the Offer
by Parent, Purchaser, the Company or the Surviving Corporation in
prosecuting and defending the Hills Litigation and obtaining such Cash
Payment, (B) the aggregate payments or advances by the Company or the
Surviving Corporation after consummation of the Offer to or on behalf of
third parties relating to claims of indemnification in connection with the
Hills Litigation, (C) the Committee Fee, (D) any indemnification payments on
behalf the Litigation Committee pursuant to Section 2.11(g) above, and (E)
any payments or settlements made by the Surviving Corporation on
counterclaims under the Hills Litigation;
(m) "Note Deferred Contingent Cash Right" means, with respect to
any holder of Notes, an amount, rounded up to the nearest whole cent, equal
to 50% of the Net Recovery multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is
the principal amount of the Notes purchased from such holder of Notes, and the
denominator of which is the total principal amount of all Notes purchased in the
Note Offer to Purchase;
(n) "person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited
partnership, syndicate, person (including, without limitation, a "person" as
defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the
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Exchange Act), trust, association or entity or government, political
subdivision, agency or instrumentality of a government;
(o) "Representative" means, with respect to any Person, such
Person's officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives
(including any investment banker, financial advisor, accountant, legal
counsel, agent, representative or expert retained by or acting on behalf of
such Person or its Subsidiaries);
(p) "subsidiary" or "subsidiaries" of the Company, the Surviving
Corporation, Parent, Purchaser or any other person means an affiliate
controlled by such person, directly or indirectly, through one or more
intermediaries;
(q) "Superior Proposal" means an unsolicited bona fide proposal by
a Third Party to acquire, directly or indirectly, for consideration
consisting of cash and/or securities, more than a majority of the Shares
then outstanding or all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or
to acquire, directly or indirectly, the Company by merger or consolidation,
and otherwise on terms which the Board determines in good faith to be more
favorable to the Company's stockholders than the Offer and the Merger (based
on advice of the Company's independent financial advisor that the value of
the consideration provided for in such proposal is superior to the value of
the consideration provided for in the Offer and the Merger), for which
financing, to the extent required, is then committed or which, in the good
faith reasonable judgment of the Board, based on advice from the Company's
independent financial advisor, is reasonably capable of being financed by
such Third Party and which, in the good faith reasonable judgment of the
Board is reasonably likely to be consummated within a period of time not
materially longer in duration than the period of time reasonably believed to
be necessary to consummate the Offer and Merger;
(r) "Takeover Proposal" means any bona fide proposal or offer,
whether in writing or otherwise, from any Person other than Parent,
Purchaser or any affiliates thereof (a "Third Party") to acquire beneficial
ownership (as defined under Rule 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of all or a
material portion of the assets of the Company or any of its material
Subsidiaries or 30% or more of any class of equity securities of the Company
or any of its material Subsidiaries pursuant to a merger, consolidation or
other business combination, sale of shares of capital stock, sale of assets,
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tender offer, exchange offer or similar transaction with respect to either the
Company or any of its material Subsidiaries, including any single or multi-step
transaction or series of related transactions, which is structured to permit
such Third Party to acquire beneficial ownership of any material portion of the
assets of or 30% or more of the equity interest in either the Company or any of
its material Subsidiaries; and
(s) "Working Capital" means, with respect to the Company and its
Subsidiaries on the date the Financial MAC is determined, the excess of (a)
the sum of book cash and cash equivalents plus book bankcard receivables
plus book inventory, less (b) the sum of the outstanding balance under the
Loan Agreement plus book merchandise/trade accounts payable. Such book
amounts shall be determined consistently with the practices used by the
Company in arriving at its regular month-end amounts and/or as defined in
the Company's annual report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998, except that interim
weekly data shall be used to "roll-forward" balances from the end of the
fiscal month of November to December 26, 1998; provided further, that if the
Company has notified the Purchaser's chief financial or chief accounting
officer, in writing delivered by express mail or delivery or by fax, that
(i) the Company has prepaid any sales, payroll or other similar fiduciary
taxes through the period ending January 2, 1999, and (ii) the amount of such
prepayments, that the amount of such prepayments shall be deducted from the
outstanding balance under the Loan Agreement in calculating the Financial
MAC.
SECTION 9.04 Severability. If any term or other provision of this
Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of
law, or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement
shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic
or legal substance of the Transactions is not affected in any manner
materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or
other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the
parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as
to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a
mutually acceptable manner in order that the Transactions be consummated as
originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.
SECTION 9.05 Entire Agreement, Assignment. This Agreement
constitutes the entire agreement among the parties with respect to
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the subject matter hereof and supersedes, except as set forth in Section
6.04(b), all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, among the
parties, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof. This
Agreement shall not be assigned by operation of law or otherwise, except that
Purchaser may assign all or any of its rights and obligations hereunder to any
affiliate of Parent provided that no such assignment shall relieve the assigning
party of its obligations hereunder if such assignee does not perform such
obligations.
SECTION 9.06 Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto, and nothing in
this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any
other person any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or
by reason of this Agreement, other than Section 6.06 (which is intended to
be for the benefit of the persons covered thereby and may be enforced by
such persons) and Section 2.11 (which is intended to be for the benefit of
the holders of the DCCRs and the Litigation Committee but may be enforced
only by the Litigation Committee).
SECTION 9.07 Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that
irreparable damage would occur in the event any provision of this Agreement
was not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the parties
shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof, in addition
to any other remedy at law or equity.
SECTION 9.08 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by,
and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware.
SECTION 9.09 Headings. The descriptive headings contained in this
Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and shall not
affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
SECTION 9.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate
counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original
but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
SECTION 9.11 Certain Undertakings by Parent. Parent shall be
responsible for the performance of, and, if necessary, shall
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perform, or cause to be performed each obligation of Purchaser or the Surviving
Corporation, or either of their permitted successors and assigns, under this
Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Parent, Purchaser and the Company have caused
this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above by their
respective officers thereunto duly authorized.
AMES DEPARTMENT STORES, INC.
By: /s/ Joseph R. Ettore
-----------------------------------
Name: Joseph R. Ettore
Title: President
HSC ACQUISITION CORP.
By: /s/ Joseph R. Ettore
-----------------------------------
Name: Joseph R. Ettore
Title: President
HILLS STORES COMPANY
By: /s/ Chaim Y. Edelstein
-----------------------------------
Name: Chaim Y. Edelstein
Title: Chairman
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ANNEX A
CONDITIONS TO THE STOCK TENDER OFFER
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the
meanings set forth in the Agreement and Plan of Merger of which this Annex A
is a part. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Offer, Purchaser shall
not be required to accept for payment or, subject to any applicable rules
and regulations of the SEC, including Rule 14e-1(c) under the Exchange Act
(relating to Purchaser's obligation to pay for or return tendered Shares
promptly after termination or withdrawal of the Offer), pay for, and may
delay the acceptance for payment of or, subject to the restriction referred
to above, the payment for, any tendered Shares, and may amend the Offer
consistent with the terms of the Agreement or terminate the Offer and not
accept for payment any tendered Shares, if (i) the Minimum Stock Condition
shall not have been satisfied, (ii) the Note Purchase Condition shall not
have been satisfied, (iii) any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act
has not expired or been terminated, or (iv) at any time on or after the date
of the Agreement and prior to the acceptance for payment of Shares, any of
the following events shall occur and be continuing:
(a) there shall be threatened or pending any suit, action or
proceeding by a federal, state, or foreign governmental entity (i) seeking to
prohibit or impose any material limitations on Parent's or Purchaser's ownership
or operation (or that of any of its subsidiaries or affiliates) of all or a
material portion of its or the Company's businesses or assets, (ii) seeking to
compel Parent or Purchaser or their respective subsidiaries or affiliates to
dispose of or hold separate any material portion of the business or assets of
the Company or Parent and their respective subsidiaries, in each case taken as a
whole, (iii) challenging the acquisition by Parent or Purchaser of any Shares
pursuant to the Offer or the Stock Option Agreement, (iv) seeking to restrain or
prohibit the making or consummation of the Offer or the Merger or the
performance of any of the other Transactions, (v) seeking to obtain from the
Company any damages that would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company, (vi) seeking to impose material
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limitations on the ability of Purchaser or Parent, or rendering Purchaser
unable, to accept for payment, pay for or purchase some or all of the Shares
pursuant to the Offer and the Merger, (vii) seeking to impose material
limitations on the ability of Purchaser effectively to exercise full rights of
ownership of the Shares, including, without limitation, the right to vote the
Shares purchased by it on all matters properly presented to the Company's
stockholders, or (viii) which otherwise would have a Material Adverse Effect on
the Company or, as a result of the Transactions, Parent and its subsidiaries; or
(b) there shall be any statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order
or injunction enacted, entered, enforced, promulgated or deemed applicable
to any Transaction, or any other action shall be taken by any governmental
entity, other than the application to the Offer or the Merger of applicable
waiting periods under the HSR Act, that is reasonably likely to result,
directly or indirectly, in any of the consequences referred to in clauses
(i) through (viii) of paragraph (a) above; or
(c) there shall have occurred (1) any general suspension of trading
in, or limitation on prices for, securities on the New York Stock Exchange,
the American Stock Exchange or in the Nasdaq National Market System, for a
period in excess of three hours (excluding suspensions or limitations
resulting solely from physical damage or interference with such exchanges
not related to market conditions), (2) a declaration of a banking moratorium
or any suspension of payments in respect of banks in the United States
(whether or not mandatory), (3) the commencement of a war, armed hostilities
or other international or national calamity directly or indirectly involving
the United States, (4) any limitation or proposed limitation (whether or not
mandatory) by any United States governmental authority or agency that has a
material adverse effect generally on the extension of credit by banks or
other financial institutions, (5) any change in general financial bank or
capital market conditions which has a material adverse effect on the ability
of financial institutions in the United States to extend credit or syndicate
loans, or (6) in the case of any of the situations in clauses (1) through
(5) inclusive, existing on the date hereof, a material acceleration or
worsening thereof; or
(d) the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in
the Agreement shall not be true and accurate as of the date of consummation
of the Offer as though made on or as of such date (except for those
representations and warranties that address matters only as of a particular
date or only with respect to a specific period of time which need only be
true and accurate as of
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such date or with respect to such period) or the Company shall have breached or
failed to perform or comply with any obligation, agreement or covenant required
by the Agreement to be performed or complied with by it except, in each case
where the failure of such representations and warranties to be true and accurate
(without giving effect to any limitation as to "materiality" or "material
adverse effect" set forth herein), or the failure to perform or comply with such
obligations, agreements or covenants, do not, individually or in the aggregate,
have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company or a materially adverse effect on
the ability to consummate the Offer or the Merger or any of the other
Transactions; or
(e) there shall have occurred any events or changes which have had
or would have or constitute, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company; or
(f) the Company's Board of Directors (i) shall have withdrawn, or
modified or changed in a manner adverse to Parent or Purchaser (including by
amendment of the Schedule 14D-9) its recommendation of the Offer, the
Agreement, or the Merger, (ii) shall have recommended a Takeover Proposal,
(iii) shall have adopted any resolution to effect any of the foregoing, or
(iv) upon request of Parent or Purchaser, shall fail to reaffirm its
approval or recommendation of the Offer, the Agreement, the Merger or any of
the other Transactions; or
(g) any Person or "group" (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the
Exchange Act), other than Parent, Purchaser or their affiliates or any group
of which any of them is a member, shall have acquired or announced its
intention to acquire beneficial ownership (as determined pursuant to Rule
13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of the Shares;
(h) any party to the Stock Option Agreement other than Parent or
Purchaser shall have breached or failed to perform any of its agreements
under such agreement or breached any of its representations and warranties
in such agreements or any such agreements shall not be valid, binding and
enforceable, except for such breaches or failures or failures to be valid,
binding and enforceable that do not materially and adversely affect the
benefits expected to be received by Parent or Purchaser under the Stock
Option Agreement;
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(i) the Agreement shall have terminated in accordance with its terms;
(j) Purchaser shall not have received sufficient financing, on
terms at least as favorable to Purchaser as are contained in the Commitment
Letter, to pay the aggregate Merger Consideration payable hereunder, to
purchase the Notes pursuant to the Note Tender Offer and to satisfy the
ongoing working capital needs of the Surviving Corporation (it being agreed
that Parent and Purchaser will use reasonable commercial efforts to
consummate the financing pursuant to the Commitment Letter, subject to
satisfactory documentation in Parent's and Purchaser's reasonable
discretion); or
(k) If the Offer has not expired on or before December 28, 1998,
the Company shall have failed to deliver a certificate to Parent, in form
and substance reasonably acceptable to Arthur Andersen LLP and Parent,
stating that a Financial MAC has not occurred;
which in the sole judgment of Parent or Purchaser, in any such case, and
regardless of the circumstances (including any action or inaction by Parent
or Purchaser not otherwise in breach of this Agreement) giving rise to such
condition makes it inadvisable to proceed with the Offer and/or with such
acceptance for payment of or payments for Shares.
