<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant /X/
Filed by a party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section240.14a-11(c) or
Section240.14a-12
THE LESLIE FAY COMPANY, INC.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/ / No fee required
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
and 0-11
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: Common
Stock, par value $.01 per share
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: 2,111,966
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): $7.00
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: $14,783,762
5) Total fee paid: $2,956.75
/X/ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid:
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2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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3) Filing Party:
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4) Date Filed:
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<PAGE>
THE LESLIE FAY COMPANY, INC.
1412 BROADWAY
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10018
July 30, 1999
To the Stockholders of The Leslie Fay Company, Inc.:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
The Leslie Fay Company, Inc. (the "Company") to be held at the Fashion Institute
of Technology, Seventh Avenue at 27th Street, C-Building, 9th Floor, New York,
New York on Tuesday, August 24, 1999, at 10:30 a.m., local time.
At the meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to
adopt an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") dated as of May
12, 1999 among the Company, Three Cities Offshore II C.V., Three Cities Fund II,
L.P. and TCR Acquisition Sub Co. ("Merger Sub"). You can find the full text of
the Merger Agreement as Annex A at the back of the accompanying Proxy Statement,
and we urge you to read it in its entirety. Your Board of Directors is seeking
your vote on this important transaction. You will also be asked to vote on the
various other matters listed in the accompanying Notice of Meeting.
If the Merger Agreement is adopted, upon completion of the merger, Merger
Sub will be merged with and into the Company. As part of the merger, you will
have the right to elect to receive $7.00 per share in cash for some or all of
your shares, and any shares for which you do not make an election will remain
your shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common
Stock"). However, if the holders of more than 2,111,966 shares elect to receive
cash, there will be a pro rata reduction so that all of the holders who elect to
receive cash will receive cash for some of their shares and keep the remainder
of their shares. Pursuant to the Merger, the Company's certificate of
incorporation will be amended and restated to modify certain provisions
regarding the approval of business combination transactions. The Company will
continue its operations as a public company following completion of the merger.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS ADOPTED THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND RECOMMENDS THAT
YOU VOTE "FOR" ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAKES NO RECOMMENDATION AS TO WHETHER STOCKHOLDERS OF
THE COMPANY SHOULD ELECT TO RECEIVE CASH OR KEEP THEIR SHARES OF COMMON STOCK.
EACH STOCKHOLDER MUST MAKE HIS OR HER OWN DECISION WITH RESPECT TO SUCH
ELECTION.
Under the Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the
affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes of all of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock is required to adopt the Merger Agreement.
The accompanying Proxy Statement explains the proposed merger and provides
specific information concerning the meeting. We have also enclosed a copy of our
annual report for the year ended January 2, 1999 and a copy of our quarterly
report for the thirteen weeks ended April 3, 1999, both of which contain
important information about the Company. Please read all of them carefully.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, WE
URGE YOU TO PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT
IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Your prompt submission of a proxy card will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
John J. Pomerantz
Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>
THE LESLIE FAY COMPANY, INC.
1412 BROADWAY
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10018
------------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD AUGUST 24, 1999
To the Stockholders of The Leslie Fay Company, Inc.:
The 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Meeting") of The Leslie Fay
Company, Inc. (the "Company") will be held at the Fashion Institute of
Technology, Seventh Avenue at 27th Street, C-Building, 9th Floor, New York, New
York, on Tuesday, August 24, 1999, at 10:30 a.m. local time to:
1. Consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt an Agreement and Plan of
Merger (the "Merger Agreement"), dated as of May 12, 1999, among the
Company, Three Cities Offshore II C.V. ("Offshore II"), Three Cities Fund
II, L.P. (together with Offshore II, the "Buyers") and TCR Acquisition
Sub Co. ("Merger Sub"), pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub
will merge with and into the Company (the "Merger") and each stockholder
of the Company will have the right to receive cash in the amount of $7.00
per share, without interest, for some or all of their shares and to keep
the balance of their shares of Common Stock of the Company. If more than
2,111,966 shares elect to receive cash, there will be a pro rata
reduction so that all of the electing stockholders will receive cash for
some of their shares and keep the remainder of their shares. The Merger
Agreement is more fully described in the accompanying Proxy Statement;
2. Elect eight directors;
3. Ratify the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as the Company's
independent accountants for the fiscal year ending January 1, 2000;
4. Adjourn the Meeting, if necessary, to permit further solicitation of
proxies in the event that there are not sufficient votes at the time of
the Meeting to adopt the Merger Agreement; and
5. Consider such other matters as may properly come before the Meeting or
any adjournments or postponements thereof.
Information regarding the proposals to be acted upon at the Meeting is
contained in the accompanying Proxy Statement. A copy of the Merger Agreement is
set forth as Annex A in the accompanying Proxy Statement.
The close of business on Friday, July 23, 1999 has been fixed as the record
date (the "Record Date") for the determination of stockholders entitled to
notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements
thereof. Only holders of record at the close of business on the Record Date are
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting or any adjournments or
postponements thereof.
The accompanying Proxy Statement sets forth information relating to the
Company and the Buyers, including financial information relating to the Company
and describes the terms and conditions of the Merger and the Merger Agreement.
Other important information about the Company is contained in our annual report
for the year ended January 2, 1999 and our quarterly report for the thirteen
weeks ended April 3, 1999, both of which are being sent to you along with this
Proxy Statement. Please review all of these materials carefully before
completing the enclosed proxy card.
<PAGE>
PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY CERTIFICATES FOR YOUR SHARES WITH YOUR PROXY CARD. A
FORM OF ELECTION WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ELECTION OF CONSIDERATION AND
SURRENDER OF YOUR SHARES IS BEING SENT TO YOU SEPARATELY WITH A RETURN ENVELOPE
ADDRESSED TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT, AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
WARREN T. WISHART
Secretary
New York, New York
July 30, 1999
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It is important that your shares be represented at the Meeting. Whether or not
you plan to attend the Meeting, you are urged to, as promptly as practicable,
sign, date and return the enclosed form of proxy, which requires no postage if
mailed in the United States. If you hold shares directly in your name and attend
the Meeting, you may vote your shares in person, even if you have previously
submitted a proxy card. Your proxy may be revoked at any time before it is voted
by submitting a written revocation or a proxy bearing a later date to the
Secretary of the Company, or by attending and voting in person at the Meeting.
For shares held in "street name," you may revoke or change your vote by
submitting new voting instructions to your broker or nominee.
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<PAGE>
THE LESLIE FAY COMPANY, INC.
1412 BROADWAY
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10018
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD AUGUST 24, 1999
This Proxy Statement is furnished to the holders of shares of Common Stock
of The Leslie Fay Company, Inc. (the "Company") in connection with the
solicitation of proxies ("Proxies") by the Board of Directors of the Company
(the "Board") for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Meeting") to
be held on Tuesday, August 24, 1999, at 10:30 a.m., local time, at the Fashion
Institute of Technology, Seventh Avenue at 27th Street, C-Building, 9th Floor,
New York, New York, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof, for the
purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Meeting.
The cost of preparing, assembling, printing, mailing and distributing the
Notice of Meeting, this Proxy Statement and Proxies is to be borne by the
Company. The Company also will reimburse brokers, banks and other custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries, who are holders of record of the Company's Common
Stock, for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in forwarding proxy
solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of shares of Common Stock. In
addition to the use of the mail, Proxies may be solicited without extra
compensation by directors, officers and employees of the Company by personal
interview, telephone, telegram, cablegram or other means of electronic
communication. The approximate mailing date of this Proxy Statement is July 30,
1999.
Unless otherwise specified, all Proxies received will be voted in favor of
the proposal to adopt the merger agreement described in this Proxy Statement and
of the other proposals. A stockholder may revoke a Proxy at any time before its
exercise by filing with the Secretary of the Company an instrument of revocation
or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the Meeting and
voting in person. Attendance at the Meeting, without voting in person, will not
constitute revocation of a Proxy.
The close of business on Friday, July 23, 1999 has been fixed by the Board
as the record date (the "Record Date") for the determination of stockholders
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting and any adjournments or
postponements thereof. As of the Record Date, there were 6,041,138 shares of
Common Stock of the Company issued and outstanding. Each share of Common Stock
outstanding on the Record Date will be entitled to one vote on each matter to
come before the Meeting. The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of
a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock is required
to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Meeting. Proxies
submitted which contain abstentions or broker non-votes will be deemed present
at the Meeting for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum.
YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS RECOMMENDED A VOTE "FOR" ADOPTION OF THE MERGER
AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER PROPOSALS.
<PAGE>
CERTAIN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT VOTING AND THE MERGER
Q: WHY AM I RECEIVING THESE MATERIALS?
A: The Board of Directors of The Leslie Fay Company, Inc. is providing these
proxy materials to give you information to determine how to vote in
connection with the annual meeting of stockholders which will take place on
Tuesday, August 24, 1999 at 10:30 a.m., local time, at the Fashion Institute
of Technology, Seventh Avenue at 27th Street, C-Building, 9th Floor, New
York, New York.
Q: WHAT WILL BE VOTED ON AT THE MEETING?
A: Whether to adopt a merger agreement pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge
with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving corporation.
Upon the occurrence of the merger, the Company's certificate of
incorporation will be amended and restated to modify certain provisions
regarding the approval of business combination transactions.
Q: WILL ANY OTHER MATTERS BE VOTED ON AT THE MEETING?
A: Yes. The stockholders of the Company will also be asked to vote to (1) elect
directors of the Company, (2) ratify the appointment of the Company's
independent accountants and (3) adjourn the meeting if there are not enough
votes to adopt the merger agreement.
Q: WHO CAN VOTE?
A: All stockholders of record as of the close of business on Friday, July 23,
1999.
Q: WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?
A: Please vote. You are invited to attend the meeting. However, you should mail
your signed and dated proxy card in the enclosed envelope as soon as
possible, so that your shares will be represented at the meeting in case you
are unable to attend. No postage is required if the proxy card is returned
in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope and mailed in the United States.
Q: WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF I RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE PROXY OR VOTING INSTRUCTION
CARD?
A: It means your shares are registered differently or are held in more than one
account. Please provide voting instructions for each proxy card that you
receive.
Q: HOW CAN I VOTE SHARES HELD IN MY BROKER'S NAME?
A: If your broker holds your shares in its name (or in what is commonly called
"street name"), then you should give your broker instructions on how to
vote. Otherwise your shares will not be voted on any matter presented at the
annual meeting, including with respect to the adoption of the merger
agreement.
Q: CAN I CHANGE MY VOTE?
A: You may change your proxy instructions at any time prior to the vote at the
meeting. For shares held directly in your name, you may accomplish this by
completing a new proxy or by attending the meeting and voting in person.
Attendance at the meeting alone will not cause your previously granted proxy
to be revoked unless you vote in person. For shares held in "street name,"
you may accomplish this by submitting new voting instructions to your broker
or nominee.
Q: WHAT VOTE IS REQUIRED TO ADOPT THE MERGER AGREEMENT?
A: For the merger to occur, at least two-thirds of all outstanding shares of
Common Stock of the Company must vote "FOR" the adoption of the merger
agreement.
Q: HOW ARE VOTES COUNTED?
A: You may vote "FOR," "AGAINST" or "ABSTAIN." If you "ABSTAIN" or do not vote,
it has the same effect as a vote "AGAINST" with respect to the vote that
requires the merger agreement to be adopted by two-thirds of all outstanding
Common Stock of the Company. If you provide specific voting instructions,
your shares will be voted as you instruct. If you
i
<PAGE>
sign your proxy card or broker voting instruction card with no further
instructions, your shares will be voted in accordance with the
recommendation of the Board of Directors of the Company.
Q: WHAT WILL I RECEIVE IN THE MERGER?
A: If the merger agreement is adopted by stockholders, you will be able to keep
your stock in the Company or elect to receive $7.00 per share in cash for
any or all of your shares. However, if the holders of more than 2,111,966
shares of Common Stock elect to receive cash, there will be a pro rata
reduction so that you will receive cash for some of your shares and keep the
remainder of your shares. See page 26.
Q: WHAT IS THE BOARD'S RECOMMENDATION?
A: The Board recommends that you vote your shares "FOR" adoption of the merger
agreement.
Q: WHY IS THE BOARD RECOMMENDING THAT I VOTE TO ADOPT THE MERGER AGREEMENT?
A: In the opinion of your Board, the merger and the merger agreement are in the
best interests of the Company and its stockholders. To review the background
and reasons for the merger in greater detail, see pages 14 to 17.
Q: HOW DO STOCKHOLDERS ELECT TO RECEIVE CASH IN THE MERGER?
A: A cash election form is being mailed to holders of record of Common Stock at
the same time as this Proxy Statement. For a cash election to be effective,
the cash election form must be properly completed and received, along with
all other required documents, by the exchange agent no later than 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on Tuesday, August 17, 1999. See "THE MERGER
AGREEMENT--Cash Election Procedure."
Q: SHOULD I SEND IN MY STOCK CERTIFICATES NOW?
A: If you elect to exchange shares for cash, you must send your stock
certificates, along with the form of cash election, to be received no later
than August 17, 1999. If you do not want to exchange shares for cash, you
should not complete a form of cash election.
Q: ASSUMING THE MERGER IS COMPLETED, WHAT HAPPENS TO STOCKHOLDERS WHO DO NOT
VOTE OR ELECT TO RECEIVE CASH?
A: Stockholders who do not vote or elect to receive cash in the merger will
keep their shares of Common Stock.
Q: WHEN DO YOU EXPECT THE MERGER TO BE COMPLETED?
A: We hope to complete the merger promptly after the stockholders' meeting.
Q: WILL I HAVE TO PAY FEDERAL INCOME TAXES AS A RESULT OF THE TRANSACTION?
A: The transaction is anticipated to be tax-free to stockholders who keep their
shares of Common Stock. Stockholders who elect to receive cash in the merger
will generally be taxed at capital gains rates on the excess of $7.00 per
share over their tax basis in the shares for which a cash election is made,
although certain cash election consideration may be taxable as a dividend.
See page 20.
Q: WILL I HAVE APPRAISAL RIGHTS?
A: Yes. See page 23.
Q: WHO CAN ANSWER MY QUESTIONS?
A: If you have more questions about the merger or would like additional copies
of this Proxy Statement, you should contact American Stock Transfer & Trust
Company at 1-800-937-5449 (toll free in the United States) or 1-718-921-8200
(call collect).
ii
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
SUMMARY............................................................................... 1
PROPOSAL 1--APPROVAL OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT.......................................... 14
THE MERGER............................................................................ 14
Background of the Transaction......................................................... 14
Recommendation of the Board; Reasons for the Merger................................... 16
Certain Financial Projections......................................................... 17
Plans for the Company after the Merger................................................ 18
Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger and the Company............................ 18
Certain Effects of the Merger......................................................... 19
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences............................................... 20
Accounting Treatment.................................................................. 22
Financing of the Merger............................................................... 22
Regulatory Approvals.................................................................. 23
Risk that the Merger will not be Consummated.......................................... 23
Appraisal Rights...................................................................... 23
THE MERGER AGREEMENT.................................................................. 26
The Merger............................................................................ 26
Capital Stock of the Constituent Corporations......................................... 26
Surrender and Payment of Shares of Common Stock....................................... 27
Treatment of Stock Options............................................................ 27
Directors and Officers; Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws Following the
Merger.............................................................................. 27
Representations and Warranties........................................................ 28
Covenants............................................................................. 28
Indemnification and Insurance......................................................... 30
No Solicitation; Fiduciary Obligations of Directors................................... 31
Conditions............................................................................ 31
Termination........................................................................... 31
Fees and Expenses..................................................................... 32
Amendment and Waiver.................................................................. 32
RELATED AGREEMENTS.................................................................... 33
BUSINESS OF MERGER SUB................................................................ 34
BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY............................................................... 34
Products.............................................................................. 34
Design................................................................................ 35
Trademarks and Licenses............................................................... 35
Markets and Distribution.............................................................. 35
Manufacturing......................................................................... 36
Imports and Import Restrictions....................................................... 36
Backlog............................................................................... 37
Credit and Collection................................................................. 38
Competition........................................................................... 38
Employees............................................................................. 38
Reorganization Under Chapter 11....................................................... 38
Properties............................................................................ 39
Legal Proceedings..................................................................... 39
MARKET PRICES OF AND DIVIDENDS ON THE COMMON STOCK.................................... 41
HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA CAPITALIZATION............................................... 42
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF THE COMPANY........................ 43
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION.......................................... 45
</TABLE>
iii
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<TABLE>
<S> <C>
MANAGEMENT............................................................................ 49
SECURITY AND VOTING OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT............. 49
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS.................................................................. 50
Vote Required and Recommendation...................................................... 50
PROPOSAL 2--ELECTION OF DIRECTORS..................................................... 51
Information About Nominees............................................................ 51
Certain Arrangements Regarding the Election of Directors.............................. 52
Information About Non-Director Executive Officers..................................... 53
Meetings and Committees of the Board.................................................. 53
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION................................................................ 54
Summary Compensation Table............................................................ 54
Option/SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year................................................. 55
Aggregated Option/SAR Exercise in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year End Value Table.... 55
Compensation of Directors............................................................. 55
Employment Agreements................................................................. 56
Severance Agreements.................................................................. 57
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation........................... 57
Report of the Compensation Committee.................................................. 57
CEO Compensation...................................................................... 58
PERFORMANCE GRAPH..................................................................... 59
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE............................... 59
Vote Required and Recommendation...................................................... 59
PROPOSAL 3--RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS................ 60
Vote Required and Recommendation...................................................... 60
PROPOSAL 4--ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL...................................................... 60
Vote Required and Recommendation...................................................... 60
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION................................................... 61
AVAILABLE INFORMATION................................................................. 61
MISCELLANEOUS......................................................................... 61
Stockholder Proposals................................................................. 61
Other Matters......................................................................... 61
ANNEX A--AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER................................................. A-1
ANNEX B--DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW SECTION 262................................. B-1
</TABLE>
iv
<PAGE>
SUMMARY
THIS SUMMARY HIGHLIGHTS SELECTED INFORMATION FROM THIS PROXY STATEMENT. IT
DOES NOT CONTAIN ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU. TO FULLY
UNDERSTAND THE PROPOSED MERGER AND THE OTHER MATTERS BEING PRESENTED FOR YOUR
CONSIDERATION, AND FOR A MORE COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THE TERMS OF THE PROPOSED
MERGER, YOU SHOULD READ THIS ENTIRE DOCUMENT CAREFULLY, INCLUDING THE ANNEXES,
AND THE OTHER DOCUMENTS TO WHICH WE REFER YOU. THOSE OTHER DOCUMENTS ARE LISTED
IN THE SECTION HEADED "WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION" ON PAGE 61. FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION, ALSO SEE THE SECTION HEADED "AVAILABLE INFORMATION" ON PAGE
61.
All information contained in this Proxy Statement relating to Three Cities
Offshore II C.V. ("Offshore II"), Three Cities Fund II, L.P. ("Fund II" and,
together with Offshore II, the "Buyers") and TCR Acquisition Sub Co. ("Merger
Sub") has been supplied by the Buyers for inclusion and has not been
independently verified by the Company. No persons have been authorized to give
any information or to make any representations other than those contained in
this Proxy Statement.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE MEETING
TIME, DATE AND PLACE. The Company's annual meeting of stockholders (the
"Meeting") will be held on Tuesday, August 24, 1999 at 10:30 a.m., local time,
at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Seventh Avenue at 27th Street,
C-Building, 9th Floor, New York, New York.
PURPOSE OF THE MEETING. At the Meeting, holders of the Company's common
stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"), at the close of business on
the Record Date, as defined below, will consider and vote upon a proposal to
adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") dated as of May
12, 1999 among the Company, the Buyers and Merger Sub. If the Merger Agreement
is adopted at the Meeting, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company
(the "Merger"), and the Company will be the surviving corporation of the Merger.
You may elect to receive $7.00 per share in cash for some or all of your shares.
Any shares for which you do not make an election to receive cash will remain
shares of Common Stock of the Company. However, if the holders of more than
2,111,966 shares elect to receive cash, there will be a pro rata reduction so
that all of the holders who elect to receive cash will receive cash for some of
their shares and keep the remainder of their shares. Pursuant to the Merger, the
Company's certificate of incorporation will be amended and restated to modify
certain provisions regarding the approval of business combination transactions.
At the Meeting, you will also vote upon the election of directors, the
ratification of the appointment of the Company's independent accountants for the
fiscal year ending January 1, 2000, a proposal to adjourn the Meeting if there
are not enough votes to adopt the Merger Agreement and such other matters as may
properly be brought before the meeting.
RECORD DATE FOR THE MEETING; QUORUM REQUIREMENTS. The close of business on
Friday, July 23, 1999 has been fixed as the Record Date (the "Record Date") for
determining stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting.
Each share of Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date is entitled to one
vote at the Meeting. As of the Record Date, 6,041,138 shares of Common Stock
were outstanding. The presence, in person or by proxy, of a majority of all
outstanding shares of Common Stock is required to constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at the Meeting.
VOTING REQUIREMENTS. Under our certificate of incorporation, the
affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock is required to adopt the Merger Agreement. The Buyers, who own
approximately 36% of the Common Stock, and certain affiliates of Dickstein
Partners Inc., who own approximately 11% of the Common Stock, each have agreed
to vote their shares of Common Stock in favor of adoption of the Merger
Agreement.
The affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all of the outstanding shares
of Common Stock is required to adopt the Merger Agreement. Directors are elected
by a plurality of votes of the shares of Common Stock represented in person or
by proxy at the Meeting. The affirmative vote of the majority
<PAGE>
of the shares of Common Stock represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting
will be required for approval of each matter other than the election of
directors and adoption of the Merger Agreement that is being submitted to a vote
of the stockholders. Proxies submitted that contain abstentions or broker
nonvotes will be deemed present at the Meeting for determining the presence of a
quorum. Abstentions with respect to any matter are considered as present for
determining a quorum and present and entitled to vote with respect to any matter
(abstentions as to a matter have the effect of votes against such matter).
Broker nonvotes with respect to any matter are considered as present for
determining a quorum but are otherwise not considered in determining whether the
requisite vote on that matter has been obtained. The 177,272 shares of Common
Stock issued in the name of the Plan Administrator (as defined herein), who
holds such shares for the benefit of the creditors of the Company pending the
resolution of certain creditor claims, will be voted in respect of each proposal
submitted to the Meeting in the same proportion as all other shares have been
voted at the Meeting.
PROXIES. A proxy card is enclosed for your use in voting by mail. A Proxy
may be revoked at any time prior to its exercise at the Meeting. Common Stock
represented by properly executed Proxies received at or prior to the Meeting,
and which have not been revoked, will be voted in accordance with the
instructions indicated on the Proxy.
YOU SHOULD NOT SEND ANY CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
WITH YOUR PROXY CARD. A FORM OF ELECTION, WHICH ACCOMPANIES THIS PROXY
STATEMENT, IS BEING SENT TO EACH HOLDER OF RECORD OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ON
THE RECORD DATE AND, UPON REQUEST TO AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY,
THE EXCHANGE AGENT, WILL BE SENT TO EACH PERSON WHO BECOMES A HOLDER OF RECORD
OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK UP TO FIVE BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION DATE. SEE
"THE MERGER AGREEMENT-- SURRENDER AND PAYMENT OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK."
PROPOSAL 1--ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT
THE PARTIES TO THE MERGER AGREEMENT
THE COMPANY. The Company is engaged principally in designing and arranging
for the manufacture and sale of diversified lines of women's dresses and
sportswear. The Company's products focus on career, social and evening clothing
that cover a broad retail price range and offer the consumer a wide selection of
styles, fabrics and colors suitable for different ages, sizes and fashion
preferences. The Company believes that it is among the major producers of
moderate-price dresses and that it is one of the major resources to retailers of
such products. The Leslie Fay business has been in continuous operation as an
apparel company since 1947.
Effective October 27, 1998, the Company purchased certain assets of The
Warren Apparel Group Ltd. ("Warren"). Warren was a privately owned wholesaler of
women's career, social occasion and evening dresses sold in department and
specialty stores nationwide primarily under the "David Warren," "DW3," "Warren
Petites," "Reggio" and "Rimini" brands. The purchase of these assets facilitates
the Company's return to the better dress business.
The Company emerged from bankruptcy on June 4, 1997. See "BUSINESS OF THE
COMPANY--Reorganization Under Chapter 11."
The address of the Company is 1412 Broadway, New York, NY 10018.
MERGER SUB. Merger Sub is a corporation that is wholly owned by the Buyers
and has been formed solely to effect the Merger and does not conduct any
business activities. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will be merged
into the Company, with the Company as the surviving corporation (the "Surviving
Corporation").
2
<PAGE>
The address of Merger Sub is c/o Three Cities Research, Inc., 650 Madison
Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
THE MERGER AGREEMENT
CAPITAL STOCK OF THE COMPANY AND MERGER SUB. If the Merger is consummated,
you may elect to keep your shares or receive $7.00 per share in cash for any or
all of your shares. However, if the holders of more than 2,111,966 shares elect
to receive cash, there will be a pro rata reduction so that all of the holders
electing to receive cash will receive cash for some of their shares and keep the
remainder of their shares. Under the Merger Agreement, the Buyers will receive a
number of shares of the Company's Common Stock that depends upon the number of
shares of Common Stock that holders of shares of Common Stock surrender for cash
in the Merger. See "THE MERGER AGREEMENT-- Capital Stock of the Constituent
Corporations."
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION. Pursuant to the
Merger Agreement, the Company's certificate of incorporation will be amended and
restated to modify certain provisions regarding the approval of certain business
combination transactions. See "THE MERGER AGREEMENT--Directors and Officers;
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws Following the Merger."
CONDITIONS TO, AND TERMINATION OF, THE MERGER. The conditions referred to
below are only brief summaries of certain conditions and termination rights
specified in the Merger Agreement, and are qualified in their entirety by
reference to the Merger Agreement. See Annex A at the back of this Proxy
Statement for the complete text of the Merger Agreement.
The Buyers and the Company may terminate the Merger Agreement by mutual
written consent.
The Buyers or the Company may terminate the Merger Agreement if:
- the Merger has not been consummated on or before September 30, 1999;
- a statute, rule, regulation or executive order has been enacted, entered
or promulgated prohibiting the consummation of the Merger substantially on
the terms contemplated by the Merger Agreement;
- an order, decree, ruling or injunction has been entered permanently
restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the
Merger substantially on the terms contemplated by the Merger Agreement and
such order, decree, ruling or injunction has become final and
non-appealable; or
- if the vote of the Company's stockholders adopting the Merger Agreement
has not been obtained at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The Buyers may terminate the Merger Agreement if the Board or any committee
thereof has:
- withdrawn or modified, or proposed publicly to withdraw or modify, in a
manner adverse to the Buyers, its approval of the Merger Agreement or
recommendation to the Company's stockholders;
- approved or recommended, or proposed publicly to approve or recommend,
certain takeover proposals;
- caused the Company to enter into any agreement with respect to any
Superior Proposal (defined in the Merger Agreement as certain takeover
proposals whose terms the Board determines in good faith to be more
favorable to the Company's stockholders than the Merger and for which
financing, to the extent required, is then committed); or
- resolved to take any of the foregoing actions.
3
<PAGE>
The Buyers may also terminate the Merger Agreement if the Company has
breached in any material respect any of its representations, warranties,
covenants or other agreements contained in the Merger Agreement, and such breach
has not been cured within 30 days after the Buyers give written notice to the
Company.
The Company may terminate the Merger Agreement if:
- the Buyers or Merger Sub breach in any material respect any of their
respective representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements
contained in the Merger Agreement, and such breach has not been cured
within 30 days after the giving of written notice to the Buyers or Merger
Sub; or
- the Company receives a Superior Proposal and the Board, based on the
advice of independent outside legal counsel, determines in good faith that
such action is necessary for the Board to avoid breaching its fiduciary
duties to the Company's stockholders under applicable law.
NO SOLICITATION.
The Company has agreed in the Merger Agreement not to (1) solicit, initiate
or encourage any discussions or inquiries or the making of any proposal for (a)
a merger or other business combination involving the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or (b) the acquisition of 10% or more of the assets or capital
stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (2) enter into an agreement,
arrangement or understanding requiring it to abandon, terminate or fail to
consummate the Merger. The Company may, if the Board determines in good faith,
after consulting with independent outside legal counsel, that the failure to
take such actions would breach its fiduciary duties to the Company's
stockholders under applicable law,
- furnish information with respect to the Company and any of its
subsidiaries to any person proposing such a transaction pursuant to a
customary confidentiality agreement and
- participate in discussions or negotiations regarding such a transaction.
See "THE MERGER AGREEMENT--No Solicitation; Fiduciary Obligations of
Directors."
FEES AND EXPENSES. For a discussion of the obligations for the payment of
fees and expenses in connection with the Merger, see "THE MERGER AGREEMENT--Fees
and Expenses."
RIGHT OF APPRAISAL
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Company's stockholders are
entitled to rights of appraisal in connection with the Merger. See "THE
MERGER--Appraisal Rights" for a discussion of what you must do in order to
exercise your appraisal rights.
4
<PAGE>
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF THE COMPANY
The following selected historical consolidated financial data for each of
the years in the three-year period ended January 2, 1999 are derived from, and
are qualified by reference to, the Company's audited consolidated financial data
and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report for the year ended
January 2, 1999, a copy of which accompanies this Proxy Statement. The following
selected historical consolidated financial data for each of the years in the
two-year period ended December 30, 1995 are derived from, and are qualified by
reference to, the Company's audited consolidated financial data and notes
thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 30, 1995, a copy of which does not accompany this Proxy Statement. The
selected historical consolidated financial data for the thirteen weeks ended
April 3, 1999 are derived from, and are qualified by reference to, the Company's
unaudited consolidated financial data and notes thereto included in the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the thirteen weeks ended April 3,
1999, a copy of which accompanies this Proxy Statement. The results for the
thirteen weeks ended April 3, 1999 are not necessarily indicative of results for
the full year. The information presented below should be read in conjunction
with such financial statements and notes thereto and the "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"
included in the Company's Annual Report for the year ended January 2, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PREDECESSOR
REORGANIZED COMPANY COMPANY
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA
THIRTEEN THIRTEEN FIFTY-TWO FIFTY-THREE THIRTY-ONE TWENTY-TWO
WEEKS WEEKS WEEKS WEEKS WEEKS WEEKS
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
APRIL 3, APRIL 4, JANUARY 2, JANUARY 3, JANUARY 3, PRO FORMA JUNE 4,
1999 1998 1999 1998(A) 1998(B) 1996(A) 1997(C)
----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales.......................... $61,144 $45,258 $152,867 $132,160 $73,091 $110,053 $197,984
Operating Income (Loss)............ 7,222 5,860 13,020 11,782 4,322 4,079 14,355
Reorganization Costs............... -- -- -- -- -- -- 3,379(d)
Interest Expense and Financing
Costs............................ 669 190 950 1,113 336 2,298 1,372
Tax Provision (Benefit)............ 2,272 1,901 3,212 2,684 677 130 451
Other Non-Recurring Items.......... -- -- -- -- -- -- 136,341(g)
Net Income (Loss).................. $ 4,281 $ 3,769 $ 8,858 $ 7,985 $ 3,309 $ 1,651 $145,494
----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------
----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------
Net Income (Loss) per Share
--Basic.......................... $ 0.71 $ 0.55(h) $ 1.35 $ 1.17(h) $ 0.49(h) $ 0.24(h) --(h)
----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------
----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------
--Diluted........................ $ 0.70 $ 0.54(h) $ 1.31 $ 1.16(h) $ 0.48(h) $ 0.24(h) --(h)
----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------
----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------
<CAPTION>
AS OF AS OF AS OF AS OF AS OF
4/3/99 4/4/98 01/02/99 01/03/98 06/04/97
----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Total Assets....................... $74,432 $63,594 $ 67,804 $ 61,051 $ 77,789
Assets of Product Lines Held for
Sale and Disposition............. -- -- -- -- --
Long-Term Debt (Including Capital
Leases).......................... 4 53 17 49 108
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
FIFTY-TWO FIFTY-TWO FIFTY-TWO
WEEKS WEEKS WEEKS
ENDED ENDED ENDED
DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
1996 1995 1994
------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales.......................... $429,676 $442,084 $ 531,843
Operating Income (Loss)............ 17,965 1,235 (27,278)
Reorganization Costs............... 5,144(d) 16,575(d) 115,769(d)
Interest Expense and Financing
Costs............................ 3,932(e) 3,262(e) 5,512(e)
Tax Provision (Benefit)............ (839)(f) (761)(f) 981(f)
Other Non-Recurring Items.......... -- -- --
Net Income (Loss).................. $ 9,728 $(17,841) $(149,540)
------------ ------------ ------------
------------ ------------ ------------
Net Income (Loss) per Share
--Basic.......................... $ 0.52(h) $ (0.95)(h) $ (7.97)(h)
------------ ------------ ------------
------------ ------------ ------------
--Diluted........................ $ 0.52(h) $ (0.95)(h) $ (7.97)(h)
------------ ------------ ------------
------------ ------------ ------------
AS OF AS OF AS OF
12/28/96 12/30/95 12/31/94
------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Total Assets....................... $237,661 $245,980 $ 281,634
Assets of Product Lines Held for
Sale and Disposition............. 3,003(i) 326(i) 21,063(i)
Long-Term Debt (Including Capital
Leases).......................... --(j) --(j) --(j)
</TABLE>
5
<PAGE>
NOTES TO SUMMARY HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
(a) The unaudited pro forma adjustments to the statements are as follows:
DISPOSITION OF SASSCO:
The operating results of the Sassco Fashions line have been eliminated to
give effect to the disposition as of the beginning of the period presented,
including depreciation expense on its property, plant and equipment, an
allocated corporate charge based on workload by department related to the Sassco
Fashions line and direct charges associated with financing fees on its factoring
agreement and fees incurred on letters of credit issued on its behalf. For
periods including June 4, 1997, the gain recorded on the disposition of the
Sassco Fashions line has been reversed.