The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of Parent and
Purchaser and may be waived by Parent or Purchaser, in whole or in part, at
any time and from time to time, in the sole discretion of Parent or
Purchaser. The failure by Parent or Purchaser at any time to exercise any of
the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any right and each such
right shall be deemed an ongoing right which may be asserted at any time and
from time to time.
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ANNEX B
CONDITIONS TO THE NOTE TENDER OFFER
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the
meanings set forth in the Agreement and Plan of Merger of which this Annex B
is a part. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Note Tender Offer,
Purchaser shall not be required to accept for payment or pay for, and may
delay the acceptance for payment of or, subject to the restriction referred
to above, the payment for, any tendered Notes, and may amend the Note Tender
Offer consistent with the terms of the Agreement or terminate the Note
Tender Offer and not accept for payment any tendered Notes, if (i) the
Minimum Note Condition shall not have been satisfied, (ii) the Minimum Stock
Condition shall not have been satisfied, or (iii) at any time on or after
the date of the Agreement and prior to the acceptance for payment of Notes
and related Consents, any of the following events shall occur and be
continuing:
(a) there shall be threatened or pending any suit, action or
proceeding by a federal, state or foreign governmental entity (i) seeking to
prohibit or impose any material limitations on Parent's or Purchaser's
ownership or operation (or that of any of its subsidiaries or affiliates) of
all or a material portion of its or the Company's businesses or assets, (ii)
seeking to compel Parent or Purchaser or their respective subsidiaries or
affiliates to dispose of or hold separate any material portion of the
business or assets of the Company or Parent and their respective
subsidiaries, in each case taken as a whole, (iii) challenging the
acquisition by Parent or Purchaser of any Notes pursuant to the Note Tender
Offer or payment for the related Consents, (iv) seeking to restrain or
prohibit the making or consummation of the Note Tender Offer, the seeking of
Consents, or the performance of any of the other Transactions, (v) seeking
to obtain from the Company any damages that would be reasonably likely to
have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, (vi) seeking to impose
material limitations on the ability of Purchaser or Parent, or rendering
Purchaser unable, to accept for payment, pay for or purchase some or all of
the Notes pursuant to the Note Tender Offer, (vii) seeking to impose
material limitations on the ability of Purchaser or Parent effectively to
exercise full rights of ownership of any Notes or related Consents, or
(viii) which otherwise would have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company
or, as a result of the Transactions, Parent and its subsidiaries; or
B-1
<PAGE>
(b) there shall be any statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order
or injunction enacted, entered, enforced, promulgated or deemed applicable
to any Transaction, or any other action shall be taken by any governmental
entity, other than the application to the Offer or the Merger of applicable
waiting periods under the HSR Act, that is reasonably likely to result,
directly or indirectly, in any of the consequences referred to in clauses
(i) through (viii) of paragraph (a) above; or
(c) there shall have occurred (1) any general suspension of trading
in, or limitation on prices for, securities on the New York Stock Exchange,
the American Stock Exchange or in the Nasdaq National Market System, for a
period in excess of three hours (excluding suspensions or limitations
resulting solely from physical damage or interference with such exchanges
not related to market conditions), (2) a declaration of a banking moratorium
or any suspension of payments in respect of banks in the United States
(whether or not mandatory), (3) the commencement of a war, armed hostilities
or other international or national calamity directly or indirectly involving
the United States, (4) any limitation or proposed limitation (whether or not
mandatory) by any United States governmental authority or agency that has a
material adverse effect generally on the extension of credit by banks or
other financial institutions, (5) any change in general financial bank or
capital market conditions which has a material adverse effect on the ability
of financial institutions in the United States to extend credit or syndicate
loans, or (6) in the case of any of the situations in clauses (1) through
(5) inclusive, existing on the date hereof, a material acceleration or
worsening thereof; or
(d) the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in
the Agreement shall not be true and accurate as of the date of consummation
of the Offer as though made on or as of such date (except for those
representations and warranties that address matters only as of a particular
date or only with respect to a specific period of time which need only be
true and accurate as of such date or with respect to such period) or the
Company shall have breached or failed to perform or
B-2
<PAGE>
comply with any obligation, agreement or covenant required by the Agreement to
be performed or complied with by it except, in each case where the failure of
such representations and warranties to be true and accurate (without giving
effect to any limitation as to "materiality" or "material adverse effect" set
forth herein), or the failure to perform or comply with such obligations,
agreements or covenants, do not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company or a materially adverse effect on the
ability to consummate the Offer or the Merger or any of the other Transactions;
or
(e) there shall have occurred any events or changes which have had
or would have or constitute, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company; or
(f) the Company's Board of Directors (i) shall have withdrawn, or
modified or changed in a manner adverse to Parent or Purchaser (including by
amendment of the Schedule 14D-9) its recommendation of the Offer, the
Agreement, or the Merger, (ii) shall have recommended a Takeover Proposal,
(iii) shall have adopted any resolution to effect any of the foregoing, or
(iv) upon request of Parent or Purchaser, shall fail to reaffirm its
approval or recommendation of the Offer, the Agreement, the Merger or any of
the other Transactions; or
(g) any Person or "group" (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the
Exchange Act), other than Parent, Purchaser or their affiliates or any group
of which any of them is a member, shall have acquired or announced its
intention to acquire beneficial ownership (as determined pursuant to Rule
13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of the Shares; or
(h) any party to the Stock Option Agreement other than Parent or
Purchaser shall have breached or failed to perform any of its agreements
under such agreement or breached any of its representations and warranties
in such agreements or any such agreements shall not be valid, binding and
enforceable, except for such breaches or failures or failures to be valid,
binding and enforceable that do not materially and adversely affect the
benefits expected to be received by Parent or Purchaser under the Stock
Option Agreement;
(i) the Agreement shall have terminated in accordance with
its terms;
(j) Purchaser shall not have received sufficient financing, on
terms at least as favorable to Purchaser as are contained in the Commitment
Letter, to pay the aggregate Merger Consideration payable hereunder, to
purchase the Notes pursuant to the Note Tender Offer and to satisfy the
ongoing working capital needs of
B-3
<PAGE>
the Surviving Corporation (it being agreed that Parent and Purchaser will use
reasonable commercial efforts to consummate the financing pursuant to the
Commitment Letter, subject to satisfactory documentation in Parent's and
Purchaser's reasonable discretion); or
(k) If the Note Tender Offer has not expired on or before December
28, 1998, the Company shall have failed to deliver a certificate to Parent,
in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Arthur Andersen LLP and
Parent, stating that a Financial MAC has not occurred;
which in the sole judgment of Parent or Purchaser, in any such case, and
regardless of the circumstances (including any action or inaction by Parent
or Purchaser not otherwise in breach of this Agreement) giving rise to such
condition makes it inadvisable to proceed with the Offer and/or with such
acceptance for payment of or payments for Shares.
The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of Parent and
Purchaser and may be waived by Parent or Purchaser, in whole or in part, at
any time and from time to time, in the sole discretion of Parent or
Purchaser. The failure by Parent or Purchaser at any time to exercise any of
the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any right and each such
right shall be deemed an ongoing right which may be asserted at any time and
from time to time.
B-4
<PAGE>
Exhibit A
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of November 12, 1998, by and between
Hills Stores Company, a Delaware corporation ("Company") and Ames Department
Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Parent").
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, Company, Parent and HSC Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent ("Purchaser"), are entering into an
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof (the "Merger
Agreement"), which provides that, among other things, upon the terms and subject
to the conditions thereof, Purchaser will be merged with and into Company (the
"Merger"); and
WHEREAS, as a condition to Parent's and Purchaser's willingness to
enter into the Merger Agreement, Parent has requested that Company agree, and in
order to induce Parent and Purchaser to enter into the Merger Agreement, Company
has so agreed, to grant to Parent an option with respect to certain shares of
Company's common stock on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual
covenants and agreements set forth herein and in the Merger Agreement and for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. Grant of Option. Company hereby grants Parent an irrevocable option
(the "Stock Option") to purchase up to 2,073,753 shares of common stock, $.01
par value per share, of Company (the "Company Common Stock"), or such other
number of shares of Company Common Stock as equals 19.9% of the issued and
outstanding shares of Company Common Stock at the time of exercise of the Stock
Option, in the manner set forth below, at a price of $1.50 per share (the
"Exercise Price"), payable in cash in accordance with Section 4 hereof.
Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings
set forth in the Merger Agreement.
2. Exercise of Option. The Stock Option may be exercised by Parent, in
whole or in part, at any time or from time to time (a) after the Merger
Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 8.01(d)(i) or 8.01(e)(i)(A) (a
"Trigger Event") or (b) at any time after the acceptance of the Offer by
Purchaser and prior to the Effective Time.
In the event Parent wishes to exercise the Stock Option, Parent shall
deliver to Company a written notice (an "Exercise Notice") specifying the total
number of shares of Company Common Stock it wishes to purchase. Each closing of
a purchase of shares of
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Company Common Stock (a "Closing") shall occur at a place, on a date and at a
time designated by Parent in an Exercise Notice delivered at least two business
days prior to the date of the Closing.
(a) The Stock Option shall terminate upon the earliest of: (i)
the Effective Time; (ii) the termination of the Merger Agreement pursuant to
Section 8.01 thereof, other than a termination as a result of the occurrence of
a Trigger Event; or (iii) 120 days following any termination of the Merger
Agreement as the result of the occurrence of a Trigger Event (or if, at the
expiration of such 120 day period the Stock Option cannot be exercised by reason
of any applicable judgment, decree, order, law or regulation, or because the
applicable waiting period under the HSR Act has not expired or been terminated,
10 business days after such impediment to exercise shall have been removed or
shall have become final and not subject to appeal, but in no event under this
clause (ii) later than 210 days after the date of termination of the Merger
Agreement).
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Stock Option may not be
exercised if Parent is in material breach of any of its representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement or in the Merger
Agreement.
3. Conditions to Closing. The obligation of Company to issue shares of
Company Common Stock to Parent hereunder is subject to the conditions that (i)
all waiting periods, if any, under the HSR Act applicable to the issuance of
shares of Company Common Stock hereunder shall have expired or have been
terminated, and all consents, approvals, orders or authorizations of, or
registrations, declarations or filings with, any federal administrative agency
or commission or other federal governmental authority or instrumentality, if
any, required in connection with the issuance of shares of Company Common Stock
hereunder shall have been obtained or made, as the case may be; and (ii) no
preliminary or permanent injunction or other order by any court of competent
jurisdiction prohibiting or otherwise restraining such issuance shall be in
effect.
4. Closing. At any Closing, (a) Company will deliver to Parent a single
certificate in definitive form representing the number of shares of Company
Common Stock designated by Parent in its Exercise Notice, such certificate to be
registered in the name of Parent, Purchaser or such other affiliate of Parent as
Parent shall designate in the Exercise Notice and shall bear the legend set
forth in Section 10, and (b) Parent will deliver to Company the aggregate
Exercise Price for the shares of Company Common Stock so designated and being
purchased at such Closing by wire transfer of immediately available funds.
5. Representations and Warranties of Company. Company represents and
warrants to Parent that (a) Company is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has
the corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out
its obligations hereunder, (b) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Company and the consummation by Company
2
<PAGE>
of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of Company and no other corporate
proceedings on the part of Company are necessary to authorize this Agreement or
any of the transactions contemplated hereby, (c) this Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by Company and constitutes a valid and binding obligation
of Company, and, assuming this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding
obligation of Parent, is enforceable against Company in accordance with its
terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization,
moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
creditors' rights and to general equity principles, (d) Company has taken all
necessary corporate action to authorize and reserve for issuance and to permit
it to issue, upon exercise of the Stock Option, and at all times from the date
hereof through the expiration of the Stock Option will have so reserved,
2,073,753 unissued shares of Company Common Stock, all of which, upon their
issuance and delivery in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, (e) upon delivery of such shares
of Company Common Stock to Parent upon exercise of the Stock Option, Parent will
acquire valid title to all of such shares, free and clear of any and all liens
of any nature whatsoever, (f) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Company does not, and the performance of this Agreement by Company will not (1)
violate the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of Company, (2) conflict
with or violate any statute, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree
applicable to Company or by which it or any of its assets or properties is bound
or affected, or (3) result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default
(or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default)
under, or give rise to any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or
cancellation of, or result in the creation of any lien on any of the property or
assets of Company pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract,
agreement, lease, license, or other instrument or obligation to which Company or
any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which Company or any of its assets or
properties is bound or affected (except, in the case of clauses (2) or (3)
above, for violations, breaches or defaults which would not, individually or in
the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on Company), and (g) the execution
and delivery of this Agreement by Company does not, and the performance of this
Agreement by Company will not, require any consent, approval, authorization or
permit of, or filing with or notification to, any governmental or regulatory
authority except for pre-merger notification requirements of the HSR Act.
6. Representations and Warranties of Parent. Parent represents and
warrants to Company that (a) Parent is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has
the corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out
its obligations hereunder, (b) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Parent and the consummation by Parent of the transactions contemplated hereby
have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of
Parent and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Parent are necessary to
authorize this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, (c)
this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Parent and constitutes a
valid and binding obligation of Parent, and, assuming this Agreement constitutes
a valid and binding obligation of Company,
3
<PAGE>
is enforceable against Parent in accordance with its terms subject to
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and
similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights
and to general equity principles, (d) the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by Parent does not, and the performance of this Agreement by Parent
will not (1) violate the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of Parent, (2)
conflict with or violate any statute, rule, regulation, order, judgment or
decree applicable to Parent or by which it or any of its properties or assets is
bound or affected, or (3) result in any breach of or constitute a default (or an
event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under,
or give rise to any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or
cancellation of, or result in the creation of a lien on any of the property or
assets of Parent pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract,
agreement, lease, license, or other instrument or obligation to which Parent is
a party or by which Parent or any of its properties or assets is bound or
affected (except, in the case of clauses (2) and (3) above, for violations,
breaches, or defaults which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
material adverse effect on the business, operations, financial condition, assets
or liabilities of Parent), (e) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Parent does not, and the performance of this Agreement by Parent will not,
require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or
notification to, any governmental or regulatory authority, except for pre-merger
notification requirements of the HSR Act, and (f) any shares of Company Common
Stock acquired upon exercise of the Stock Option will be, and the Stock Option
is being, acquired by Parent for its own account and not with a view to the
public distribution or resale thereof in any manner which would be in violation
of applicable United States securities laws.
7. Certain Repurchases. (a) Parent Put. At the request of Parent at any
time during which the Stock Option is exercisable pursuant to Section 2 (the
"Repurchase Period"), Company (or any successor entity thereof) shall repurchase
from Parent the Stock Option, or any portion thereof, for a price equal to the
amount by which the "Market/Tender Offer Price" for shares of Company Common
Stock as of the date Parent gives notice of its intent to exercise its rights
under this Section 7 (defined as the higher of (A) the highest price per share
paid as of such date pursuant to any tender or exchange offer or other Takeover
Proposal or (B) the average of the closing sale prices of shares of Company
Common Stock on the NYSE for the ten trading days immediately preceding such
date) exceeds the Exercise Price, multiplied by the number of shares of Company
Common Stock purchasable pursuant to the Stock Option (or portion thereof with
respect to which Parent is exercising its rights under this Section 7)).
(b) Payment and Redelivery of Stock Option or Shares. In the
event Parent exercises its rights under this Section 7, Company shall, within 10
business days thereafter, pay the required amount to Parent in immediately
available funds and Parent shall surrender to Company the Stock Option.
4
<PAGE>
8. Registration Rights. In the event that Parent shall desire to sell
any of the shares of Company Common Stock purchased pursuant to the Stock Option
within 3 years after such purchase, and such sale requires in the opinion of
counsel to Parent, which opinion shall be reasonably satisfactory to Company and
its counsel, registration of such shares under the Securities Act of 1933,
Parent may, by written notice (the "Registration Notice") to Company (the
"Registrant"), request the Registrant to register under the Securities Act all
or any part of the shares purchased pursuant to the Stock Option ("Restricted
Shares") beneficially owned by Parent (the "Registrable Securities") pursuant to
a bona fide firm commitment underwritten public offering in which the Parent and
the underwriters shall effect as wide a distribution of such Registrable
Securities as is reasonably practicable and shall use their best efforts to
prevent any person (including any "group" (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the
Exchange Act)) and its affiliates from purchasing through such offering
Restricted Shares representing more than 2% of the outstanding shares of common
stock of the Registrant on a fully diluted basis (a "Permitted Offering"). The
Registration Notice shall include a certificate executed by the Parent and its
proposed managing underwriter, which underwriter shall be an investment banking
firm of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to Company (the
"Manager"), stating that (i) they have a good faith intention to commence
promptly a Permitted Offering and (ii) the Manager in good faith believes that,
based on the then prevailing market conditions, it will be able to sell the
Registrable Securities at a per share price to be specified in such Registration
Notice (the "Fair Market Value"). The Registrant (and/or any person designated
by the Registrant) shall thereupon have the option exercisable by written notice
delivered to the Parent within 10 business days after the receipt of the
Registration Notice, irrevocably to agree to purchase all or any part of the
Registrable Securities for cash at a price (the "Option Price") equal to the
product of (i) the number of Registrable Securities and (ii) the Fair Market
Value of such Registrable Securities. Any such purchase of Registrable
Securities by the Registrant hereunder shall take place at a closing to be held
at the principal executive offices of the Registrant or its counsel at any
reasonable date and time designated by the Registrant and its designee in such
notice within 20 business days after delivery of such notice. Any payment for
the shares to be purchased shall be made by delivery at the time of such closing
of the Option Price in immediately available funds.
If the Registrant does not elect to exercise its option
pursuant to this Section 8 with respect to all Registrable Securities designated
in the Registration Notice, it shall use its best efforts to effect, as promptly
as practicable, the registration under the Securities Act of the unpurchased
Registrable Securities; provided, however, that (i) Parent shall not be entitled
to more than an aggregate of two effective registration statements hereunder,
and (ii) the Registrant will not be required to file any such registration
statement during any period of time (not to exceed 90 days after such request in
the case of clause (B) below or 120 days in the case of clause (A) below) when
(A) the Registrant is in possession of material non-public information which it
reasonably believes would be detrimental to be disclosed at such time and, in
the judgment of the Board of Directors of the Registrant, such information would
have to be disclosed if a registration statement were filed at that time; or (B)
the
5
<PAGE>
Registrant is required under the Securities Act to include audited financial
statements for any period in such registration statement and such financial
statements are not yet available for inclusion in such registration statement.
If consummation of the sale of any Registrable Securities pursuant to a
registration hereunder does not occur within 120 days after the filing with the
SEC of the initial registration statement with respect thereto, the provisions
of this Section 8 shall again be applicable to any proposed registration;
provided, however, that Parent shall not be entitled to request more than two
registrations pursuant to this Section 8 in any 12 month period. The Registrant
shall use its best efforts to cause all Registrable Securities registered
pursuant to this Section 8 to be qualified for sale under the securities or
blue-sky laws of such jurisdictions as Parent may reasonably request and shall
continue such registration or qualification in effect in such jurisdiction;
provided, however, that the Registrant shall not be required to qualify to do
business in, or consent to general service of process in, any jurisdiction by
reason of this provision.
The registration rights set forth in this Section 8 are
subject to the condition that Parent shall provide the Registrant with such
information with respect to Parent's Registrable Securities, the plans for the
distribution thereof, and such other information with respect to Parent as, in
the reasonable judgment of counsel for the Registrant, is necessary to enable
the Registrant to include in such registration statement all material facts
required to be disclosed with respect to a registration thereunder.
A registration effected under this Section 8 shall be effected
at the Registrant's expense, except for underwriting discounts and commissions,
and the Registrant shall provide to the underwriters such documentation
(including certificates, opinions of counsel and "comfort" letters from
auditors) as are customary in connection with underwritten public offerings as
such underwriters may reasonably require. In connection with any such
registration, the parties agree (i) to indemnify each other and the underwriters
in the customary manner, and (ii) to enter into an underwriting agreement in
form and substance customary to transactions of this type with the Manager and
the other underwriters participating in such offering.
9. Adjustment upon Changes in Capitalization. In the event of any
change in Company Common Stock by reason of stock dividends, stock splits,
mergers (other than the Merger), recapitalizations, combinations, exchange of
shares or the like, the type and number of shares or securities subject to the
Stock Option, and the Exercise Price per share, shall be adjusted appropriately.
10. Restrictive Legends. Each certificate representing shares of
Company Common Stock issued to Parent hereunder shall initially be endorsed with
a legend in substantially the following form:
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT
BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,
6
<PAGE>
AND MAY BE REOFFERED OR SOLD ONLY IF SO REGISTERED OR IF AN EXEMPTION
FROM SUCH REGISTRATION AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS IS
AVAILABLE. SUCH SECURITIES ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS
ON TRANSFER AS SET FORTH IN THE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT, DATED NOVEMBER
11, 1998, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ISSUER HEREOF.
11. Binding Effect; No Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors,
and permitted assigns. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, neither
this Agreement nor the rights or the obligations of either party hereto are
assignable, except by operation of law, or with the written consent of the other
party. Nothing contained in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to
confer upon any person other than the parties hereto and their respective
permitted assigns any rights or remedies of any nature whatsoever by reason of
this Agreement. Any Restricted Shares sold by a party in compliance with the
provisions of Section 8 shall, upon consummation of such sale, be free of the
restrictions imposed with respect to such shares by this Agreement. In no event
will any transferee of any Restricted Shares be entitled to the rights of Parent
hereunder. Certificates representing shares sold in a registered public offering
pursuant to Section 8 shall not be required to bear the legend set forth in
Section 10.
12. Specific Performance. The parties recognize and agree that if for
any reason any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in
accordance with their specific terms or are otherwise breached, immediate and
irreparable harm or injury would be caused for which money damages would not be
an adequate remedy. Accordingly, each party agrees that, in addition to other
remedies, the other party shall be entitled to an injunction restraining any
violation or threatened violation of the provisions of this Agreement. In the
event that any action should be brought in equity to enforce the provisions of
the Agreement, neither party will allege, and each party hereby waives the
defense, that there is an adequate remedy at law.
13. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Merger Agreement (together
with the other documents and instruments referred to in the Merger Agreement,
and the exhibits and disclosure schedules thereto) constitute the entire
agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersede all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral,
among the parties or any of them with respect to the subject matter hereof.
14. Further Assurances. Each party will execute and deliver all such
further documents and instruments and take all such further action as may be
necessary in order to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
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<PAGE>
15. No Remedy in Certain Circumstances. Each party agrees that, should
any court or other competent authority hold any provision of this Agreement or
part hereof to be null, void or unenforceable, or order any party to take any
action inconsistent herewith or not to take an action consistent herewith or
required hereby, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions and obligations contained or set forth herein shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby, unless the foregoing inconsistent action or the
failure to take an action constitutes a material breach of this Agreement or
makes the Agreement impossible to perform in which case this Agreement shall
terminate. Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, to the extent
that a party hereto took an action inconsistent herewith or failed to take
action consistent herewith or required hereby pursuant to an order or judgment
of a court or other competent authority, such party shall incur no liability or
obligation unless such party did not in good faith seek to resist or object to
the imposition or entering of such order or judgment.
16. Notices. Any notice or communication required or permitted
hereunder shall be in writing and either delivered personally, by recognized
national delivery service or sent by certified or registered mail, postage
prepaid, and shall be deemed to be given upon receipt at the following address,
or to such other address or addresses as such person may subsequently designate
by notice given hereunder:
(a) if to Parent, to:
Ames Department Stores, Inc.
2418 Main Street
Rocky Hill, Connecticut 06067
Attention: David Lissy, Esq.
with a copy (which shall
not constitute notice) to:
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10153
Attention: Jeffrey J. Weinberg, Esq.
(b) if to Company, to:
Hills Stores Company
15 Dan Road
Canton, Massachusetts 02021
Attention: William Friend, Esq.
8
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with a copy (which shall
not constitute notice) to:
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
919 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attention: Paul S. Pearlman, Esq.
17. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to agreements made
and to be performed entirely within such state.
18. Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings herein are inserted
for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of or to
affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which,
taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument.
20. Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in the
Merger Agreement, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring
such expenses.
21. Amendments; Waiver. This Agreement may be amended by the parties
hereto and the terms and conditions hereof may be waived only by an instrument
in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto, or, in the case of a
waiver, by an instrument signed on behalf of the party waiving compliance.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the date first above
written.
HILLS STORES COMPANY
By: /s/ Chaim Y. Edelstein
----------------------------------------
Name: Chaim Y. Edelstein
Title: Chairman
AMES DEPARTMENT STORES, INC.
By: /s/ Joseph R. Ettore
----------------------------------------
Name: Joseph R. Ettore
Title: President
HSC ACQUISITION CORP.