DISPOSITION OF CASTLEBERRY:
The operating results of the Castleberry line have been eliminated to give
effect to the disposition as of the beginning of the period presented, including
depreciation expense on its property, plant and equipment and an allocated
corporate charge based on workload by department related to the Castleberry
line.
FRESH-START REPORTING:
The Company used fresh-start reporting to record the estimated effect of the
Plan (as defined under "BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY--Reorganization Under Chapter
11") as if it had been effective as of the beginning of period presented. This
includes adjustments of the following items:
(i) The elimination of the historical depreciation and amortization for the
remaining product line, including the amounts in cost of sales, on the
beginning of period asset balances and the recording of the amortization
credit for the "Excess of revalued net assets acquired over equity under
fresh-start reporting" (assuming a three-year amortization period).
(ii) The elimination of historical reorganization expense that will not be
incurred after June 4, 1997.
(iii) The elimination of the fresh-start revaluation charge and the reversal
of the gain on debt discharge pursuant to the Plan.
(b) Financial information for the thirty-one weeks ended January 3, 1998
represents the consolidated results of the reorganized entity after the
consummation of the Plan.
(c) Financial information for the twenty-two weeks ended June 4, 1997 represents
the consolidated results prior to the Company's consummation of the Plan.
The income statement information includes the results of Castleberry and
Sassco Fashions lines prior to their sale or spin-off in connection with the
consummation of the Plan.
(d) The Company incurred reorganization costs in 1997, 1996, 1995 and 1994 while
operating as a debtor in possession. Included in 1997, 1996, 1995 and 1994
is a provision of $0, $652,000, $3,181,000 and $53,000,000, respectively,
for a write-down of a portion of the excess purchase price over net assets
acquired in the 1984 leveraged buyout of The Leslie Fay Company, related to
certain of the Company's product lines, which the Company believes will be
unrecoverable.
(e) On January 2, 1994, the Company decided not to accrue interest on
approximately $253,000,000 of pre-petition debt. During 1996 and 1995 the
Company had direct borrowings under the FNBB Credit Agreement on 102 days in
the second and third quarters of 1996 and 10 days in the third quarter of
1995, the highest amounts of which were $28,672,000 and $3,956,000,
respectively. The Company had no direct borrowings under the predecessor
credit agreement in 1994.
6
<PAGE>
Interest on direct borrowings was incurred at a rate of prime plus 1.5%. The
terms of the FNBB Credit Agreement are described in Note 7(b) to the audited
Consolidated Financial Statements.
(f) The Company recognized an income tax credit of $1,103,000 and $1,811,000 in
1996 and 1995, respectively, representing a reduction of foreign income tax
liabilities as a result of negotiated settlements on prior years' estimated
taxes. The Company paid only state, local and foreign taxes in 1996, 1995
and 1994. The elimination of the income tax benefit in 1994 resulted from
the complete utilization of tax refunds from prior years' taxes paid.
(g) Amount consists of the following three components: Gain on Sale/Transfer of
the Sassco Fashions line of $89,810,000 (net of $3,728,000 of income taxes),
charge for Revaluation of Assets and Liabilities Pursuant to the Adoption of
Fresh-Start Reporting of ($27,010,000) and Gain on Debt Discharge (an
extraordinary item) of $73,541,000.
(h) Net income (loss) per share for the pro forma fifty-three weeks ended
January 3, 1998, thirty-one weeks ended January 3, 1998, pro forma 1996 and
the thirteen weeks ended April 4, 1998 was calculated based on 6,800,000
shares of new common stock, adjusted to give effect to the 2 for 1 stock
split effected in July 1998, issued in connection with the consummation of
the Plan. Earnings per common share for the twenty-two weeks ended June 4,
1997 is not presented because such presentation would not be meaningful. The
old stock of 18,771,836 shares, used in calculating the net income (loss)
per share in 1994 through 1996, was canceled under the Plan and the new
stock was not issued until June 4, 1997.
(i) The Company classified certain product lines as "Assets of Product Lines
Held for Sale and Disposition," as the Company had announced its intention
to dispose of these lines.
(j) Amount excludes long-term debt classified in liabilities subject to
compromise.
7
<PAGE>
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of operations and balance
sheets set forth below are shown for illustrative purposes only. They are based
on the Company's audited consolidated balance sheet at January 2, 1999,
unaudited consolidated balance sheet at April 3, 1999, audited consolidated
statement of operations for the year ended January 2, 1999 and unaudited
consolidated statement of operations for the thirteen weeks ended April 3, 1999,
adjusted to reflect the election by holders of 2,111,966 shares of Common Stock
to receive cash in the Merger at $7.00. See "THE MERGER--Financing of the
Merger."
The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements do not purport to
be indicative of the results that may be obtained in the future, or the
financial condition that would have resulted, if the Merger had been completed
at the the beginning of the fiscal year ended January 2, 1999 or the beginning
of the fiscal quarter ended April 3, 1999, as the case may be.
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIFTY-TWO WEEKS ENDED JANUARY 2, 1999
----------------------------------------------------------
DEBT INTEREST FEE PRO FORMA
AUDITED ASSUMPTION(A) EXPENSES(B) AMORTIZATION(C) BALANCE
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales............................ $152,867 -- -- -- $152,867
Cost of Sales........................ 115,547 -- -- -- 115,547
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Gross profit....................... 37,320 -- -- -- 37,320
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Operating Expenses:
Selling, warehouse, general and
administrative expense........... 28,076 -- -- -- 28,076
Non-cash stock based
compensation..................... 1,724 -- -- -- 1,724
Depreciation and amortization
expense.......................... 406 -- -- -- 406
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Total operating expenses......... 30,206 -- -- -- 30,206
Other income....................... (1,334) -- -- -- (1,334)
Amortization of excess revalued net
assets acquired over equity...... (4,572) -- -- -- (4,572)
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Total operating expenses, net...... 24,300 -- -- -- 24,300
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Operating income................... 13,020 -- -- -- 13,020
Interest Expense, net and Financing
Costs.............................. 950 -- 752 50 1,752
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Net Income before taxes............ 12,070 -- (752) (50 ) 11,268
Tax provision (benefit).............. 3,212 -- (316) (21 ) 2,875
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Net Income......................... $8,858 -- $(436) $(29 ) $8,393
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Net Income Per Common Share
--Basic.......................... $1.35 $1.51
---------
---------
--Diluted........................ $1.31 $1.45
--------- ---------
--------- ---------
Weighted Average Common Shares
Outstanding
--Basic.......................... 6,553,637 5,553,637
--------- ---------
--------- ---------
--Diluted........................ 6,777,614 5,777,614
--------- ---------
--------- ---------
</TABLE>
8
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED APRIL 3, 1999
----------------------------------------------------------
DEBT INTEREST FEE PRO FORMA
AUDITED ASSUMPTION(A) EXPENSES(B) AMORTIZATION(C) BALANCE
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales............................ $61,144 -- -- -- $61,144
Cost of Sales........................ 44,460 -- -- -- 44,460
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Gross profit....................... 16,684 -- -- -- 16,684
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Operating Expenses:
Selling, warehouse, general and
administrative expense........... 10,373 -- -- -- 10,373
Non-cash stock based
compensation..................... 301 -- -- -- 301
Depreciation and amortization
expense.......................... 280 -- -- -- 280
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Total operating expenses......... 10,954 -- -- -- 10,954
Other income....................... (349) -- -- -- (349)
Amortization of excess revalued net
assets acquired over equity...... (1,143) -- -- -- (1,143)
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Total operating expenses, net...... 9,462 -- -- -- 9,462
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Operating income................... 7,222 -- -- -- 7,222
Interest Expense, net and Financing
Costs.............................. 669 -- 188 13 870
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Net Income before taxes............ 6,553 -- (188) (13 ) 6,352
Tax provision (benefit).............. 2,272 -- (79) (5 ) 2,188
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Net Income......................... $4,281 $-- $(109) $(8 ) 4,164
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Net Income Per Common Share
--Basic.......................... $0.71 $0.83
--------- ---------
--------- ---------
--Diluted........................ $0.70 $0.81
--------- ---------
--------- ---------
Weighted Average Common Shares
Outstanding
--Basic.......................... 6,041,138 5,041,138
--------- ---------
--------- ---------
--Diluted........................ 6,144,820 5,144,820
--------- ---------
--------- ---------
</TABLE>
9
<PAGE>
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
JANUARY 2, 1999
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DEBT INTEREST FEE PRO FORMA
AUDITED ASSUMPTION EXPENSES(B) AMORTIZATION(C) BALANCE
----------- ----------- ------------- ----------------- -----------
<CAPTION>
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents.................. $ 946 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ 946
Restricted cash and cash equivalents....... 3,267 -- -- -- 3,267
Accounts receivable--net of allowances for
possible loss of $6,825.................. 16,172 -- -- -- 16,172
Inventories................................ 38,627 -- -- -- 38,627
Prepaid expenses and other current
assets................................... 970 -- -- 200 1,170
----------- ----------- ------------- ------ -----------
Total Current Assets..................... 59,982 -- -- 200 60,182
Property, Plant and Equipment, at cost, net
of accumulated depreciation of $409........ 2,781 -- -- -- 2,781
Excess of purchase price over net assets
acquired, net of accumulated amortization
of -$50-................................... 4,490 -- -- -- 4,490
Deferred Charges and Other Assets............ 551 -- -- -- 551
----------- ----------- ------------- ------ -----------
Total Assets................................. $ 67,804 $ -- $ -- $ 200 $ 68,004
----------- ----------- ------------- ------ -----------
----------- ----------- ------------- ------ -----------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Short-term debt............................ $ 1,162 $ 2,000 $ 394 $ 229 $ 3,785
Accounts payable........................... 12,070 -- -- -- 12,070
Accrued expenses and other current
liabilities... 7,486 -- -- -- 7,486
Accrued expenses and other current
confirmation liabilities................. 3,267 -- -- -- 3,267
Income taxes payable......................... 371 -- -- -- 371
Current portion of capitalized leases........ 48 -- -- -- 48
----------- ----------- ------------- ------ -----------
Total Current Liabilities................ 24,404 2,000 394 229 27,027
Note Payable................................. -- 5,000 42 -- 5,042
Excess of revalued net assets acquired over
equity under fresh-start reporting, net
of accumulated amortization of $7,239.... 6,469 -- -- -- 6,469
Long term debt-capitalized lease............. 17 -- -- -- 17
Deferred liabilities......................... 477 -- -- -- 477
----------- ----------- ------------- ------ -----------
Total Liabilities........................ 31,367 7,000 436 229 39,032
----------- ----------- ------------- ------ -----------
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 500 shares
authorized; no shares issued and
outstanding.............................. -- -- -- -- --
Common stock, $.01 par value; 20,000 shares
authorized; 6,858 shares issued.......... 69 -- -- -- 69
Capital in excess of par value............. 28,824 -- -- -- 28,824
Accumulated retained earnings.............. 12,167 -- (436) (29) 11,702
----------- ----------- ------------- ------ -----------
41,060 --........ (436) (29) 40,595
Less:
Treasury stock at cost, 817 common shares
actual and 1,817 common shares pro forma... 4,623 7,000 -- -- 11,623
----------- ----------- ------------- ------ -----------
Total Stockholders' Equity............... 36,437 (7,000) (436) (29) 28,972
----------- ----------- ------------- ------ -----------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity... $ 67,804 $ -- $ -- $ 200 $ 68,004
----------- ----------- ------------- ------ -----------
----------- ----------- ------------- ------ -----------
</TABLE>
10
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APRIL 3, 1999
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DEBT INTEREST FEE PRO FORMA
AUDITED ASSUMPTION EXPENSES(B) AMORTIZATION(C) BALANCE
----------- ----------- ------------- ----------------- -----------
<CAPTION>
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current Assets:.............................. $ 662 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ 662
Cash and cash equivalents.................. 3,086 -- -- -- 3,086
Restricted cash and cash equivalents....... 0
Restricted short term investments.......... 0
Accounts receivable--net of allowances for
possible loss of $6,542.................. 33,465 -- -- -- 33,465
Inventories................................ 27,883 -- -- -- 27,883
Prepaid expenses and other current
assets................................... 957 -- -- 237 1,194
----------- ----------- ------------- ------ -----------
Total Current Assets..................... 66,053 -- -- 237 66,290
Property, Plant and Equipment, at cost, net
of accumulated depreciation of $640........ 3,418 -- -- -- 3,418
Excess of purchase price over net assets
acquired, net of accumulated amortization
of -$126-.................................. 4,414 -- -- -- 4,414
Deferred Charges and Other Assets............ 547 -- -- -- 547
----------- ----------- ------------- ------ -----------
Total Assets................................. $ 74,432 $ -- $ -- $ 237 $ 74,669
----------- ----------- ------------- ------ -----------
----------- ----------- ------------- ------ -----------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Short-term debt............................ $ 6,267 $ 2,000 $ 67 $ 245 $ 8,579
Accounts payable........................... 9,794 -- -- -- 9,794
Accrued expenses and other current
liabilities.............................. 6,012 -- -- -- 6,012
Accrued expenses and other current
confirmation liabilities................. 3,086 -- -- -- 3,086
Income taxes payable......................... 2,177 -- -- -- 2,177
Current portion of capitalized leases........ 49 -- -- -- 49
----------- ----------- ------------- ------ -----------
Total Current Liabilities................ 27,385 2,000 67 245 29,697
Note Payable................................. -- 5,000 42 -- 5,042
Excess of revalued net assets acquired over
equity under fresh-start reporting, net
of accumulated amortization of $8,382.... 5,326 -- -- -- 5,326
Long term debt-capitalized lease............. 4 -- -- -- 4
Deferred liabilities......................... 590 -- -- -- 590
----------- ----------- ------------- ------ -----------
Total Liabilities........................ 33,305 7,000 109 245 40,659
----------- ----------- ------------- ------ -----------
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 500 shares
authorized; no shares issued and
outstanding.............................. -- -- -- -- --
Common stock, $.01 par value; 20,000 shares
authorized; 6,858 shares issued.......... 69 -- -- -- 69
Capital in excess of par value............. 29,233 -- -- -- 29,233
Accumulated retained earnings.............. 16,448 -- (109) (8) 16,331
----------- ----------- ------------- ------ -----------
45,750 --........ (109) (8) 45,633
Less:
Treasury stock at cost, 817 common shares
actual and 1,817 common shares pro forma... 4,623 7,000 -- -- 11,623
----------- ----------- ------------- ------ -----------
Total Stockholders' Equity............... 41,127 (7,000) (109) (8) 34,010
----------- ----------- ------------- ------ -----------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity... $ 74,432 $ -- $ -- $ 237 $ 74,669
----------- ----------- ------------- ------ -----------
----------- ----------- ------------- ------ -----------
</TABLE>
- ------------------------------
(a) Reflects cost of additional borrowing to acquire 1,000,000 shares at $7.00
per share.
(b) Assumes that interest on note payable in the principal amount of $5,000,000
is paid in monthly installments.
(c) Assumes that fees relating to the transactions associated with the Merger
are amortized over a five-year period.
11
<PAGE>
MARKET PRICES OF AND DIVIDENDS ON THE COMMON STOCK
On December 8, 1998, the common stock of the Company began trading on the
Nasdaq SmallCap Market under the symbol "LFAY." Prior thereto, such stock was
traded on the OTC Bulletin Board operated by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"). The following table sets forth the high bid
and low asked prices on the bulletin board and on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market for
each quarter during 1997, 1998 and 1999 and, from June 4, 1997, adjusted to give
retroactive effect to a 2 for 1 split of the Company's common stock effected in
July 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HIGH LOW
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
FISCAL YEAR 1997:
First Quarter................................................................ $ 0.12 $ 0.01
Second Quarter (prior to June 4, 1997)....................................... 0.10 0.02(a)
Second Quarter (from June 4, 1997)........................................... 4.75 3.69
Third Quarter................................................................ 8.07 3.13
Fourth Quarter............................................................... 8.88 6.00
FISCAL YEAR 1998:
First Quarter................................................................ $ 8.44 $ 6.00
Second Quarter............................................................... 8.81 6.63
Third Quarter................................................................ 9.38 4.75
Fourth Quarter............................................................... 8.00 4.38
FISCAL YEAR 1999:
First Quarter................................................................ $ 6.75 $ 3.88
Second Quarter............................................................... 6.88 4.25
Third Quarter (through July 26, 1999)........................................ 6.50 6.31
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(a) The old common stock was canceled on June 4, 1997. The stockholders holding
the old common stock of the Company did not retain any value for their
equity.
The Merger was announced on May 12, 1999. The closing bid price of the
Common Stock on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market on May 11, 1999, the day preceding
announcement of the Merger, was $6.38 per share. On July 26, 1999, the closing
bid price of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market was $6.39 per share.
YOU ARE URGED TO OBTAIN A CURRENT MARKET QUOTATION FOR YOUR SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK. As of July 23, 1999, there were approximately 1,200 holders of record of
the Common Stock of the Company.
PROPOSAL 2--ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The second matter you will be asked to vote upon is the election of eight
directors to serve until the Company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held
in the year 2000 and until their respective successors are elected and
qualified. See "PROPOSAL 2--Election of Directors."
PROPOSAL 3--RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT
OF THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The third matter that you will be asked to vote upon is the ratification of
the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as the Company's independent accountants
for the year ending January 1, 2000. See "PROPOSAL 3--Ratification of the
Appointment of the Company's Independent Accountants."
12
<PAGE>
PROPOSAL 4--ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL
The fourth matter that you will be asked to vote upon is the adjournment of
the Meeting, if necessary, to permit the further solicitation of proxies in the
event that there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Meeting to approve
the Merger. See "PROPOSAL 4--Adjournment Proposal."
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This Proxy Statement contains forward-looking statements, which are
generally identified by words such as "may," "should," "seeks," "believes,"
"expects," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "strategy" and similar
expressions or the negative of those words. Those statements appear in a number
of places in this Proxy Statement and include statements regarding the intent,
belief, expectation, strategies or projections of the Company, its management or
the Buyers at that time. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of
known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those projected, expressed or implied in the
forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties, many of which are not
within the Company's control, include, but are not limited to, the uncertainty
of potential manufacturing difficulties, the dependence on key personnel, the
possible impact of competitive products and pricing, the Company's continued
ability to finance its operations, general economic conditions and the
achievement and maintenance of profitable operations and positive cash flow. The
accompanying information contained in this Proxy Statement identifies important
factors that could cause expectations not to be met. Forward-looking statements
speak only as of the date made, and neither the Company nor the Buyers undertake
any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. It is likely
that if one or more of the risks and uncertainties materializes, the current
expectations of the Company and its management will not be realized.
13
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROPOSAL 1
APPROVAL OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE MERGER
BACKGROUND OF THE TRANSACTION
Since emerging from bankruptcy in June 1997, the Company has from time to
time purchased shares of its Common Stock in the open market at prevailing
prices pursuant to a publicly-disclosed share repurchase program. A total of
817,000 shares have been purchased in this manner (after giving effect to a
two-for-one split effected in July 1998).
On February 25, 1999, Mark B. Dickstein and Chaim Y. Edelstein, each of whom
was a director of the Company at the time, submitted to John J. Pomerantz, Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, a tentative proposal for
consideration by the directors that the Company offer to purchase up to
2,500,000 shares of its Common Stock for a per share consideration of $8.00
principal amount of 12% senior notes due 2006. Mr. Pomerantz circulated a copy
of the proposal to the other directors and to the executive officers of the
Company. On March 5, 1999, Mr. Pomerantz and Warren T. Wishart, Chief Financial
Officer and Senior Vice President--Administration and Finance of the Company,
met with representatives of The CIT Group/Commercial Services, Inc. ("CIT") to
discuss whether CIT would permit the incurrence of additional debt by the
Company. On March 9, 1999, Messrs. Pomerantz, Wishart, Dickstein and Edelstein
met with counsel for the Company and counsel for Dickstein & Co., L.P.
("Dickstein & Co."), Dickstein International Limited ("Dickstein
International"), Dickstein Focus Fund L.P. ("Dickstein Focus") and Mark B.
Dickstein (together with Dickstein & Co., Dickstein International and Dickstein
Focus, the "Dickstein Sellers"). The meeting explored both the tentative
February 25, 1999 proposal and a variety of alternatives to such proposal. After
the meeting, the Dickstein Sellers filed an amendment to their Schedule 13D
stating that they had proposed the Company buy back stock for debt securities of
the Company expected to be valued on a per share basis in excess of the then
current trading price of the Common Stock.
On March 16, 1999, the Board met, with all directors and counsel for the
Company and the Dickstein Sellers present. The Board concluded that it would be
advisable to retain Conway, Del Genio, Gries & Co., LLC ("Conway Del Genio") to
examine the February 25, 1999 proposal and advise the Board whether it would be
an appropriate course of action for the Company. On March 29, 1999, CIT
submitted a proposal to the Company for the financing of a cash tender offer by
the Company for up to 3 million shares of Common Stock at $6.00 per share.
During March 1999, representatives of the Company asked Mr. Dickstein whether
the Dickstein Sellers would be interested in selling some or all of their shares
of Common Stock to the Company or to a third party if one could be found. Mr.
Dickstein indicated the Dickstein Sellers would not be willing to sell their
shares in any transaction facilitated by the Company unless the Company's other
stockholders had a substantial opportunity to participate therein.
On April 6, 1999, upon the invitation of Mr. Pomerantz, Messrs. de Vogel and
Wagner, representatives of the Buyers, met with Messrs. Pomerantz, Ward and
Wishart, the Company's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer,
President and Chief Financial Officer, respectively, to discuss a possible
transaction involving the Buyers.
On April 12, 1999, the Board met again and authorized the management of the
Company to negotiate the terms of an amendment to the Company's credit agreement
with CIT to be used to finance the repurchase of up to $15 million of Common
Stock at a price of $6.00 per share, such amendment and repurchase subject to
Board approval. Conway Del Genio preliminarily advised the Board that they
believed such a proposal was a reasonable one for the Board to adopt and
concluded (based on various assumptions) that the fair market value of a share
of Common Stock after such a transaction was between $10.03 and $11.54. It was
the sense of the Board that the Company should not
14
<PAGE>
undertake the expense of a tender offer for shares of Common Stock unless it was
assured that at least 2,000,000 shares could be purchased by the Company. Mr.
Dickstein indicated that the Dickstein Sellers would be prepared to commit to
sell 2,000,000 shares, provided that the Company would purchase 500,000 of such
shares outside the tender offer. Mr. Dickstein explained that the Dickstein
Sellers' commitment meant that, subject to certain exceptions, they would be
bound to tender their shares even if the market price of the Common Stock were
to exceed the offer price during the pendency of the tender offer. In
consideration of this commitment, the Dickstein Sellers would require that a
certain minimum number of their Shares be purchased by the Company at the offer
price outside the offer.
At the April 12, 1999 meeting, the Board authorized management to proceed
with the tender offer and to enter into an agreement with the Dickstein Sellers
with respect to the purchase of the 500,000 shares outside of the offer and the
commitment of the Dickstein Sellers to tender 1,500,000 shares in the offer.
Subsequently, a third party indicated to the Company's financial advisor an
interest in purchasing up to $20 million of the Company's Common Stock at a
price of $6.00 per share. Mr. Dickstein reiterated the position of the Dickstein
Sellers that they would not participate in a transaction for the purchase of the
Company's stock unless the Company's other stockholders had a substantial
opportunity to participate. The Company did not pursue this third party
proposal.
Between the end of February 1999 and the end of April 1999, members of the
Company's management met with representatives of six potential financial
investors (other than the Buyers) to discuss their participation in a
transaction or series of transactions involving the Dickstein Sellers and the
Company's public stockholders. Some of such potential investors conducted due
diligence, but none of the investors expressed any interest in participating in
a transaction at $7.00 per share or more.
On April 26, 1999, counsel for the Company furnished counsel for the
Dickstein Sellers a draft of a proposed exchange offer and of an agreement
between the Company and the Dickstein Sellers. Thereafter the details of the
proposed agreement were negotiated between counsel for the Company and counsel
for the Dickstein Sellers.
On April 28, 1999, J. William Uhrig wrote to Mark Dickstein indicating that
the Buyers were preparing to present an offer on the following day to purchase
shares of the Company for $7.00 per share. Mr. Uhrig stated in the letter that
he was writing Mr. Dickstein in addition to the Company because of his
understanding that Mr. Dickstein and the funds represented by him were
interested in selling certain shares owned by them and suggested he meet with
Mr. Dickstein on the following day to present the offer. On April 29, 1999,
representatives of the Buyers and the Dickstein Sellers met.
On April 30, 1999, counsel for the Buyers furnished to counsel for the
Company a draft of a proposed merger agreement among the Company and two
affiliates of the Buyers pursuant to which one of such affiliates would be the
surviving corporation.
On May 4, 1999, the Board met with Mr. Uhrig and Mr. de Vogel of the Buyers.
The representatives of the Buyers described to the Board a proposed transaction
to acquire approximately 2,000,000 shares from the Dickstein Sellers and make a
joint tender offer with the Company for approximately 2,000,000 additional
shares. The representatives of the Buyers also discussed with the Board the
management philosophy of the Buyers. The Board concluded that negotiations
should be held with the representatives of the Buyers to determine whether a
transaction could be effected with them.
Later that day a meeting was held among representatives of the Company, the
Dickstein Sellers and the Buyers together with their respective counsel and
representatives of Conway Del Genio to review the draft merger agreement and the
stock purchase agreement among the Buyers and the Dickstein Sellers (the "Stock
Purchase Agreement"). In the course of that meeting it was determined to change
the structure of the proposed transaction from a joint tender offer to be
followed by a
15
<PAGE>
reverse triangular merger to a merger with a cash out option. Over the course of
the next several days counsel for the respective parties continued to negotiate
the various agreements.
At 10:00 a.m. on May 10, 1999, the Board met by telephone, with all
directors and counsel for the Company and the Dickstein Sellers present, to
consider the Merger, the Merger Agreement and the related documents. At the
meeting, the Company's management and counsel discussed the Merger with the
Board. The Company's counsel reviewed the terms of the Merger Agreement with the
Board. The meeting was adjourned until 7:45 a.m. the next day.
At 7:45 a.m. on May 11, 1999, the Board met by telephone, with all directors
and counsel for the Company and the Dickstein Sellers present, to further
consider the Merger, the Merger Agreement and the related documents. At the
meeting, the Company's counsel reviewed the changes in the documents reflecting
the proposed transaction since the prior day's meeting. Thereafter, the Board
unanimously approved the Merger and the Merger Agreement.
On May 12, 1999, the Dickstein Sellers sold to the Buyers 2,158,000 shares
of Common Stock at a purchase price of $6.95 per share, subject to adjustment,
and the Company, the Buyers and Merger Sub entered into the Merger Agreement.
See "RELATED AGREEMENTS."
RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD; REASONS FOR THE MERGER
The Board has carefully considered the terms of the proposed Merger and has
unanimously determined that the Merger and the Merger Agreement are in the best
interests of the Company and its stockholders, has approved the Merger and the
Merger Agreement and unanimously recommends that its stockholders vote "FOR" the
adoption of the Merger Agreement.
Except to the extent a recommendation is made in a person's capacity as a
director, no executive officer of the Company, nor any affiliate of either Buyer
has made any recommendation with respect to adoption of the Merger Agreement or
any other transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The Buyers and the
Dickstein Sellers have agreed to vote their shares of Common Stock in favor of
adoption of the Merger Agreement.
In reaching its decision to approve the Merger and the Merger Agreement and
to recommend that stockholders vote to adopt the Merger Agreement, the Board
consulted with its financial and legal advisors and with senior management and
considered a number of factors, including, without limitation, the following:
- the ability of the Merger, through the cash election feature, to provide
the Company's stockholders with a level of liquidity currently unavailable
in the marketplace;
- that the Merger is expected to increase pro forma earnings per share to
the Company's existing stockholders (before transaction expenses) if the
holders of 2,111,966 shares of Common Stock elect to receive cash in the
Merger;
- the changes to the Company's certificate of incorporation that will result
from the Merger, which the Board believes will enhance investor interest
in the Company, and
- the fact that the Merger will not significantly disrupt the market for the
Common Stock.
The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered by the
Board is not intended to be exhaustive. In view of the variety of factors
considered in connection with its evaluation of the Merger, the Board did not
find it practicable to, and did not quantify or otherwise assign relative
weights to, the specific factors considered in reaching its determination. In
addition, individual members of the Board may have given different weights to
different factors. For a discussion of the interest of certain members of
management and Board in the Merger, see "--Interests of Certain Persons in the
Merger."
16
<PAGE>
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE ADOPTION
OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
The Company has been informed by directors and executive officers of the
Company, who owned or controlled an aggregate of 22,000 shares of Common Stock
on the Record Date, that they plan to vote their shares of Common Stock or
shares of Common Stock controlled by them in favor of adoption of the Merger
Agreement.
CERTAIN FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS
The Company does not as a matter of course make public forecasts or
projections as to future performance (including as to revenues, earnings, other
income statement items and cash flows) or financial position. However, in
January 1999, the Company's management prepared certain projections in
connection with the Board's review of the current fiscal year. These projections
were provided to the Buyers when the Company began discussing a possible
transaction involving the Buyers. See "--Background of the Transaction." The
projections set forth below are the same as included in the materials presented
to the Board. See "--Background of the Transaction." The projections are
included in this Proxy Statement solely because they were provided to the Buyers
in connection with their decision to enter into the Merger Agreement.
The projections were based upon numerous estimates and assumptions that are
inherently subject to significant uncertainties, are difficult to predict and,
in many cases, are influenced by factors beyond the Company's control. The
material assumptions used in preparing the projections are described in the
projections and related footnotes. Certain assumptions on which the projections
were based related to the achievement of strategic goals, objectives and targets
over the applicable periods that were more favorable than recent historical
results, based in part on the acquisition by the Company of the Warren Apparel
Group Ltd. in October 1998. See "BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY." The projections do
not include any effects of the Merger and its related transactions, including
the increase in interest expense and other expenses. Accordingly, there can be
no assurance that the projected results will be realized or that actual results
will not be significantly higher or lower than those predicted. See "SUMMARY--
Forward-Looking Information."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(IN
THOUSANDS)
-----------
1999
(PROJECTED)
-----------
<S> <C>
Net Sales...................................................... $ 190,633
Gross Profit................................................... 49,013
Operating Profit............................................... 16,229
Net Income..................................................... 10,285
</TABLE>
Additionally, the Company informed the Buyers that it expected net sales to
be $215 million in 2000.
THE COMPANY DOES NOT AS A MATTER OF COURSE MAKE PUBLIC ANY PROJECTIONS AS TO
FUTURE PERFORMANCE OR EARNINGS, AND THE PROJECTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE ARE INCLUDED
IN THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE ONLY BECAUSE THE INFORMATION WAS MADE AVAILABLE TO THE
BUYERS BY THE COMPANY. THE COMPANY HAS INFORMED THE BUYERS AND MERGER SUB THAT
THESE PROJECTIONS WERE NOT PREPARED WITH A VIEW TO PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OR
COMPLIANCE WITH THE PUBLISHED GUIDELINES OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION (THE "COMMISSION") OR THE GUIDELINES ESTABLISHED BY THE AMERICAN
INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS REGARDING PROJECTIONS AND FORECASTS.