By: /s/ Joseph R. Ettore
----------------------------------------
Name: Joseph R. Ettore
Title: President
10
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Excerpts from the Company's Proxy Statement for its 1998
Annual Meeting of Stockholders, held on June 17, 1998.
Beneficial Ownership
The following table sets forth as of March 31, 1998 information with
respect to beneficial ownership of shares of the Company's Common Stock. The
information was obtained from Company records and information supplied by
the shareholders, including information on Schedules 13D and 13G and Forms 3
and 4 prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). No
person has reported ownership of more than five (5%) percent of the Series A
Preferred Stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percent of Percent of
Name and Address Amount and Nature Common Voting
of Beneficial Owner of Beneficial Ownership Stock Stock (1)
------------------- ----------------------- ----- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
DDJ Capital Management, LLC (2) 904,234 8.7 8.1
141 Linden Street, Suite S-4
Wellesley, MA 02181
ML-Lee Acquisition Fund II, 799,293 7.7 7.1
L.P., ML-Lee Acquisition Fund
(Retirement Accounts) II, L.P.,
Thomas H. Lee Advisors II, L.P. (3)
World Financial Center
South Tower, 23rd Fl.
New York, NY 10080-6123
Europe American Capital Foundation 755,000 7.3 6.7
Lugano Switzerland
</TABLE>
- ---------
(1) Represents the shares of Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock
owned beneficially as a percentage of the aggregate of 10,388,224
shares of Common Stock outstanding and 850,009 shares of Series A
Preferred Stock outstanding. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock is
immediately convertible into one share of Common Stock, and the Series
A Preferred Stock has coextensive voting rights with the Common Stock.
(2) DDJ Capital Management, LLC and its affiliates, DDJ Overseas Corp., DDJ
Galileo, LLC, DDJ Galileo Management, LLC, The Galileo Fund L.P.,
Kepler Overseas Corp., The Copernicus Fund, L.P., DDJ Copernicus, LLC
and DDJ Copernicus Management, LLC, jointly filed a Schedule 13D
showing beneficial ownership of 904,234 shares of Common Stock. DDJ
Copernicus, LLC is the general partner of, and DDJ Copernicus
Management, LLC is the investment manager for, The Copernicus Fund,
L.P. DDJ Galileo, LLC owns all of the voting securities of, and DDJ
Galileo Management, LLC is the investment manager for, DDJ Overseas
Corp. DDJ Galileo, LLC is the general partner of and, DDJ Galileo
Management, LLC is the investment manager for, The Galileo Fund, L.P.
DDJ provides administrative services to the DDJ Affiliates and is the
investment manager for Kepler Overseas Corp. The Company believes that
DDJ and its affiliates listed above may be deemed a group as that term
is used in Rule 13d-5(b) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
(the "Exchange Act").
(3) ML-Lee Acquisition Fund II, L.P. owns beneficially 521,048 shares of
Common
5
<PAGE>
Stock, and ML-Lee Acquisition Fund (Retirement Accounts) II L.P. owns
beneficially 278,245 shares of Common Stock. Thomas H. Lee Advisors II,
L.P., as the investment advisor to both Funds, shares the power to vote
and to direct the disposition of securities held by the Funds and
therefore may be deemed to own beneficially the 799,293 shares of
Common Stock owned beneficially in the aggregate by the Funds. Thomas
H. Lee, who was the Chairman of the Board of the Company until July 5,
1995, is a general partner of both funds.
The following table sets forth as of March 31, 1998 the beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Stock held by each Nominee for Director,
the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table and Directors
and executive officers as a group. None of these persons owns any shares of
Series A Preferred Stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Amount and Nature Percent of Percent of
Beneficial Owner of Beneficial Ownership Common Stock Voting Stock (1)
---------------- ----------------------- ------------ ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Chaim Y. Edelstein 35,935 (2) * *
Stanton J. Bluestone 2,245 (3) * *
John W. Burden III 4,245 (4) * *
Alan S. Cooper 2,245 (3) * *
Mark B. Dickstein 73,215 (5) * *
Samuel L. Katz 3,245 (6) * *
Richard E. Montag 5,000 * *
Gregory K. Raven 232,612 (7) 2.2 2.1
Michael R. Hamilton 22,912 (8) * *
C. Scott Litten 47,522 (9) * *
Frederick L. Angst 42,752 (10) * *
Mark P. Ramsdell 900 (3) * *
Directors and Executive Officers
as a Group (24 Persons) 507,772 (11) 4.8 4.4
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
* Represents less than 1% of outstanding shares.
(1) Represents the shares of Common Stock owned beneficially as a
percentage of the aggregate of 10,388,224 shares of Common Stock
outstanding and 850,009 shares of Preferred Stock outstanding. Each
share of Series A Preferred Stock is immediately convertible into one
share of Common Stock, and the Series A Preferred Stock has coextensive
voting rights with the Common Stock.
(2) Consists of 10,935 exercisable stock options and 25,000 shares of
Common Stock (including 10,000 shares of restricted stock). See section
below captioned "Restricted Stock Agreements".
(3) Consists of exercisable stock options.
(4) Consists of 2,000 shares of Common Stock and 2,245 exercisable stock
options.
(5) Includes 2,245 exercisable stock options owned by Mr. Dickstein
individually and 30,970 shares of Common Stock owned by Dickstein & Co.
L.P. and 40,000 shares of Common Stock owned by Dickstein International
Limited. Mark Dickstein, a Director, is the President and sole director
of Dickstein Partners Inc., which is the general partner of Dickstein
Partners, L.P. and the advisor to Dickstein International Limited.
Dickstein Partners L.P. is the general partner of Dickstein & Co. L.P.
6
<PAGE>
(6) Consists of 1,000 shares of Common Stock and 2,245 exercisable stock
options.
(7) Consists of 129,511 shares of Common Stock (including 100,000 shares of
restricted stock) and 103,101 exercisable stock options. See section
below captioned "Restricted Stock Agreements".
(8) Consists of 15,000 shares of Common Stock and 7,912 exercisable stock
options.
(9) Consists of 32,596 shares of Common Stock and 14,926 exercisable stock
options.
(10) Consists of 35,000 shares of Common Stock and 7,752 exercisable stock
options.
(11) Consists of 324,203 shares of Common Stock (including 110,000 shares of
restricted stock), 182,882 exercisable stock options and 687 shares
issuable upon exercise of Series 1993 Warrants.
Securities and Exchange Commission Filings
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's officers and
Directors and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of
the Company's equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in
ownership with the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange. Officers, Directors
and greater than ten percent shareholders are required by SEC regulations to
furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by it,
or written representations from certain reporting persons that no Forms 5
were required for those persons, the Company believes that for the fiscal
year ended January 31, 1998, its officers, Directors and greater than ten
percent beneficial owners complied with all filing requirements applicable
to them.
7
<PAGE>
Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth the annual and long-term compensation
for service in all capacities to the Company for the fiscal year ended
January 31, 1998 and the two prior fiscal years (identified as fiscal years
1997, 1996 and 1995 respectively) of the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company during the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998 and the other four
most highly compensated executive officers of the Company serving on January
31, 1998 whose salary and bonus exceeded $100,000:
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
ANNUAL COMPENSATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Long Term
Compensation
Name and Fiscal Other Annual Awards: Stock All Other
Principal Position Year Salary Bonus Compensation Options (#) Compensation
- ------------------- ---- ------ ----- ------------ -------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gregory K. Raven ...... 1997 $ 700,000 $ 0 $117,137 (1) 218,704 (2) $ 0
President and Chief 1996 665,274 172,000 (3) 141,221 (4) 300,000 0
Executive Officer 1995 ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Michael R. Hamilton ..... 1997 318,667 0 111,411 (5) 39,561 (6) 3,200 (7)
Executive Vice 1996 87,533 175,000 (3) 16,644 (8) 50,000 0
President -
Operations 1995 ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
C. Scott Litten ........ 1997 310,417 0 10,347 (9) 38,725 (2) 3,200 (7)
Executive Vice 1996 177,230 85,000 (3) 121,931 (10) 50,000 0
President -
Chief Financial 1995 ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Officer
Frederick L. Angst...... 1997 309,535 0 0 39,973 (2) 3,200 (7)
Executive Vice 1996 263,334 51,000 7,891 (11) 5,000 3,200 (7)
President -
Chief Merchandising 1995 283,276 100,000 0 10,000 (6) 3,000 (7)
Officer
Mark P. Ramsdell......... 1997 171,959 54,000 0 12,000 1,591 (7)
Vice President- 1996 90,902 7,500 0 0 ----
Home Division 1995 ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
</TABLE>
- --------------------------
(1) Consists of relocation expenses, including a "gross up" of $43,629 for
federal and state taxes.
(2) Includes repricing of options previously granted. See sections below
captioned "Stock Option Table" and "Ten Year Option Repricings".
(3) The amounts shown represent, in the case of Mr. Raven, a bonus
guaranteed by his employment contract; in the case of Mr. Hamilton, a
hiring bonus of $75,000 and a guaranteed bonus of $100,000; and in the
case of Mr. Litten, a hiring bonus of $25,000 and a guaranteed bonus of
$60,000. See section below captioned "Employment Contracts".
(4) Consists of relocation expenses, including a "gross up" of $54,984 for
federal and state taxes.
(5) Consists of relocation expenses, including a "gross up" of $46,885 for
federal and state taxes.
(6) Consists of repricings of options previously granted. See section below
captioned "Ten Year Option Repricings".
(7) Consists of Company contributions to the Company's 401(k) plan.
8
<PAGE>
(8) Consists of relocation expenses.
(9) Consists of relocation expenses, including a "gross up" of $4,710 for
federal and state taxes.
(10) Consists of relocation expenses, including a "gross up" of $48,375 for
federal and state taxes.
(11) Consists of relocation expenses, including a "gross up" of $3,691for
federal and state taxes.
9
<PAGE>
Employment Contracts
Effective February 7, 1996, the Company entered into an employment
contract with Gregory K. Raven, President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company. The contract provides for a term commencing February 8, 1996 and
terminating January 30, 1999, subject to automatic one-year renewals
thereafter unless either the Company or Mr. Raven gives notice of
non-renewal at least ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the term.
The contract provides for an initial base salary of $700,000 per year,
subject to annual review, and a bonus target of 50% of base salary if
performance goals established by the HR/Compensation Committee (Option
Committee) of the Board of Directors are met. Mr. Raven has the right to
terminate his employment contract for "Good Reason", defined as assignment
of duties inconsistent with his position, removal from his position, a
material reduction in benefits, a relocation of the Company's principal
office outside the Boston metropolitan area or material breach by the
Company. If the Company terminates Mr. Raven without cause or if he
terminates his employment for "Good Reason", then Mr. Raven shall be
entitled to severance pay equal to two times his base pay then in effect. If
within two years following a Change in Control (as defined in the employment
contract) the Company terminates Mr. Raven's employment without cause or he
terminates his employment contract for Good Reason (other than a relocation
of the Company's office), Mr. Raven's severance pay shall be three times his
then current base pay and three times his bonus for the current fiscal year
(assuming all performance goals had been achieved).
For purposes of Mr. Raven's employment contract, a Change in Control
shall have occurred if: (i) a person or entity (other than Dickstein
Partners Inc. and its affiliates) acquires 30% or more of the Company's
voting stock, (ii) the majority of the Board of Directors consists of
persons who were not Incumbent Directors (members of the Board on February
7, 1996 or a person who becomes a member of the Board of Directors
subsequent to February 7, 1996 whose election was supported by a majority of
Incumbent Directors), (iii) the Company liquidates or sells substantially
all of its assets, or (iv) the Company merges or consolidates with another
company and the shareholders of the Company immediately before the
combination hold 50% or less of the combined entity.
If the Company gives Mr. Raven notice of non-renewal of Mr. Raven's
employment contract, the Company will pay Mr. Raven a lump sum equal to two
times Mr. Raven's then base pay and continue his benefits for one year
following expiration of the employment contract.
Mr. Raven's employment contract provides for the issuance of 100,000
shares of restricted stock to Mr. Raven on the terms described in the
section below captioned "Restricted Stock Agreements". Mr. Raven's
employment contract also provides for the issuance to Mr. Raven of options
to purchase 300,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock under the Company's
1993 Stock Option Plan. See sections below captioned "Stock Option Table"
and "Ten Year Option Repricings".
On November 11, 1996, the Company entered into an employment contract
with Michael R. Hamilton, Executive Vice President-Operations, for a term of
three years to October 21, 1999 at an initial base salary of $312,000 per
year, subject to annual review and a bonus target of 50% of base salary. Mr.
Hamilton is entitled to participate in any bonus, stock option or other
incentive compensation plans and other benefit plans of the Company at a
level commensurate with his position.
Mr. Hamilton's employment contract provides for the issuance to Mr.
Hamilton of options to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock
under the Company's 1993 Stock Option Plan. See section below captioned
"Stock Option Table".
10
<PAGE>
Effective November 11, 1997, the Company entered into an employment
contract with C. Scott Litten, Executive Vice President-Chief Financial
Officer, for a term of three (3) years to November 11, 2000 at an initial
base salary of $350,000 per year, subject to annual review and a bonus
target of 50% of base salary if performance goals are met. Mr. Litten is
entitled to participate in any bonus, stock option or other incentive
compensation plans and other benefit plans of the Company at a level
commensurate with his position.
Effective July 22, 1997, the Company entered into an employment
contract with Frederick L. Angst, Executive Vice President-Chief
Merchandising Officer, for a term of three (3) years to July 22, 2000 at a
base salary of $350,000 per year, subject to annual review and a bonus
target of 50% of base salary if performance goals are met. Mr. Angst is
entitled to participate in any bonus, stock option or other incentive
compensation plans and other benefit plans of the Company at a level
commensurate with his position.
Hills executives who participate in the Company's bonus plan,
including Messrs. Raven, Hamilton, Litten, Angst and Ramsdell, may receive a
bonus up to 50% greater than the target amount if performance goals are
exceeded. See the Compensation Committee Report.
Restricted Stock Agreements
The Company entered into a Restricted Stock Agreement dated as of
February 8, 1996 with Gregory K. Raven, President and Chief Executive
Officer. Pursuant to said agreement, the Company issued Mr. Raven 100,000
shares of Common Stock, subject to the restrictions described below. Said
shares may not be sold or otherwise disposed of until the restrictions
expire. The restrictions shall expire as to 60,000 shares on January 30,
1999 and as to 40,000 shares on January 29, 2000. Furthermore, said
restrictions will terminate immediately upon (i) a Change in Control, as
defined in Mr. Raven's employment contract, (ii) termination by the Company
of Mr. Raven's employment contract other than for Cause as defined in Mr.
Raven's employment contract or (iii) termination of Mr. Raven's employment
by Mr. Raven for Good Reason. The shares are subject to forfeiture prior to
vesting upon the termination of Mr. Raven's employment other than as
described in (ii) and (iii) above.
The Company entered into a Restricted Stock Agreement with Chaim Y.
Edelstein, Chairman of the Board, dated as of February 8, 1996. Pursuant to
said agreement, the Company issued Mr. Edelstein 20,000 shares of Common
Stock, subject to the restrictions described below. The restricted shares
may not be sold or otherwise disposed of until the restrictions expire. The
restrictions will expire as to 5,000 shares on each of the first four
anniversaries of February 8, 1996, so long as Mr. Edelstein is at that time
available, willing and able to provide consulting services to the Company
and Mr. Edelstein's consulting agreement has not been terminated by the
Company for cause (as defined in the consulting agreement). The restrictions
shall immediately terminate in the event of death or disability or if Mr.
Edelstein terminates the consulting agreement for Good Reason, as defined
therein. The shares are subject to forfeiture prior to vesting should Mr.
Edelstein not be available, willing and able to perform consulting services
for the Company.
Compensation of Directors
The Company pays a fee of $2,000 per month to non-employee Directors,
plus $1,000 for each meeting of the Board and $500 for each committee
meeting attended, plus expenses. Committee chairmen receive $750 for each
committee meeting attended. Messrs. Edelstein and Raven do not receive
Directors fees.
11
<PAGE>
Pursuant to the 1996 Directors Stock Option Plan, each Participating
Director has been granted an option to purchase 4,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock and will be granted an option to purchase 2,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock on the first business day of each
fiscal year. Mr. Edelstein and Mr. Raven did not receive grants under the
1996 Directors Stock Option Plan.
During the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998, the Company paid Mr.
Edelstein consulting fees of $400,000. The Company entered into a consulting
agreement dated as of February 8, 1998 with Mr. Edelstein which extended a
previous agreement dated February 7, 1997. The consulting agreement is for a
term to February 7, 1999 during which time Mr. Edelstein will assist the
Company with its merchandise, marketing and strategic planning efforts. The
consulting agreement provides that the Company will pay Mr. Edelstein a
consulting fee of $ 250,000 per year. Mr. Edelstein is eligible to
participate in the Company's bonus plan if performance goals are met. Under
the Company's bonus plan, Mr. Edelstein may receive a bonus up to 50%
greater than the target amount if performance goals are exceeded.
12
<PAGE>
Stock Option Table
The following table sets forth grants during the fiscal year ended
January 31, 1998 of options to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock
under the Company's 1993 Stock Option Plan to the individuals named in the
Summary Compensation Table. In addition to the grants described in the table
below, on March 10, 1998, the named executive officers were granted options
to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock under the 1993 Stock Option
Plan as follows: Mr. Raven, 30,000 shares; Messrs. Hamilton, Litten and
Angst, 10,000 shares each; and Mr. Ramsdell, 3,000 shares. Said grants are
at an exercise price of $2.75 per share, the closing price of the Company's
Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of the grant, and
have a ten year term, expiring March 10, 2008.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Potential Realizable
Value at Assumed
Number of % of Total Annual Rates of Stock
Securities Options Price Appreciation
Underlying Granted to Exercise for Option Term (1)
Options Employees in or Base Expiration ------------------------------
Name Granted Fiscal Year Price Date 5% 10%
- ---- ------- ----------- ------ ---- -- ---
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gregory K. Raven........ 193,704 (2) 26.1 % $ 5.00 02/07/06 $ 456,747 $ 1,901,861
25,000 3.4 4.625 03/11/07 63,747 157,013
Michael R. Hamilton..... 39,561 (2) 5.3 5.00 10/21/06 102,967 250,942
C. Scott Litten......... 28,725 (2) 3.9 5.00 04/23/06 69,459 166,814
10,000 1.4 4.625 03/11/07 25,499 62,805
Frederick L. Angst...... 5,917 (2) * 5.00 04/21/04 10,227 23,263
3,056 (2) * 5.00 03/25/06 7,296 17,474
6,000 * 4.625 03/11/07 15,299 31,735
25,000 3.4 2.75 07/22/07 39,681 98,763
Mark P. Ramsdell........ 4,500 * 4.625 03/11/07 11,475 28,262
4,000 * 5.125 08/20/07 11,965 29,852
3,500 * 3.75 11/11/07 7,915 19,886
</TABLE>
- ---------------------------
(1) The amounts shown as potential realizable value illustrate what might
be realized upon exercise immediately prior to expiration using the 5%
and 10% appreciation rates established in regulations of the SEC,
compounded annually. The potential realizable value is not intended to
predict future appreciation of the price of the Company's Common Stock.
The values shown do not consider nontransferability, vesting over five
years or termination of the options upon termination of employment.
(2) Repricing of previously granted option. See table captioned "Ten Year
Option Repricings" below.
* Less than 1%
13
<PAGE>
The following table sets forth all stock option/SAR repricings during
the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998 and during the Company's last ten
(10) fiscal years relating to the persons listed in the Summary Compensation
Table.
TEN YEAR OPTION REPRICINGS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Number of Length of
Securities Securities Original
Underlying Underlying Exercise Market Option Term
Options Options Price At Price At New Remaining
Prior to After Time Of Time Of Exercise At Date Of
Name Date Repricing Repricing Repricing Repricing Price Repricing
- ---- ---- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gregory K. Raven ...... 03/11/97 300,000 193,704 $10.125 $4.625 $ 5.00 02/07/06
03/08/96 300,000 300,000 12.00 9.875 10.125 02/07/06
Michael R. Hamilton... 03/11/97 50,000 39,561 7.125 4.625 5.00 10/21/06
C. Scott Litten ....... 03/11/97 50,000 28,725 12.75 4.625 5.00 04/23/06
Frederick L. Angst .... 03/11/97 10,000 5,917 12.00 4.625 5.00 04/21/04
03/11/97 5,000 3,056 11.25 4.625 5.00 03/25/06
11/04/95 15,000 10,000 19.50 9.25 12.00 04/21/04
Mark P. Ramsdell....... ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
</TABLE>
- ---------------------------
On March 11, 1997, the Company offered to Hills employees holding
stock options the opportunity to reprice their then existing stock options.
Under the terms of the offer, subject to certain restrictions on exercise,
the holder of a stock option was given the opportunity to exchange his or
her stock options, which had exercise prices ranging from $3.00 to $12.75
per share, for a reduced number of stock options at an exercise price of
$5.00 per share. On March 11, 1997, the closing price of the Company's
Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $4.625 per share.
The amount of the reduction in the number of stock options was based
on a formula pursuant to which Vice Presidents and above, including Mr.
Raven, had their stock options reduced to a proportionately greater degree
than other members of management. In addition, the repricing was contingent
on recipients agreeing not to exercise any repriced stock options for one
year following repricing and not to exercise more than one-half of otherwise
exercisable repriced stock options during the second year following the
repricing. Subject to the foregoing sentence, vesting did not change.
A majority of Hills executives holding stock options, including
Messrs. Raven, Litten, Hamilton and Angst, accepted the offer, and their
stock options were repriced accordingly.
As a result of the March 1997 repricings, holders of the Company's
stock options relinquished, on a net basis, options to purchase 226,015
shares of Common Stock, including 144,037 options relinquished, on a net
basis, in the aggregate by Mr. Raven and the other named executive officers.
14
<PAGE>
Option Exercises in Fiscal 1997
The following table sets forth information regarding the number and
value of stock option exercises during the last fiscal year and unexercised
stock options as of January 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Unexercised Value of Unexercised In the
Options at Fiscal Money Options at
Shares Year End Year End
Acquired Value ------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Name On Exercise Realized Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- ---- ----------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gregory K. Raven..... 0 0 96,851 (1) 121,853 0 0
Michael R. Hamilton.. 0 0 7,912 (1) 31,649 0 0
C. Scott Litten....... 0 0 5,745 (1) 32,980 0 0
Frederick L. Angst.... 0 0 5,048 (1) 34,925 0 $9,375
Mark P. Ramsdell...... 0 0 0 12,000 0 0
</TABLE>
- -----------------------
(1) In connection with their March 11, 1997 stock option repricings, all
holders of repriced stock options, including Messrs. Raven, Litten,
Hamilton and Angst, agreed not to exercise any stock options for one
year following the repricings and not to exercise more than one-half of
the stock options which would otherwise be exercisable during the
second year following the repricing. See section above captioned "Ten
Year Option Repricings".
Long Term Incentive Plan Awards
The Company does not have a long term incentive plan, and the Company
made no long term incentive plan awards in fiscal 1997.
Compensation Committee Report
In accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, the following
report of the HR/Compensation Committee (Option Committee) and the
performance graph thereafter shall not be deemed to be "soliciting material"
or to be "filed" with the SEC or subject to Regulations 14A or 14C of the
Exchange Act or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act and
shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, notwithstanding
any general incorporation by reference of this Proxy Statement into any
other filed document.
The Company's Board of Directors has established the HR/Compensation
Committee (Option Committee) (the "Committee"), consisting entirely of
Outside Directors. The Committee's functions include:
(i) Reviewing the corporate compensation programs, including the
compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, and policies to
insure that the programs and policies are competitive and
provide for internal fairness;
(ii) Reviewing and advising the Chief Executive Officer about
specific compensation matters for officers and executives;
(iii) Overseeing the Company's performance bonus program;
(iv) Administering the Hills Stores Company 1993 Incentive and
Nonqualified Stock Option Plan;
15
<PAGE>
(v) Administering the Hills Stores Company 162(m) Bonus Plan; and
(vi) Such other duties as the Chairman of the Board may assign.
Overview
The objective of the Company's executive compensation program is to
attract and retain executives with high levels of talent and expertise in
areas related to retailing and to encourage these executives to achieve
superior performance on behalf of the Company and its shareholders. The
Company believes the changes made to its executive compensation program in
1996 (adjusting salaries, especially below the vice president level, and
tying bonus eligibility and payout more closely to individual performance)
have brought the Company more in line with the companies with which it
competes for executive talent, enabled it to attract and retain talented
people and to become more competitive in the marketplace.
Executive compensation generally consists of the following basic
components: base salary, performance bonus, stock option grants and awards
of restricted stock.
Base Salary
Base salaries for executive officers are determined by the Company by
evaluating the duties and responsibilities of each position and the
experience of the executive and by conducting executive salary surveys and
comparing salaries for similar positions with other companies. Annual salary
increases and adjustments are determined by the Company and based on
individual performance, changes in responsibilities, and market-based salary
comparisons with other retail companies. Salaries of all executives are
reviewed annually.