THE COMPANY HAS ALSO INFORMED THE BUYERS AND MERGER SUB THAT ITS INTERNAL
FINANCIAL FORECASTS (UPON WHICH THE
17
<PAGE>
PROJECTIONS PROVIDED TO THE BUYERS WERE BASED IN PART) ARE, IN GENERAL, PREPARED
SOLELY FOR INTERNAL USE AND CAPITAL BUDGETING AND OTHER MANAGEMENT
DECISION-MAKING PURPOSES AND ARE SUBJECTIVE IN MANY RESPECTS AND THUS
SUSCEPTIBLE TO VARIOUS INTERPRETATIONS AND PERIODIC REVISION BASED ON ACTUAL
EXPERIENCE AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS. PROJECTED INFORMATION OF THIS TYPE IS
BASED ON ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS THAT ARE INHERENTLY SUBJECT TO SIGNIFICANT
ECONOMIC AND COMPETITIVE UNCERTAINTIES AND CONTINGENCIES, ALL OF WHICH ARE
DIFFICULT TO PREDICT AND MANY OF WHICH ARE BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE COMPANY,
ITS FINANCIAL ADVISOR, THE BUYERS OR MERGER SUB. MANY OF THE ASSUMPTIONS UPON
WHICH THE FOREGOING PROJECTIONS WERE BASED, NONE OF WHICH WERE APPROVED BY THE
BUYERS OR MERGER SUB, ARE DEPENDENT UPON ECONOMIC FORECASTING (BOTH GENERAL AND
SPECIFIC TO THE COMPANY'S BUSINESSES), WHICH IS INHERENTLY UNCERTAIN AND
SUBJECTIVE. NONE OF THE BUYERS, MERGER SUB, THE COMPANY OR ITS FINANCIAL ADVISOR
ASSUMES ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR VALIDITY OF ANY OF SUCH
PROJECTIONS. INCLUSION OF THE FOREGOING PROJECTIONS SHOULD NOT BE REGARDED AS AN
INDICATION THAT THE BUYERS, MERGER SUB, THE COMPANY OR ANY OTHER PERSON WHO
RECEIVED SUCH INFORMATION CONSIDERS IT AN ACCURATE PREDICTION OF FUTURE EVENTS,
AND NEITHER THE BUYERS NOR MERGER SUB HAS RELIED ON THEM AS SUCH.
NONE OF THE BUYERS, MERGER SUB OR THE COMPANY, OR ITS FINANCIAL ADVISOR, OR
ANY OTHER PARTY, INTENDS TO PUBLICLY UPDATE OR OTHERWISE PUBLICLY REVISE THE
PROJECTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE.
THE INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE COMPANY, THE BUYERS AND MERGER SUB HAVE
NOT EXAMINED OR COMPILED THESE PROJECTIONS AND ACCORDINGLY DO NOT EXPRESS AN
OPINION OR ANY OTHER FORM OF ASSURANCE WITH RESPECT TO THEM.
PLANS FOR THE COMPANY AFTER THE MERGER
Except as indicated elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, none of the Buyers,
Merger Sub or the Company currently have any plans or proposals that relate to
or would result in an extraordinary corporate transaction, such as a merger,
reorganization or liquidation involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries,
a sale or transfer of a material amount of assets of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or any material change in the Company's capitalization, corporate
structure or business or the composition of the Board or executive officers
following the consummation of the Merger. The Company anticipates that any
indebtedness to be incurred in connection with the Merger will be repaid
primarily with cash generated from the operations of the business of the Company
or a subsequent refinancing. However, the Company may, in the future, consider
such other means of repaying such indebtedness as the Company may determine.
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER AND THE COMPANY
In considering the recommendation of the Board, you should be aware that
directors of the Company have certain relationships or interests in the Merger
and the Company, including those referred to below, that are different from the
interests of other stockholders and that may present actual or potential
conflicts of interest. The Board was aware of these potential and actual
conflicts of interest and considered them in evaluating the proposed Merger.
CASH ELECTION AND STOCK OPTIONS. As of the Record Date, the Buyers owned an
aggregate of 2,158,000 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 36% of
the total outstanding shares of
18
<PAGE>
Common Stock on that date. The Buyers do not intend to elect to make a cash
election with respect to any of such shares in connection with the Merger. If
the holders of at least 2,111,966 shares of Common Stock elect to receive cash
in the Merger, then the Buyers will own 3,269,966 shares of Common Stock
following the Merger, representing approximately 65% of the Company's
outstanding shares of Common Stock. See "THE MERGER AGREEMENT--Surrender and
Payment of Shares of Common Stock."
As of the Record Date, directors and executive officers of the Company owned
an aggregate of 22,000 shares of Common Stock for each of which shares, they
will be entitled to elect to receive $7.00 per share in cash. The Dickstein
Sellers have indicated that they expect to elect to make a cash election with
respect to 250,000 shares of Common Stock. The Company's executive officers and
directors have informed the Company that neither they nor their affiliates
intend to make such an election.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION. Under the terms of the
Merger Agreement, upon consummation of the Merger, the current executive
officers and directors of the Company will remain as the initial executive
officers and directors of the Surviving Corporation (as defined herein). Messrs.
Pomerantz, Ward, Felicetti and Wishart, the Company's Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer, President, Senior Vice President--Manufacturing and
Sourcing and Senior Vice President--Administration and Finance and Chief
Financial Officer, respectively, have agreed to waive any rights arising under
their employment agreements and with respect to their stock options as a result
of any change in control resulting from the acquisition of shares of Common
Stock by the Buyers or the Merger. See "PROPOSAL 2--Employment Agreements."
In connection with the execution and delivery of the Stock Purchase
Agreement, Mark B. Dickstein and Chaim Y. Edelstein resigned from the Board, and
the Board appointed H. Whitney Wagner and Thomas G. Weld, both Managing
Directors of Three Cities Research, Inc. ("TCR"), the Buyers' investment
advisor, to fill the vacancies created by such resignations.
The Company has entered into certain agreements with the Buyers and the
Dickstein Sellers regarding the election of directors to the Board, and Mr.
Pomerantz has entered into an agreement with the Buyers regarding the election
of directors to the Board. See "PROPOSAL 2--Certain Arrangements Regarding the
Election of Directors."
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS. Non-employee directors currently receive a per
annum retainer of $12,500 and 2,000 shares of Common Stock. In addition, the
Chairmen of the Audit and Compensation Committees receive an additional $2,500
per annum and members of such committees receive an additional $1,000 per annum.
See "PROPOSAL 2--Compensation of Directors." Officers of the Company do not
receive additional compensation for serving as directors.
INDEMNIFICATION ARRANGEMENTS. For a discussion of certain requirements in
the Merger Agreement for the indemnification of directors and officers of the
Company and the maintenance of directors' and officers' insurance, see "THE
MERGER AGREEMENT--Indemnification and Insurance."
CERTAIN EFFECTS OF THE MERGER
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION. If the Company's stockholders adopt the
Merger Agreement, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
Company, in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit A, will become,
from and after the Effective Time, the certificate of incorporation of the
Surviving Corporation. The revisions to the Company's certificate of
incorporation will modify certain provisions regarding the approval of certain
business combination transactions. See "THE MERGER AGREEMENT--Directors and
Officers; Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws Following the Merger."
19
<PAGE>
MARKET FOR THE SHARES. The shares are currently listed and traded on the
Nasdaq SmallCap Market under the symbol "LFAY." The election by stockholders to
receive cash in the Merger will reduce the number of shares that might otherwise
trade publicly and may reduce the number of holders of shares. Continued trading
of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market is conditioned upon the
Company meeting certain criteria including, among other things, the maintenance
of at least 300 round lot shareholders (holders of 100 shares or more). If the
Company fails to meet such criteria, the Company may receive notice from Nasdaq
that the Common Stock may be delisted from the Nasdaq Small Cap Market. Such
delisting could materially adversely affect the trading market for the Common
Stock. The Company believes that in the event of such delisting the Common Stock
would be eligible for listing on the OTC Bulletin Board operated by the NASD,
where the security was listed prior to its inclusion in the SmallCap Market. If
this were the case, a stockholder may find it more difficult to dispose of, or
to obtain accurate quotations as to the market value of, the Common Stock.
MARGIN REGULATIONS. The shares are currently "margin securities" under the
rules of the Federal Reserve Board. This has the effect, among other things, of
allowing brokers to extend credit on the shares as collateral. The Company
believes that, following consummation of the Merger, the shares will continue to
qualify as margin securities.
REGISTRATION UNDER THE EXCHANGE ACT. The shares are registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), which
requires, among other things, that the Company furnish certain information to
its stockholders and to the Commission and comply with the Commission's proxy
rules in connection with meetings of the Company's stockholders. If the Company
had fewer than 300 holders of record, Section 12(g)(4) of the Exchange Act would
permit the Company to terminate registration of the Common Stock by filing a
certification to that effect, and the Company would not be required to comply
with the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. As of the Record Date, the
Company had approximately 1,200 stockholders of record. The Company does not
expect that, following consummation of the Merger, the Company will have fewer
than 300 holders of record of shares of its Common Stock. The Board does not
presently intend to file such certification in the event there are fewer than
300 holders of record upon consummation of the Merger.
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following discussion is a general summary of certain of the U.S. federal
income tax consequences of the Merger, based on current tax law (which is
subject to change retroactively as well as prospectively). This summary does not
purport to cover all aspects of federal income taxation that may be relevant to
a stockholder. This summary does not discuss any aspect of state, local, foreign
or other tax laws. In addition, certain stockholders (including insurance
companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions, foreign persons,
broker dealers and stockholders who have acquired shares of Common Stock upon
the exercise of an option or otherwise as compensation) may be subject to
special rules not discussed below. This summary assumes that the shares of
Common Stock are held as a "capital asset" within the meaning of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
Stockholders who do not elect to receive cash in the Merger will not be
subject to tax as a result of the Merger. The following discussion therefore
applies only to stockholders who elect to receive cash in the Merger.
The sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the cash election in the
Merger is treated as a sale of shares to the Buyers and/or the Company, in
proportion to the number of shares acquired by each in the Merger. To the extent
shares are deemed to be sold to the Buyers, the stockholder will recognize
capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash deemed
to be received by him or her from the Buyers and his or her tax basis in the
shares deemed to be sold to the Buyers. Such gain or loss will be long-term
capital gain or loss if such shares were held for more than one year.
20
<PAGE>
Under Section 302 of the Code, the repurchase of shares from a stockholder
by the Company for cash in the Merger is treated as a taxable sale of the shares
by the stockholder if the receipt of such cash (1) is "substantially
disproportionate" with respect to the stockholder, (2) is "not essentially
equivalent to a dividend" with respect to the stockholder or (3) results in a
"complete termination" of the stockholder's stock interest in the Company. If
any of the three tests is met, the stockholder will recognize gain or loss equal
to the difference between the amount of cash deemed to be received by him or her
from the Company in the Merger and his or her basis in the shares deemed to be
sold to the Company.
In determining whether any of the tests under Section 302 of the Code is
satisfied, a stockholder must take into account not only shares of stock of the
Company that are actually owned by him or her, but also shares that are
constructively owned by him or her within the meaning of Section 318 of the
Code. Under Section 318 of the Code, a stockholder may constructively own shares
of stock actually owned, and in some cases constructively owned, by certain
related individuals and certain related entities in which the stockholder, a
related party or a related entity has an interest, and shares of stock which he
or she has the right to acquire. In connection with options to acquire
additional shares from the Company (including as a result of securities
convertible into shares), the Internal Revenue Service takes the position that
only options of the stockholders being tested under Section 302 of the Code are
taken into account. However, there is both contrary and supporting case law with
respect to this issue.
The receipt of cash will be "substantially disproportionate" with respect to
a stockholder if the percentage of the voting stock of the Company actually and
constructively owned by the stockholder immediately following the purchase of
shares pursuant to the Merger is less than 80% of the percentage of the voting
stock of the Company actually and constructively owned by such stockholder
immediately before the Merger.
Whether the receipt of cash by a stockholder will be "not essentially
equivalent to a dividend" depends on the individual stockholder's facts and
circumstances. To qualify as a distribution "not essentially equivalent to a
dividend," such distribution must result in a "meaningful reduction" in the
stockholder's percentage interest in the Company, taking into account the
constructive ownership rules. The Internal Revenue Service has ruled publicly
that any reduction in percentage interest of a small minority stockholder in a
publicly held corporation who exercises no control over corporate affairs should
constitute such a "meaningful reduction."
Finally, the receipt of cash by a stockholder will be deemed to result in a
"complete termination" of such stockholder's stock interest in the Company if
immediately following a sale of shares pursuant to the Merger either (1) the
selling stockholder does not actually or constructively own any shares of stock
of the Company or (2) the selling stockholder does not actually own any shares,
but constructively owns shares as to which he is eligible to waive and
effectively does waive constructive ownership.
Each stockholder should be aware that contemporaneous dispositions or
acquisitions of shares of stock of the Company, including any purchase by the
Buyers pursuant to the Merger, may be taken into account in determining whether
the stockholder satisfies any of the tests under Section 302 of the Code. In
addition, the proration in the event the cash election is oversubscribed may
affect a stockholder's ability to satisfy one of the Section 302 tests for
capital gain treatment.
If none of the three tests under Section 302 is satisfied, the stockholder
will be treated as having received a dividend in an amount equal to the full
amount of cash deemed to be received by him or her from the Company pursuant to
the Merger, assuming the Company has (as it believes it does) sufficient current
and accumulated earnings and profits. To the extent that the sale of shares by a
corporate stockholder is treated as a dividend, the stockholder generally will
be entitled to a dividends-received deduction equal to 70% of the dividend,
subject to applicable limitations, including those relating to "debt-financed
portfolio stock" under Section 246A of the Code and to the 45-day holding period
requirement of Section 246(c) of the Code. Also, since it is expected that
purchases by the Company pursuant to the Merger will not be pro rata as to all
stockholders, any amount treated as a
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dividend to a corporate stockholder generally is expected to constitute an
"extraordinary dividend" subject to the provisions of Section 1059 of the Code
(except as may otherwise be provided in regulations yet to be promulgated by the
Treasury Department). Under Section 1059 of the Code, a corporate stockholder
must reduce the tax basis of all such stockholder's stock (but not below zero)
by the portion of any "extraordinary dividend" that is equal to the deduction
allowable under the dividends received deduction rules and, to the extent such
portion exceeds the stockholder's tax basis in the stock, it is treated as gain
from the nontaxed sale of such stock in the taxable year in which the closing
occurs.
To prevent backup federal income tax withholding equal to 31% of the gross
payments made for shares purchased pursuant to the Merger, each tendering
stockholder who does not otherwise establish an exemption from such withholding
must notify American Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the "Exchange Agent") of
such stockholder's social security number or taxpayer identification number (or
certify that such taxpayer is awaiting a social security number or taxpayer
identification number) and provide certain other information by completing the
Substitute Form W-9 included in the Form of Election. Backup withholding is not
an additional tax; rather, the stockholder is entitled to a credit against his
or her federal income tax for the amount of any backup withholding.
THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO ANY PARTICULAR STOCKHOLDER OF A SALE OF SHARES
PURSUANT TO A CASH ELECTION IN THE MERGER MAY DIFFER DEPENDING UPON THAT
STOCKHOLDER'S OWN CIRCUMSTANCES AND TAX POSITION (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION,
THE PERCENTAGE OF THE STOCKHOLDER'S SHARES OF COMMON STOCK FOR WHICH SUCH
ELECTION IS MADE). FURTHERMORE, THIS SUMMARY DOES NOT DISCUSS ANY ASPECTS OF
STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN OR OTHER TAX LAWS. EACH STOCKHOLDER IS URGED TO CONSULT
WITH SUCH STOCKHOLDER'S OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO
SUCH STOCKHOLDER MAKING A CASH ELECTION PURSUANT TO THE MERGER, AS WELL AS THE
AMOUNT OF THE ELECTION.
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
For accounting and financial reporting purposes, the Merger will be
accounted for as a recapitalization.
FINANCING OF THE MERGER
Under the Merger Agreement, the Company expects to obtain the cash to be
paid to stockholders of the Company who elect to receive cash as follows: (1) if
holders of less than 825,000 shares elect to receive cash, then the Company
expects to obtain all of such cash by amending its existing credit agreement
with CIT to increase its borrowings thereunder, (2) if holders of at least
825,000 but not more than 1,625,000 shares elect to receive cash, then the
Buyers will capitalize Merger Sub with the entire amount payable by the Company
to stockholders (and, as a result of the Merger, the Buyers will receive one
share of Common Stock for every $7.00 with which Merger Sub is capitalized) and
(3) if holders of more than 1,625,000 but not more than 2,111,966 shares elect
to receive cash, then (x) the Buyers will capitalize Merger Sub with an amount
equal to $3,295,890.04 divided by a number equal to 1.04 multiplied by the
number of shares making the election to receive cash (but not more than
2,111,966 shares) (and, as a result of the Merger, the Buyers will receive one
share of Common Stock for every $7.00 with which Merger Sub is capitalized) and
(y) the Company expects to obtain the remainder of such cash by amending its
existing credit agreement with CIT to increase its borrowings thereunder. The
Buyers expect to obtain the necessary funds to capitalize Merger Sub from their
own resources.
On May 19, 1999, CIT and the Company entered into a commitment letter, which
provides for a five-year, $5 million term loan facility and revisions to the
Company's existing revolving line of credit, including changes to financial
covenants and dollar limits. CIT's obligation to provide such financing for the
Company's obligation to pay the Company's stockholders who elect to receive cash
is subject to
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certain conditions, including the following: (1) execution of an amendment to
the Company's existing credit agreement with CIT, (2) no material change in the
Company's financial condition and (3) review of the documentation relating to
the Merger. There can be no assurance that such conditions will be satisfied
when the Company needs to obtain the funds required to pay such stockholders.
The CIT Credit Agreement, as amended, contains certain reporting
requirements, as well as financial and operating covenants related to capital
expenditures, minimum tangible net worth, maintenance of a current assets to
current liabilities ratio, an interest to earnings ratio and the attainment of
minimum earnings. As collateral for borrowing under the CIT Credit Agreement,
the Company has granted to CIT a security interest in substantially all of its
assets. In addition, the CIT Credit Agreement contains certain restrictive
covenants, including limitations on the incurrence of additional liens and
indebtedness. The Company is currently in compliance with or has obtained either
written or oral waivers for all requirements contained in the CIT Credit
Agreement.
REGULATORY APPROVALS
The Company does not believe that any material federal or state regulatory
approvals, filings or notices are required by the Company in connection with the
Merger. The Company, the Buyers and Merger Sub do not believe that they are
required to make a filing with the Department of Justice or the Federal Trade
Commission pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976,
as amended, although each agency has the authority to challenge the Merger on
antitrust grounds before or after the Merger is consummated.
RISK THAT THE MERGER WILL NOT BE CONSUMMATED
Consummation of the Merger is subject to certain conditions, including (1)
stockholder adoption of the Merger Agreement and (2) receipt by the Company of
financing for the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. See "THE
MERGER AGREEMENT--Conditions." Even if the requisite approval by stockholders is
obtained, there can be no assurance that the Merger will be consummated. See
"--Conduct of the Business of the Company if the Merger is not Consummated."
See "--Conduct of the Business of the Company if the Merger is not
Consummated," and "THE MERGER AGREEMENT--Fees and Expenses" with respect to
obligations of the Company in certain instances if the Merger Agreement is
terminated.
APPRAISAL RIGHTS
Holders of shares of Common Stock can decide to receive, instead of having
their shares converted into the right to receive $7.00 per share in cash or
instead of keeping their shares after the Merger, an amount that the Court of
Chancery of the State of Delaware decides is the "fair value" of their shares of
Common Stock, exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment
or expectation of the Merger, together with a fair rate of interest, as
determined by the court.
These rights are known as "appraisal rights." If a holder of shares of
Common Stock wishes to exercise appraisal rights in connection with the Merger,
the holder must not vote in favor of the Merger and must meet the conditions
described below.
The conditions necessary to secure appraisal rights are set out in full in
Annex B. This summary is not meant to be a complete statement on appraisal
rights, but rather is only a guide for a stockholder who wishes to exercise
appraisal rights. Delaware law requires that the Company notify stockholders at
least 20 days prior to the Meeting that they have a right of appraisal and
provide stockholders with a copy of Section 262 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law (the "DGCL"). This Proxy Statement constitutes that notice. If
you do not follow the procedures set out below and in Annex B, you will lose
your appraisal rights.
ALL REFERENCES IN THIS SUMMARY AND IN SECTION 262 TO A "STOCKHOLDER" OR TO A
"HOLDER" OF THE COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK ARE TO THE RECORD HOLDERS OF THE
COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK AS TO WHICH
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APPRAISAL RIGHTS ARE AVAILABLE. A PERSON HAVING A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN SHARES
HELD OF RECORD IN THE NAME OF ANOTHER PERSON, SUCH AS A BROKER OR NOMINEE, MUST
ACT PROMPTLY TO CAUSE THE RECORD HOLDER TO FOLLOW THE STEPS SUMMARIZED BELOW
PROPERLY AND IN A TIMELY MANNER TO PERFECT THE HOLDER'S APPRAISAL RIGHTS.
A holder of Common Stock wishing to exercise his or her appraisal rights
with respect to the Merger must deliver, before the vote on the Merger at the
Meeting, a written demand for appraisal of the holder's shares.
A holder of Common Stock wishing to exercise his or her appraisal rights
with respect to the Merger must not vote in favor of adoption of the Merger
Agreement. Because a duly executed proxy which does not contain voting
instructions will, unless revoked, be voted for the Merger, a holder of Common
Stock who votes by proxy and who wishes to exercise appraisal rights must vote
against the Merger or abstain from voting on the Merger. A vote against the
Merger, in person or by proxy, will not in and of itself constitute a written
demand for appraisal satisfying the requirements of Section 262, and a separate
written demand for appraisal is required.
In addition, a holder of Common Stock wishing to exercise appraisal rights
in connection with the Merger must be the record holder of his shares on the
date the holder makes the written demand for appraisal and must continue to hold
the shares of record until the completion of the Merger.
A demand for appraisal should be executed by or on behalf of the holder of
record, fully and correctly, as the holder's name appears on the stock
certificates. The demand must also state that the stockholder intends to demand
appraisal of the holder's shares of Common Stock in connection with the Merger.
If the shares are owned of record in a fiduciary capacity, including by a
trustee, guardian or custodian, the demand should be executed in that capacity,
and if the shares are owned of record by more than one person, as in a joint
tenancy or tenancy in common, the demand should be executed by or on behalf of
all joint owners. An authorized agent, including two or more joint owners, may
execute a demand for appraisal on behalf of a holder of record but the agent
must identify the record owner or owners and expressly disclose the fact that,
in executing the demand, the agent is agent for the owner or owners.
A record holder, such as a broker, who holds shares of Common Stock as
nominee for several beneficial owners may exercise appraisal rights with respect
to the shares held for one or more beneficial owners while not exercising these
rights with respect to the shares held for other beneficial owners; in this
circumstance, however, the written demand should set forth the number of shares
as to which appraisal is sought and, where no number of shares is expressly
mentioned, the demand will be presumed to cover all shares of Common Stock held
in the name of the record owner. Holders who hold their Common Stock in
brokerage accounts or other nominee forms and who wish to exercise appraisal
rights are urged to consult with their brokers to determine the appropriate
procedures for the making of a demand for appraisal by the nominee.
HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK MUST SEND ALL WRITTEN DEMANDS FOR APPRAISAL UNDER
SECTION 262 TO THE LESLIE FAY COMPANY, INC., 1412 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK
10018, ATTENTION: SECRETARY. THE COMPANY MUST RECEIVE WRITTEN DEMANDS FOR
APPRAISAL UNDER SECTION 262 BEFORE THE MERGER IS VOTED UPON AT THE MEETING.
Within ten days after the date the Merger becomes effective, the Company
must notify each holder of Common Stock who has complied with Section 262 and
has not voted in favor of the Merger of the date that the Merger has become
effective.
Within 120 days after the date the Merger becomes effective, but not
thereafter, the Company or any holder of Common Stock who has complied with
Section 262 and is entitled to appraisal rights under Section 262 may file a
petition in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware demanding a
determination of the fair value of the holder's shares of Common Stock. The
Company will have no
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obligation to file a petition, and the Company has no present intention to cause
such a petition to be filed. Accordingly, it is the obligation of stockholders
seeking appraisal rights to initiate all necessary action to perfect appraisal
rights within the time prescribed in Section 262.
Any holder of Common Stock who has complied with the requirements for
exercise of appraisal rights will be entitled, upon written request, to receive
from the Company a statement setting forth the aggregate number of shares of
Common Stock not voted in favor of the Merger and the number of shares of Common
Stock with respect to which demands for appraisal have been received and the
total number of holders of these shares.
If a holder of Common Stock timely files a petition for an appraisal, the
Court of Chancery is empowered to conduct a hearing on this petition to
determine those holders who have complied with Section 262 and who have become
entitled to appraisal rights thereunder. The Court of Chancery may require the
holders of Common Stock who demanded appraisal of their shares to submit their
stock certificates to the Register in Chancery for notation of the pending
appraisal proceeding. If any stockholder fails to comply with its direction, the
Court of Chancery may dismiss the proceedings as to the stockholder.
After determining the holders entitled to appraisal, the Court of Chancery
will appraise the "fair value" of their shares of Common Stock, exclusive of any
element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the Merger,
together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to be paid upon the amount
determined to be the fair value. Stockholders considering seeking appraisal
should be aware that the fair value of their Common Stock, as determined in an
appraisal proceeding under Section 262 could be more than, the same as or less
than the consideration they would receive pursuant to an election in the Merger
if they did not seek appraisal of their shares. The Delaware Supreme Court has
stated that "proof of value by any techniques or methods which are generally
considered acceptable in the financial community and otherwise admissible in
court" should be considered in the appraisal proceeding. In addition, Delaware
courts have decided that the statutory appraisal remedy, depending on factual
circumstances, may or may not be a dissenter's exclusive remedy. The Court of
Chancery will also determine the amount of interest, if any, payable upon the
amounts due to persons whose shares of Common Stock have been appraised.
The court may determine the costs of the appraisal action and may allocate
the costs among the parties as the court deems equitable. Each party must bear
its own other expenses of the proceeding, although the court may order that all
or a portion of the expenses incurred by any stockholder in connection with an
appraisal, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and the
fees and expenses of experts utilized in the appraisal proceeding, be charged
against the value of all of the shares of Common Stock entitled to an appraisal.
Any holder of Common Stock who duly demands appraisal in compliance with
Section 262 will not, after the Merger, be entitled to vote the holder's shares
for any purpose or be entitled to the payment of dividends or other
distributions on those shares other than dividends or other distributions
payable to holders of record as of a record date prior to the Merger.
If any stockholder who demands appraisal of shares of Common Stock under
Section 262 fails to perfect, or effectively withdraws or loses, the holders'
right to appraisal, the shares of the stockholder will, pursuant to the terms of
the Merger Agreement, remain as shares of Common Stock of the Company.
A stockholder will fail to perfect and lose the right to appraisal if such
stockholder does not file a petition for appraisal within 120 days after the
date the Merger becomes effective, or if the stockholder delivers to the Company
a written withdrawal of a demand for appraisal and an acceptance of the terms
offered upon the Merger. However, any attempt to withdraw a demand for appraisal
made more than 60 days after the date the Merger becomes effective will require
the written approval of the Company and, once a petition for appraisal is filed,
an appraisal proceeding may not be dismissed as to any holder absent court
approval.
A HOLDER OF COMMON STOCK MAY LOSE APPRAISAL RIGHTS IF THE HOLDER FAILS TO
FOLLOW THE STEPS REQUIRED BY SECTION 262 OF THE DGCL FOR PERFECTING APPRAISAL
RIGHTS.
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THE MERGER AGREEMENT
The following is a summary of certain provisions of the Merger Agreement.
This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the
Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Annex A to this Proxy Statement
and incorporated herein by reference. Any capitalized terms used and not defined
below have the meaning given to them in the Merger Agreement.
THE MERGER
The Merger Agreement provides that the Merger will become effective upon the
filing of a certificate of merger (the "Certificate of Merger") with the
Delaware Secretary of State or at such later time as is specified in the
Certificate of Merger (the "Effective Time").
At the Effective Time, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company,
the separate existence of Merger Sub will cease, and the Company will continue
as the surviving corporation (the "Surviving Corporation"). Subject to the
applicable provisions of the DGCL, all property of the Company and Merger Sub
will be property of the Surviving Corporation, and all liabilities and
obligations of the Company and Merger Sub will be liabilities and obligations of
the Surviving Corporation.
CAPITAL STOCK OF THE CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS
The Merger Agreement provides that, at the Effective Time, except as
otherwise provided with respect to shares of Common Stock as to which appraisal
rights have been effectively exercised, each share of Common Stock that is
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will either (1)
remain outstanding or (2) in the case of shares of Common Stock with respect to
which an election to receive cash has been effectively made and not revoked or
forfeited ("Electing Cash Shares") and subject to proration, be converted into
the right to receive a cash payment of $7.00 per share (the "Cash Election
Consideration").
The Merger Agreement also provides that each holder of record of shares of
Common Stock on the date that is five business days before the Meeting, which
date will be Tuesday, August 17, 1999 (the "Election Date"), will be entitled to
make an unconditional election to receive the Cash Election Consideration for
all or part of such shares by mailing a form of election (the "Form of
Election") to the Exchange Agent. Stockholders must properly complete a Form of
Election in order to elect to receive the Cash Election Consideration.
No more than 2,111,966 shares of Common Stock (the "Cash Election Number")
may receive the Cash Election Consideration at the Effective Time. If the number
of Electing Cash Shares exceeds the Cash Election Number, each Electing Cash
Share, in accordance with a proration mechanism set forth in the Merger
Agreement, will either (1) be converted into the right to receive the Cash
Election Consideration or (2) remain outstanding.
Under the Merger Agreement, the Buyers' shares in Merger Sub will be
converted into shares of Common Stock of the Company as follows: (1) if holders
of less than 825,000 shares elect to receive cash, then the Buyers will receive
one share of Common Stock, (2) if holders of at least 825,000 but not more than
1,625,000 shares elect to receive cash, then the Buyers will receive one share
of Common Stock for every $7.00 with which Merger Sub is capitalized (and the
Buyers will capitalize Merger Sub with $7.00 for each share of Common Stock that
elects to receive cash), (3) if holders of more than 1,625,000 (but not more
than 2,111,966) shares elect to receive cash, then the Buyers will receive one
share of Common Stock for every $7.00 with which Merger Sub is capitalized (and
will capitalize Merger Sub with an amount equal to $3,295,890.04 divided by a
number equal to 1.04 multiplied by the number of shares making the election to
receive cash) and (4) if holders of 2,111,966 (or more) shares elect to receive
cash, then the Buyers will receive an aggregate of 1,111,966 shares of
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Common Stock and will capitalize Merger Sub with $7,783,762 ($7.00 per share of
Common Stock being received by them).
SURRENDER AND PAYMENT OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
Prior to the Election Date, the Company will authorize an exchange agent
satisfactory to the Buyers to receive Forms of Election and exchange
certificates representing shares of Common Stock for the Cash Election
Consideration. Promptly after the Effective Time, the Company will provide the
Exchange Agent with an amount equal to the aggregate Cash Election Consideration
to be paid in respect of the Electing Cash Shares. Each holder of shares of
Common Stock that have been converted into a right to receive the Cash Election
Consideration will be entitled, promptly following the Effective Time, to
receive the Cash Election Consideration payable in respect of such shares.
TREATMENT OF STOCK OPTIONS
Immediately following the Effective Time, each option to purchase shares of
Common Stock (a "Company Stock Option") that is outstanding (whether or not then
vested) at the Effective Time under any of the Company's stock option plans (the
"Company Option Plans") will remain outstanding and all terms and conditions of
the Company Stock Options, including vesting provisions, will remain in effect
as they exist as of the Effective Time, except that 105,254 Company Stock
Options (none of which are held by executive officers or directors of the
Company, who have agreed that the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by the Merger Agreement will not accelerate the vesting of their Company Stock
Options) will vest as a result of the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement but will otherwise remain subject to the same terms and conditions to
which they are subject as of the date of the Merger Agreement.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS; CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS FOLLOWING THE
MERGER
The current directors and officers of the Company will be the initial
directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation.
At the Effective Time, the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, in the form attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit A, will
become, from and after the Effective Time, the certificate of incorporation of
the Company. The following discussion of the post-Merger certificate of
incorporation of the Company is qualified entirely by reference to the form of
the post-Merger certificate of incorporation attached to the Merger Agreement as
Exhibit A. As currently in effect, a business combination between the Company
and an "interested stockholder" (which is generally a 10% stockholder) requires
the approval of at least 80% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and at
least 80% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock not owned by the interested
stockholder or its affiliates. The 80% approval requirement does not apply if
the transaction is approved by either a majority of the Company's "continuing
directors" (generally defined as directors who became directors before the
interested stockholder became an interested stockholder or who are chosen by
such directors) or if the transaction meets certain "fair price" requirements.
The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation that will be in effect
if the Merger Agreement is approved by the requisite vote of the Company's
stockholders will require a business combination with the Company's stockholders
to be approved by at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
and the affirmative vote of the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock voting on such matter that are not owned by the
interested stockholder or its affiliates. In addition, the Company's post-Merger
certificate of incorporation will provide that certain business combinations
will not be subject to the preceding voting requirements (except to the extent
required by law) if at least 75% of the Company's "independent directors"
(generally defined as directors who are not affiliated with or otherwise related
to the interested stockholder or management
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of the Company) have approved the business combination or if such transaction
meets certain "fair price" and procedure requirements.