Performance Bonus
A portion of executive compensation is directly related to Company
performance by means of the Company's performance bonus program, which was
revised in 1996 to place greater emphasis on individual performance and to
provide additional incentives for outstanding performance. Depending on
position, bonus targets range from 15% to 50% of an executive's base salary.
Actual payout is determined by Company performance, including achievement of
financial and profit goals, and by individual performance.
Early in each year, the Board of Directors approves performance goals
for the Company and for individual executives. Individual performance goals
vary by position. Even if Company performance goals are met, individual
bonuses may be less than targeted amounts if individual goals are not met.
In addition, it is possible for an executive who meets or exceeds individual
goals to receive a bonus even if Company goals are not met. In order to
reward superior performance, bonuses for certain individuals can exceed the
target amount by up to 50% if performance goals are exceeded.
For the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998, the Company goal was a
target of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
(EBITDA). The size of the bonus pool is determined by the level of
attainment of the Company's goals. EBITDA thresholds in descending amounts
were established for a full target bonus pool and lesser bonus pools. In
fiscal 1997, the Company failed to meet its bonus goals. Therefore,
executives whose bonus eligibility was tied entirely to Company performance,
including Messrs. Raven, Litten, Hamilton and Angst, did not receive
bonuses. Because a portion of Mr. Ramsdell's bonus eligibility was based on
his attainment of individual goals, and because he far exceeded those goals,
Mr. Ramsdell earned a cash bonus of $54,000.
16
<PAGE>
Stock Option Plan
The Company's 1993 Stock Option Plan is intended to provide a
long-term incentive and to motivate executives to increase the long-term
market value of the Company's Common Stock. During the fiscal year ended
January 31, 1998, options to purchase a total of 742,240 shares of the
Common Stock of the Company were granted to 126 individuals, including
Messrs. Raven, Litten, Hamilton, Angst and Ramsdell. See the section
captioned "Stock Option Table".
The Committee determines the amount and timing of grants under the
Company's 1993 Stock Option Plan. No member of the Committee has received a
grant under the 1993 Stock Option Plan.
Repricing of Stock Options
On March 11, 1997, recognizing that exercise prices with respect to
options held by employees under the 1993 Stock Option Plan were
substantially above the fair market value of the Common Stock, the Committee
offered Hills employees holding stock options, including Mr. Raven and the
other then current executive officers named in the Summary Compensation
Table, the opportunity to reprice their then existing stock options. Under
the terms of the offer, subject to agreeing to certain restrictions on
exercise, the holder of an option was given the opportunity to exchange his
or her stock options, which had exercise prices ranging from $3.00 to $12.75
per share, for a reduced number of stock options at an exercise price of
$5.00 per share. On March 11, 1997, the closing price of the Company's
Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $4.625 per share.
The amounts of the reduction in the number of options was based on a
formula, with Vice Presidents and above, including Mr. Raven, having their
options reduced to a proportionately greater degree than other members of
management. In addition, the offer was conditioned on the holder of an
option agreeing not to exercise any repriced stock options for one year
after the repricing and not to exercise more than one-half of repriced stock
options which would otherwise be exercisable during the second year
following the repricing. Subject to the foregoing sentence, vesting did not
change.
A majority of executives holding stock options, including Messrs.
Raven, Litten, Hamilton and Angst, accepted the offer, and their stock
options were repriced accordingly. The results of the repricing are as
follows: Mr. Raven exchanged 300,000 stock options with an exercise price of
$10.125 per share for 193,704 stock options with an exercise price of $5.00
per share. Mr. Litten exchanged 50,000 stock options with an exercise price
of $ 12.75 per share for 28,725 stock options with an exercise price of
$5.00 per share. Mr. Hamilton exchanged 50,000 stock options with an
exercise price of $7.125 per share for 39,561 stock options with an exercise
price of $5.00 per share. Mr. Angst exchanged 10,000 stock options with an
exercise price of $12.00 per share for 5,917 stock options with an exercise
price of $5.00 per share and 5,000 stock options with an exercise price of
$11.25 per share for 3,056 stock options with an exercise price of $5.00 per
share.
As a result of the March 1997 repricings, holders of the Company's
stock options relinquished, on a net basis, options to purchase 226,015
shares of Common Stock, including 144,037 options relinquished, on a net
basis, in the aggregate by Mr. Raven and the other named executive officers.
The Committee believes that the foregoing option repricings will
motivate and provide additional incentive to the grantees to improve the
Company's performance and enhance shareholder value.
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Restricted Stock Awards
From time to time the Committee may make awards of restricted stock to
individuals including executive officers. On February 7, 1996, the Company
awarded Mr. Raven 100,000 shares of restricted stock and Mr. Edelstein
20,000 shares of restricted stock. The Committee believes that restricted
stock awards assist the Company in attracting and retaining qualified
individuals and serve to motivate the recipients to improve the Company's
operating results and enhance shareholder value.
Compensation of Chief Executive Officer
The Company entered into an employment agreement dated February 8,
1996 with Gregory K. Raven as President and Chief Executive Officer for a
term from February 8, 1996 to January 30, 1999 at a salary of $700,000 per
year, subject to annual review. Mr. Raven's contract provides for a targeted
bonus amount of 50% of his base salary, subject to meeting performance
goals. Because the Company failed to meet its bonus goals for fiscal 1997,
Mr. Raven did not receive a bonus. Mr. Raven's contract provided for a grant
of 300,000 options pursuant to the 1993 Stock Option Plan and an award of
100,000 shares of restricted stock. See section captioned "Employment
Contracts".
Section 162(m) Policy
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code provides that annual
compensation in excess of $1,000,000 to the Company's Chief Executive
Officer or any other executive officer named in the Summary Compensation
Table will not be tax deductible by the Company, subject to certain
exceptions, which include shareholder approved programs. The Hills Store
Company 162(m) Bonus Plan permits the Company to maximize tax deductibility
of cash compensation in excess of $1,000,000 by setting performance
standards and designating participants early in each year. Executives who
participate in the Company's 162(m) Bonus Plan do not participate in the
Company's regular performance bonus plan. The Committee anticipates that
only Mr. Raven will participate in the Hills Stores Company 162(m) Bonus
Plan in the current fiscal year and be eligible to receive compensation
thereunder if performance goals are met.
While it is the policy of the Committee to maximize the tax
deductibility to the Company of compensation to executive officers where
practicable, the Committee reserves the right to establish alternative
incentive arrangements for otherwise eligible executives if it determines in
its discretion that it would be in the best interest of the Company and its
shareholders to do so, even if the result is loss of tax deductibility to
the Company for certain compensation arrangements.
No member of the Committee is a current or former officer or employee
of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
HR/COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
(OPTION COMMITTEE)
Mark B. Dickstein
Stanton J. Bluestone
John W. Burden III
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998, no executive officer of
the Company (i) served on the board of directors of any company of which Mr.
Dickstein, Mr. Bluestone or Mr. Burden (the members of the Company's
HR/Compensation Committee (Option Committee) was an executive officer or
(ii) served as a member of the compensation committee (or other board
committee performing
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equivalent functions or, in the absence of such a committee, on the board)
of another entity, one of whose executive officers is a member of the Board
of Directors of the Company.
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STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of November 12, 1998, by and between
Hills Stores Company, a Delaware corporation ("Company") and Ames Department
Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Parent").
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, Company, Parent and HSC Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent ("Purchaser"), are entering into an
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof (the "Merger
Agreement"), which provides that, among other things, upon the terms and subject
to the conditions thereof, Purchaser will be merged with and into Company (the
"Merger"); and
WHEREAS, as a condition to Parent's and Purchaser's willingness to
enter into the Merger Agreement, Parent has requested that Company agree, and in
order to induce Parent and Purchaser to enter into the Merger Agreement, Company
has so agreed, to grant to Parent an option with respect to certain shares of
Company's common stock on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual
covenants and agreements set forth herein and in the Merger Agreement and for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. Grant of Option. Company hereby grants Parent an irrevocable option
(the "Stock Option") to purchase up to 2,073,753 shares of common stock, $.01
par value per share, of Company (the "Company Common Stock"), or such other
number of shares of Company Common Stock as equals 19.9% of the issued and
outstanding shares of Company Common Stock at the time of exercise of the Stock
Option, in the manner set forth below, at a price of $1.50 per share (the
"Exercise Price"), payable in cash in accordance with Section 4 hereof.
Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings
set forth in the Merger Agreement.
2. Exercise of Option. The Stock Option may be exercised by Parent, in
whole or in part, at any time or from time to time (a) after the Merger
Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 8.01(d)(i) or 8.01(e)(i)(A) (a
"Trigger Event") or (b) at any time after the acceptance of the Offer by
Purchaser and prior to the Effective Time.
In the event Parent wishes to exercise the Stock Option, Parent shall
deliver to Company a written notice (an "Exercise Notice") specifying the total
number of shares of Company Common Stock it wishes to purchase. Each closing of
a purchase of shares of
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Company Common Stock (a "Closing") shall occur at a place, on a date and at a
time designated by Parent in an Exercise Notice delivered at least two business
days prior to the date of the Closing.
(a) The Stock Option shall terminate upon the earliest of: (i)
the Effective Time; (ii) the termination of the Merger Agreement pursuant to
Section 8.01 thereof, other than a termination as a result of the occurrence of
a Trigger Event; or (iii) 120 days following any termination of the Merger
Agreement as the result of the occurrence of a Trigger Event (or if, at the
expiration of such 120 day period the Stock Option cannot be exercised by reason
of any applicable judgment, decree, order, law or regulation, or because the
applicable waiting period under the HSR Act has not expired or been terminated,
10 business days after such impediment to exercise shall have been removed or
shall have become final and not subject to appeal, but in no event under this
clause (ii) later than 210 days after the date of termination of the Merger
Agreement).
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Stock Option may not be
exercised if Parent is in material breach of any of its representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement or in the Merger
Agreement.
3. Conditions to Closing. The obligation of Company to issue shares of
Company Common Stock to Parent hereunder is subject to the conditions that (i)
all waiting periods, if any, under the HSR Act applicable to the issuance of
shares of Company Common Stock hereunder shall have expired or have been
terminated, and all consents, approvals, orders or authorizations of, or
registrations, declarations or filings with, any federal administrative agency
or commission or other federal governmental authority or instrumentality, if
any, required in connection with the issuance of shares of Company Common Stock
hereunder shall have been obtained or made, as the case may be; and (ii) no
preliminary or permanent injunction or other order by any court of competent
jurisdiction prohibiting or otherwise restraining such issuance shall be in
effect.
4. Closing. At any Closing, (a) Company will deliver to Parent a single
certificate in definitive form representing the number of shares of Company
Common Stock designated by Parent in its Exercise Notice, such certificate to be
registered in the name of Parent, Purchaser or such other affiliate of Parent as
Parent shall designate in the Exercise Notice and shall bear the legend set
forth in Section 10, and (b) Parent will deliver to Company the aggregate
Exercise Price for the shares of Company Common Stock so designated and being
purchased at such Closing by wire transfer of immediately available funds.
5. Representations and Warranties of Company. Company represents and
warrants to Parent that (a) Company is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has
the corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out
its obligations hereunder, (b) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Company and the consummation by Company
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of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of Company and no other corporate
proceedings on the part of Company are necessary to authorize this Agreement or
any of the transactions contemplated hereby, (c) this Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by Company and constitutes a valid and binding obligation
of Company, and, assuming this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding
obligation of Parent, is enforceable against Company in accordance with its
terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization,
moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
creditors' rights and to general equity principles, (d) Company has taken all
necessary corporate action to authorize and reserve for issuance and to permit
it to issue, upon exercise of the Stock Option, and at all times from the date
hereof through the expiration of the Stock Option will have so reserved,
2,073,753 unissued shares of Company Common Stock, all of which, upon their
issuance and delivery in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, (e) upon delivery of such shares
of Company Common Stock to Parent upon exercise of the Stock Option, Parent will
acquire valid title to all of such shares, free and clear of any and all liens
of any nature whatsoever, (f) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Company does not, and the performance of this Agreement by Company will not (1)
violate the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of Company, (2) conflict
with or violate any statute, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree
applicable to Company or by which it or any of its assets or properties is bound
or affected, or (3) result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default
(or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default)
under, or give rise to any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or
cancellation of, or result in the creation of any lien on any of the property or
assets of Company pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract,
agreement, lease, license, or other instrument or obligation to which Company or
any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which Company or any of its assets or
properties is bound or affected (except, in the case of clauses (2) or (3)
above, for violations, breaches or defaults which would not, individually or in
the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on Company), and (g) the execution
and delivery of this Agreement by Company does not, and the performance of this
Agreement by Company will not, require any consent, approval, authorization or
permit of, or filing with or notification to, any governmental or regulatory
authority except for pre-merger notification requirements of the HSR Act.