The bylaws of the Company, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time, will become from and after the Effective Time the bylaws of the Surviving
Corporation, until thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or by
applicable law.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The Merger Agreement contains certain representations and warranties of the
Company, the Buyers and Merger Sub. The representations of the Company relate
to, among other things, its organization, capitalization, power and authority to
enter into the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby,
compliance with required filings and consents under applicable law, and the
absence of conflicts with corporate documents and agreements. The
representations and warranties of Buyers and Merger Sub relate to, among other
things, organization of the Buyers and Merger Sub, capitalization of Merger Sub,
power and authority of the Buyers and Merger Sub to enter into the Merger
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, the absence of conflicts
with Merger Sub's corporate documents and with the Buyers' partnership
agreements, and compliance with required filings and consents under applicable
law.
COVENANTS
The Company has agreed that, during the period from the date of the Merger
Agreement to the Effective Time, the Company and each of its subsidiaries will
conduct its operations only in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice and will use its reasonable best efforts to preserve intact its
business organization, to keep available the services of the present officers
and key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, and to preserve the
goodwill of customers, suppliers and all other persons or entities having
business relationships with the Company or its subsidiaries. The Company also
agreed that neither it nor any of its subsidiaries will, subject to certain
limited exceptions, (1) adopt any amendment to the Company's certificate of
incorporation or bylaws or the comparable organizational documents of any its
subsidiaries; (2) issue or sell additional shares of capital stock of any class,
or any rights, warrants or options to acquire any convertible securities or
capital stock; (3) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution
in respect of any class or series of its capital stock other than between the
Company and any of its subsidiaries; (4) split, combine, subdivide, reclassify
or redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, any shares of its capital stock or any
of its other securities; (5) increase the compensation or fringe benefits
payable to its directors, officers or significant employees, or pay any benefit
not required by any existing plan or arrangement or grant any severance or
termination pay to, or enter into any employment or severance agreement with,
any director, officer or other significant employee of the Company or enter into
any employee benefit plan for the benefit or welfare of any directors, officers
or current or former employees; (6) acquire, transfer or encumber any assets
that in the aggregate are in excess of $100,000, or enter into any material
commitment or transaction outside the ordinary course of business that in the
aggregate is in excess of $100,000; (7) incur, assume or prepay any long-term
indebtedness or incur or assume any short-term indebtedness (including, in
either case, by issuance of debt securities), which in the aggregate is in
excess of $100,000, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice; (8) become liable or responsible for the obligations of any other
person or entity except in the ordinary course of business; or (9) make any
loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other person
or entity, which in the aggregate are in excess of $100,000, except in the
ordinary course of business and except loans, advances, capital contributions or
investments between the Company and any of its wholly owned subsidiaries; (10)
terminate, cancel or amend any of the Company's material contracts or enter into
a material contract, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice; (11) make or authorize any unbudgeted capital expenditure;
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(12) take any action with respect to accounting policies or procedures, other
than in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice or as
required pursuant to applicable law or generally accepted accounting principles;
(13) waive, release, assign, settle or compromise any material rights, claims or
litigation; (14) make any tax election or settle or compromise any material
income tax liability; or (15) authorize or enter into any agreement or otherwise
make any commitment to do any of the foregoing. The Merger Agreement provides
that this Proxy Statement will include the recommendation of the Board to the
Company's stockholders in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Merger Agreement to the contrary, if
the Board determines, in good faith in the exercise of its fiduciary duties
under applicable law, that it is required to withdraw, modify or amend its
recommendation in favor of the Merger, such withdrawal, modification or
amendment will not itself constitute a breach of the Merger Agreement.
The Buyers and Merger Sub have agreed that, except as contemplated by the
Merger Agreement, prior to the Effective Time, without the prior written consent
of the Company, the Buyers will not cause Merger Sub to do any business other
than with respect to, or in connection with, the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby.
The Company and Buyers have further agreed that during the period from the
date of the Merger Agreement to the Effective Time, they will not, and Buyers
will not permit Merger Sub to, take any action that would, or that could
reasonably be expected to, result in any of the conditions to the Merger not
being satisfied.
In addition, the Company, the Buyers and Merger Sub have made further
agreements regarding access to the Company's and Buyers' records, the calling of
the Meeting, the preparation and filing of this Proxy Statement with the
Commission and the mailing of copies of this Proxy Statement to NASDAQ, the
obtaining of consents of third parties and governmental authorities and making
public announcements.
Subject to the terms and conditions provided in the Merger Agreement and the
fiduciary duties under applicable law of the directors of the Company, each of
the parties has agreed to use its reasonable best efforts consistent with
applicable legal requirements 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 contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The Buyers, Merger Sub
and the Company also have agreed to use their best efforts to obtain all
material consents of third parties and governmental authorities, and to make all
governmental filings, necessary for the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
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INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE
The DGCL permits, in general, a Delaware corporation such as the Company, to
indemnify any person made, or threatened to be made, a party to an action or
proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she was a director or officer of the
corporation, or served in any capacity at the request of the corporation,
against any judgment, fine, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses,
including attorney's fees actually and necessarily incurred as a result of such
action or proceeding, or any appeal therein, if such director or officer acted
in good faith, for a purpose he or she reasonably believe to be in, or, in the
case of service for another entity, not opposed to, the best interests of the
corporation and, in criminal actions or proceedings, in addition, had no
reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. The DGCL also
permits the corporation to pay in advance of a final disposition of such action
or proceeding the expenses incurred in defending such action or proceeding upon
receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay such amount
as, and to the extent, required by law. The DGCL provides that indemnification
and advancement of expense provisions contained in the DGCL are not exclusive of
any rights to which a person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses
may be entitled, whether contained in the certificate of incorporation or the
bylaws of the corporation or, when authorized by such certificate of
incorporation or bylaws, (1) a resolution of stockholders, (2) a resolution of
directors or (3) an agreement providing for indemnification. However, the DGCL
also provides that no indemnification may be made on behalf of any such person
if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to the person establishes that
his or her acts were committed in bad faith or were the result of active or
deliberate dishonesty and were material to the cause of action so adjudicated,
or that he or she personally gained, in fact, a financial profit or other
advantage to which he or she was not legally entitled.
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides, in accordance with the
DGCL, that a director will not be personally liable to the Company or its
stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director
unless it is established that (1) a breach involved the director's duty of
loyalty to the Company or its stockholders, (2) the director's acts or omissions
were not in good faith or involved intentional misconduct or knowing violation
of law, (3) the director gained an improper personal benefit or (4) the
director's acts violated provisions of the DGCL that impose liability upon
directors in certain instances for declarations of dividends, stock repurchases
or redemptions, distributions of assets following a dissolution, or loans to
directors, when made contrary to provisions of the DGCL.
The Company's bylaws, provide, among other things, that the Company will
indemnify any officer or director (including officers and directors serving
another entity in any capacity at the Company's request) to the fullest extent
permitted by law.
The Merger Agreement provides that the Company will indemnify 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 attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages,
liabilities and amounts paid in settlement in connection with any claim, action,
suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, arising out of such individuals' services as directors, officers
or employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (1) arising out of or
pertaining to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Stock
Purchase Agreement, the Company Agreement (as defined under "RELATED
AGREEMENTS") or the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined under "RELATED
AGREEMENTS") or (2) otherwise with respect to any acts or omissions occurring at
or prior to the Effective Time, to the same extent as provided in the Company's
certificate of incorporation or bylaws or any other arrangement as in effect on
the date of the Merger Agreement.
The Company has agreed to maintain, for a period of not less than six years
after the Effective Time, the current policies of directors' and officers'
liability insurance maintained by the Company for the Company's directors and
officers as of the date prior to the date of the Merger Agreement and as of the
date of the Merger Agreement (the "D&O Insurance"). However, the Company may
obtain other policies that are no less favorable than the existing policies or,
if substantially equivalent insurance coverage is unavailable, the best
available coverage. In any case, the Company will not be required to pay an
annual premium for the D&O Insurance in excess of 150% of the annual premium
currently paid by the Company for such insurance, but in such case shall
purchase as much such coverage as possible for such amount.
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NO SOLICITATION; FIDUCIARY OBLIGATIONS OF DIRECTORS
The Company has agreed that it will not, and will not authorize or permit
any of its representatives to, (1) solicit, initiate or encourage any
discussions or inquiries or the making of any proposal for (each of the
following, a "Takeover Proposal") (a) any merger or other business combination
involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (b) the acquisition of 10%
or more of the assets or capital stock of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, except for the transactions contemplated under the Merger
Agreement or (2) enter into any agreement, arrangement or understanding
requiring it to abandon, terminate or fail to consummate the Merger. However, if
the Board determines in good faith, after consultation with independent outside
legal counsel, that prior to obtaining the requisite vote of stockholders, it is
necessary to do so in order to act in a manner consistent with its fiduciary
duties to the Company's stockholders under applicable law, the Company may, in
response to a Takeover Proposal which was not solicited by it and which did not
otherwise result from a breach of the Company's covenants under the Merger
Agreement, and subject to providing prior written notice of its decision to take
such action to the Buyers, (1) furnish information with respect to the Company
and any or all of its subsidiaries to any person making such Takeover Proposal
pursuant to a customary confidentiality agreement and (2) participate in
discussions or negotiations regarding such Takeover Proposal. In addition, the
Company is required to promptly advise the Buyers of any Takeover Proposal or
request for information, the material terms and conditions of any request for
information or Takeover Proposal and the identity of the person making such
request or Takeover Proposal. The Company will also keep the Buyers informed of
the status and details of any such request or Takeover Proposal. The Merger
Agreement does not prohibit the Company from making a statement to its
stockholders that is required by Rule 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange
Act or from making any other disclosure to its stockholders if, in the good
faith judgment of the Board, after consultation with independent outside
counsel, failure to make such a disclosure would breach its fiduciary duties to
the Company's stockholders under applicable law.
CONDITIONS
The respective obligations of each party to effect the Merger are subject to
the following conditions: (1) the Company will have received the vote of the
holders of any class or series of the Company's capital stock necessary to
approve the Merger Agreement; (2) no court or governmental entity of competent
jurisdiction will have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any
law, order, injunction or decree that is in effect and restrains, enjoins or
otherwise prohibits consummation of the Merger; and (3) the number of shares for
which appraisal has been properly demanded will not be more than 300,000.
The obligations of the Buyers and the Merger Sub to effect the Merger are
subject to the following additional conditions: (1) the Company will have
performed in all material respects the covenants and obligations required to be
performed by it under the Merger Agreement on or prior to the Effective Time;
(2) the representations and warranties of the Company contained in the Merger
Agreement will be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the
Effective Time as if made on and as of such date; (3) none of the claims pending
as set forth in the Company's prior filings with the Commission, individually or
in the aggregate, has resulted or could reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on the Company.
The obligation of the Company to effect the Merger is subject to the
following additional conditions: (1) Buyers and the Merger Sub will have
performed in all material respects the covenants and obligations required to be
performed by them under the Merger Agreement on or prior to the Effective Time;
(2) the representations and warranties of Buyers and the Merger Sub contained in
the Merger Agreement will be true and correct in all material respects on and as
of the Effective Time as if made on and as of such date; and (3) the Company
will have obtained financing on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Company and
in such amount as is necessary to fund the aggregate Cash Election
Consideration.
TERMINATION
The Merger Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective
Time, notwithstanding the vote of the Company's stockholders: (1) by mutual
written consent of Buyers and the Company; (2) by either the Buyers or the
Company if the Merger has not been consummated on or before September 30, 1999
(except that the right to terminate the Merger Agreement after this date
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will not be available to any party whose failure to fulfill any obligation under
the Merger Agreement has been the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the
Effective Time to occur on or before such date); (3) by either the Buyers or the
Company if a statute, rule, regulation or executive order has been enacted,
entered or promulgated prohibiting the consummation of the Merger substantially
on the terms contemplated by the Merger Agreement; (4) by either the Buyers or
the Company if an order, decree, ruling or injunction has been entered
permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of
the Merger substantially on the terms contemplated by the Merger Agreement and
such order, decree, ruling or injunction has become final and non-appealable;
(5) by the Buyers, if the Board or any committee thereof has (a) withdrawn or
modified, or proposed publicly to withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to the
Buyers, its approval of the Merger Agreement or recommendation to the Company's
stockholders, (b) approved or recommended, or proposed publicly to approve or
recommend, any Takeover Proposal, (c) caused the Company to enter into any
agreement with respect to any Superior Proposal (defined in the Merger Agreement
as any Takeover Proposal that the Board determines in good faith contains terms
that are more favorable to the Company's stockholders than the Merger and for
which financing, to the extent required, is then committed), or (d) has resolved
to take any of the actions enumerated in (a), (b) or (c); (6) by the Buyers or
Merger Sub, if the Company has breached in any material respect any of its
representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in the
Merger Agreement, and such breach has not been cured within 30 days after the
giving of written notice to the Company; (7) by the Company, if Buyers or Merger
Sub has breached in any material respect any of their respective
representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in the
Merger Agreement, and such breach has not been cured within 30 days after the
giving of written notice to the Buyers or Merger Sub; (8) by the Company, if the
Company receives a Superior Proposal and the Board, based on the advice of
independent outside legal counsel, determines in good faith that such action is
necessary for the Board to avoid breaching its fiduciary duties to the Company's
stockholders under applicable law; or (9) by the Buyers or the Company, if the
vote of the Company's stockholders adopting the Merger Agreement has not been
obtained at the Meeting.
The Merger Agreement provides that in the event of its termination, written
notice thereof will forthwith be given to the other party or parties specifying
the provision of the Merger Agreement pursuant to which such termination is
made, and the Merger Agreement will terminate and be of no further force and
effect and there shall be no other liability on the part of Buyers, Merger Sub
or the Company, except liability, if any, for a breach of the Merger Agreement.
FEES AND EXPENSES
If (1) the Buyers terminate the Merger Agreement because (a) the Board has
withdrawn its approval and recommendation to the Company's stockholders of the
Merger Agreement, (b) the Board has recommended a Takeover Proposal, (c) the
Board has caused the Company to enter into an agreement with respect to a
Superior Proposal or (d) the Board has resolved to take any of the foregoing
actions or (2) if the Company terminates the Merger Agreement because the
Company has received a Superior Proposal not prohibited under the Merger
Agreement, then in both cases the Company will pay the Buyers an aggregate fee
of $350,000 unless such Superior Proposal is for less than all the shares of the
Company's capital stock, in which case the Company will pay the Buyers an
aggregate fee of $1,000,000.
Unless the Merger does not occur solely as a result of a breach of the
Merger Agreement by any Buyer, the Company must pay the Buyers' reasonable
expenses (up to $500,000) in connection with the Merger.
AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
At any time prior to the Effective Time and subject to applicable law, the
Merger Agreement may be amended, superseded, canceled, modified, renewed or
extended, and the terms thereof may be waived, only by a written agreement
signed by each of the parties or, in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving
compliance.
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RELATED AGREEMENTS
On May 12, 1999, the same date on which the Company and the Buyers entered
into the Merger Agreement, the Dickstein Sellers sold a total of 2,158,000
shares of Common Stock to the Buyers at a price of $6.95 per share pursuant to
the Stock Purchase Agreement. The shares acquired by the Buyers represented
approximately 36% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Stock and such
acquisition may be deemed to be a change in control of the Company.
Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Dickstein Sellers have agreed
to vote their remaining shares of Common Stock in favor of the Merger and to
vote against any other business combination. Pursuant to the Stock Purchase
Agreement, the Buyers have agreed to vote their shares of Common Stock in favor
of one nominee of the Dickstein Sellers for election as a director of the
Company for so long as the Dickstein Sellers own in the aggregate at least five
percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. See "PROPOSAL 2--Certain
Arrangements Regarding the Election of Directors." In addition, the Buyers have
agreed that, if before the Merger any person enters into discussions or
negotiations with the Company or the Buyers, or makes an offer, with respect to
the acquisition of the Company, substantially all of the assets of the Company
or at least a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the Company (an
"Alternative Transaction"), and such third party consummates an Alternative
Transaction by May 12, 2000, the Buyers will make further payment to the
Dickstein Sellers. The additional payment will equal, in the aggregate, the
difference between a number equal to the per share price paid in the Alternative
Transaction and $6.95 multiplied by 650,000, less an imputed cost of capital of
one percent per month, except that if the Alternative Transaction is for less
than all outstanding voting shares, the additional consideration will be
prorated according to the percentage of shares purchased in such Alternative
Transaction.
Concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Stock Purchase
Agreement, the Company and the Buyers entered into a Registration Rights
Agreement (the "Registration Rights Agreement"). Pursuant to the Registration
Rights Agreement, the Buyers and the transferees of their shares of Common Stock
(other than shares that cease to be "Registrable Securities" as defined in the
Registration Rights Agreement) have the right, subject to certain limitations
set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, to request the Company at any
time but not more than twice to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), at the Company's expense, all or a specified
minimum number of shares of Common Stock owned by the Buyers and their
transferees (a "Demand Registration"). The Buyers also have certain piggyback
registration rights in connection with registrations by the Company under the
Securities Act.
Under the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company informed the Buyers
that the nominees for the Board at the next annual meeting of stockholders of
the Company will be the directors of the Company who were directors at the time
of the public announcement of the Merger. The Buyers have agreed that they will
not request any change in the size or composition of the Board with respect to
such meeting. At all subsequent annual meetings of stockholders of the Company,
the Buyers will have the right, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement,
to designate jointly a number of nominees to serve as directors constituting at
least a percentage of the Board equal to the percentage of outstanding shares of
Common Stock then owned in the aggregate by the Buyers.
In connection with the execution and delivery of the Stock Purchase
Agreement, Mark B. Dickstein and Chaim Y. Edelstein resigned from the Board, and
the Board appointed H. Whitney Wagner and Thomas G. Weld, both Managing
Directors of TCR, the Buyers' investment advisor, to fill the vacancies created
by such resignations. See "PROPOSAL 2--Certain Arrangements Regarding the
Election of Directors."
Concurrently with the execution of the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company
and the Dickstein Sellers entered into an agreement (the "Company Agreement"),
which contains a number of agreements between the Company and the Dickstein
Sellers, including: (1) that the Company will
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maintain the effectiveness and currency of a shelf registration statement for
the resale by the Dickstein Sellers of their remaining shares so long as the
Dickstein Sellers own at least 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or
have a designee on the Board; (2) that unvested stock options and any restricted
stock of the directors of the Company representing the Dickstein Sellers who
resigned in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase
Agreement or, in the case of a continuing Dickstein nominee, who ceases in the
future to be a director, will vest upon termination of their office and, in the
case of options, will remain exercisable for the duration of the option term;
(3) that, so long as the Dickstein Sellers own at least 5% of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock, they will be entitled to nominate one director
reasonably satisfactory to the Company to serve on the Board; (4) that neither
the Company nor the Dickstein Sellers has any claims against the other; (5) that
the Company will reimburse the Dickstein Sellers for certain expenses; and (6)
that the Company will, for a specified period of time, notify the Dickstein
Sellers of the occurrence of certain negotiations or discussions regarding
business combination transactions involving the Company or its subsidiaries. See
"PROPOSAL 2--Certain Arrangements Regarding the Election of Directors."
Mr. Pomerantz, the Company's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer, has entered into an agreement with the Buyers regarding the election of
directors to the Board. See "PROPOSAL 2--Certain Arrangements Regarding the
Election of Directors."
BUSINESS OF MERGER SUB
Merger Sub is a corporation that is wholly-owned by the Buyers that does not
conduct any business activities and has been formed solely to effect the Merger.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will be merged into the Company,
with the Company as the Surviving Corporation.
BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY
The Company is engaged principally in designing and arranging for the
manufacture and sale of diversified lines of women's dresses and sportswear. The
Company's products focus on career, social occasion and evening clothing that
cover a broad retail price range and offer the consumer a wide selection of
styles, fabrics and colors suitable for different ages, sizes and fashion
preferences. The Company believes that it is among the major producers of
moderate-price dresses and that it is considered one of the major resources to
retailers of such products. The Leslie Fay business has been in continuous
operation as an apparel company since 1947.
The Company reorganized following a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of
the Bankruptcy Code on June 4, 1997. See "--Reorganization Under Chapter 11."
The Company's business is seasonal in nature, with sales being greatest in
the first and third quarters. Accordingly, the inventory purchase levels are
highest during the second and fourth quarters.
PRODUCTS
During 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, dresses accounted for
approximately 64%, 57% and 43% of the Company's net sales (exclusive of the
Sassco Fashions and Castleberry product lines and other lines sold or closed
during such years (the "Sold Product Lines")), and sportswear accounted for 36%,
43% and 57%, respectively. During 1999, dresses are expected to account for
approximately 70% of total sales and sportswear 30%. The increase in the
expected dress sales ratio will result mostly from the addition of the "David
Warren," "Warren Petite," "Rimini" and "Reggio" brands acquired on October 27,
1998 from The Warren Apparel Group Ltd. ("Warren"). Warren was a privately owned
wholesaler of women's career, social occasion and evening dresses sold in
department and specialty stores nationwide primarily under the "David Warren,"
"DW3," "Warren Petites," "Reggio" and "Rimini" brands. The purchase of those
assets facilitated the Company's return to the better dress business.
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DRESS PRODUCT LINES. The Company sells moderately priced one and two-piece
dresses, pant dresses and dresses with coordinated jackets under the "Leslie
Fay," "Leslie Fay Petite," "Leslie Fay Women" and "Leslie Fay Women's Petites"
brands. These products are offered in petite, misses and large sizes. The
Company also sells moderate to bridge-priced career, social and evening occasion
dresses under the newly acquired "David Warren," "Warren Petite," "Rimini" and
"Reggio" brands. At this time, these products are offered in petite and misses
size ranges. The Company expects to offer a large size range in 1999.
SPORTSWEAR PRODUCT LINES. The Company markets moderately priced coordinated
sportswear and related separates under the "Leslie Fay Sportswear," "Leslie Fay
Sportswear Petite," "Leslie Fay Sportswear Woman," "Joan Leslie" and
"Haberdashery by Leslie Fay" brands. The Company's products include skirts,
blouses, sweaters, pants and jackets which are related in color and material and
are intended to be sold as coordinated outfits. These products are offered in
petite, misses and large sizes. The Company also offered contemporary knitted
sportswear, including knitted separates and dresses under the "Outlander,"
"Outlander Studio," "Outlander Petite" and "Outlander Woman" brands, styled to
appeal to women of a wide range of ages and available in misses, petite and
large sizes. These Outlander products were discontinued in the Fall of 1997.
DESIGN
The Company's fashion designers or stylists create the styles that are
produced under the brands used by the Company. The Company has its own designers
and in some instances utilizes separate design staffs for different products
within a particular brand. The design staffs work closely with the
merchandising, production and sales staffs to review the status of each
collection and to discuss adjustments which may be necessary in line
composition, pricing, fabric selection, construction and product mix.
The Company's product lines generally offer four or five of the following
seasonal lines: Resort, Spring, Summer, Fall I, Fall II and Holiday. The Company
typically offers these seasonal lines in ten to thirteen week selling periods.
TRADEMARKS AND LICENSES
The brands used by the Company are registered trademarks, all of which are
owned by the Company. The Company considers its trademarks and license
agreements to have significant value in the marketing of its products. The
Company has licensed certain of its names and trademarks to various companies
for their use in connection with the manufacture and distribution of their
respective products. These products are in categories that are not offered by
the Company and currently include women's socks, legwear, handbags and small
leather goods.
MARKETS AND DISTRIBUTION
The Company's products were sold during 1998 principally to department and
specialty stores located throughout the United States. Excluding the sales of
the Sold Product Lines, during 1998, 1997 and 1996, the Company's Dress and
Sportswear lines' products were sold to 1,012, 788 and 857 customers,
respectively. Management believes that the increase in the number of customers
is primarily attributable to additional customers shipped by the recently
acquired dress brands. See "--Products." Dillard's Department Stores, Inc.
accounted for 30%, 33% and 35% and JC Penney accounted for 11%, 12% and 19% of
the Company's dress and sportswear sales during the respective periods. No other
customer accounted for as much as 10% of the Company's dress and sportswear
sales during these three years. The Company believes that the loss of the
Dillard's Department Stores, Inc. or JC Penney businesses would have a material
adverse effect on its operations.
The Company maintains its own employee and commission sales force and
exhibits its products in its principal showroom in New York, New York and
additional showrooms in Dallas, Texas and Atlanta,
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Georgia. The Company currently has an employee sales force consisting of 3
people in Dallas and 19 in New York. For further discussion, see "Properties"
below. While in some instances the Company's brands may compete with each other,
as a practical matter, such competition is limited because of the differences in
products, price points and market segments.
To most effectively reach its ultimate consumers, the Company assists
retailers in merchandising and marketing the Company's products. The Company
promotes its products through special in-store events, as well as through
various sales, promotions and cooperative advertising.
The Company's products are sold under brand names that are advertised and
promoted in national magazines and trade publications.
MANUFACTURING
Apparel sold by the Company is produced in accordance with its designs,
specifications and production schedules. All of such apparel is produced by a
number of independent contractors located domestically and abroad. In 1998,
products representing approximately 85% of dress and sportswear sales were
produced abroad and imported into the United States from the Caribbean Basin
countries of Guatemala and El Salvador and selected contractors in the Far
Eastern countries of Taiwan, South Korea and the People's Republic of China,
including Hong Kong.
In 1998, three operating subsidiaries of Cambridge Corp. and Doall
Industries, S.A. DE C.V. manufactured 44% and 15%, respectively, of the
Company's total production. The Company has had satisfactory, long-standing
relationships with most of its contractors. In 1998, none of the Company's
contracted production was produced by contractors who work exclusively for the
Company. The Company monitors production at each contractor's facility, in the
United States and abroad, to ensure quality control, compliance with its
specifications and fair labor standards and timely delivery of finished goods to
the Company's distribution center. The Company believes it will be able to
obtain the services of a sufficient number of independent suppliers to produce
quality products in conformity with its requirements.
The Company manufactures in accordance with plans prepared each season,
which are based primarily on projected orders, and to a lesser extent on current
orders and consultations with customers. These plans take into account current
fashion trends and economic conditions. The average lead time from the
commitment of piece goods through the production and shipping of goods ranges
from two to four months for domestic products and four to six months for
imported products. These lead times impose substantial time constraints on the
Company in that they require production planning and other manufacturing
decisions and piece good commitments to be made substantially in advance of the
receipt of orders from customers for the bulk of the items to be produced.
The purchase of raw materials is controlled and coordinated by a centralized
purchasing function that works with the manufacturing, design and sales staffs.
Most often, the Company purchases and ships the raw materials to its domestic
contractors and certain of its foreign contractors. Otherwise, the raw materials
are purchased directly by the contractors in accordance with the Company's
specifications. Raw materials, which are in most instances made and/or colored
especially for the Company, consist principally of piece goods and yarn and are
purchased by the Company from a number of domestic and foreign textile mills and
converters. The Company does not have long-term, formal arrangements with any of
its suppliers of raw materials. The Company, however, has experienced little
difficulty in satisfying its raw material requirements and considers its sources
of supply adequate.
IMPORTS AND IMPORT RESTRICTIONS
The Company's import operations are subject to constraints imposed by
bilateral textile agreements between the United States and a number of foreign
countries, including Taiwan, China
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(including Hong Kong), South Korea, Guatemala and El Salvador (the principal
countries from which the Company imports goods). These agreements impose quotas
on the amount and type of goods that can be imported into the United States from
these countries. In addition, each of the countries in which the Company's
products are sold has laws and regulations regarding import restrictions and
quotas. Because the United States and other countries in which the Company's
products are manufactured and sold may, from time to time, impose new quotas,
duties, tariffs, surcharges or other import controls or restrictions, or adjust
presently prevailing quota allocations or duty or tariff rates or levels, the
Company monitors import and quota-related developments. The Company continually
seeks to minimize its potential exposure to import and quota-related risks
through allocation of production to merchandise categories that are not subject
to quota pressures, adjustments in product design and fabrication, shifts of
production among countries and manufacturers, geographical diversification of
its sources of supply and other measures. The United States may enter into
bilateral trade agreements with additional countries and may, in the future,
include other types of garments in existing agreements.
Imports are also affected by the higher cost and additional time needed to
transport product into the United States and by the increased competition
resulting from greater production demands abroad.
The Company's imported products are subject to United States Customs duties
and, in the ordinary course of its business, the Company is from time to time
subject to claims by the United States Customs Service for additional duties and
other charges.
The Company currently imports a substantial majority of its raw materials,
primarily fabric, and a significant portion of its finished goods through Far
East based service bureaus. These service bureaus secure the manufacture of raw
materials from a number of factories (about 15) located throughout the Far East.
The Company's senior management also meets with these manufacturers prior to
placing orders with them. The Company believes its primary risk is the timely
receipt of its raw materials and finished goods to allow the timely shipment of
its product. Through the present time, the Company has received its products in
a timely manner. The Company monitors the status of its orders through its Far
East service bureaus continually. Payment for the raw materials and finished
goods is guaranteed through letters of credit which require, among other items,
timely delivery and satisfaction of quality standards.
The Company does not "hedge" its foreign purchases as all contracts are
quoted in United States Dollars. The typical contract may extend for sixty days.
Prices are renegotiated with each new contract.
The Company does not sell its products in the Far East.
In addition to the factors outlined above, the Company's future import
operations may be adversely affected by: political or financial instability
resulting in the disruption or delay of trade from exporting countries; the
imposition of additional regulations relating to, or duties, taxes and other
charges on, imports; any significant fluctuation in the value of the dollar
against foreign currencies; and restrictions on the transfer of funds.
BACKLOG
On May 22, 1999, the Company had unfilled orders of approximately
$73,031,000 of which $15,963,000 are for dresses ordered under the brands "David
Warren," "Warren Petites," "Rimini" and "Reggio." See "--Products." The Company
had $53,612,000 of unfilled orders at a comparable date in 1998. The amount of
unfilled orders at a particular time is affected by a number of factors,
including the scheduling of the manufacture and shipment of the product, which
in some instances is dependent on the desires of the customer. Accordingly, a
comparison of unfilled orders from period to period is not necessarily
meaningful and may not be indicative of eventual actual shipments.
37
<PAGE>
CREDIT AND COLLECTION
Historically, the Company had managed substantially all of its credit and
collection functions internally. In connection therewith, it regularly
evaluated, approved and monitored the credit of the Company's customers and was
responsible for collection of accounts receivable. In June 1997, the Company
entered into an agreement with CIT (the "CIT Factoring Agreement"). This
agreement provides that CIT purchase the Company's approved accounts receivable
and guarantee collection thereof, except for disputed amounts. The vast majority
of the Company's trade accounts receivable has been purchased by CIT. As of
January 2, 1999, the purchased accounts receivable represent 92% of the
Company's total accounts receivable.
COMPETITION
The sectors of the apparel industry for which the Company designs,
manufactures and markets products are highly competitive. The Company competes
with many other manufacturers, including manufacturers of one or more apparel
items. In addition, department stores, including some of the Company's major
customers, have from time to time varied the amount of goods manufactured
specifically for them and sold under their own brands. Many such stores have
also changed their manner of presentation of merchandise and in recent years
have become increasingly promotional. Some of the Company's competitors are
larger and have greater resources than the Company. Based upon its knowledge of
the industry, the Company believes that it is among the leading producers of
moderate dresses in the United States and that it is considered one of the major
resources of retailers of such products. The Company's business is dependent
upon its ability to evaluate and respond to changing consumer demand and tastes
and to remain competitive in the areas of style, quality and price, while
operating within the significant domestic and foreign production and delivery
constraints of the industry.
EMPLOYEES
In March 1999, the Company employed 421 persons, of whom approximately 28%
were in production, 30% in distribution, 14% in merchandising and design, 8% in
sales and 20% in administrative and financial operations. Approximately 37% of
the Company's employees were members of unions, primarily the Union of
Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees ("UNITE"), the successor to the
International Ladies' Garment Workers Union. On June 2, 1997, the Company and
UNITE reached an agreement on a four-year collective bargaining agreement,
terminating on May 31, 2001 covering non-supervisory production, maintenance,
packing and shipping employees. The Company believes that its relationship with
its employees is satisfactory.
REORGANIZATION UNDER CHAPTER 11
On April 5, 1993, the Company and certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries
(collectively, the "Debtors") filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the
Bankruptcy Code (the "Bankruptcy Code"). On November 15, 1995, certain of its
other wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the "Retail Debtors") filed
voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. From their
respective filing dates until June 4, 1997, the Debtors and the Retail Debtors
operated or liquidated their businesses, as applicable, as debtors in possession
subject to the jurisdiction and supervision of the United States Bankruptcy
Court for the Southern District of New York (the "Bankruptcy Court").
On October 31, 1995, the Debtors and the Committee of Unsecured Creditors
(the "Creditors Committee") filed a Joint Plan of Reorganization (as
subsequently amended, the "Plan") pursuant to Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.