6. Representations and Warranties of Parent. Parent represents and
warrants to Company that (a) Parent is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has
the corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out
its obligations hereunder, (b) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Parent and the consummation by Parent of the transactions contemplated hereby
have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of
Parent and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Parent are necessary to
authorize this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, (c)
this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Parent and constitutes a
valid and binding obligation of Parent, and, assuming this Agreement constitutes
a valid and binding obligation of Company,
3
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is enforceable against Parent in accordance with its terms subject to
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and
similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights
and to general equity principles, (d) the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by Parent does not, and the performance of this Agreement by Parent
will not (1) violate the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of Parent, (2)
conflict with or violate any statute, rule, regulation, order, judgment or
decree applicable to Parent or by which it or any of its properties or assets is
bound or affected, or (3) result in any breach of or constitute a default (or an
event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under,
or give rise to any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or
cancellation of, or result in the creation of a lien on any of the property or
assets of Parent pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract,
agreement, lease, license, or other instrument or obligation to which Parent is
a party or by which Parent or any of its properties or assets is bound or
affected (except, in the case of clauses (2) and (3) above, for violations,
breaches, or defaults which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
material adverse effect on the business, operations, financial condition, assets
or liabilities of Parent), (e) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Parent does not, and the performance of this Agreement by Parent will not,
require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or
notification to, any governmental or regulatory authority, except for pre-merger
notification requirements of the HSR Act, and (f) any shares of Company Common
Stock acquired upon exercise of the Stock Option will be, and the Stock Option
is being, acquired by Parent for its own account and not with a view to the
public distribution or resale thereof in any manner which would be in violation
of applicable United States securities laws.
7. Certain Repurchases. (a) Parent Put. At the request of Parent at any
time during which the Stock Option is exercisable pursuant to Section 2 (the
"Repurchase Period"), Company (or any successor entity thereof) shall repurchase
from Parent the Stock Option, or any portion thereof, for a price equal to the
amount by which the "Market/Tender Offer Price" for shares of Company Common
Stock as of the date Parent gives notice of its intent to exercise its rights
under this Section 7 (defined as the higher of (A) the highest price per share
paid as of such date pursuant to any tender or exchange offer or other Takeover
Proposal or (B) the average of the closing sale prices of shares of Company
Common Stock on the NYSE for the ten trading days immediately preceding such
date) exceeds the Exercise Price, multiplied by the number of shares of Company
Common Stock purchasable pursuant to the Stock Option (or portion thereof with
respect to which Parent is exercising its rights under this Section 7)).
(b) Payment and Redelivery of Stock Option or Shares. In the
event Parent exercises its rights under this Section 7, Company shall, within 10
business days thereafter, pay the required amount to Parent in immediately
available funds and Parent shall surrender to Company the Stock Option.
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<PAGE>
8. Registration Rights. In the event that Parent shall desire to sell
any of the shares of Company Common Stock purchased pursuant to the Stock Option
within 3 years after such purchase, and such sale requires in the opinion of
counsel to Parent, which opinion shall be reasonably satisfactory to Company and
its counsel, registration of such shares under the Securities Act of 1933,
Parent may, by written notice (the "Registration Notice") to Company (the
"Registrant"), request the Registrant to register under the Securities Act all
or any part of the shares purchased pursuant to the Stock Option ("Restricted
Shares") beneficially owned by Parent (the "Registrable Securities") pursuant to
a bona fide firm commitment underwritten public offering in which the Parent and
the underwriters shall effect as wide a distribution of such Registrable
Securities as is reasonably practicable and shall use their best efforts to
prevent any person (including any "group" (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the
Exchange Act)) and its affiliates from purchasing through such offering
Restricted Shares representing more than 2% of the outstanding shares of common
stock of the Registrant on a fully diluted basis (a "Permitted Offering"). The
Registration Notice shall include a certificate executed by the Parent and its
proposed managing underwriter, which underwriter shall be an investment banking
firm of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to Company (the
"Manager"), stating that (i) they have a good faith intention to commence
promptly a Permitted Offering and (ii) the Manager in good faith believes that,
based on the then prevailing market conditions, it will be able to sell the
Registrable Securities at a per share price to be specified in such Registration
Notice (the "Fair Market Value"). The Registrant (and/or any person designated
by the Registrant) shall thereupon have the option exercisable by written notice
delivered to the Parent within 10 business days after the receipt of the
Registration Notice, irrevocably to agree to purchase all or any part of the
Registrable Securities for cash at a price (the "Option Price") equal to the
product of (i) the number of Registrable Securities and (ii) the Fair Market
Value of such Registrable Securities. Any such purchase of Registrable
Securities by the Registrant hereunder shall take place at a closing to be held
at the principal executive offices of the Registrant or its counsel at any
reasonable date and time designated by the Registrant and its designee in such
notice within 20 business days after delivery of such notice. Any payment for
the shares to be purchased shall be made by delivery at the time of such closing
of the Option Price in immediately available funds.
If the Registrant does not elect to exercise its option
pursuant to this Section 8 with respect to all Registrable Securities designated
in the Registration Notice, it shall use its best efforts to effect, as promptly
as practicable, the registration under the Securities Act of the unpurchased
Registrable Securities; provided, however, that (i) Parent shall not be entitled
to more than an aggregate of two effective registration statements hereunder,
and (ii) the Registrant will not be required to file any such registration
statement during any period of time (not to exceed 90 days after such request in
the case of clause (B) below or 120 days in the case of clause (A) below) when
(A) the Registrant is in possession of material non-public information which it
reasonably believes would be detrimental to be disclosed at such time and, in
the judgment of the Board of Directors of the Registrant, such information would
have to be disclosed if a registration statement were filed at that time; or (B)
the
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<PAGE>
Registrant is required under the Securities Act to include audited financial
statements for any period in such registration statement and such financial
statements are not yet available for inclusion in such registration statement.
If consummation of the sale of any Registrable Securities pursuant to a
registration hereunder does not occur within 120 days after the filing with the
SEC of the initial registration statement with respect thereto, the provisions
of this Section 8 shall again be applicable to any proposed registration;
provided, however, that Parent shall not be entitled to request more than two
registrations pursuant to this Section 8 in any 12 month period. The Registrant
shall use its best efforts to cause all Registrable Securities registered
pursuant to this Section 8 to be qualified for sale under the securities or
blue-sky laws of such jurisdictions as Parent may reasonably request and shall
continue such registration or qualification in effect in such jurisdiction;
provided, however, that the Registrant shall not be required to qualify to do
business in, or consent to general service of process in, any jurisdiction by
reason of this provision.
The registration rights set forth in this Section 8 are
subject to the condition that Parent shall provide the Registrant with such
information with respect to Parent's Registrable Securities, the plans for the
distribution thereof, and such other information with respect to Parent as, in
the reasonable judgment of counsel for the Registrant, is necessary to enable
the Registrant to include in such registration statement all material facts
required to be disclosed with respect to a registration thereunder.
A registration effected under this Section 8 shall be effected
at the Registrant's expense, except for underwriting discounts and commissions,
and the Registrant shall provide to the underwriters such documentation
(including certificates, opinions of counsel and "comfort" letters from
auditors) as are customary in connection with underwritten public offerings as
such underwriters may reasonably require. In connection with any such
registration, the parties agree (i) to indemnify each other and the underwriters
in the customary manner, and (ii) to enter into an underwriting agreement in
form and substance customary to transactions of this type with the Manager and
the other underwriters participating in such offering.
9. Adjustment upon Changes in Capitalization. In the event of any
change in Company Common Stock by reason of stock dividends, stock splits,
mergers (other than the Merger), recapitalizations, combinations, exchange of
shares or the like, the type and number of shares or securities subject to the
Stock Option, and the Exercise Price per share, shall be adjusted appropriately.
10. Restrictive Legends. Each certificate representing shares of
Company Common Stock issued to Parent hereunder shall initially be endorsed with
a legend in substantially the following form:
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT
BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,
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AND MAY BE REOFFERED OR SOLD ONLY IF SO REGISTERED OR IF AN EXEMPTION
FROM SUCH REGISTRATION AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS IS
AVAILABLE. SUCH SECURITIES ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS
ON TRANSFER AS SET FORTH IN THE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT, DATED NOVEMBER
11, 1998, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ISSUER HEREOF.
11. Binding Effect; No Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors,
and permitted assigns. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, neither
this Agreement nor the rights or the obligations of either party hereto are
assignable, except by operation of law, or with the written consent of the other
party. Nothing contained in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to
confer upon any person other than the parties hereto and their respective
permitted assigns any rights or remedies of any nature whatsoever by reason of
this Agreement. Any Restricted Shares sold by a party in compliance with the
provisions of Section 8 shall, upon consummation of such sale, be free of the
restrictions imposed with respect to such shares by this Agreement. In no event
will any transferee of any Restricted Shares be entitled to the rights of Parent
hereunder. Certificates representing shares sold in a registered public offering
pursuant to Section 8 shall not be required to bear the legend set forth in
Section 10.
12. Specific Performance. The parties recognize and agree that if for
any reason any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in
accordance with their specific terms or are otherwise breached, immediate and
irreparable harm or injury would be caused for which money damages would not be
an adequate remedy. Accordingly, each party agrees that, in addition to other
remedies, the other party shall be entitled to an injunction restraining any
violation or threatened violation of the provisions of this Agreement. In the
event that any action should be brought in equity to enforce the provisions of
the Agreement, neither party will allege, and each party hereby waives the
defense, that there is an adequate remedy at law.
13. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Merger Agreement (together
with the other documents and instruments referred to in the Merger Agreement,
and the exhibits and disclosure schedules thereto) constitute the entire
agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersede all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral,
among the parties or any of them with respect to the subject matter hereof.
14. Further Assurances. Each party will execute and deliver all such
further documents and instruments and take all such further action as may be
necessary in order to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
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15. No Remedy in Certain Circumstances. Each party agrees that, should
any court or other competent authority hold any provision of this Agreement or
part hereof to be null, void or unenforceable, or order any party to take any
action inconsistent herewith or not to take an action consistent herewith or
required hereby, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions and obligations contained or set forth herein shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby, unless the foregoing inconsistent action or the
failure to take an action constitutes a material breach of this Agreement or
makes the Agreement impossible to perform in which case this Agreement shall
terminate. Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, to the extent
that a party hereto took an action inconsistent herewith or failed to take
action consistent herewith or required hereby pursuant to an order or judgment
of a court or other competent authority, such party shall incur no liability or
obligation unless such party did not in good faith seek to resist or object to
the imposition or entering of such order or judgment.
16. Notices. Any notice or communication required or permitted
hereunder shall be in writing and either delivered personally, by recognized
national delivery service or sent by certified or registered mail, postage
prepaid, and shall be deemed to be given upon receipt at the following address,
or to such other address or addresses as such person may subsequently designate
by notice given hereunder:
(a) if to Parent, to:
Ames Department Stores, Inc.
2418 Main Street
Rocky Hill, Connecticut 06067
Attention: David Lissy, Esq.
with a copy (which shall
not constitute notice) to:
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10153
Attention: Jeffrey J. Weinberg, Esq.
(b) if to Company, to:
Hills Stores Company
15 Dan Road
Canton, Massachusetts 02021
Attention: William Friend, Esq.
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with a copy (which shall
not constitute notice) to:
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
919 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attention: Paul S. Pearlman, Esq.
17. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to agreements made
and to be performed entirely within such state.
18. Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings herein are inserted
for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of or to
affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which,
taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument.
20. Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in the
Merger Agreement, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring
such expenses.
21. Amendments; Waiver. This Agreement may be amended by the parties
hereto and the terms and conditions hereof may be waived only by an instrument
in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto, or, in the case of a
waiver, by an instrument signed on behalf of the party waiving compliance.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the date first above
written.
HILLS STORES COMPANY
By: /s/ Chaim Y. Edelstein
----------------------------------------
Name: Chaim Y. Edelstein
Title: Chairman
AMES DEPARTMENT STORES, INC.
By: /s/ Joseph R. Ettore
----------------------------------------
Name: Joseph R. Ettore
Title: President
HSC ACQUISITION CORP.