On December 5, 1996, the Debtors filed a Disclosure Statement for the Amended
Joint Plan of Reorganization pursuant to Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code (as
subsequently amended, the "Disclosure Statement"). The Debtors obtained
Bankruptcy Court approval
38
<PAGE>
of the Disclosure Statement on February 28, 1997. The Plan was approved by the
Debtors' creditors, and on April 21, 1997 the Bankruptcy Court confirmed the
Plan.
On June 4, 1997 (the "Consummation Date"), the Plan was consummated by the
Company by (1) transferring the equity interest in both the Company and Sassco
Fashions, Ltd. ("Sassco"), which has since changed its name to Kasper A.S.L.,
Ltd., to its creditors in exchange for relief from an aggregate amount of claims
estimated at $338,000,000; (2) assigning to certain creditors the ownership
rights to notes aggregating $110,000,000 payable by Sassco; and (3) transferring
the assets and liabilities of the Company's Sassco Fashions product line (as
more particularly described below) to Sassco and the assets and liabilities of
its Dress and Sportswear product lines to three wholly owned subsidiaries of the
Company. The Company retained approximately $41,080,000 in cash, of which
$23,580,000 has been or will be used to pay administrative claims as defined in
the Plan. The assets and liabilities of the Sassco Fashions line transferred to
Sassco included cash ($10,963,000), accounts receivable, inventory, property,
plant and equipment, other assets (including the trade name Albert Nipon),
accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities related to the Sassco
Fashions line. In addition, the Company transferred to Sassco its 100% equity
interest in several subsidiaries associated with the Sassco Fashions line. As
provided in the Plan, the creditors of the Company became the stockholders of
Sassco and of the reorganized Company. To effectuate this, the Company
distributed approximately 79% of its 6,800,000 new shares of Common Stock to its
creditors in July 1997. The remaining 21% was held for the benefit of its
creditors pending the resolution of certain litigation before the Bankruptcy
Court. The existing stockholders of the Company at June 4, 1997 did not retain
or receive any value for their equity interest in the Company, which was
canceled. An additional distribution of approximately 1,250,000 shares
representing 88% of the 21% held for resolution of litigation was made during
February and March 1999 with approval of the Bankruptcy Court. The remaining
shares are being held pending the resolution of certain litigation before the
Bankruptcy Court.
The gain on the disposition of the assets and liabilities of the Sassco
Fashions product line was a taxable event and a substantial portion of the net
operating loss carryforward available to the Company at December 28, 1996 was
utilized to offset a significant portion of the taxes recognized on this
transaction.
PROPERTIES
Executive and sales offices, as well as design facilities, are located in
New York City under a lease expiring in 2008 (60,990 square feet). The Company
also leases sales offices and showrooms in Dallas, Texas (4,396 square feet) and
a showroom in Atlanta, Georgia (737 square feet). In addition, the Company
operates two small manufacturing support facilities--one located in Pittston,
Pennsylvania and owned by the Company (11,368 square feet) and another leased by
the Company in Guatemala (5,202 square feet). Furthermore, the Company leases a
major distribution and administrative center of approximately 194,685 square
feet through August 2008 and a storage facility of 6,160 square feet in Laflin,
Pennsylvania.
All of the Company's facilities are in good condition. None of the Company's
principal facilities are idle. The machinery and equipment contained in the
Company's facilities are modern and efficient.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
As discussed above, the Company and several of its subsidiaries filed
voluntary petitions in the Bankruptcy Court under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy
Code in April 1993. By an order dated April 21, 1997 (the "Confirmation Order"),
the Bankruptcy Court confirmed the Plan. The Plan was consummated on June 4,
1997. Certain alleged creditors who asserted age and other discrimination claims
against the Company and whose claims were expunged (the "Claimants") pursuant to
an Order of the Bankruptcy Court (see below) appealed the Confirmation Order to
the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The
Company moved to dismiss the appeal from the
39
<PAGE>
Confirmation Order and the motion was granted and the appeal was dismissed. An
appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit from the
Order dismissing the appeal taken by the Claimants subsequently was withdrawn,
without prejudice, and may be refiled in the future. In addition, the Claimants
and two other persons commenced an adversary proceeding in the Bankruptcy Court
to revoke the Confirmation Order. The Company has moved to dismiss the adversary
proceeding to revoke the Confirmation Order and that motion has been fully
briefed, but has not yet been argued to the Bankruptcy Court.
The Claimants, who are former employees of the Company and who were
discharged prior to the filing of the Chapter 11 cases, asserted age and other
discrimination claims, including punitive damage claims against the Company in
the approximate aggregate sum of $80 million. Following a trial on the merits,
the Bankruptcy Court expunged and dismissed those claims in their entirety. The
Claimants appealed that decision to the United States District Court for the
Southern District of New York, and on July 17, 1998, that Court affirmed the
decision of the Bankruptcy Court. The Claimants have taken a further appeal to
the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit; that appeal has been
fully briefed and argued before the Court.
Five of the Claimants in the above-described appeal commenced an action
alleging employment discrimination against certain former officers and directors
of the Company in the United States District Court for the Southern District of
New York. The Court dismissed all of the causes of action arising under federal
and state statutes, and the only remaining claims are those arising under the
New York City Human Rights Law. Discovery is complete and it is expected that a
summary judgment motion will be filed by the defending officers and directors
after a final order has been entered in the above-described Bankruptcy Court
matter.
The Company is also involved in the following legal proceedings of
significance:
In February 1993, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained an order
directing a private investigation of the Company in connection with, among other
things, the filing by the Company of annual and other reports that may have
contained misstatements, and the purported failure of the Company to maintain
books and records that accurately reflected its financial condition and
operating results. To the Company's knowledge, this investigation has been
dormant for several years.
In February 1993, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of
Pennsylvania issued a Grand Jury Subpoena seeking the production of documents as
a result of the Company's announcement of accounting irregularities. In 1994,
Donald F. Kenia, former Controller of the Company, was indicted by a federal
grand jury in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and pleaded guilty to the
crime of securities fraud in connection with the accounting irregularities. On
or about October 29, 1996, Paul F. Polishan, former Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of the Company, was indicted by the federal grand jury
in the Middle District of Pennsylvania for actions relating to the accounting
irregularities. The trial of the case against Paul F. Polishan has not yet
occurred.
In March 1993, a stockholder derivative action entitled "Isidore Langer,
derivatively on behalf of The Leslie Fay Companies, Inc. v. John J. Pomerantz et
al." was instituted in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New
York, against certain officers and directors of the Company and its then
auditors. This complaint alleges that the defendants knew or should have known
material facts relating to the sales and earnings of the Company which they
failed to disclose. The time to answer, move or otherwise respond to the
complaint has not yet expired. The plaintiff seeks an unspecified amount of
monetary damages, together with interest thereon, and costs and expenses
incurred in the action, including reasonable attorneys' and experts' fees. The
Company cannot presently determine the ultimate outcome of this litigation, but
believes that it should not have any unfavorable impact on its financial
statements. Pursuant to the Plan, a Derivative Action Board, comprised of three
persons or entities nominated by the Creditors' Committee and appointed by the
Bankruptcy Court, will determine whether to prosecute, compromise and settle or
discontinue the derivative action.
40
<PAGE>
MARKET PRICES OF AND DIVIDENDS ON THE COMMON STOCK
On December 8, 1998, the Common Stock began trading on the Nasdaq SmallCap
Market under the symbol "LFAY." Prior thereto, such stock was traded on the OTC
Bulletin Board operated by the NASD. The following table sets forth the high bid
and low asked prices on the bulletin board and on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market for
each quarter during 1997, 1998 and 1999 and, from June 4, 1997, have been
adjusted to give retroactive effect to a two-for-one split of the Company's
common stock effected in July 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HIGH LOW
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
FISCAL YEAR 1997:
First Quarter................................................................ $ 0.12 $ 0.01
Second Quarter (prior to June 4, 1997)....................................... 0.10 0.02(a)
Second Quarter (from June 4, 1997)........................................... 4.75 3.69
Third Quarter................................................................ 8.07 3.13
Fourth Quarter............................................................... 8.88 6.00
FISCAL YEAR 1998:
First Quarter................................................................ $ 8.44 $ 6.00
Second Quarter............................................................... 8.81 6.63
Third Quarter................................................................ 9.38 4.75
Fourth Quarter............................................................... 8.00 4.38
FISCAL YEAR 1999:
First Quarter................................................................ $ 6.75 $ 3.88
Second Quarter............................................................... 6.88 4.25
Third Quarter (through July 26, 1999)........................................ 6.50 6.31
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(a) The old common stock was canceled on June 4, 1997. The stockholders holding
the old common stock of the Company did not retain any value for their
equity.
The Merger was announced on May 12, 1999. The closing bid price of the
Common Stock on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market on May 11, 1999, the day preceding
announcement of the Merger, was $6.38 per share. On July 26, 1999, the closing
price of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market was $6.39 per share. YOU
ARE URGED TO OBTAIN A CURRENT MARKET QUOTATION FOR YOUR SHARES OF COMMON STOCK.
As of July 23, 1999, there were approximately 1,200 holders of record of Common
Stock.
On June 4, 1997, the Company issued an aggregate of 6,800,000 shares of
Common Stock to its creditors pursuant to the Plan. Of such shares, 5,372,250
shares were distributed in July 1997 and 1,250,478 shares were distributed in
February and March 1999 (the shares above are adjusted to reflect the
two-for-one stock split referred to below). No sales commissions were paid in
connection with the transactions. The shares were issued in reliance upon the
exemption from registration afforded by Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act.
On June 3, 1998, the Company issued an aggregate of 12,000 shares of Common
Stock, consisting of 2,000 shares to each of its six non-employee directors, in
accordance with the terms of the Company's 1997 Non-Employee Director Stock
Option and Stock Incentive Plan (the shares above are adjusted to reflect the
two-for-one stock split referred to below). No consideration was paid by such
directors for the stock and no sales commissions were paid by the Company in
connection with its issuance. The shares were issued in reliance upon the
exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
On July 1, 1998, the Company effected a two-for-one stock split pursuant to
which it issued 3,406,000 shares of Common Stock. No sales commissions were paid
in connection with this transaction. The shares were issued in reliance upon the
exemption from registration afforded by Section 2(3) of the Securities Act.
41
<PAGE>
HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the historical capitalization of the Company
at January 2, 1999 and the pro forma capitalization of the Company giving effect
to the consummation of the Merger (assuming that holders of 2,111,966 shares of
Common Stock elect to receive cash in the amount of $7.00 per share in the
Merger). This table should be read in conjunction with the Company's summary
historical consolidated financial statements contained herein.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AT PRO FORMA AT
JANUARY 2, JANUARY 2,
1999 1999
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
(IN THOUSANDS)
LONG-TERM DEBT................................................................... $ -- $ 5,000
------- -------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred Stock--$.01 par value; 500,000 shares authorized; no shares issued... -- --
Common Stock--$.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 6,858,238 shares
issued....................................................................... 69 69
Capital in Excess of Par Value................................................. 28,824 28,824
Accumulated Retained Earnings.................................................. 12,167 11,702
------- -------
Subtotal................................................................... $ 41,060 $ 40,595
------- -------
Less:
Treasury Stock at Cost (817,100 shares actual and 1,817,100 shares pro
forma)..................................................................... 4,623 11,623
------- -------
Total Stockholders' Equity..................................................... $ 36,437 $ 28,972
------- -------
Total Capitalization......................................................... $ 36,437 $ 28,972
------- -------
------- -------
</TABLE>
42
<PAGE>
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF THE COMPANY
The following selected historical consolidated financial data for each of
the years in the three-year period ended January 2, 1999 are derived from, and
are qualified by reference to, the Company's audited consolidated financial data
and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report for the year ended
January 2, 1999, a copy of which accompanies this Proxy Statement. The following
selected historical consolidated financial data for each of the years in the
two-year period ended December 30, 1995 are derived from, and are qualified by
reference to, the Company's audited consolidated financial data and notes
thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 30, 1995, a copy of which does not accompany this Proxy Statement. The
selected historical consolidated financial data for the thirteen weeks ended
April 3, 1999 are derived from, and are qualified by reference to, the Company's
unaudited consolidated financial data and notes thereto included in the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the thirteen weeks ended April 3,
1999, a copy of which accompanies this Proxy Statement. The results for the
thirteen weeks ended April 3, 1999 are not necessarily indicative of results for
the full year. The information presented below should be read in conjunction
with the financial statements and notes thereto and the "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included in the
Company's Annual Report for the year ended January 2, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PREDECESSOR
REORGANIZED COMPANY COMPANY
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA
THIRTEEN THIRTEEN FIFTY-TWO FIFTY-THREE THIRTY-ONE TWENTY-TWO
WEEKS WEEKS WEEKS WEEKS WEEKS WEEKS
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
APRIL 3, APRIL 4, JANUARY 2, JANUARY 3, JANUARY 3, PRO FORMA JUNE 4,
1999 1998 1999 1998(A) 1998(B) 1996(A) 1997(C)
------------- ------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales................... $ 61,144 $ 45,258 $ 152,867 $ 132,160 $ 73,091 $ 110,053 $ 197,984
Operating Income (Loss)..... 7,222 5,860 13,020 11,782 4,322 4,079 14,355
Reorganization Costs........ -- -- -- -- -- -- 3,379(d)
Interest Expense and
Financing Costs........... 669 190 950 1,113 336 2,298 1,372
Tax Provision (Benefit)..... 2,272 1,901 3,212 2,684 677 130 451
Other Non-Recurring Items -- -- -- -- -- -- 136,341(g)
Net Income (Loss)........... $ 4,281 $ 3,769 $ 8,858 $ 7,985 $ 3,309 $ 1,651 $ 145,494
------------- ------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
------------- ------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net Income (Loss) per Share
- --Basic..................... $ 0.71 $ 0.55(h) $ 1.35 $ 1.17(h) $ 0.49(h) $ 0.24(h) --(h)
------------- ------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
------------- ------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
- --Diluted................... $ 0.70 $ 0.54(h) $ 1.31 $ 1.16(h) $ 0.48(h) $ 0.24(h) --(h)
------------- ------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
------------- ------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<CAPTION>
AS OF AS OF AS OF AS OF AS OF
4/3/99 4/4/98 01/02/99 01/03/98 06/04/97
------------- ------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Total Assets................ $ 74,432 $ 63,594 $ 67,804 $ 61,051 $ 77,789
Assets of Product Lines Held
for Sale and
Disposition............... -- -- -- -- --
Long-Term Debt (Including
Capital Leases)........... 4 53 17 49 108
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
FIFTY-TWO FIFTY-TWO FIFTY-TWO
WEEKS WEEKS WEEKS
ENDED ENDED ENDED
DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
1996 1995 1994
------------- ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales................... $ 429,676 $ 442,084 $ 531,843
Operating Income (Loss)..... 17,965 1,235 (27,278)
Reorganization Costs........ 5,144(d) 16,575(d) 115,769(d)
Interest Expense and
Financing Costs........... 3,932(e) 3,262(e) 5,512(e)
Tax Provision (Benefit)..... (839)(f) (761)(f) 981(f)
Other Non-Recurring Items -- -- --
Net Income (Loss)........... $ 9,728 $ (17,841) $ (149,540)
------------- ------------- ------------
------------- ------------- ------------
Net Income (Loss) per Share
- --Basic..................... $ 0.52(h) $ (0.95)(h) $ (7.97)(h)
------------- ------------- ------------
------------- ------------- ------------
- --Diluted................... $ 0.52(h) $ (0.95)(h) $ (7.97)(h)
------------- ------------- ------------
------------- ------------- ------------
AS OF AS OF AS OF
12/28/96 12/30/95 12/31/94
------------- ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Total Assets................ $ 237,661 $ 245,980 $ 281,634
Assets of Product Lines Held
for Sale and
Disposition............... 3,003(i) 326(i) 21,063(i)
Long-Term Debt (Including
Capital Leases)........... --(j) --(j) --(j)
</TABLE>
NOTES TO SUMMARY HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
(a) The unaudited pro forma adjustments to the statements are as follows:
DISPOSITION OF SASSCO:
The operating results of the Sassco Fashions line have been eliminated to
give effect to the disposition as of the beginning of the period presented,
including depreciation expense on its property, plant and equipment, an
allocated corporate charge based on workload by department related to the Sassco
Fashions line and direct charges associated with financing fees on its factoring
agreement and fees incurred on letters of credit issued on its behalf. For
periods including June 4, 1997, the gain recorded on the disposition of the
Sassco Fashions line has been reversed.
DISPOSITION OF CASTLEBERRY:
The operating results of the Castleberry line have been eliminated to give
effect to the disposition as of the beginning of the period presented, including
depreciation expense on its property, plant and equipment and an allocated
corporate charge based on workload by department related to the Castleberry
line.
43
<PAGE>
FRESH-START REPORTING:
The Company used fresh-start reporting to record the estimated effect of the
Plan as if it had been effective as of the beginning of period presented. This
includes adjustments of the following items:
(i) The elimination of the historical depreciation and amortization for the
remaining product line, including the amounts in cost of sales, on the
beginning of period asset balances and the recording of the amortization
credit for the "Excess of revalued net assets acquired over equity under
fresh-start reporting" (assuming a three-year amortization period).
(ii) The elimination of historical reorganization expense that will not be
incurred after June 4, 1997.
(iii) The elimination of the fresh-start revaluation charge and the reversal
of the gain on debt discharge pursuant to the Plan.
(b) Financial information for the thirty-one weeks ended January 3, 1998
represents the consolidated results of the reorganized entity after the
consummation of the Plan.
(c) Financial information for the twenty-two weeks ended June 4, 1997 represents
the consolidated results prior to the Company's consummation of the Plan.
The income statement information includes the results of Castleberry and
Sassco Fashions lines prior to their sale or spin-off in connection with the
consummation of the Plan.
(d) The Company incurred reorganization costs in 1997, 1996, 1995 and 1994 while
operating as a debtor in possession. Included in 1997, 1996, 1995 and 1994
is a provision of $0, $652,000, $3,181,000 and $53,000,000, respectively,
for a write-down of a portion of the excess purchase price over net assets
acquired in the 1984 leveraged buyout of The Leslie Fay Company, related to
certain of the Company's product lines, which the Company believes will be
unrecoverable.
(e) On January 2, 1994, the Company decided not to accrue interest on
approximately $253,000,000 of pre-petition debt. During 1996 and 1995 the
Company had direct borrowings under the FNBB Credit Agreement on 102 days in
the second and third quarters of 1996 and 10 days in the third quarter of
1995, the highest amounts of which were $28,672,000 and $3,956,000,
respectively. The Company had no direct borrowings under the predecessor
credit agreement in 1994.
Interest on direct borrowings was incurred at a rate of prime plus 1.5%. The
terms of the FNBB Credit Agreement are described in Note 7(b) to the audited
Consolidated Financial Statements.
(f) The Company recognized an income tax credit of $1,103,000 and $1,811,000 in
1996 and 1995, respectively, representing a reduction of foreign income tax
liabilities as a result of negotiated settlements on prior years' estimated
taxes. The Company paid only state, local and foreign taxes in 1996, 1995
and 1994. The elimination of the income tax benefit in 1994 resulted from
the complete utilization of tax refunds from prior years' taxes paid.
(g) Amount consists of the following three components: Gain on Sale/Transfer of
the Sassco Fashions line of $89,810,000 (net of $3,728,000 of income taxes),
charge for Revaluation of Assets and Liabilities Pursuant to the Adoption of
Fresh-Start Reporting of ($27,010,000) and Gain on Debt Discharge (an
extraordinary item) of $73,541,000.
(h) Net income (loss) per share for the pro forma fifty-three weeks ended
January 3, 1998, thirty-one weeks ended January 3, 1998, pro forma 1996 and
the thirteen weeks ended April 4, 1998 was calculated based on 6,800,000
shares of new common stock, adjusted to give effect to the 2 for 1 stock
split effected in July 1998, issued in connection with the consummation of
the Plan. Earnings per common share for the twenty-two weeks ended June 4,
1997 is not presented because such presentation would not be meaningful. The
old stock of 18,771,836 shares, used in calculating the net income (loss)
per share in 1994 through 1996, was canceled under the Plan and the new
stock was not issued until June 4, 1997.
(i) The Company classified certain product lines as "Assets of Product Lines
Held for Sale and Disposition," as the Company had announced its intention
to dispose of these lines.
(j) Amount excludes long-term debt classified in liabilities subject to
compromise.
44
<PAGE>
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of operations and balance
sheets set forth below are shown for illustrative purposes only. They are based
on the Company's audited consolidated balance sheet at January 2, 1999,
unaudited consolidated balance sheet at April 3, 1999, audited consolidated
statement of operations for the year ended January 2, 1999 and unaudited
consolidated statement of operations for the thirteen weeks ended April 3, 1999,
adjusted to reflect the election by holders of 2,111,966 shares of Common Stock
to receive cash in the Merger at $7.00. See "THE MERGER--Financing of the
Merger."
The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements do not purport to
be indicative of the results that may be obtained in the future, or the
financial condition that would have resulted, if the Merger had been completed
at the beginning of the fiscal year ended January 2, 1999 or the beginning of
the fiscal quarter ended April 3, 1999, as the case may be.
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIFTY-TWO WEEKS ENDED JANUARY 2, 1999
------------------------------------------------------------------
DEBT INTEREST FEE PRO FORMA
AUDITED ASSUMPTION(A) EXPENSES(B) AMORTIZATION(C) BALANCE
--------- ------------- ----------- -------------- -----------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales.......................................... $ 152,867 -- -- -- $ 152,867
Cost of Sales...................................... 115,547 -- -- -- --
--------- ------------- ----------- -------------- -----------
Gross profit..................................... 37,320 -- -- -- 37,320
--------- ------------- ----------- -------------- -----------
Operating Expenses:
Selling, warehouse, general and administrative
expense........................................ 28,076 -- -- -- 28,076
Non-cash stock based compensation................ 1,724 -- -- -- 1,724
Depreciation and amortization expense............ 406 -- -- -- 406
--------- ------------- ----------- -------------- -----------
Total operating expenses....................... 30,206 -- -- -- 30,206
Other income..................................... (1,334) -- -- -- (1,334)
Amortization of excess revalued net assets
acquired over equity........................... (4,572) -- -- -- (4,572)
--------- ------------- ----------- -------------- -----------
Total operating expenses, net.................... 24,300 -- -- -- 24,300
--------- ------------- ----------- -------------- -----------
Operating income................................. 13,020 -- -- -- 13,020
Interest Expense, net and Financing Costs.......... 950 -- 752 50 1,752
--------- ------------- ----------- -------------- -----------
Net Income before taxes.......................... 12,070 -- (752) (50) 11,268
Tax provision (benefit)............................ 3,212 -- (316) (21) 2,875
--------- ------------- ----------- -------------- -----------
Net Income....................................... $ 8,858 -- $ (436) $ (29) $ 8,393
--------- ------------- ----------- -------------- -----------
--------- ------------- ----------- -------------- -----------
Net Income Per Common Share
--Basic........................................ $ 1.35 $ 1.51
--------- -----------
--------- -----------
--Diluted...................................... $ 1.31 $ 1.45
--------- -----------
--------- -----------
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
--Basic........................................ 6,553,637 5,553,637
--------- -----------
--------- -----------
--Diluted...................................... 6,777,614 5,777,614
--------- -----------
--------- -----------
</TABLE>
45
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED APRIL 3, 1999
----------------------------------------------------------
DEBT INTEREST FEE PRO FORMA
AUDITED ASSUMPTION(A) EXPENSES(B) AMORTIZATION(C) BALANCE
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales...................... $ 61,144 -- -- -- $ 61,144
Cost of Sales.................. 44,460 -- -- -- 44,460
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Gross profit................. 16,684 -- -- -- 16,684
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Operating Expenses:
Selling, warehouse, general
and administrative
expense.................... 10,373 -- -- -- 10,373
Non-cash stock based
compensation............... 301 -- -- -- 301
Depreciation and amortization
expense.................... 280 280
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Total operating expenses... 10,954 -- -- -- 10,954
Other income................. (349) -- -- -- (349)
Amortization of excess
revalued net assets
acquired over equity....... (1,143) -- -- -- (1,143)
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Total operating expenses,
net........................ 9,462 -- -- -- 9,462
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Operating income............. 7,222 -- -- -- 7,222
Interest Expense, net and
Financing Costs.............. 669 -- 188 13 870
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Net Income before taxes...... 6,553 -- (188) (13) 6,352
Tax provision (benefit)........ 2,272 -- (79) (5) 2,188
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Net Income................... $ 4,281 $ -- $ (109) $ (8) 4,164
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Net Income Per Common Share
--Basic.................... $ 0.71 $ -- $ (0.02) $ (0.00) $ 0.83
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
--Diluted.................. $ 0.70 $ -- $ (0.02) $ (0.00) $ 0.81
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
--------- ----------- --------- ------------ ---------
Weighted Average Common
Shares Outstanding
--Basic.................... 6,041,138 5,041,138
--------- ---------
--------- ---------
--Diluted.................. 6,144,820 5,144,820
--------- ---------
--------- ---------
</TABLE>
46
<PAGE>
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
JANUARY 2, 1999
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEBT INTEREST FEE PRO FORMA
AUDITED ASSUMPTION EXPENSES(B) AMORTIZATION(C) BALANCE
----------- ------------- ------------- --------------- -----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents..................... $ 946 -- -- -- $ 946
Restricted cash and cash equivalents.......... 3,267 -- -- -- 3,267
Accounts receivable--net of allowances for
possible loss of $6,825..................... 16,172 -- -- -- 16,172
Inventories................................... 38,627 -- -- -- 38,627
Prepaid expenses and other current assets..... 970 -- -- 200 1,170
----------- ------ ------------- ------- -----------
Total Current Assets........................ 59,982 -- -- 200 60,182
Property, Plant and Equipment, at cost, net of
accumulated depreciation of $409.............. 2,781 -- -- -- 2,781
Excess of purchase price over net assets
acquired, net of accumulated amortization of
-$50-......................................... 4,490 -- -- -- 4,490
Deferred Charges and Other Assets............... 551 -- -- -- 551
----------- ------ ------------- ------- -----------
Total Assets.................................... $ 67,804 -- -- $ 200 $ 68,004
----------- ------ ------------- ------- -----------
----------- ------ ------------- ------- -----------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Short-term debt............................... $ 1,162 $ 2,000 $ 394 $ 229 $ 3,785
Accounts payable.............................. 12,070 -- -- -- 12,070
Accrued expenses and other current
liabilities................................. 7,486 -- -- -- 7,486
Accrued expenses and other current
confirmation liabilities.................... 3,267 -- -- -- 3,267
Income taxes payable.......................... 371 -- -- -- 371
Current portion of capitalized leases......... 48 -- -- -- 48
----------- ------ ------------- ------- -----------
Total Current Liabilities................... 24,404 2,000 394 229 27,027
Note Payable.................................... 0 5,000 42 -- 5,042
Excess of revalued net assets acquired over
equity under fresh-start reporting, net of
accumulated amortization of $7,239.......... 6,469 -- -- -- 6,469
Long term debt-capitalized lease................ 17 -- -- -- 17
Deferred liabilities............................ 477 -- -- -- 477
----------- ------ ------------- ------- -----------
Total Liabilities............................. 31,367 7,000 436 229 39,032
----------- ------ ------------- ------- -----------
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 500 shares
authorized; no shares issued and
outstanding................................. -- -- -- -- --
Common stock, $.01 par value; 20,000 shares
authorized; 6,858 shares issued............. 69 -- -- -- 69
Capital in excess of par value................ 28,824 -- -- -- 28,824
Accumulated retained earnings................. 12,167 -- (436) (29) 11,702
----------- ------ ------------- ------- -----------
41,060 -- (436) (29) 40,595
Less:
Treasury stock at cost, 817 common shares actual
and 1,817 common shares pro forma............. 4,623 7,000 -- -- 11,623
----------- ------ ------------- ------- -----------
Total Stockholders' Equity.................... 36,437 (7,000) (436) (29) 28,972
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity...... $ 67,804 -- -- $ 200 $ 68,004
----------- ------ ------------- ------- -----------
----------- ------ ------------- ------- -----------
</TABLE>
47
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APRIL 3, 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEBT INTEREST FEE PRO FORMA
UNAUDITED ASSUMPTION EXPENSES(B) AMORTIZATION(C) BALANCE
----------- ------------- ------------- ----------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
(IN THOUSANDS)
ASSETS
Current Assets:............................... $ 662 -- -- -- $ 662
Cash and cash equivalents................... 3,086 -- -- -- 3,086
Restricted cash and cash equivalents........ 0
Restricted short term investments........... 0
Accounts receivable--net of allowances for
possible loss of $6,542................... 33,465 -- -- -- 33,465
Inventories................................. 27,883 -- -- -- 27,883
Prepaid expenses and other current assets... 957 -- -- 237 1,194
----------- ------------- ----- ----- -----------
Total Current Assets.................... 66,053 -- -- 237 66,290
Property, Plant and Equipment, at cost, net of
accumulated depreciation of $640............ 3,418 -- -- -- 3,418
Excess of purchase price over net assets
acquired, net of accumulated amortization of
-$126-...................................... 4,414 -- -- -- 4,414
Deferred Charges and Other Assets............. 547 -- -- -- 547
----------- ------------- ----- ----- -----------
Total Assets.................................. $ 74,432 $ -- $ -- $ 237 $ 74,669
----------- ------------- ----- ----- -----------
----------- ------------- ----- ----- -----------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Short-term debt........................... $ 6,267 $ 2,000 $ 67 $ 245 8,579
Accounts payable.......................... 9,794 -- -- -- 9,794
Accrued expenses and other current
liabilities............................. 6,012 -- -- -- 6,012
Accrued expenses and other current
confirmation liabilities................ 3,086 -- -- -- 3,086
Income taxes payable........................ 2,177 -- -- -- 2,177
Current portion of capitalized leases....... 49 -- -- -- 49
----------- ------------- ----- ----- -----------
Total Current Liabilities................. 27,385 2,000 67 245 29,697
Note Payable.................................. -- 5,000 42 -- 5,042
Excess of revalued net assets acquired over
equity under fresh-start reporting, net of
accumulated amortization of $8,382........ 5,326 -- -- -- 5,326
Long term debt-capitalized lease.............. 4 -- -- -- 4
Deferred liabilities.......................... 590 -- -- -- 590
----------- ------------- ----- ----- -----------
Total Liabilities......................... 33,305 7,000 109 245 40,659
----------- ------------- ----- ----- -----------
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 500 shares
authorized; no shares issued and
outstanding............................... -- -- -- -- --
Common stock, $.01 par value; 20,000 shares
authorized; 6,858 shares issued........... 69 -- -- -- 69
Capital in excess of par value.............. 29,233 -- -- -- 29,233
Accumulated retained earnings............... 16,448 -- (109) (8) 16,331
----------- ------------- ----- ----- -----------
45,750 -- (109) (8) 45,633
Less:
Treasury stock at cost, 817 common shares
actual and 1,817 common shares pro forma.... 4,623 7,000 -- -- 11,623
----------- ------------- ----- ----- -----------
Total Stockholders' Equity................ 41,127 (7,000) (109) (8) 34,010
----------- ------------- ----- ----- -----------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity.... $ 74,432 $ -- $ -- $ 237 $ 74,669
----------- ------------- ----- ----- -----------
----------- ------------- ----- ----- -----------
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(a) Reflects cost of additional borrowing to acquire 1,000,000 shares at $7.00
per share.
(b) Assumes that interest on note payable in the principal amount of $5,000,000
is paid in monthly installments.
(c) Assumes that fees relating to the transactions associated with the Merger
are amortized over a five-year period.
48
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT
For information as to the Company's Executive Officers and Directors, see
"PROPOSAL 2."
SECURITY AND VOTING OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding security and
voting ownership of the Common Stock as of July 23, 1999 by (1) each person or
entity who owns of record or beneficially five percent or more of the shares of
Common Stock, (2) each director of the Company, (3) each Named Executive Officer
(as hereinafter defined) of the Company, (4) each nominee for election as a
director of the Company and (5) all directors and executive officers of the
Company as a group. To the knowledge of the Company, each of such stockholders
has sole voting and investment power as to the shares shown unless otherwise
noted.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES
BENEFICIALLY PERCENTAGE OF OWNERSHIP
NAMES AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNERS(1) OWNED OF COMMON STOCK
- -------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------- -------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Three Cities Research, Inc.
650 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022................................................ 2,158,000(2) 35.7%
Stonehill Partners, L.P.
110 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022................................................ 741,700(3) 12.3%
Mark B. Dickstein
c/o Dickstein Partners Inc.
660 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10021................................................ 651,736(4) 10.8%
John J. Pomerantz................................................... 242,598(5) 3.9%
John A. Ward........................................................ 138,198(6) 2.2%
Dominick Felicetti.................................................. 133,796(7) 2.2%
Warren T. Wishart................................................... 131,796(7) 2.1%
Clifford B. Cohn.................................................... 8,666(8) *
Robert L. Sind...................................................... 8,666(8) *
Mark Kaufman........................................................ 7,333(9) *
Bernard Olsoff...................................................... 5,333(9) *
H. Whitney Wagner................................................... -- --
Thomas G. Weld...................................................... -- --
Officers and Directors as a group (10 persons)...................... 676,386(10) 10.1%
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
* Less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.
(1) Pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, addresses
are given only for holders of 5% or more of the outstanding Common Stock of
the Company.
(2) Includes 801,880 and 1,356,120 shares of Common Stock directly owned by
Fund II and Offshore II, respectively. Pursuant to Rule 13d-5 under the
Exchange Act, Fund II and Offshore II may each be considered the beneficial
owner of 2,158,000 shares of Common Stock. TCR Associates, L.P. ("TCR
Associates") is the sole general partner of Fund II and may be deemed the
beneficial owner of all of the shares beneficially owned by Fund II. TCR is
the sole general partner of TCR Associates and is the investment advisor to
Fund II and Offshore II. Pursuant to a management agreement, TCR has voting
and dispositive power over all of the shares of Common
49
<PAGE>
Stock beneficially owned by Fund II and Offshore II and may be deemed the
beneficial owner of all of such shares. TCR Offshore Associates, L.P. ("TCR
Offshore") is the sole general partner of Offshore II and may be deemed the
beneficial owner of all of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by
Offshore II. Three Cities Associates, N.V. ("TCA, N.V.") is the sole general
partner of TCR Offshore and may be deemed the beneficial owner of all of the
shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by TCR Offshore. J. William Uhrig
is the sole stockholder, President and sole director of TCA, N.V. and,
pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, may be deemed the
beneficial owner of all of the shares beneficially owned by TCA, N.V.
(3) Includes 207,700, 259,600 and 274,400 shares of Common Stock owned directly
by Stonehill Partners, L.P., Stonehill Institutional Partners, L.P. and
Stonehill Offshore Partners Limited, respectively. John A. Motulsky is the
General Partner of each of Stonehill Partners, L.P. and Stonehill
Institutional Partners, L.P. Mr. Motulsky is a Member of Stonehill Advisers
LLC which is a partner of Stonehill Offshore Partners Limited. The
information provided above was obtained from Amendment No. 1 to a Schedule
13G filed with the Commission on April 16, 1999.
(4) Includes 10,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of presently
exercisable stock options directly owned by Mark B. Dickstein. Also includes
550,736 and 91,000 shares of Common Stock directly owned by Dickstein & Co.,
L.P. and Dickstein International Limited, respectively. Mark B. Dickstein is
the sole shareholder, sole director and president of Dickstein Partners Inc.
("DPI"). DPI is the general partner of Dickstein Partners L.P. which is the
sole general partner of Dickstein & Co., L.P. DPI is the adviser for
Dickstein International Limited and makes all investment and voting
decisions for that entity. Mr. Dickstein disclaims beneficial ownership of
the shares owned by Dickstein & Co., L.P. and Dickstein International
Limited except to the extent of his actual economic interest. The
information provided above was obtained from a Schedule 13D/A filed with the
Commission on May 13, 1999.
(5) Includes 232,598 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of presently
exercisable stock options.
(6) Includes 138,198 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of presently
exercisable stock options.
(7) Includes 131,796 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of presently
exercisable stock options.
(8) Includes 6,666 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of presently
exercisable stock options.
(9) Includes 3,333 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of presently
exercisable stock options.
(10) Includes 654,386 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of presently
exercisable stock options.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
On May 12, 1999, the Company, the Buyers and Merger Sub entered into the
Merger Agreement. See "PROPOSAL 1--The Merger"; "--The Merger Agreement."
On May 12, 1999, the same date on which the Company, the Buyers and Merger
Sub entered into the Merger Agreement, the Dickstein Sellers sold a total of
2,158,000 shares of Common Stock to the Buyers at a price of $6.95 per share. In
connection with such sale, the Company and the Dickstein Sellers entered into
the Company Agreement. See "PROPOSAL 1--Change in Control."
VOTE REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDATION
Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of at least
two-thirds of the votes cast by the holders of the shares of Common Stock on the
Record Date. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSAL TO ADOPT
THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
50
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROPOSAL 2
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the Meeting, stockholders will elect eight directors to serve until the
annual meeting of stockholders scheduled to be held in the year 2000 and until
their respective successors are elected and qualified. Each of the nominees has
advised the Company of his willingness to serve as a director of the Company. In
case any nominee should become unavailable for election to the Board for any
reason, the persons named in the Proxies have discretionary authority to vote
the Proxies for one or more alternative nominees who will be designated by the
Board.
INFORMATION ABOUT NOMINEES
The following table sets forth certain information, as of July 23, 1999,
concerning the nominees for director of the Company:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION WITH THE COMPANY DIRECTOR SINCE
- --------------------------------------------- --- --------------------------------------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
John J. Pomerantz............................ 66 Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive 1984
Officer (4)
John A. Ward................................. 46 President and Director 1997
Clifford B. Cohn............................. 47 Director (2)(3) 1997
Mark Kaufman................................. 43 Director (2)(3) 1997
Robert L. Sind............................... 66 Director (1)(2)(3) 1997
Bernard Olsoff............................... 70 Director (1)(2)(4) 1998
H. Whitney Wagner............................ 43 Director (1)(2) 1999
Thomas G. Weld............................... 37 Director(2)(3)(4) 1999
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Member of the Compensation Committee of the Board.
(2) Member of the Finance Committee of the Board.
(3) Member of the Audit Committee of the Board.
(4) Member of the Nominating Committee of the Board.
JOHN J. POMERANTZ has been the Chief Executive or Chief Operating Officer of
the Company and its predecessors since 1971, and an executive thereof for over
30 years. Mr. Pomerantz was President of the Leslie Fay business from 1971 until
August 1986, when he became Chairman of the Board of the Company.
JOHN A. WARD joined the Company in August 1989 as head of the Andrea Gayle
division. From July 1991 to June 1993 he was Chairman of the Leslie Fay
Sportswear Group. In June 1993 he became Chairman of the combined Leslie Fay
Dress and Sportswear divisions. He was elected a Senior Vice President of the
Company in September 1991 and President of the Company in June 1997. From June
1988 until August 1989 he was Senior Vice President and General Merchandise
Manager for Ready-to-Wear, Men's and Boys' at B. Altman & Co. For 15 years prior
thereto, he had been an executive at Filene's.
CLIFFORD B. COHN has been a principal with Cohn & Associates law firm since
September 1994. From September 1992 to September 1994, he was a principal with
Sernovitz & Cohn law firm. Mr. Cohn is also a director of Publicard Inc.
(formerly Publicker International).
MARK KAUFMAN has been a Senior Vice President at Amroc Investments since
January 1999. Mr. Kaufman was a Vice President of Dickstein Partners, Inc. from
July 1992 to December 1998. Prior to that, beginning in 1990, Mr. Kaufman was a
Senior Vice President of Oppenheimer & Co., an
51
<PAGE>
investment banking firm. Prior to that, Mr. Kaufman was a Vice President of GAF
Corp., a chemical and roofing manufacturer.
ROBERT L. SIND founded Recovery Management Corporation ("RMC") in 1984. RMC
specializes in developing and implementing hands-on business, financial and
operational turnaround programs and providing crisis management to troubled
commercial, industrial and real estate clients and their creditors. Previously,
Mr. Sind had been an investment banker for ten years and, spanning over twelve
years, held senior corporate operating and financial positions, including The
Londontown Manufacturing Company, Chief Financial Officer at Beker Industries
Corporation and Chief Operating Officer at both Nice-Pak Products, Inc. and
Marker International.
BERNARD OLSOFF was President and Chief Executive Officer of Frederick
Atkins, Inc., an international retail merchandising and product development
organization for department stores from 1987 and 1994, respectively, until his
retirement in April 1997. From 1971 to 1983, Mr. Olsoff was President of May
Department Stores Company and May Merchandising Corporation in New York City.
From August 1955 to August 1971 he was Vice President and General Merchandise
Manager of Associated Merchandising Corporation. Mr. Olsoff is also a director
of Elder Beerman Stores, Inc.
H. WHITNEY WAGNER is a Managing Director of TCR. He joined TCR in 1983, was
elected a Vice President in 1986, and was elected to his present position in
1989. Mr. Wagner also serves on the board of directors of Garden Ridge
Corporation, Pameco Corporation and Family 2 U Stores, Inc.
THOMAS G. WELD is a Managing Director of TCR, which he joined in 1993. From
1988 until 1993, Mr. Weld was an associate with McKinsey and Company, a
management consulting firm. Mr. Weld also serves on the board of directors of
Pameco Corporation.
CERTAIN ARRANGEMENTS REGARDING THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Under the employment agreement between Mr. Pomerantz and the Company, Mr.
Pomerantz has the right to serve as Chairman of the Board and to designate one
or more additional directors so that, at all times during the term of such
agreement, directors designated by Mr. Pomerantz comprise at least 28% of the
membership of the Board.
The Company has agreed that, at annual meetings of stockholders of the
Company following the Meeting, the Buyers will have the right to designate a
number of nominees to serve as directors constituting at least a percentage of
the Board equal to the percentage of outstanding shares of Common Stock then
owned in the aggregate by the Buyers.
The Buyers and Mr. Pomerantz have agreed to vote in favor of each of the
nominees for the directors listed in the Proxy and not to take any actions to
change the size or composition of the Board before the next annual meeting of
stockholders of the Company, if at all. The Buyers and Mr. Pomerantz have also
agreed that, for so long as Mr. Pomerantz has the contractual right to designate
at least one nominee to the Board, (1) the Buyers and Mr. Pomerantz will agree
on the identity of all nominees for director (other than any nominee of someone
else who has a contractual right to designate such nominee) and (2) the Buyers
and Mr. Pomerantz will vote for their agreed-upon nominees and against any
nominees competing against the agreed-upon nominees. If the Buyers and Mr.
Pomerantz do not agree upon the identity of all of the nominees for director,
then (x) Mr. Pomerantz has the right to designate at least 28% of the nominees
to the Board and the Buyers have the right to designate at least a percentage of
the Board equal to the percentage of outstanding shares of Common Stock then
owned in the aggregate by the Buyers, who must be reasonably satisfactory to Mr.
Pomerantz, and (y) the Buyers and Mr. Pomerantz will vote in favor of the
other's nominees.
52
<PAGE>
The Company has agreed that, so long as the Dickstein Sellers own at least
5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, they will be entitled to designate
one nominee to serve on the Board. Mark Kaufman has been designated as the
nominee of the Dickstein Sellers.
INFORMATION ABOUT NON-DIRECTOR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth certain information, as of July 23, 1999,
concerning the non-director executive officers of the Company:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION WITH THE COMPANY OFFICER SINCE
- ---------------------------------------------- --- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Dominick Felicetti............................ 45 Senior Vice President--Manufacturing and 1995
Sourcing
Warren T. Wishart............................. 47 Senior Vice President--Administration and 1995
Finance, Secretary and Chief Financial Officer
</TABLE>
DOMINICK FELICETTI rejoined the Company in May 1995 as Senior Vice President
of Worldwide Sourcing and Manufacturing. From 1994 to 1995 he was Vice President
Manufacturing and Production for S.L. Fashions. Mr. Felicetti was previously
employed by the Company from December 1991 to July 1993 in the position of
Director of Technical Services and Production. From 1986 to 1990 he served as
President of American Dress Company and from 1979 to 1986 as Production Manager
for Betsy's Things.
WARREN T. WISHART joined the Company in March 1993. He held the position of
Vice President-- Planning from July 1993 through December 1994. In January 1995,
he became Senior Vice President-- Finance. In September 1995, he was appointed
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company. In June 1997 he became
Senior Vice President--Administration and Finance and Secretary of the Company.
Before joining the Company, Mr. Wishart was Vice President--Strategic Planning
at Galerias Preciados from 1991 to the end of 1992. Prior to that, he had
seventeen years of financial management and business planning experience with
several department stores including Filene's and the L.J. Hooker Retail Group.
MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
During the fiscal year ended January 2, 1999, the Board held 10 meetings.
During such year, each director attended at least 75 percent of the aggregate of
(1) the number of meetings of the Board held during the period he served on the
Board, and (2) the number of meetings of the Compensation and Audit Committees
held during the period he served on such committees, except that William J.
Nightingale, a former director of the Company, attended 60% of the meetings of
the Board.
The Compensation Committee, currently consisting of Messrs. Olsoff, Sind and
Wagner, has authority over officer compensation and administers the Company's
1997 Management Stock Option Plan and 1997 Non-Employee Director Stock Option
and Stock Incentive Plan. During the fiscal year ended January 2, 1999, the
Compensation Committee held four meetings.
The Audit Committee, currently consisting of Messrs. Cohn, Kaufman, Sind and
Weld, held two meetings during the fiscal year ended January 2, 1999. The Audit
Committee serves as the Board's liaison with the Company's auditors.
The Nominating Committee was established during 1999.
53
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following summary compensation table sets forth information concerning
annual and long-term compensation, paid or accrued, for the Company's Chief
Executive Officer and three other most highly compensated executive officers
(the "Named Executive Officers") for services in all capacities to the Company
during the last three fiscal years.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL COMPENSATION(1) LONG TERM COMPENSATION
---------------------- ------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
RESTRICTED SECURITIES
STOCK UNDERLYING LTIP ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY (2) BONUS AWARDS OPTIONS PAYOUTS COMPENSATION
- -------------------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -------------
John J. Pomerantz..................... 1998 $ 498,654 $ 350,000 -- 117,042 -- $ 2,650(3)
Chairman of the Board 1997 $ 611,129 $ 300,000 -- 263,756 -- $ 8,699(4)
and Chief Executive 1996 $ 777,915 $ 171,700 -- -- -- $ 8,938(5)
Officer
John A. Ward.......................... 1998 $ 449,039 $ 280,000 -- 91,440 -- $ 2,650(3)
President 1997 $ 462,692 $ 225,000 -- 140,120 -- $ 2,650(4)
1996 $ 521,154 $ 145,600 -- -- -- $ 2,500(5)
Dominick Felicetti.................... 1998 $ 349,519 $ 230,000 -- 78,638 -- $ 2,650(3)
Senior Vice President-- 1997 $ 337,500 $ 200,000 -- 140,120 -- $ 1,938(4)
Manufacturing and 1996 $ 267,885 $ 91,200 -- -- -- -- (5)
Sourcing
Warren T. Wishart..................... 1998 $ 224,519 $ 200,000 -- 78,638 -- $ 2,650(3)
Senior Vice President-- 1997 $ 207,692 $ 180,000 -- 140,120 -- $ 102,650(4)
Administration and 1996 $ 200,000 $ 91,200 -- -- -- $ 2,500(5)
Finance, Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) In 1998, 1997 and 1996, perquisites and other personal benefits did not
exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of reported annual salary and bonuses
for any of the Named Executive Officers.
(2) 1997 was a 53 week year. 1998 and 1996 were 52 week years. Amounts represent
salaries paid during the calendar year during which the majority of such
fiscal year took place.
(3) For 1998, consists of amounts contributed as Company matching contributions
for each Named Executive Officer under the Company's 401(k) savings plan
(the "401(k) Plan").
(4) For 1997, consists of the following: (a) amounts contributed as Company
matching contributions for each Named Executive Officer under the Company's
401(k) Plan as follows: Mr. Pomerantz $2,286, Mr. Ward $2,650, Mr. Felicetti
$1,938 and Mr. Wishart $2,650; (b) amounts paid by the Company for split
dollar life insurance coverage as follows: Mr. Pomerantz $6,413; and (c)
amounts paid by the Company as earned retention as follows: Mr. Wishart
$100,000.
(5) For 1996, consists of the following: (a) amounts contributed as Company
matching contributions for each Named Executive Officer under the Company's
401(k) Plan as follows: Mr. Pomerantz $2,286, Mr. Ward $2,500 and Mr.
Wishart $2,500; and (b) amounts paid by the Company for split dollar life
insurance coverage as follows: Mr. Pomerantz $6,652.
54
<PAGE>
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
The following table sets forth information with respect to stock options
granted to the Named Executive Officers during fiscal 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
-------------------------- POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE AT
NUMBER OF % OF TOTAL ASSUMED
SECURITIES OPTIONS ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK PRICE
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO APPRECIATION FOR OPTION TERM
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES IN EXERCISE EXPIRATION ------------------------------------
NAME GRANTED FISCAL YEAR PRICE(1) DATE(2) 0% 5% 10%
- --------------------------------- ----------- ------------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John J. Pomerantz................ 117,042 26.7% $ 3.09 1/4/08 $ 508,840 $ 989,005 $ 1,691,257
John A. Ward..................... 91,440 20.9% $ 3.09 1/4/08 $ 397,535 $ 772,668 $ 1,321,308
Dominick Felicetti............... 78,638 17.9% $ 3.09 1/4/08 $ 341,879 $ 664,491 $ 1,136,319
Warren T. Wishart................ 78,638 17.9% $ 3.09 1/4/08 $ 341,879 $ 664,491 $ 1,136,319
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) The market price per share on the grant date was $7.44.
(2) Exercisable as to 25% of such shares on each of January 4, 1998, January 4,
1999, January 4, 2000 and January 4, 2001.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISE IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR END VALUE
TABLE
The following table sets forth information with respect to the Named
Executive Officers concerning the exercise of stock options during fiscal 1998
and unexercised stock options held as of the end of such fiscal year. The
average bid and asked price of a share of Common Stock on the close of business
on December 30, 1998 (the last trade day prior to January 2, 1999) was $6.6875.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
SHARES OPTIONS AT FISCAL IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
ACQUIRED ON VALUE YEAR-END AT FISCAL YEAR-END
NAME EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE(1)
- ------------------------------------------ ------------- ----------- ------------------------ --------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John J. Pomerantz......................... None N/A 116,299/264,499 $ 418,350/951,450
John A. Ward.............................. None N/A 69,100/162,460 $ 248,570/584,400
Dominick Felicetti........................ None N/A 65,899/152,859 $ 237,060/549,870
Warren T. Wishart......................... None N/A 65,899/152,859 $ 237,060/549,870
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Aggregate market value of the shares of Common Stock covered by the stock
options at fiscal year end less the exercise price of such stock options.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Currently, each director who is not a full-time employee of or consultant to
the Company (a "Non-Employee Director") receives an annual director's fee of
$12,500 in cash and 2,000 shares of Common Stock. Each initial Non-Employee
Director, upon becoming a director, received stock options to purchase 20,000
shares, vesting one-third each year, and each subsequent Non-Employee Director,
upon becoming a director, has received or will receive stock options to purchase
10,000 shares, vesting one-third each year.
55
<PAGE>
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
The Company has an employment agreement with John J. Pomerantz expiring on
January 3, 2001, pursuant to which he is employed as Chief Executive Officer at
a base salary of $500,000 per annum. If, following a change in control of the
Company, Mr. Pomerantz terminates his employment with "good reason" (as defined
in the employment agreement) or the Company terminates the employment of Mr.
Pomerantz without cause, then the Company must pay to him an amount equal to the
greater of (1) the maximum amount that the Company could pay to him that would
not cause the Company to make an "excess parachute payment" (within the meaning
of Section 280G of the Code) and (2) the sum of (a) his accrued and unpaid base
salary, (b) an amount equal to twice his base salary in effect on the date of
such termination, (c) if such termination occurs on or after January 4, 2000, an
amount equal to the bonus, if any, payable to him for the year ending January 4,
2000 and (d) an additional amount that would enable him to receive the sum of
the foregoing amounts after the payment of certain taxes. In addition, the
vesting of options granted to Mr. Pomerantz will accelerate upon a change in
control of the Company. Mr. Pomerantz has agreed that neither the acquisition of
shares of Common Stock by the Buyers pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement
nor the Merger will constitute a change in control that could otherwise trigger
any of the foregoing.
The Company also has an employment agreement with John A. Ward expiring on
January 3, 2001, pursuant to which he is employed as President of the Company at
a base salary of $450,000 per annum. If, following a change in control of the
Company, Mr. Ward terminates his employment with "good reason" (as defined in
the employment agreement) or the Company terminates the employment of Mr. Ward
without cause, then the Company must pay to him an amount equal to the greater
of (1) the maximum amount that the Company could pay to him that would not cause
the Company to make an "excess parachute payment" (within the meaning of Section
280G of the Code) and (2) the sum of (a) his accrued and unpaid base salary, (b)
an amount equal to twice his base salary in effect on the date of such
termination, (c) if such termination occurs on or after January 4, 2000, an
amount equal to the bonus, if any, payable to him for the year ending January 4,
2000 and (d) an additional amount that would enable him to receive the sum of
the foregoing amounts after the payment of certain taxes. In addition, the
vesting of options granted to Mr. Ward will accelerate upon a change in control
of the Company. Mr. Ward has agreed that neither the acquisition of shares of
Common Stock by the Buyers pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement nor the
Merger will constitute a change in control that could otherwise trigger any of
the foregoing.
The Company also has an employment agreement with Dominick Felicetti
expiring on January 3, 2001, pursuant to which he is employed as Senior Vice
President--Manufacturing and Sourcing at a base salary of $350,000 for the first
two years and $375,000 for the third year. If, following a change in control of
the Company, Mr. Felicetti terminates his employment with "good reason" (as
defined in the employment agreement) or the Company terminates the employment of
Mr. Felicetti without cause, then the Company must pay to him an amount equal to
(1) his accrued and unpaid base salary, (2) an amount equal to 1.5 times his
base salary in effect on the date of such termination, (3) the sum of (a) his
base salary in effect on the date of such termination plus the amount of the
bonus, if any, payable to him in the year prior to such termination multiplied
by (b) the number of years remaining in the term of his agreement with the
Company and (4) an additional amount that would enable him to receive the sum of
the foregoing amounts after the payment of certain taxes. In addition, the
vesting of options granted to Mr. Felicetti will accelerate upon a change in
control of the Company. Mr. Felicetti has agreed that neither the acquisition of
shares of Common Stock by the Buyers pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement
nor the Merger will constitute a change in control that could otherwise trigger
any of the foregoing.
The Company also has an employment agreement with Warren T. Wishart expiring
on January 3, 2001, pursuant to which he is employed as Senior Vice
President--Administration and Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer at
a base salary of $225,000 for the first two years and $250,000 for the
56
<PAGE>
third year. If, following a change in control of the Company, Mr. Wishart
terminates his employment with "good reason" (as defined in the employment
agreement) or the Company terminates the employment of Mr. Wishart without
cause, then the Company must pay to him an amount equal to (1) his accrued and
unpaid base salary, (2) an amount equal to 1.5 times his base salary in effect
on the date of such termination, (3) the sum of (a) his base salary in effect on
the date of such termination plus the amount of the bonus, if any, payable to
him in the year prior to such termination multiplied by (b) the number of years
remaining in the term of his agreement with the Company and (4) an additional
amount that would enable him to receive the sum of the foregoing amounts after
the payment of certain taxes. In addition, the vesting of options granted to Mr.
Wishart will accelerate upon a change in control of the Company. Mr. Wishart has
agreed that neither the acquisition of shares of Common Stock by the Buyers
pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement nor the Merger will constitute a change
in control that could otherwise trigger any of the foregoing.
In addition, these employment agreements provide for a shared bonus pool
payable to the employees of the Company if EBITDA (as defined in such
agreements) exceeds $4,626,550. The bonus pool will equal 9.6% of EBITDA plus an
additional 0.2% of EBITDA for each $54,430 by which EBITDA exceeds $4,626,550 up
to a maximum of 12.5% of EBITDA plus an additional 5% of the amount by which
EBITDA exceeds $11,500,000, subject to certain adjustments.
SEVERANCE AGREEMENTS
In January 1998, the Company entered into a severance agreement with
Catharine Bandel-Wirtshafter pursuant to which she received in a lump sum, six
months compensation at a rate of $250,000 per annum under the employment
agreement dated as of June 4, 1997. In addition, one-third of the options
previously granted to her vested on the effective date of the severance
agreement.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Compensation Committee of the Board is charged with determining the
compensation of officers. During 1998 the Compensation Committee consisted of
Robert L. Sind (until June 3, 1998), Bernard Olsoff (from June 3, 1998 through
November 10, 1998), Chaim Edelstein (from November 10, 1998), Clifford B. Cohn
and Mark B. Dickstein. Following the resignations of Messrs. Dickstein and
Edelstein as directors of the Company and the appointment of Messrs. Olsoff,
Sind and Wagner on June 29, 1999 to the Compensation Committee, the Compensation
Committee is presently composed of Messrs. Olsoff, Sind and Wagner.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The Compensation Committee's responsibility is to make recommendations to
the Board with respect to the compensation of executive officers of the Company.
The Company's compensation policies are designed to enable the Company to
attract, motivate and retain senior management by providing competitive
compensation opportunities based both on individual performance and on the
financial performance of the Company. This is particularly true since each of
the Named Executive Officers has an employment agreement with the Company.
Accordingly, benefits are provided through stock option incentives and bonuses
which are generally consistent with the goal of coordinating rewards to
management with a maximization of stockholder return. In reviewing Company
performance, consideration is given to the Company's earnings. Also taken into
account are external economic factors that affect results of operations. An
attempt is also made to maintain compensation within the range of that afforded
like executive officers of companies whose size and business is comparable to
that of the Company. In reviewing the performance by the Company since its
emergence from bankruptcy, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board
for approval, and the Board approved, modifications of the employment agreements
with Named
57
<PAGE>
Executive Officers to extend their term, increase the base compensation provided
thereunder, provide for an increase in the cash bonus pool related to the
Company's EBITDA and replace the so-called "Home Run" options, which were
issuable only in the event of the sale of the Company at a certain minimum
price, with stock options that do not require the sale of the Company.
CEO COMPENSATION
In the case of the Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee
evaluates the Company's mid and long range strategic planning and implementation
as well as the considerations impacting the compensation of executive officers
generally described above. Based on the Company's 1998 operating performance,
financial results and condition and the achievement of EBITDA targets contained
in his employment agreement, a bonus of $350,000 was granted to Mr. Pomerantz by
the Compensation Committee.
The foregoing report is approved by all members of the Compensation
Committee as at January 29, 1999.
Respectfully submitted,
Compensation Committee
Clifford B. Cohn
Mark B. Dickstein
Chaim Y. Edelstein
58
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
Set forth below is a graph comparing the yearly change, post-emergence from
bankruptcy, in the cumulative stockholder return on the Company's Common Stock
with the NASDAQ Composite Index and a peer group. The peer group consists of the
following four companies engaged in the distribution of ladies' apparel: Liz
Claiborne, Inc., Kellwood Company, Oxford Industries, Inc. and Jones & Co. The
graph assumes $100 invested on June 4, 1997 (the date of the Company's emergence
from bankruptcy) in the Company's Common Stock and in each of the indices and
that all dividends on stocks in the NASDAQ Composite Index and a peer group
index were reinvested. No cash dividends were paid on the Common Stock of the
Company between June 4, 1997 and January 2, 1999. The stockholder return shown
on the graph below is not necessarily indicative of future performance.
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE LESLIE FAY COMPANY,
INC. NASDAQ COMPOSITE INDEX PEER GROUP INDEX
<S> <C> <C> <C>
6/04/97 100 100 100
1/03/98 202 115 109
1/02/99 191 159 98
</TABLE>
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL STOCKHOLDER RETURNS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
6/04/97 1/03/98 1/02/99
<S> <C> <C> <C>
The Leslie Fay Company, Inc............................................. $100 $202 $191
Nasdaq Composite Index.................................................. $100 $115 $159
Peer Group Index........................................................ $100 $109 $98
</TABLE>
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Pursuant to Section 16 of the Exchange Act officers, directors and holders
of more than 10% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock are required to file
periodic reports of their ownership of, and transactions involving, the Common
Stock with the Commission. Based solely on its review of copies of such reports
received by the Company, the Company believes that its reporting persons have
complied with all Section 16 filing requirements applicable to them with respect
to the Company's fiscal year ended January 2, 1999.
VOTE REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDATION.
The election of each director requires the affirmative vote of a plurality
of the votes cast by the holders of the shares of Common Stock, in person or by
proxy, at the Meeting and entitled to vote thereon. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE
"FOR"EACH NOMINEE FOR DIRECTOR.
59
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROPOSAL 3
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT
OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Board has appointed, subject to ratification by the stockholders, Arthur
Andersen LLP as the independent auditors of the Company for the fiscal year
ending January 1, 2000. This firm of auditors has audited the accounts of the
Company for approximately 7 years. By virtue of their familiarity with the
Company's affairs and their ability, the Board considers them best qualified to
perform this important function. It is expected that representatives of Arthur
Andersen LLP will be present at the Meeting with the opportunity to make a
statement and to be available to respond to questions regarding these and any
other appropriate matters.
VOTE REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDATION
Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the
votes cast by the holders of the shares of Common Stock, in person or by proxy,
at the Meeting and entitled to vote on this proposal. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A
VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF THIS PROPOSAL.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROPOSAL 4
ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company is submitting to its stockholders a proposal to authorize the
named Proxies to vote in favor of the adjournment of the Meeting in the event
that there are not sufficient votes to approve the Merger Agreement at the time
of the Meeting. Even though a quorum may be present at the Meeting, it is
possible that the Company may not have received sufficient votes to approve the
Merger Agreement at the time of the Meeting. In that event, such proposal could
not be approved unless the Meeting were adjourned in order to permit further
solicitation of Proxies.
In order to allow the Proxies that have been received by the Company at the
time of the Meeting to be voted for the Adjournment Proposal, if necessary, the
Company has submitted the question of adjournment under such circumstances, and
only under such circumstances, to the Company's stockholders for their
consideration. A majority of shares present at the Meeting is required in order
to approve the adjournment proposal.
The Board recommends that the Company's stockholders vote their Proxies in
favor of the Adjournment Proposal so that their Proxies may be used for such
purpose should it become necessary. Properly executed Proxies will be voted in
favor of the Adjournment Proposal unless otherwise noted thereon. If it is
necessary to adjourn the Meeting, no notice of the time and place of the
adjourned meeting is required to be given to the Company's stockholders other
than an announcement of such time and place at the Meeting. The Adjournment
Proposal relates only to an adjournment occurring for purposes of soliciting
additional Proxies for approval of the Merger Agreement in the event that there
are insufficient votes to approve such proposal at the Meeting. Any other
adjournment (E.G., an adjournment required because of the absence of a quorum)
would be voted upon pursuant to the discretionary authority granted by the
Proxy.
The Board retains full authority to postpone the Meeting prior to the
Meeting being convened without the consent of any of the Company's stockholders.
VOTE REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDATION
Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the
votes cast by the holders of the shares of Common Stock, in person or by proxy,
at the Meeting and entitled to vote on this proposal. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A
VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF THIS PROPOSAL.
60
<PAGE>
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
The Commission allows the Company to "incorporate by reference" information
into its Proxy Statement, which means that the Company can disclose certain
important information by referring you to another document that is sent to you
with this Proxy Statement. The following documents are incorporated by reference
in this Proxy Statement and are deemed to be a part hereof:
(1) The Company's Annual Report for the fiscal year ended January 2, 1999;
and
(2) The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April
3, 1999.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference is deemed to
be modified or superseded for all purposes to the extent that a statement
contained in this Proxy Statement modifies or replaces such statement.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act
and, in accordance therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Commission. Copies of such reports, proxy statements and
other information may be copied (at prescribed rates) at the public reference
facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the following Regional Offices of
the Commission: 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661;
and Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048. For further
information concerning the Commission's public reference rooms, you may call the
Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. Some of this information may also be accessed on
the World Wide Web through the Commission's Internet address at
"http://www.sec.gov." The Company's Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq
SmallCap Market, and materials also may be inspected at the offices of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., Market Listing Section, 1735 K
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.
MISCELLANEOUS
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
The Company intends to hold its 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on or
about May 23, 2000. If a stockholder intends to present a proposal at the
Company's 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and wants that proposal to be
included in the Company's Proxy Statement and proxy card for that meeting, the
proposal must be received at the Company's principal executive offices not later
than January 24, 2000. As to any proposal that a stockholder intends to present
to stockholders without including it in the Company's Proxy Statement for the
Company's 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the proxies named in the Board's
proxy for that meeting will be entitled to exercise their discretionary
authority on that proposal unless the Company receives notice of the matter to
be proposed not later than April 10, 2000. Even if proper notice is received on
or prior to April 10, 2000, the proxies named in the Board's proxy for that
meeting may nevertheless exercise their discretionary authority with respect to
such matter by advising stockholders of such proposal and how they intend to
exercise their discretion to vote on such matter, unless the stockholder making
the proposal solicits proxies with respect to such proposal as required by Rule
14a-4(c)(2) under the Exchange Act.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board does not intend to bring before the Meeting for action any matters
other than those specifically referred to above and is not aware of any other
matters which are proposed to be presented by others. If any other matters or
motions should properly come before the Meeting, the persons named in the Proxy
intend to vote thereon in accordance with their judgment on such matters or
motions, including any matters or motions dealing with the conduct of the
Meeting.