By: /s/ Joseph R. Ettore
----------------------------------------
Name: Joseph R. Ettore
Title: President
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[LOGO]
Hills Stores Company
15 Dan Road, Canton, Massachusetts 02021-9128
(781) 821-1000
November 18, 1998
DEAR HILLS STORES COMPANY STOCKHOLDER:
We are pleased to inform you that on November 12, 1998, Hills Stores
Company ("Hills") entered into an agreement with Ames Department Stores, Inc.
("Ames") and HSC Acquisition Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ames (the
"Purchaser"), which provides for the acquisition of Hills by means of a cash
tender offer and a subsequent merger.
As the first step of this acquisition, the Purchaser is making a cash
tender offer for any and all outstanding shares of Hills common stock and
preferred stock, including, in each case, the related preferred stock purchase
rights (collectively, the "Shares") for an amount equal to $1.50 per Share, net
to the seller in cash, and a deferred contingent cash right (together, the
"Merger Consideration"). Subject to certain conditions, the Purchaser will be
merged with and into Hills subsequent to the completion of the tender offer, and
the remaining outstanding Shares will be converted into the right to receive the
Merger Consideration.
YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS, BY UNANIMOUS VOTE, APPROVED THE MERGER
AGREEMENT, INCLUDING THE TENDER OFFER AND MERGER, AND DETERMINED THAT THE TENDER
OFFER AND THE MERGER ARE FAIR TO AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HILLS'
STOCKHOLDERS. ACCORDINGLY, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT
ALL STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ACCEPT THE TENDER OFFER AND TENDER THEIR SHARES.
In arriving at its recommendation, the Board of Directors gave careful
consideration to the factors described in the Schedule 14D-9 that is being filed
today with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, among other
things, the opinion of Warburg Dillon Read LLC, the Company's financial advisor,
to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion, the $1.50 per Share in cash
to be offered to the holders of Shares by the Purchaser pursuant to the offer
and the merger is fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders. The
full text of the written opinion of Warburg Dillon Read LLC, which sets forth
the procedures followed, assumptions and qualifications made, matters considered
and limitations of the view undertaken in connection with such opinion, is
attached hereto and stockholders are urged to read such opinion in its entirety.
The Schedule 14D-9 is enclosed with this letter. Also enclosed are the
Purchaser's Offer to Purchase, dated November 18, 1998, and related materials,
including a Letter of Transmittal to be used for tendering your Shares. The
Offer to Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal set forth in detail the terms
and conditions of the tender offer and provide instructions as to how to tender
your Shares. I urge you to read the enclosed material carefully.
If you desire assistance in completing the Letter of Transmittal or
tendering your Shares, please call D.F. King & Co., Inc., the Information Agent,
toll-free at (800) 431-9629.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Chaim Y. Edelstein
Chaim Y. Edelstein
Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>
For Immediate Release
AMES TO ACQUIRE HILLS,
CREATING NATION'S 4TH LARGEST DISCOUNT RETAILER
-Tender for Equity, Debt Values Hills at Approximately $330 Million-
ROCKY HILL, CT, and CANTON, MA, November 12, 1998 - Ames Department Stores,
Inc. (NASDAQ: AMES), the largest discount retailer in the Northeast, and
Hills Stores Company (NYSE: HDS) today jointly announced the signing of a
definitive agreement in which Ames would acquire Hills in a transaction that
values Hills at approximately $330 million, including the assumption of
capitalized lease obligations and other debt. The Boards of Directors of
both companies have unanimously approved the transaction.
Under the terms of the transaction, Ames will commence a tender offer for
all 11.2 million outstanding common shares, including the Series A
convertible preferred stock, at a price of $1.50 per share; and a separate
tender offer at $550 (including accrued interest) per $1000 principal
amount, including a consent fee for the 12 1/2 % Senior Notes due 2003, of
which there are $195 million outstanding. Ames will also share with Hills
noteholders and stockholders a potential recovery in the form of deferred
contingent cash rights with regard to litigation initiated by Hills against
certain of Hills' former directors. These deferred contingent cash rights
will be divided as follows: 50% noteholders, 25% equity holders, and 25%
Ames.
The transaction is contingent, among other things, on each of the following:
the tender of at least 60% of the combined common and preferred equity, the
tender of at least 66 2/3% of the notes and the consent of at least 66 2/3%
of the notes to the modification or elimination of certain covenants. The
tender offers are expected to commence on or before November 18, 1998. If
any of the Senior Notes remain outstanding subsequent to the completion of
the debt tender offer, the majority of the existing covenants of the
untendered notes will have been eliminated. The transaction is expected to
close prior to the end of December 1998. The closing of the transaction is
contingent on regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.
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<PAGE>
2
"The acquisition of Hills presents an attractive opportunity for Ames,
provided that we can complete the transaction at the price and on the terms
to which we have agreed," said Joseph R. Ettore, Chief Executive Officer of
Ames Department Stores, Inc.
Upon completion of the combination, the number of Ames stores will increase
by approximately 50% and create the fourth largest discount retailer in the
nation. The combined company will have sales in excess of $4.0 billion. This
transaction will strengthen the Ames market position in the Northeast and
Mid-Atlantic states and allow the company to expand into new markets in the
Midwest.
Chaim Y. Edelstein, Chairman and CEO of Hills, said, "Hills employees have
worked very hard over the years. While it is difficult to sell something
that our people have strived so diligently to support, our board has
determined that the Ames transaction is in the best interest of our
securities holders and customers. When the time comes, I know our management
and our people will do all they can to ensure a smooth transition."
In connection with the transaction, Ames intends to initiate a $170 million
remodeling program for the acquired Hills stores to convert them into Ames
stores. The remodeling program will be implemented over nine months with
staggered store closings. It is expected that most or all of the Hills
management and associates in the acquired stores will be offered new
positions with Ames.
"During the past few years, Ames has made a commitment to providing
exemplary customer service through our A+ Service program, and to harnessing
technologies that improve distribution and point-of-sale efficiency. Also,
we've looked to foster hometown values through our 55 Gold Program(R) -- a
discount program for customers 55 years and older, our Special Buy Program,
and through active involvement in the communities in which we operate," said
Mr. Ettore. "We intend to take these initiatives that have been so
successful at Ames and implement them in the existing Hills store locations
upon conversion."
-more-
<PAGE>
3
Bear Stearns & Co. is serving as financial advisor to Ames on the
transaction and will act as dealer manager for the equity and debt tender
offers. Warburg Dillon Read is acting as exclusive financial advisor to
Hills on the transaction. BankAmerica Business Credit, Inc. is the agent
providing the financing for the transaction.
Hills Stores Company is a leading discount retailer operating 155 stores in
12 Northeastern, Mid-Western and Mid-Atlantic states.
With $2.2 billion in annual net sales, Ames Department Stores, Inc. operates
301 stores in 14 Northeastern, Middle Atlantic and Midwestern states and the
District of Columbia. Ames is a full-line discount retailer, offering a
broad range of merchandise categories including family apparel, housewares,
domestics, electronics, ready-to-assemble and patio furniture, jewelry,
craft and pet supplies, health and beauty care items, stationery, sporting
goods, toys, seasonal products and more.
NOTE: This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Although each company believes its plans are based upon
reasonable assumptions as of the current date, they can give no assurance
that any expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from expectations include: general business and
economic conditions, weather, competitive factors, pricing, and fluctuations
in consumer demand.
# # #
Contacts:
For Ames Department Stores, Inc:
Rolando de Aguiar Owen Blicksilver
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Managing Director
Ames Department Stores, Inc. Dewe Rogerson Inc.
(860) 257-5317 (212) 419-4283
For Hills Stores Company:
William K Friend Kathleen Obert
Senior Vice President and General Counsel Senior Vice President
Hills Stores Company Edward Howard & Co.
(781) 821-1000 (216) 781-2400
Editor's Note: A conference call for the Media will be held at Noon Eastern
time. To participate, please call ten minutes before the call on
1-913-981-4910. Confirmation #575005.
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE I
[WARBURG DILLON READ LLC LETTERHEAD]
November 11, 1998
The Board of Directors
Hills Stores Company
15 Dan Road
Canton, Massachusetts 02021
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We understand that Hills Stores Company (the "Company") is considering a
transaction whereby Ames Department Stores, Inc. (the "Purchaser") will acquire
the Company (the "Transaction"). Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan
of Merger, dated as of November 12, 1998, by and among the Purchaser, HSC
Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Purchaser ("Sub"), and the
Company (the "Purchase Agreement"), Sub will make a cash tender offer (the
"Offer") to purchase (i) all the issued and outstanding shares of common stock,
par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the "Common Shares"), and (ii) all
the issued and outstanding shares of Series A convertible preferred stock, par
value $0.10 per share, of the Company (the "Preferred Shares" and, together with
the Common Shares, the "Shares"), in each case together with the associated
preferred share purchase rights issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement, dated
as of August 16, 1994, between the Company and Chemical Bank, as rights agent,
for $1.50 per Share (such amount being hereinafter referred to as the "Per Share
Cash Amount") net to the seller in cash, and an Equity Deferred Contingent Cash
Right (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement and the Offer. The Purchase
Agreement further contemplates that, following consummation of the Offer, each
Share not acquired in the Offer (except those owned by the Purchaser, Sub, the
Company or any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Purchaser or
the Company or Dissenting Shares (as defined in the Purchase Agreement)) will be
converted in a subsequent merger of Sub with and into the Company (the "Merger")
into the right to receive an amount equal to the Per Share Cash Amount in cash
and an Equity Deferred Contingent Cash Right. The terms and conditions of the
Transaction are more fully set forth in the Purchase Agreement.
You have requested our opinion as to whether, as of the date hereof, the
Per Share Cash Amount to be offered to the holders of Shares by the Purchaser in
the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of
Shares.
Warburg Dillon Read LLC ("WDR") and its predecessors have acted as
financial advisor to the Board of Directors of the Company in connection with
the Transaction and will receive a fee upon the consummation thereof. In the
past, WDR and its predecessors may have provided investment banking services to
the Company and received customary compensation for the rendering of such
services. In the ordinary course of business, WDR, its successors and affiliates
may have traded securities of the Company or the Purchaser for their own
accounts and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such
securities.
Our opinion does not address the Company's underlying business decision to
effect the Transaction or constitute a recommendation to any shareholder of the
Company with respect to whether such shareholder should tender Shares pursuant
to the Offer or as to how such shareholder should vote with respect to the
Merger. Furthermore, at your direction, this opinion does not address the value
of, or fairness to the holders of Shares of, the Equity Deferred Contingent Cash
Rights.
At your direction, we have not been asked to, nor do we, offer any opinion
as to the material terms of the Purchase Agreement (including, without
limitation, the Note Tender Offer (as defined in the Purchase Agreement)) or the
form of the Transaction. In rendering this opinion, we have assumed, with your
consent, that the final executed form of the Purchase Agreement does not differ
in any material respect from the draft that we have examined, and that the
Company, the Purchaser and Sub will comply with all the material terms of the
Purchase Agreement.
I-1
<PAGE>
In arriving at our opinion, we have, among other things: (i) reviewed
certain publicly available business and historical information relating to the
Company, (ii) reviewed the historical price and trading activity for the Common
Shares, (iii) reviewed certain internal financial information and other data
relating to the business and financial prospects of the Company, including
estimates and financial forecasts prepared by management of the Company, that
were provided to us by the Company and not publicly available, (iv) conducted
discussions with members of the senior management of the Company; (v) reviewed
publicly available financial and stock market data with respect to certain other
companies in lines of business we believe to be generally comparable to those of
the Company, (vi) compared the financial terms of the Transaction with the
publicly available terms of certain other transactions which we believe to be
generally relevant, (vii) reviewed drafts of the Purchase Agreement, and
(viii) conducted such other financial studies, analyses, and investigations, and
considered such other information as we deemed necessary or appropriate. We were
not requested to, and did not, solicit third party indications of interest in
acquiring the Company.
In connection with our review, at your direction, we have not assumed any
responsibility for independent verification for any of the information reviewed
by us for the purpose of this opinion and have, at your direction, relied on its
being complete and accurate in all material respects. In addition, at your
direction, we have not made or received any independent evaluation or appraisal
of any of the assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries, nor have we been furnished with any such evaluation or
appraisal. With respect to financial forecasts, estimates and projections
referred to above, we have assumed, at your direction, that they have been
reasonably prepared on a basis reflecting the best currently available estimates
and judgments of the management of the Company as to the future performance of
the Company. Our opinion is necessarily based on economic, monetary, market and
other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to us as
of, November 11, 1998. In addition, we have not been asked to and do not express
any opinion as to the tax consequences of the Transaction to any holder of
Shares.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as the
date hereof, the Per Share Cash Amount to be offered to the holders of Shares by
the Purchaser in the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the
holders of Shares.
Very truly yours,
WARBURG DILLON READ LLC
I-2