61
<PAGE>
No person is authorized to give any information or to make any
representations with respect to the matters described in this Proxy Statement
other than those contained herein. Any information or representations with
respect to such matters not contained herein or therein must not be relied upon
as having been authorized by the Company or the Buyers. The delivery of this
Proxy Statement shall not under any circumstances create any implication that
there has been no change in the affairs of the Company or the Buyers since the
date hereof or that the information in this Proxy Statement is correct as of any
time subsequent to the date hereof.
ALL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE COMPANY CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT HAS BEEN FURNISHED BY THE COMPANY AND ALL
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BUYERS CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS
PROXY STATEMENT HAS BEEN FURNISHED BY THE BUYERS.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
WARREN T. WISHART
SECRETARY
July 30, 1999
62
<PAGE>
ANNEX A
================================================================================
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
by and among
THREE CITIES FUND II, L.P.,
THREE CITIES OFFSHORE II C. V.,
TCR ACQUISITION SUB CO.
and
THE LESLIE FAY COMPANY, INC.
------------------------------------
Dated as of May 12, 1999
------------------------------------
==============================================================================
A-1
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
ARTICLE I THE MERGER..................................................A-1
Section 1.1 The Merger............................................A-1
Section 1.2 Closing...............................................A-1
Section 1.3 Effective Time........................................A-2
Section 1.4 Effects of the Merger.................................A-2
Section 1.5 Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws of the
Surviving Corporation.................................A-2
ARTICLE II EFFECT OF MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE CONSTITUENT
CORPORATIONS................................................A-3
Section 2.1 Company Common Stock..................................A-3
Section 2.2 Merger Sub Shares.....................................A-3
Section 2.3 Common Share Elections................................A-3
Section 2.4 Proration.............................................A-4
Section 2.5 Surrender and Payment.................................A-5
Section 2.7 Stock Options.........................................A-6
Section 2.8 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates................A-6
Section 2.9 Adjustments to Prevent Dilution.......................A-7
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY...............A-7
Section 3.1 Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries..........A-7
Section 3.2 Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws..............A-7
Section 3.3 Capitalization........................................A-8
Section 3.4 Authority.............................................A-8
Section 3.5 No Conflict...........................................A-9
Section 3.6 Required Filings and Consents.........................A-9
Section 3.7 Permits; Compliance with Law.........................A-10
Section 3.8 SEC Filings; Financial Statements....................A-10
Section 3.9 Absence of Certain Changes or Events.................A-11
Section 3.10 Employee Benefit Plans; Labor Matters................A-11
Section 3.11 Contracts; Debt Instruments..........................A-13
Section 3.12 Litigation...........................................A-14
Section 3.13 Environmental Matters................................A-14
Section 3.14 Intellectual Property................................A-14
Section 3.15 Taxes................................................A-15
Section 3.16 Title to Properties..................................A-15
Section 3.17 Agreements with Regulatory Agencies..................A-15
Section 3.18 Suppliers and Customers..............................A-15
Section 3.19 Insurance............................................A-16
Section 3.20 Officers, Directors and Employees....................A-16
Section 3.21 Brokers..............................................A-16
Section 3.23 Information..........................................A-17
A-2
<PAGE>
Page
----
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF BUYERS AND MERGER SUB...................................A-17
Section 4.1 Organization.........................................A-17
Section 4.2 Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws.............A-17
Section 4.3 Capitalization of Merger Sub.........................A-17
Section 4.4 Authority............................................A-17
Section 4.5 No Conflict..........................................A-18
Section 4.6 Required Filings and Consents........................A-18
Section 4.7 Brokers..............................................A-18
Section 4.8 Information..........................................A-18
Section 4.9 Interim Operations of Merger Sub.....................A-19
Section 4.10 Financing............................................A-19
ARTICLE V COVENANTS..................................................A-19
Section 5.1 Conduct of Business of the Company...................A-19
Section 5.2 Certain Interim Operations of Merger Sub.............A-21
Section 5.3 Other Actions........................................A-21
Section 5.4 Notification of Certain Matters......................A-21
Section 5.5 Proxy Statement......................................A-22
Section 5.6 Stockholders' Meetings; Action by Written Consent....A-23
Section 5.7 Access to Information................................A-23
Section 5.8 No Solicitation......................................A-24
Section 5.9 Directors' and Officers' Indemnification.............A-25
Section 5.10 Consents; Filings; Further Action....................A-26
Section 5.11 Public Announcements.................................A-26
Section 5.12 Expenses.............................................A-26
Section 5.13 Takeover Statutes....................................A-26
Section 5.14 Control of the Company's Operations..................A-27
Section 5.15 Tax Reporting........................................A-27
ARTICLE VI CONDITIONS.................................................A-27
Section 6.1 Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect
the Merger...........................................A-27
Section 6.2 Conditions to Obligation of Buyers and the Merger
Sub..................................................A-27
Section 6.3 Conditions to Obligation of the Company..............A-28
ARTICLE VII TERMINATION................................................A-28
Section 7.1 Termination..........................................A-28
Section 7.2 Effect of Termination................................A-30
Section 7.3 Fees and Expenses....................................A-30
ARTICLE VIII MISCELLANEOUS..............................................A-30
Section 8.1 Defined Terms........................................A-30
Section 8.2 Non-Survival of Representations and Warranties.......A-33
Section 8.3 VENUE; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL..........................A-33
Section 8.4 Notices..............................................A-34
A-3
<PAGE>
Page
----
Section 8.5 Entire Agreement.....................................A-35
Section 8.6 No Third-Party Beneficiaries.........................A-35
Section 8.7 Obligations of Buyers and of the Company.............A-35
Section 8.8 Counterparts.........................................A-35
Section 8.9 Interpretation.......................................A-35
Section 8.10 Assignment...........................................A-35
Section 8.11 Specific Performance.................................A-35
Section 8.12 Waivers and Amendments; Non-Contractual Remedies;
Preservation of Remedies.............................A-35
Section 8.13 Usage................................................A-36
Section 8.14 Headings.............................................A-36
Section 8.15 Further Assurances...................................A-36
Annexes
Annex A Share Conversion...............................................A-38
Exhibits
Exhibit A Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.............A-39
A-4
<PAGE>
INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS
Page
----
Acquisition Agreement...............................................A-30
affiliate...........................................................A-30
Agreement............................................................A-1
Benefit Plans.......................................................A-12
Blue Sky Laws........................................................A-9
business day........................................................A-30
Buyer Material Adverse Effect.......................................A-30
Buyers' Consent.....................................................A-17
Cash Election........................................................A-3
Cash Election Number.................................................A-4
Certificate of Merger................................................A-2
CIT.................................................................A-28
CIT Agreement.......................................................A-28
Claims..............................................................A-31
Closing..............................................................A-1
Closing Date.........................................................A-2
Code.................................................................A-5
Common Shares........................................................A-1
Company..............................................................A-1
Company Charter Documents............................................A-7
Company Disclosure Letter............................................A-7
Company Financial Advisor...........................................A-16
Company Material Adverse Effect.....................................A-31
Company Option Plans.................................................A-6
Company Permits.....................................................A-10
Company Preferred Stock..............................................A-8
Company SEC Reports.................................................A-10
Company Stock Option.................................................A-6
Company Stockholders Meeting........................................A-22
Company Subsidiaries.................................................A-7
Contract............................................................A-31
D&O Insurance.......................................................A-25
Delaware State Secretary.............................................A-2
DGCL.................................................................A-1
Dissenting Shares....................................................A-6
Dissenting Stockholder...............................................A-6
Effective Time.......................................................A-2
Electing Cash Shares.................................................A-3
Election Date........................................................A-4
Eligible Institution.................................................A-4
Environment.........................................................A-31
Environmental Claims................................................A-31
ERISA...............................................................A-12
A-5
<PAGE>
Page
----
Excess Proration Factor..............................................A-5
Exchange Act.........................................................A-4
Exchange Agent.......................................................A-5
Fee.................................................................A-30
Form 10-K............................................................A-7
Form of Election.....................................................A-3
GAAP................................................................A-31
Governmental Entity.................................................A-31
HSR Act..............................................................A-9
including...........................................................A-31
Indebtedness........................................................A-31
Indemnified Parties.................................................A-25
Intellectual Property...............................................A-14
knowledge...........................................................A-32
Law.................................................................A-32
Liens...............................................................A-32
Merger...............................................................A-1
Merger Consideration.................................................A-3
Merger Sub...........................................................A-1
Merger Sub Charter Documents.......................................A-17
Merger Sub Common Stock..............................................A-3
NASDAQ..............................................................A-32
Non-Cash Election Share..............................................A-3
Person..............................................................A-32
Proxy Materials.....................................................A-22
Proxy Statement.....................................................A-22
Registration Statement..............................................A-22
Regulatory Agreement................................................A-15
Representatives.....................................................A-24
Requisite Company Vote...............................................A-8
Safety and Environmental Laws.......................................A-32
SEC..................................................................A-3
Securities Act.......................................................A-9
Stock Purchase Agreement............................................A-32
subsidiaries........................................................A-32
subsidiary..........................................................A-32
Superior Proposal...................................................A-32
Surviving Corporation................................................A-1
Surviving Corporation Common Shares..................................A-1
Surviving Corporation Shares.........................................A-3
Systems.............................................................A-14
Takeover Proposal...................................................A-24
Takeover Statute....................................................A-32
Taxes...............................................................A-33
Teamsters Agreement.................................................A-12
A-6
<PAGE>
Page
----
Title IV Plan.......................................................A-12
UNITE Agreement.....................................................A-12
Year 2000 Compliant.................................................A-14
A-7
<PAGE>
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, is made and entered into as of
this 12th day of May, 1999 (the "Agreement"), by and among THREE CITIES FUND II,
L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("TCF II"), THREE CITIES OFFSHORE II C.V.,
a Netherlands Antilles limited partnership ("TCO" and, together with TCF II,
"Buyers"), TCR ACQUISITION SUB CO., a Delaware corporation owned by Buyers
("Merger Sub"), and THE LESLIE FAY COMPANY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company").
WHEREAS, Buyers and the Company desire that Merger Sub merge with
and into the Company (the "Merger"), upon the terms and conditions set forth
herein and in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware (the "DGCL") with the result that the Company shall continue as the
surviving corporation (the "Surviving Corporation") and the separate existence
of Merger Sub shall cease;
WHEREAS, Buyers and the Company desire that upon the Merger, at the
Effective Time (as hereinafter defined), all issued and outstanding shares of
common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company (collectively, the
"Common Shares"), other than Electing Cash Shares and Dissenting Shares (each as
hereinafter defined, (a) be converted into the right to receive cash or (b)
remain outstanding as Surviving Corporation Common Shares (as defined below);
WHEREAS, Buyers and the Company desire that upon the Merger, at the
Effective Time, all issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Merger Sub
be converted into newly issued shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share
of the Surviving Corporation ("Surviving Corporation Common Shares");
WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of the Company and
Merger Sub have each approved this Agreement and declared it to be advisable;
and
WHEREAS, Buyers own 2,158,000 Common Shares in the aggregate.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, the
parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
THE MERGER
Section 1.1 The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with the DGCL at the Effective
Time (as defined herein), Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company,
whereupon the separate existence of Merger Sub shall cease, and the Company
shall continue as the Surviving Corporation.
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Section 1.2 Closing. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of
this Agreement, the closing of the Merger (the "Closing") shall take place as
soon as practicable, but in no event later than the second business day (the
"Closing Date") following satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions set
forth in Article VI, at the offices of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison,
1285 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York or at such other place and time
and/or other date as agreed to in writing by the parties hereto.
Section 1.3 Effective Time. At the Closing Date (or on such other
date as the parties hereto agree may agree), the Company will cause a
Certificate of Merger (the "Certificate of Merger") and all other filings
required by Delaware law in connection with the Merger to be executed in
accordance with the relevant provisions of the DGCL, and delivered for filing
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the "Delaware State
Secretary"). The Merger shall become effective upon the filing of the
Certificate of Merger with the Delaware State Secretary or at such later time as
Buyers and the Company shall agree and as is specified in the Certificate of
Merger (the "Effective Time").
Section 1.4 Effects of the Merger. The Merger shall have the effects
set forth in the applicable provisions of the DGCL. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all
property of the Company and Merger Sub shall vest in the Surviving Corporation,
and all liabilities and obligations of the Company and Merger Sub shall become
liabilities and obligations of the Surviving Corporation.
Section 1.5 Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws of the
Surviving Corporation. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended, of the Company, which shall be amended as of the Effective Time
substantially in the form set forth on Exhibit A, shall become from and after
the Effective Time the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation, until thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or by
applicable law. The Bylaws of the Company, as in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time, shall become from and after the Effective Time the By-laws of
the Surviving Corporation, until thereafter changed or amended as provided
therein or by applicable law.
Section 1.6 Officers and Directors of the Surviving Corporation.
(a) The directors of the Company immediately prior to the
Effective Time will be the directors of the Surviving Corporation, and they
shall hold office until their respective successors are duly elected or
appointed or qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in
accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws as in effect from
time to time of the Surviving Corporation.
(b) The officers of the Company immediately prior to the
Effective Time will be the officers of the Surviving Corporation, and they shall
hold office until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed or
qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance
with the Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws as in effect from time to time
of the Surviving Corporation.
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<PAGE>
ARTICLE II
EFFECT OF MERGER ON THE CAPITAL
STOCK OF THE CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS
Section 2.1 Company Common Stock. Except as otherwise provided in
Section 2.6 with respect to Common Shares as to which appraisal rights have been
exercised, at the Effective Time, each Common Share issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time:
(a) in the case of Common Shares (other than Electing Cash
Shares and Dissenting Shares (each as defined below)), shall remain outstanding
as one fully paid and nonassessable Surviving Corporation Common Share (a
"Non-Cash Election Share"); and
(b) in the case of Common Shares with respect to which an
election to receive cash has been effectively made and not revoked or forfeited
pursuant to Section 2.3 (the "Electing Cash Shares"), subject to proration
pursuant to Section 2.4, shall be converted into the right to receive a cash
payment of $7.00 (the "Merger Consideration").
Section 2.2 Merger Sub Shares. At the Effective Time, all of the
shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Merger Sub ("Merger Sub
Common Stock") issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder
thereof, automatically be converted into either (a) 1,111,966 Surviving
Corporation Common Shares or (b) if the Electing Cash Shares are less than
2,111,966 shares, that number of Surviving Corporation Common Shares as shall be
set forth on Annex A hereto. Upon such conversion, each Buyer shall own a pro
rata portion of such Surviving Corporation Common Shares based on its ownership
percentage of Merger Sub Common Stock immediately prior to such conversion.
Section 2.3 Common Share Elections.
(a) Each Person who, on the Election Date (as defined in
Section 2.3(b)), is a record holder of Common Shares shall be entitled, with
respect to all or any portion of such Common Shares, to make an unconditional
election to receive the Merger Consideration for each such Share on the basis
hereinafter set forth ("Cash Election").
(b) The Company shall prepare a form of election, which form
shall also be a letter of transmittal and shall be subject to the reasonable
approval of Buyers (as the same may be amended or supplemented, the "Form of
Election"), to be mailed by the Company with the Proxy Statement (as hereinafter
defined) to the record holders of Common Shares as of the record date for the
Company Stockholders Meeting (as hereinafter defined) and otherwise distributed
in accordance with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC"), which Form of Election shall be used by each record holder of Common
Shares who wishes to elect, subject to the provisions of Sections 2.3 and 2.4,
to receive the Merger Consideration for any or all Common Shares as to which it
is the record holder. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to make
the Form of Election and the Proxy Statement available to all Persons who become
holders of Common Shares during the period between the
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<PAGE>
date hereof (or such record date) and the Election Date. Any such holder's
election to receive the Merger Consideration shall have been properly made only
if the Exchange Agent (as hereinafter defined) shall have received at its
designated office, by 5:00 p.m., local time for the Exchange Agent, on the fifth
business day (or such other business day as agreed upon by the Company and
Buyers and publicly announced) prior to the date of the Company Stockholders
Meeting (the "Election Date"), pursuant to (i) a Form of Election properly
completed and signed and accompanied by certificates representing the Common
Shares to which such Form of Election relates, duly endorsed in blank or
otherwise in form acceptable for transfer on the books of the Company (or by an
appropriate guarantee of delivery of such certificates as set forth in such Form
of Election from a firm that is an "eligible guarantor institution" (as defined
in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act") (an "Eligible Institution"), provided such certificates are in
fact delivered to the Exchange Agent by the date set forth in the guarantee of
delivery) or (ii) such other procedures as may be set forth in the Proxy
Statement.
(c) Any Form of Election may be revoked by the holder
submitting it to the Exchange Agent (as hereinafter defined) only by notice
received by the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., local time for the Exchange
Agent, on the Election Date in accordance with the procedures set forth in the
Proxy Statement (unless Buyers and the Company determine not less than two
business days prior to the Election Date that the Closing Date is not likely to
occur within five business days following the Election Date, in which case any
Form of Election will remain revocable until a subsequent date that shall be a
date prior to the Closing Date determined by Buyers and the Company and publicly
announced). In addition, all Forms of Election shall automatically be revoked if
the Exchange Agent is notified in writing by Buyers and the Company that this
Agreement has been terminated. If a Form of Election is properly revoked, the
certificate or certificates (or guarantees of delivery, as appropriate) for the
Common Shares to which such Form of Election relates shall be promptly returned
by the Exchange Agent to the stockholder submitting the same, or pursuant to
such other procedures as are set forth in the Proxy Statement.
(d) The determination of the Exchange Agent (or the Company if
the Exchange Agent declines to make such determination) shall be binding as to
whether elections to receive the Merger Consideration have been properly made or
revoked pursuant to this Section 2.3 and as to when elections and revocations
were received by it. If the Exchange Agent reasonably determines in good faith
that any election to receive the Merger Consideration was not properly made with
respect to Common Shares, such Common Shares shall be treated by the Exchange
Agent as Non-Cash Election Shares. The Exchange Agent (or the Company if the
Exchange Agent declines to make such determination) shall also make all
computations as to the allocation and the proration contemplated by Section 2.4
and shall promptly notify Buyers and the Company of such computation, which
shall be conclusive and binding on Buyers and the Company absent manifest error,
and any such computation shall be conclusive and binding on the holders of
Common Shares. The Exchange Agent may, with the mutual written agreement of
Buyers and the Company, establish procedures as are consistent with this Section
2.3 for the implementation of the elections provided for herein as shall be
necessary or desirable fully to effect such elections.
A-4
<PAGE>
Section 2.4 Proration.
(a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, the maximum number of Common Shares that may receive the Merger
Consideration at the Effective Time (the "Cash Election Number") shall be equal
to 2,111,966.
(b) If the number of Electing Cash Shares exceeds the Cash
Election Number, each Electing Cash Share shall (a) be converted into the right
to receive the Merger Consideration or (b) remain outstanding as a Surviving
Corporation Common Share, in the following manner:
(i) a proration factor (the "Excess Proration Factor")
shall be determined by dividing the Cash Election Number by the total
number of Electing Cash Shares;
(ii) the number of Electing Cash Shares entitled to
receive the Merger Consideration shall be determined by multiplying the
Excess Proration Factor by the total number of Electing Cash Shares
(subject to rounding down to the next lowest whole number); and
(iii) all Electing Cash Shares, other than those shares
entitled to receive the Merger Consideration in accordance with Section
2.4(b)(ii), shall remain outstanding as Surviving Corporation Common
Shares in accordance with Section 2.1(a).
Section 2.5 Surrender and Payment.
(a) Prior to the Election Date, the Company shall authorize an
exchange agent satisfactory to Buyers to act as Exchange Agent hereunder (the
"Exchange Agent") for the purpose of receiving Forms of Election and exchanging
certificates representing Common Shares for the Merger Consideration. Assuming
the receipt of funds held by the Merger Sub as set forth in Section 4.10, the
Company shall make available to the Exchange Agent prior to the Effective Time
the aggregate Merger Consideration to be paid in respect of the Electing Cash
Shares. For purposes of determining the Merger Consideration to be made
available, the Company shall assume that no holder of Common Shares will perfect
its right to appraisal of its Common Shares.
(b) Each holder of Common Shares that have been converted into
a right to receive the Merger Consideration in accordance with Section 2.3 shall
be entitled promptly following the Effective Time to receive the Merger
Consideration payable in respect of such Common Shares.
(c) The Company shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from
the Merger Consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any
holder of Common Shares such amounts as the Company is required to deduct and
withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), or any provision of state, local or
foreign tax law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld by the Company, such
withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having
A-5
<PAGE>
been paid to the holder of the Common Shares in respect of which such deduction
and withholding was made by the Company.
(d) In the event of a transfer of ownership of a Common Share
that is not registered in the transfer records of the Company, a certificate
representing the proper number of Common Shares may be issued or paid to such a
transferee if the certificate formerly representing such Common Shares is
presented to the Exchange Agent, accompanied by all documents required to
evidence and effect the transfer and to evidence that any applicable stock
transfer taxes have been paid. If any portion of the Merger Consideration is to
be paid to a Person other than the registered holder of the Common Shares
represented by the certificate or certificates surrendered in exchange therefor,
it shall be a condition to such payment that the certificate or certificates so
surrendered shall be properly endorsed or otherwise be in proper form for
transfer and that the Person requesting such payment shall pay to the Exchange
Agent any transfer or other taxes required as a result of such payment to a
Person other than the registered holder of such Common Shares or establish to
the satisfaction of Buyers, the Company or Exchange Agent that such tax has been
paid or is not payable.
Section 2.6 Dissenting Shares. Notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, Common Shares issued and outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time held by any Person who has the right to demand, and
who properly demands ( a "Dissenting Stockholder"), an appraisal of such shares
("Dissenting Shares"), in accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL (or any
successor provision) shall not be converted into a right to receive the Merger
Consideration or remain outstanding as Surviving Corporation Common Shares,
unless such holder fails to perfect, withdraws or otherwise loses such holder's
right to such appraisal, if any. If, after the Effective Time, such holder fails
to perfect, withdraws or otherwise loses any such right to appraisal and payment
under the DGCL, each such share of such holder shall be treated as a Common
Share that has remained outstanding as a Surviving Corporation Common Share,
without interest or dividends thereon, in accordance with Section 2.1(a). At the
Effective Time, any Dissenting Stockholder shall cease to have any rights with
respect thereto, except the rights provided in Section 262 of the DGCL (or any
successor provision) and as provided in the immediately preceding sentence.
Section 2.7 Stock Options. Immediately following the Effective Time,
each option to purchase Common Shares (a "Company Stock Option"), which is
outstanding and exercisable (whether or not then vested) at such time for Common
Shares under any of the Company's stock option plans (the "Company Option
Plans") shall remain outstanding and all terms and conditions of the Company
Stock Options, including vesting provisions, shall remain in effect as they
exist as of the Effective Time, except that not more than 105,254 Company Stock
Options will, in accordance with the terms thereof, vest as a result of the
transactions contemplated hereby but will otherwise remain subject to the same
terms and conditions to which they are subject as of the date hereof. Prior to
the Effective Time, the Company shall make such amendments and take such other
actions, if necessary, with respect to the Company Option Plans as shall be
necessary to comply with this Section 2.7.
Section 2.8 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In the event 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 the posting by such
A-6
<PAGE>
Person of a bond in the form customarily required by the Company as indemnity
against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such certificate,
the Exchange Agent will issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed
certificate the shares of Surviving Corporation Common Shares and any unpaid
dividends or other distributions in respect of that certificate issuable or
payable under this Article 2 upon due surrender of and deliverable in respect of
the Common Shares represented by such certificate under this Agreement, in each
case, without interest; provided, however, that the Proxy Statement (as defined
in Section 5.5) will set forth a procedure to permit Cash Election for the
Common Shares represented by such lost, stolen or destroyed certificates.
Section 2.9 Adjustments to Prevent Dilution. In the event that prior
to the Effective Time there is a change in the number of Common Shares or
securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for Common Shares
issued and outstanding as a result of a distribution, reclassification, stock
split (including a reverse stock split), stock dividend or distribution or other
similar transaction, the numbers of Common Shares set forth herein, and the
Merger Consideration, shall be equitably adjusted to eliminate the effects of
that event.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company represents and warrants to Buyers and Merger Sub that,
except as set forth in the Company SEC Reports (as defined in Section 3.8) that
are publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement:
Section 3.1 Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries.
(a) Each of the Company and each subsidiary of the Company
(collectively, the "Company Subsidiaries") has been duly organized and is
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation or organization, as the case may be, 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. Each
of the Company and each Company Subsidiary is duly qualified or licensed 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 business
makes such qualification or licensing necessary.
(b) Schedule 3.1(b) of the letter from the Company, dated the
date hereof, addressed to Buyers and Merger Sub (the "Company Disclosure
Letter") sets forth a complete and correct list of all of the Company
Subsidiaries and the jurisdiction in which the Company and Company Subsidiaries
are duly qualified or authorized to do business. Neither the Company nor any
Company Subsidiary holds any interest in any Person other than (i) the Company
Subsidiaries so listed and (ii) securities owned, solely as an investment, of
any Person traded on any national securities exchange or through the Nasdaq
National Market System that do not exceed more than 1% off any class of
securities of such Person.
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<PAGE>
Section 3.2 Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws. Copies of the
Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws, each as
amended through the date of this Agreement (collectively, the "Company Charter
Documents") that are exhibits to the Company's Report on Form 8-K, dated June
20, 1997 and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2,
1999 ("Form 10-K") are complete and correct copies of those documents. The
Company Charter Documents and all comparable corporate organizational documents
of the Company Subsidiaries are in full force and effect. The Company is not in
violation of any of the provisions of the Company Charter Documents.
Section 3.3 Capitalization.
(a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of
(i) 20,000,000 Common Shares and (ii) 500,000 shares of preferred stock, par
value $0.01 per share ("Company Preferred Stock"), of the Company. As of the
date hereof, (i) 6,041,138 Common Shares are issued and outstanding, all of
which were duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid, nonassessable
and not subject to preemptive rights, (ii) 817,100 Common Shares are held in the
treasury of the Company and (iii) no shares of Company Preferred Stock are
issued and outstanding. The Common Shares to be issued to Buyers in connection
with the Merger upon such issuance will be duly authorized, validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable and will not be subject to any preemptive rights.
(b) Other than in connection with this Agreement, there are no
outstanding contractual obligations of the Company or any Company Subsidiary to
repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Common Shares or any capital stock
of any Company Subsidiary.
(c) As of the date hereof, an aggregate of 1,356,874 Company
Stock Options are outstanding under the Company Option Plans. Except (i) for
such Company Stock Options and (ii) under agreements or arrangements set forth
in Schedule 3.3(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter, there are no options,
warrants, conversion rights, stock appreciation rights, redemption rights,
repurchase rights or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments of
any character to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound
relating to the issued or unissued capital stock of the Company or any Company
Subsidiary or obligating the Company or any Company Subsidiary to issue or sell
any shares of capital stock of, or other equity interests in, the Company or any
Company Subsidiary. Schedule 3.3(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth,
as of the date of this Agreement, (x) the Persons to whom Company Stock Options
have been granted, (y) the exercise price for the Company Stock Options held by
each such Person and (z) whether such Company Stock Options are subject to
vesting and, if subject to vesting, the dates on which each of those Company
Stock Options vest. The Company has obtained the consents of option holders with
respect to waivers of any acceleration of vesting provisions as a result of the
transactions contemplated hereby other than the consent of option holders
holding in the aggregate not more than 105,254 Company Stock Options.
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<PAGE>
Section 3.4 Authority.
(a) The Company has all necessary corporate power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations
under this Agreement and to consummate the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement to be consummated by the Company. The execution
and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the
Company of such 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 to consummate such
transactions, other than the adoption of this Agreement by a vote of at least
662/3 of the outstanding Common Shares (the "Requisite Company Vote"). This
Agreement (assuming receipt of the Requisite Company Vote) has been duly
authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a
legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the
Company in accordance with its terms.
(b) The Board of Directors (i) has unanimously adopted the
plan of merger set forth in this Agreement and approved this Agreement and the
other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) has declared that the
Merger is advisable and will recommend that the stockholders vote in favor of
this Agreement and (iii) contains at least five "Continuing Directors" (as
defined in the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended).
Section 3.5 No Conflict.
(a) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the
Company do not, and the performance of this Agreement by the Company will not:
(i) conflict with or violate any provision of any
Company Charter Document or any equivalent organizational documents of any
Company Subsidiary;
(ii) assuming that all consents, approvals,
authorizations and other actions described in Section 3.5(b) have been
obtained and all filings and obligations described in Section 3.5(b) have
been made, conflict with or violate any Law applicable to the Company or
any Company Subsidiary or by which any property or asset of the Company or
any Company Subsidiary is or may be bound or affected; or
(iii) result in any breach of or constitute a default
(or an event which with or without 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 creation of a
Lien on any property or asset of the Company or any Company Subsidiary
under any Contract to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a
party or by which any of them or their assets or properties is or may be
bound or affected, except for such breaches, defaults or other occurrences
which, individually or in the aggregate, have not resulted and could not
reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
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(b) Schedule 3.5(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets
forth a correct and complete list of material Contracts to which the Company or
any Company Subsidiaries are a party or by which they or their assets or
properties is or may be bound or affected under which consents or waivers are or
may be required prior to consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
Section 3.6 Required Filings and Consents. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement by the Company do not, and the performance of this
Agreement by the Company will not, require any consent, approval, authorization
or permit of, or filing with or notification to, any Governmental Entity, except
for (i) applicable filings required pursuant to the Exchange Act, Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and applicable state securities or
"blue sky" laws ("Blue Sky Laws"), if any, (ii) applicable filings required
pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the "HSR Act"),
(iii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger as required by the DGCL and (iv)
where failure to obtain such consents, approvals, authorizations or permits, or
to make such filings or notifications, individually or in the aggregate, have
not resulted and could not reasonably be expected to result in a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.7 Permits; Compliance with Law. Each of the Company and
the Company Subsidiaries is in possession of all franchises, grants,
authorizations, licenses, permits, easements, variances, exceptions, consents,
certificates, approvals and orders of any Governmental Entity necessary for the
Company or any Company Subsidiary to own, lease and operate its properties or to
carry on its business as it is now being conducted (collectively, the "Company
Permits") (but not including, however, Company Permits relating to compliance
with Safety and Environmental Laws (as defined herein), which are addressed in
Section 3.14), except where the failure to have, or the suspension or
cancellation of, any of the Company Permits, individually or in the aggregate,
has not resulted and could not reasonably be expected to result in a Company
Material Adverse Effect, and, as of the date of this Agreement, no suspension or
cancellation of any of the Company Permits is pending or, to the knowledge of
the Company, threatened, except where the failure to have, or the suspension or
cancellation of, any of the Company Permits, individually or in the aggregate,
has not resulted and could not reasonably be expected to result in a Company
Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is in
conflict with, or in default or violation of, (i) any Law (but not including,
however, any Safety and Environmental Laws, which is addressed in Section 3.14)
applicable to the Company or any Company Subsidiary or by which any property or
asset of the Company or any Company Subsidiary is or may be bound or affected or
(ii) any Company Permits, except for any such conflicts, defaults or violations
that, individually or in the aggregate, have not resulted and could not
reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.8 SEC Filings; Financial Statements.
(a) The Company has filed all forms, reports, statements and
other documents (including all exhibits, annexes, supplements and amendments to
such documents) required to be filed by it under the Exchange Act and the
Securities Act since June 4, 1997 (collectively, including any such documents
filed subsequent to the date of this Agreement, the "Company SEC Reports") and
the Company has made available to Buyers and Merger Sub all of
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the Company SEC Reports filed with the SEC. The Company SEC Reports, including
any financial statements or schedules included or incorporated by reference, (i)
comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act or the
Securities Act or both, as the case may be, applicable to those Company SEC
Reports and (ii) did not at the time they were filed contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated or necessary in order to make the statements made in those Company SEC
Reports, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. No Company Subsidiary is subject to the periodic reporting
requirements of the Exchange Act or is otherwise required to file any documents
with the SEC or any national securities exchange or quotation service or
comparable Governmental Entity.
(b) Each of the consolidated balance sheets included in or
incorporated by reference into the Company SEC Reports (including the related
notes and schedules) fairly presented, in all material respects, the
consolidated financial position of the Company as of the dates set forth in
those consolidated balance sheets. Each of the consolidated statements of income
and of cash flows included in or incorporated by reference into the Company SEC
Reports (including any related notes and schedules), fairly presented, in all
material respects, the consolidated results of operations and cash flows, as the
case may be, of the Company and the consolidated Company Subsidiaries for the
periods set forth in those consolidated statements of income and of cash flows
(subject, in the case of unaudited quarterly statements, to notes and normal
year-end audit adjustments that will not be material in amount or effect), in
each case in conformity with GAAP (except, in the case of unaudited quarterly or
other interim statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC) consistently
applied throughout the periods indicated.
(c) Except as disclosed in the Company SEC Reports or
specified in Schedule 3.8(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter, since the date of
the most recent audited financial statements included in the Company SEC
Reports, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has any liabilities or
obligations of any nature (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise)
that would be required to be reflected on a balance sheet or in the related
notes prepared in accordance with GAAP, except for liabilities or obligations
incurred in the ordinary course of business since January 2, 1999 that,
individually or in the aggregate, have not resulted and could not reasonably be
expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.9 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since January 2,
1999, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have conducted their businesses
only in the ordinary course and in a manner consistent with past practice and,
since such date, there has not been:
(a) any Company Material Adverse Effect;
(b) any damage, destruction or other casualty loss with
respect to any asset or property owned, leased or otherwise used by it or any
Company Subsidiaries, whether or not covered by insurance, which damage,
destruction or loss, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted or could
reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect;
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(c) any material change by the Company in its or any Company
Subsidiary's accounting methods, principles or practices;
(d) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend
or distribution in respect of Company Common Stock or any redemption, purchase
or other acquisition of any of the Company's securities;
(e) any increase in the compensation or benefits or
establishment of any bonus, insurance, severance, deferred compensation,
pension, retirement, profit sharing, stock option (including, the granting of
stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance awards or restricted stock
awards), stock purchase or other employee benefit plan, or any other increase in
the compensation payable or to become payable to any executive officers of the
Company or any Company Subsidiary.
Section 3.10 Employee Benefit Plans; Labor Matters.
(a) Section 3.10(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter
identifies each material employment, severance or similar contract or
arrangement and each plan, policy, fund, program or contract or arrangement
(whether or not written) providing for compensation, bonus, profit-sharing,
stock option, or other stock related rights or other forms of incentive or
deferred compensation, vacation benefits, insurance coverage (including any
self-insured arrangements), health or medical benefits, disability benefits,
worker's compensation, supplemental unemployment benefits, severance benefits
and post-employment or retirement benefits (including compensation, pension,
health, medical or life insurance or other benefits) under which the Company or
any Company Subsidiary has or in the future could have any liability, including
any liability as a result of being a single employer under Section 414 of the
Code ("Benefit Plans"). There is no Benefit Plan which (i) is a multiemployer
plan (within the meaning of Section 3(37) of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")) other than the pension plans to
which the Company contributes pursuant to (x) the UNITE Agreement, which has a
term from June 2, 1997 to May 31, 2001 (the "UNITE Agreement") and (y) the
Teamsters Agreement, which has a term from June 20, 1998 to June 19, 2001 (the
"Teamsters Agreement"), or (ii) is a plan, other than a multiemployer plan,
subject to Title IV of ERISA (a "Title IV Plan").
(b) The Company has furnished to Buyers copies of the Benefit
Plans (and, if applicable, related trust agreements) and all amendments thereto
and written interpretations thereof together with the most recent annual report
(Form 5500 including, if applicable, Schedule B thereto), the most recent
actuarial valuation report prepared in connection with any Benefit Plan, and the
most recent Internal Revenue Service determination letter received with respect
to any Benefit Plan.
(c) Each Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and has been so qualified during the
period since its adoption; each trust created under any such Plan is exempt from
tax under Section 501(a) of the Code and has been so exempt since its creation
and nothing has occurred with respect to the operation of any Benefit Plan which
would cause the loss of such qualification or exemption. Each Benefit Plan has
been maintained in substantial compliance with its terms and with the
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requirements prescribed by any and all applicable statutes, orders, rules and
regulations, including but not limited to ERISA and the Code and no transaction
prohibited by Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred
with respect to any Benefit Plan.
(d) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has any
current or projected liability in respect of post-employment or post-retirement
health or medical or life insurance benefits for retired, former or current
employees of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, except as required under
applicable law.
(e) Other than the pension plan to which the Company
contributes pursuant to each of the UNITE Agreement and the Teamsters Agreement,
there are no unfunded obligations under any Benefit Plan which are not fully
reflected on the most recent financial statements of the Company.
(f) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is party to
any collective bargaining agreements other than the UNITE Agreement and the
Teamsters Agreement. There are no unfair labor practices complaint or other
proceeding pending and there is no strike pending or, to the knowledge of the
Company or the Company Subsidiaries, threatened against the Company or any
Company Subsidiary.
(g) With respect to any multiemployer plan (within the meaning
of ERISA section 4001(a)(3)) to which the Company, any Company Subsidiary or any
member of their Controlled Group (within the meaning of Section 414 of the Code)
has any liability or contributes (or has at any time contributed or had an
obligation to contribute): (i) none of the Company, the Company Subsidiaries or
any member of their Controlled Group has incurred any withdrawal liability under
Title IV of ERISA or would be subject to such liability if, as of the Closing
Date, the Company, the Company Subsidiaries or any member of their Controlled
Group were to engage in a complete withdrawal (as defined in ERISA section 4203)
or partial withdrawal (as defined in ERISA section 4205) from any such
multiemployer plan; and (ii) no such multiemployer plan is in reorganization or
insolvent (as those terms are defined in ERISA section 4241 and 4245,
respectively).
(h) No Benefit Plan exists that could result in the payment to
any present or former employee of the Company or any Company Subsidiaries of any
money or other property or accelerate or provide any other rights or benefits to
any present or former employee of the Company or any Company Subsidiaries as a
result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, whether or not such
payment would constitute a parachute payment within the meaning of Code section
280G.
Section 3.11 Contracts; Debt Instruments.
(a) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.10 of the Company
Disclosure Letter, Schedule 3.11(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth
all of the following Contracts to which either of the Company or Company
Subsidiaries is a party or by or to which any of them or any of its properties
may be bound or subject (other than those specifically set forth on any other
Schedule): (i) Contracts with any current or former officer, director,
shareholder, employee, consultant, agent or other representative or with an
entity in which any of
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the foregoing is a controlling Person; (ii) Contracts with any Person to
manufacture, sell, distribute or otherwise market any of the Company Products
providing for payments by either of the Company or Company Subsidiaries in the
aggregate of $1,000,000 or more; (iii) Contracts for the purchase of materials,
supplies, goods, services, equipment or other assets providing for payments by
either of the Company or Company Subsidiaries either of the Company or Company
Subsidiaries made payments, in the aggregate of $1,000,000 or more; (iv)
Contracts for the sale of any properties other than in the ordinary course of
business or for aggregate consideration in excess of $100,000 or for the grant
to any Person of any option or preferential rights to purchase any properties;
(v) partnership or joint venture agreements; (vi) Contracts under which either
of the Company or Company Subsidiaries agrees to indemnify any party or to share
Tax liability of any party; (vii) material Contracts which can be canceled
without liability, premium or penalty only on 90 days' or more notice; (viii)
Contracts containing covenants of either of the Company or Company Subsidiaries
not to engage in any line of business or with any Person in any geographical
area or covenants of any other Person not to compete with either of the Company
or Company Subsidiaries in any line of business or in any geographical area;
(ix) Contracts containing obligations or liabilities of any kind to holders of
the capital stock of either of the Company or Company Subsidiaries as such; (x)
Contracts for the payment of fees or other consideration to any officer or
director of either of the Company or Company Subsidiaries or to any other entity
in which any of the foregoing has an interest; (xi) management Contracts and
other similar agreements with any Person; and (xii) any other Con tracts
pursuant to the terms of which there is either a current or future obligation or
right of either of the Company or Company Subsidiaries to make payments in
excess of $100,000 or receive payments in excess of $100,000.
(b) All of the Contracts referred to in Section 3.11(a) are
valid and binding upon each of the Company or Company Subsidiaries as the case
may be, in accordance with their terms. Neither the Company nor any of the
Company Subsidiaries is in default in any material respect under any of such
Contracts, nor does any condition exist that with notice or lapse of time or
both would constitute such a material default thereunder. No other party to any
such Contract is in default thereunder in any material respect nor does any
condition exist that with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute such
a material default thereunder, except for violations or defaults that,
individually or in the aggregate, have not resulted and could not reasonably be
expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Except for any of the following expressly identified in
the Company SEC Reports, Schedule 3.11(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets
forth a list of each loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture
and any other agreement and instrument pursuant to which any Indebtedness in
excess of $100,000 payable by the Company or a Company Subsidiary is outstanding
or may be incurred. Schedule 3.11(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth
a description of any material changes to the amount and terms of the
Indebtedness of the Company and the consolidated Company Subsidiaries as
described in the notes to the financial statements set forth as incorporated by
reference in the Form 10-K.
Section 3.12 Litigation. There are no claims pending or, to the
knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any Company
Subsidiary before any Governmental Entity, which if adversely determined,
individually or in the aggregate, has resulted or could reasonably be expected
to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any
Company Subsidiary is subject to any outstanding order, writ,
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injunction or decree, which, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted or
could reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.13 Environmental Matters. Except as disclosed in Schedule
3.13 of the Company Disclosure Letter, (i) each of the Company and Company
Subsidiaries is and has been in material compliance with all applicable Safety
and Environmental Laws and (ii) there is no Environmental Claim (as defined
herein) pending or threatened against either of the Company or Company
Subsidiaries and there is no civil, criminal or administrative judgment or
notice of violation against either of the Company and Company Subsidiaries
pursuant to Safety and Environmental Laws or principles of common law relating
to pollution, protection of the Environment (as defined herein) or health and
safety.
Section 3.14 Intellectual Property.
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.14 of the Company
Disclosure Letter, each of the Company and each of the Company Subsidiaries
owns, possesses or has the legal right to use all the patents, trademarks,
service marks, trade names, brand names, Internet domain names, designs, logos,
technology, copyrights, computer software, software licenses and licenses
(collectively, the "Intellectual Property") necessary for the present conduct of
its business without any known conflict with the rights of others.
(b) The Company has a proper plan in place so that all
software, hardware, databases, and embedded control systems (collectively, the
"Systems") used by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries will be Year 2000
Compliant, except for failures to be Year 2000 Compliant that, individually or
in the aggregate, have not resulted and could not reasonably be expected to
result in a Company Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Year 2000 Compliant" means that the Systems (i) accurately process date and
time data (including calculating, comparing, and sequencing) from, into, and
between the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, the years 1999 and 2000, and
leap year calculations and (ii) operate accurately with other software and
hardware that use standard date format (four digits) for representation of the
year.
(c) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is, or, as
a result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the performance of
its obligations under this Agreement, will be, in violation of any agreement
relating to any Intellectual Property, except for violations that, individually
or in the aggregate, have not resulted and could not reasonably be expected to
result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.15 Taxes. Except to the extent that failure to do so,
individually or in the aggregate, has not resulted and could not reasonably be
expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and the
Company Subsidiaries have filed all Tax returns and reports to be filed by them
and have paid, or established adequate reserves for, all Taxes required to be
paid by them. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, has not resulted and
could not reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect,
no deficiencies for any Taxes have been proposed, asserted or assessed against
the Company or any Company Subsidiaries, and no requests for waivers of the time
to assess any such Taxes are pending.
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Section 3.16 Title to Properties. Each of the Company and Company
Subsidiaries has good title to its real property, free and clear of any Liens,
except for (a) Liens specifically described in the notes to the Company's
audited financial statements; (b) properties disposed of, or subject to purchase
or sales orders, in the ordinary course of business since January 2, 1999; and
(c) Liens securing Company Taxes, assessments, governmental charges or levies,
or the claims of materialmen, carriers, landlords and like Persons, all of which
are not yet due and payable or are being contested in good faith, so long as
such contest does not involve any substantial danger of the sale, forfeiture or
loss of any assets.
Section 3.17 Agreements with Regulatory Agencies. Neither the
Company nor any Company Subsidiaries is subject to any cease-and-desist or other
order issued by, or is a party to any written agreement, consent agreement or
memorandum of understanding with, or is a party to any commitment letter or
similar undertaking to, or is subject to any order or directive by, or is a
recipient of any extraordinary supervisory letter from, or has adopted any board
resolutions at the request of (each, whether or not listed in Section 3.17 of
the Company Disclosure Letter, a "Regulatory Agreement"), any Governmental
Entity that restricts the conduct of its business or that in any manner relates
to its management or its business, following consummation of the Merger, to
impair Buyers' ability to conduct their business or the business of any of their
subsidiaries, as presently conducted. Neither the Company nor any Company
Subsidiary has been advised by any Governmental Entity that such Governmental
Entity is considering issuing or requesting any Regulatory Agreement.
Section 3.18 Suppliers and Customers. The relationships of each of
the Company and Company Subsidiaries with its suppliers and customers are good
commercial working relationships and, except as set forth on Schedule 3.18 of
the Company Disclosure Letter, (a) none of the ten largest suppliers or ten
largest customers within the last 12 months, to the knowledge of the Company or
Company Subsidiaries, intends to cancel or otherwise terminate, the relationship
of such Person with each of the Company or Company Subsidiaries, and (b) none of
such suppliers or customers has during the last 12 months decreased materially
or, to the knowledge of the Company or Company Subsidiaries, intends to modify
materially its relationship with each of the Company or Company Subsidiaries or
intends to decrease or limit materially its services or supplies to each of the
Company or Company Subsidiaries or its usage or purchase of either of the
services or products of each of the Company or Company Subsidiaries.
Section 3.19 Insurance. The Company has policies or binders of fire,
liability, product liability, workers' compensation, vehicular and other
insurance of the type and in the amounts that is customary for similarly
situated companies in the same industry as the Company.
Section 3.20 Officers, Directors and Employees.
(a) The Form 10-K sets forth the name, title and total
compensation of each officer, director and significant employee of the Company
and the Company Subsidiaries. Schedule 3.20(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter
sets forth (i) all wage and salary increases, bonuses and increases in any other
direct or indirect compensation received by such Persons
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since the January 2, 1999; (ii) any payments or commitments to pay any severance
or termination pay to any such Persons; and (iii) any accrual for, or any
commitment or agreement by each of the Company or Company Subsidiaries to pay,
such increases, bonuses or pay, except pursuant to the shared bonus pool
described in the Form 10-K. None of such Persons has indicated to the Company
that he or she will cancel or otherwise terminate such Person's relationship
with either of the Company or Company Subsidiaries.
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.20(b) of the Company
Disclosure Letter, no employee or former employee of the Company or any Company
Subsidiary will become entitled to any bonus, retirement, severance, job
security or similar benefit or enhanced such benefit (including acceleration of
vesting or exercise of an incentive award) as a result of the transactions
contemplated hereby.
(c) There is no Contract, plan or arrangement (written or
otherwise) covering any employee or former employee of the Company or any
Company Subsidiary that, individually or collectively, could give rise to the
payment of any amount that would not be deductible pursuant to the terms of
Section 280G or Section 162(m) of the Code, except for the employment contracts
of John J. Pomerantz and John A. Ward.
Section 3.21 Brokers. Except for Conway Del Genio Gries & Co., LLC
(the "Company Financial Advisor"), no broker, finder or investment banker is
entitled to any brokerage, finder's or other fee or commission in connection
with the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement based
upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company. Prior to the date of this
Agreement, the Company has made available to Buyers and Merger Sub a complete
and correct copy of all agreements between the Company and the Company Financial
Advisor under which the Company Financial Advisor would be entitled to any
payment relating to the Merger and any other transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 3.22 Certain Statutes. The Board of Directors of the Company
has taken all appropriate and necessary actions to ensure that the restrictions
on "business combinations" in Section 203 of the DGCL will not apply to this
Agreement, the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 3.23 Information. None of the information to be supplied by
the Company for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement
or Registration Statement, if any, will, in the case of any such Registration
Statement, at the time it becomes effective and at the Effective Time, contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated in any such Registration Statement or necessary to make
the statements in any such Registration Statement not misleading, or, in the
case of the Proxy Statement or any amendments or supplements of the Proxy
Statement, at the time of the mailing of the Proxy Statement and any amendments
or supplements of the Proxy Statement and at the time of the Company
Stockholders Meeting (as defined in Section 5.5), contain any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated in
that Proxy Statement or necessary in order to make the statements in that Proxy
Statement, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not
misleading. The Registration Statement, if any, and the Proxy Statement will
comply as to form in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act.
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ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF BUYERS AND MERGER SUB
Each of Buyers and Merger Sub, as the case may be, represents and
warrants to the Company that:
Section 4.1 Organization. Each of Buyers and Merger Sub has been
duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
its jurisdiction of organization, 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.
Section 4.2 Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws. Complete
copies of the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of Merger Sub have been
made available to the Company (collectively, the "Merger Sub Charter
Documents"). The Merger Sub is not in violation of any of the provisions of the
Merger Sub Charter Documents.
Section 4.3 Capitalization of Merger Sub. Buyers own, directly or
indirectly, all of the outstanding capital stock of Merger Sub. Other than the
shares of Merger Sub Common Stock outstanding on the date hereof, Merger Sub has
no capital stock, options, warrants or other securities of any type outstanding
on the date hereof.
Section 4.4 Authority. Each of Buyers and Merger Sub has all
necessary partnership and corporate power, as the case may be, and authority to
execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby to be consummated by it. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of Buyers and Merger Sub and
the consummation by each of Buyers and Merger Sub of such transactions have been
duly and validly authorized by all necessary partnership and corporate action,
as the case may be, and no other company proceedings on the part of Buyers or
Merger Sub are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate such
transactions, other than the adoption of this Agreement by the written consent
of Buyers ("Buyers' Consent"). This Agreement (assuming Buyers' Consent) has
been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by each of Buyers and
Merger Sub and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each of
Buyers and Merger Sub enforceable against each of Buyers and Merger Sub in
accordance with its terms. Following the execution hereof, Buyers will execute
the Buyers' Consent.
Section 4.5 No Conflict. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement by Buyers and Merger Sub do not, and the performance of this Agreement
by each of Buyers and Merger Sub will not:
(a) conflict with or violate any provision of any Merger Sub
Charter Document or the partnership agreements of Buyers;
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(b) assuming that all consents, approvals, authorizations and
other actions described in Section 4.6 have been obtained and all filings and
obligations described in Sec tion 4.6 have been made, conflict with or violate
any Law applicable to Buyers or Merger Sub or by which any property or asset of
Buyers or Merger Sub is or may be bound or affected; or
(c) result in any breach of or constitute a default (or an
event which with or without 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 creation of a Lien on any
property or asset of Buyers or Merger Sub under any Contract to which Buyers or
Merger Sub is a party or by which any of them or their assets or properties is
or may be bound or affected except for such breaches, defaults or other
occurrences which, individually or in the aggregate, have not resulted and could
not reasonably be expected to result in a Buyer Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.6 Required Filings and Consents. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement by Buyers and Merger Sub do not, and the performance
of this Agreement by Buyers and Merger Sub will not, require any consent,
approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification to, any
Government Entity except (i) for applicable filings required pursuant to the
Exchange Act, Securities Act, and applicable state securities or Blue Sky Laws,
if any, (ii) applicable filings required pursuant to the HSR Act, (iii) the
filing of the Certificate of Merger as required by the DGCL and (iv) where
failure to obtain such consents, approvals, authorizations or permits, or to
make such filings or notifications, individually or in the aggregate, have not
resulted and could not reasonably be expected to result in a Buyer Material
Adverse Effect.
Section 4.7 Brokers. No broker, finder or investment banker is
entitled to any brokerage, finder's or other fee or commission in connection
with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby based upon
arrangements made by or on behalf of Buyers or Merger Sub.
Section 4.8 Information. None of the information to be supplied by
Buyers or Merger Sub for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the
Registration Statement, if any, or the Proxy Statement will, in the case of any
such Registration Statement, at the time it becomes effective and at the
Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
any material fact required to be stated in any such Registration Statement or
necessary to make the statements in any such Registration Statement not
misleading, or, in the case of the Proxy Statement or any or amendments thereof
or supplements thereto, at the time of the mailing of the Proxy Statement and
any amendments or supplements thereto and at the time of the Company
Stockholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact required to be stated in that Proxy Statement or
necessary in order to make the statements in that Proxy Statement, in light of
the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.
Section 4.9 Interim Operations of Merger Sub. Merger Sub was formed
solely for the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, has not engaged in any business activities or conducted any
operations, and Merger Sub does not have any liabilities, other than in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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Section 4.10 Financing. Buyers have, or will have as of the Closing
Date, funded Merger Sub with cash in the form of a contribution to capital in an
amount equal to the product of (a) the Merger Consideration and (b) the number
of Surviving Corporation Common Shares into which the Merger Sub Common Shares
is converted in accordance with Section 2.2.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS
Section 5.1 Conduct of Business of the Company. Except as
contemplated by this Agreement or with the prior written consent of Buyers,
during the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, the
Company will, and will cause each of the Company Subsidiaries to, conduct its
operations only in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice
and will use its reasonable best efforts to, and to cause each Company
Subsidiary to, preserve intact the business organization of the Company and each
of the Company Subsidiaries, to keep available the services of the present
officers and key employees of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, and to
preserve the goodwill of customers, suppliers and all other Persons having
business relationships with the Company and the Company Subsidiaries. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, and except as otherwise contemplated
by this Agreement, prior to the Effective Time, the Company will not, and will
not permit any Company Subsidiary to, without the prior written consent of
Buyers:
(a) adopt any amendment to the Company Charter Documents or
the comparable organizational documents of any Company Subsidiary;
(b) except for issuances of capital stock of Company
Subsidiaries to the Company or a wholly owned Company Subsidiary, issue, reissue
or sell, or authorize the issuance, reissuance or sale of (i) additional shares
of capital stock of any class, or securities convertible into capital stock of
any class, or any rights, warrants or options to acquire any convertible
securities or capital stock, other than the issue of Common Shares, in
accordance with the terms of the instruments governing such issuance on the date
hereof, pursuant to the exercise of Company Stock Options outstanding on the
date hereof, or (ii) any other securities in respect of, in lieu of, or in
substitution for, Common Shares outstanding on the date hereof;
(c) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other
distribution (whether in cash, securities or property or any combination
thereof) in respect of any class or series of its capital stock other than
between the Company and any Company Subsidiary;
(d) split, combine, subdivide, reclassify or redeem, purchase
or otherwise acquire, or propose to redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire, any
shares of its capital stock, or any of its other securities;
(e) increase the compensation or fringe benefits payable or to
become payable to its directors, officers or significant employees (whether from
the Company or any Company Subsidiaries), or pay any benefit not required by any
existing plan or arrangement (including the granting of stock options, stock
appreciation rights, shares of restricted stock or performance units) or grant
any severance or termination pay to (except pursuant to existing
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agreements, plans or policies other than payments to be made solely as a result
of the transactions contemplated hereby), or enter into any employment or
severance agreement with, any director, officer or other significant employee of
the Company or any Company Subsidiaries or establish, adopt, enter into, or
amend any collective bargaining, bonus, profit sharing, thrift, compensation,
stock option, restricted stock, pension, retirement, savings, welfare, deferred
compensation, employment, termination, severance or other employee benefit plan,
agreement, trust, fund, policy or arrangement for the benefit or welfare of any
directors, officers or current or former employees, except in each case to the
extent required by applicable Law; provided, however, that nothing in this
Agreement will be deemed to prohibit the payment of benefits as they become
payable;
(f) acquire, sell, lease, license, transfer, pledge, encumber,
grant or dispose of (whether by merger, consolidation, purchase, sale or
otherwise), any assets, including capital stock of the Company Subsidiaries
(other than the acquisition and sale of inventory or the disposition of used or
excess equipment and the purchase of raw materials, supplies and equipment, in
either case in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice),
that in the aggregate is in excess of $100,000, or enter into any material
commitment or transaction outside the ordinary course of business, other than
transactions between a wholly owned Company Subsidiary and the Company or
another wholly owned Company Subsidiary that in the aggregate is in excess of
$100,000;
(g) (i) incur, assume or prepay any long-term Indebtedness or
incur or assume any short-term Indebtedness (including, in either case, by
issuance of debt securities), which in the aggregate is in excess of $100,000,
except that the Company and the Company Subsidiaries may incur, assume or prepay
Indebtedness in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice
under existing lines of credit, (ii) assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise
become liable or responsible (whether directly, contingently or otherwise) for
the obligations of any other Person except in the ordinary course of business,
or (iii) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments
in, any other Person, which in the aggregate is in excess of $100,000, except
(x) in the ordinary course of business, (y) loans, advances, capital
contributions or investments between any wholly owned Company Subsidiary and (z)
Indebtedness described on Schedule 6.1(g) of the Company Disclosure Letter; or
(h) terminate, cancel or request any material change in, or
agree to any material change in any Contract which is material to the Company
and the Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or enter into any Contract which
would be material to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole,
in either case other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice; or make or authorize any capital expenditure, other than capital
expenditures that are provided for in the Company's budget for the Company and
the Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole for the current fiscal year;
(i) take any action with respect to accounting policies or
procedures, other than actions in the ordinary course of business and consistent
with past practice or as required pursuant to applicable Law or GAAP;
(j) waive, release, assign, settle or compromise any material
rights, claims or litigation;
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(k) make any Tax election or settle or compromise any material
federal, state, local or foreign income Tax liability; or
(l) authorize or enter into any formal or informal written or
other agreement or otherwise make any commitment to do any of the foregoing.
Section 5.2 Certain Interim Operations of Merger Sub. Buyers and
Merger Sub covenant and agree that, except as contemplated by this Agreement,
prior to the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of the Company,
Buyers will cause Merger Sub not to do any business other than with respect to,
or in connection with, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 5.3 Other Actions. During the period from the date hereof to
the Effective Time, the Company and Buyers shall not, and Buyers shall not
permit the Merger Sub to, take any action that would, or that could reasonably
be expected to, result in any of the conditions to the Merger set forth in
Article 6 hereof not being satisfied.
Section 5.4 Notification of Certain Matters. Buyers and Merger Sub
and the Company shall promptly notify each other of (a) the occurrence or
non-occurrence of any fact or event which could reasonably be expected (i) to
cause any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement to be untrue or
inaccurate in any material respect at any time from the date hereof to the
Effective Time, (ii) to cause any material covenant, condition or agreement
hereunder not to be complied with or satisfied in all material respects or (iii)
to result in, in the case of Buyers or Merger Sub, a Buyer Material Adverse
Effect; and, in the case of the Company, a Company Material Adverse Effect, (b)
any failure of the Company or Buyers or Merger Sub, as the case may be, to
comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with
or satisfied by it hereunder in any material respect, (c) any notice or other
material communications from any Governmental Entity in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (d) the commencement of any
suit, action or proceeding that seeks to prevent or seek damages in respect of,
or otherwise relates to, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement; provided, however, that in the case of (a) or (b), no such
notification shall affect the representations or warranties of any party or the
conditions to the obligations of any party hereunder.
Section 5.5 Proxy Statement.
(a) As promptly as practicable after the execution of this
Agreement, the Company shall prepare a proxy statement or information statement,
as appropriate, of the Company relating to the meeting of the Company's
stockholders (the "Company Stockholders Meeting") to be held to consider
adoption of this Agreement (together with any amendments thereto, the "Proxy
Statement"). Such meeting may be a special meeting or combined with the
Company's annual meeting with respect to the Company's fiscal year ended January
2, 1999. The Company shall cause the Proxy Statement to comply as to form and
substance in all material respects with the applicable requirements of (i) the
Exchange Act, (ii) the Securities Act, (iii) the rules and regulations of NASDAQ
and (iv) the DGCL. Substantially contemporaneously with the filing of the Proxy
Statement with the SEC, copies of
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the Proxy Statement shall be provided to NASDAQ. Buyers shall furnish all
information concerning Buyers as the Company may reasonably request in
connection with such actions and the preparation of the Proxy Statement. If
Buyers and the Company determine that a Registration Statement on Form S-4 in
connection with the registration under the Securities Act of Surviving
Corporation Common Shares (the "Registration Statement") is necessary or
appropriate in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Company
shall prepare and file the Registration Statement, which shall include the Proxy
Statement as the prospectus. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts
to have the Registration Statement, if any, declared effective by the SEC as
promptly as practicable. As promptly as practicable after the Registration
Statement, if any, is declared effective or, if Buyers and the Company determine
that a Registration Statement will not be filed, as promptly or practicable
after the date hereof, the proxy statements and prospectus, if any, included in
the Proxy Statement (collectively, the "Proxy Materials") will be mailed to the
stockholders of the Company; provided, however, that the Proxy Statement shall
not be distributed, and no amendment or supplement thereto shall be made by the
Company, without the prior consent of Buyers and their counsel.
(b) The Proxy Statement shall include the unanimous and
unconditional recommendation of the Board of Directors of the Company to the
stockholders of the Company that they vote in favor of the adoption of this
Agreement; provided, however, that the Board of Directors of the Company may, at
any time prior to the Closing Date, to the extent permitted by Section 5.8,
withdraw, modify or change any such recommendation if the Board of Directors of
the Company determines in good faith that failure to so withdraw, modify or
change its recommendation would cause the Board of Directors of the Company to
breach its fiduciary duties to the Company's stockholders under applicable Laws
after receipt of advice to such effect from independent legal counsel (who may
be the Company's regularly engaged independent legal counsel).
(c) No amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement will be
made without the approval of Buyers and the Company, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed. Each of Buyers and the Company will advise the
other, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when the
Registration Statement, if any, has become effective or any supplement or
amendment has been filed, of the issuance of any stop order or of any request by
the SEC or NASDAQ for amendment of the Proxy Statement or comments thereon and
responses thereto or requests by the SEC for additional information.
(d) The information supplied by the Company for inclusion in
the Proxy Statement shall not, at (i) the time the Registration Statement, if
any, is declared effective, (ii) the time the Proxy Materials (or any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto) are first mailed to the stockholders of the
Company, (iii) the time of the Company Stockholders Meeting, and (iv) the
Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or fails to
state any material fact required to be stated in the Proxy Statement or
necessary in order to make the statements in the Proxy Statement not misleading.
If at any time prior to the Effective Time any event or circumstance relating to
the Company or any Company Subsidiary, or their respective officers or
directors, should be discovered by the Company that should be set forth in an
amendment or a supplement to the Proxy Statement, the Company shall promptly
inform Buyers.
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(e) The information supplied by Buyers for inclusion in the
Proxy Statement shall not, at (i) the time the Registration Statement, if any,
is declared effective, (ii) the time the Proxy Materials (or any amendment of or
supplement to the Proxy Materials) are first mailed to the stockholders of the
Company, (iii) the time of the Company Stockholders Meeting and (iv) the
Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or fail to state
any material fact required to be stated in the Proxy Statement or necessary in
order to make the statements in the Proxy Statement not misleading. If, at any
time prior to the Effective Time, any event or circumstance relating to Buyers
or Merger Sub, or their respective officers or directors, should be discovered
by Buyers that should be set forth in an amendment or a supplement to the Proxy
Statement, Buyers shall promptly inform the Company.
Section 5.6 Stockholders' Meetings; Action by Written Consent.
(a) The Company shall call and hold the Company Stockholders
Meeting as promptly as practicable after the date hereof for the purpose of
voting upon the adoption of this Agreement. The Company shall use its reasonable
best efforts (through its agents or otherwise) to solicit from its stockholders,
proxies in favor of the adoption of this Agreement and shall take all other
action necessary or advisable to secure Requisite Company Vote, except to the
extent that the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith that
doing so would cause the Board of Directors of the Company to breach its
fiduciary duties to the Company's stockholders under applicable Law after
receipt of advice to such effect from independent legal counsel (who may be the
Company's regularly engaged independent legal counsel).
(b) Buyers and the Company may determine that in lieu of
holding the Company Stockholders Meeting, this Agreement may be approved by the
Company's stockholders by written consent, as permitted by the DGCL. In such
case, all references to the Proxy Statement herein shall be deemed to be
references to the consent solicitation or information statement used in
connection with the obtaining of stockholder consents.
Section 5.7 Access to Information. Except as required under and
subject to the provisions of any confidentiality agreement or similar agreement
or arrangement to which Buyers or the Company or any of their respective
subsidiaries is a party or under applicable Law or the regulations or
requirements of any securities exchange or quotation service or other
self-regulatory organization with whose rules the parties are required to
comply, from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, the Company and
Buyers shall (and shall cause their respective subsidiaries to): (i) provide to
the other (and its officers, directors, employees, accountants, consultants,
legal counsel, financial advisors, investment bankers, agents and other
representatives (collectively, "Representa tives")) access at reasonable times
upon prior notice to the officers, employees, agents, properties, offices and
other facilities of the other and its subsidiaries and to the books and records
thereof and (ii) furnish promptly such information concerning the business,
properties, Contracts, assets, liabilities, personnel and other aspects of the
other party and its subsidiaries as the other party or its Representatives may
reasonably request. No investigation conducted under this Section 5.7 shall
affect or be deemed to modify any representation or warranty made in this
Agreement.
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Section 5.8 No Solicitation.
(a) The Company agrees that, prior to the Effective Time, it
shall not, and shall not authorize or permit any Company Subsidiaries or any of
their Representatives, directly or indirectly, to solicit, initiate or encourage
any discussions or inquiries or the making of any proposal with respect to any
merger, consolidation or other business combination involving the Company or the
Company Subsidiaries or acquisition of 10% or more of the assets or capital
stock of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole (a "Takeover
Proposal") or negotiate, explore or otherwise engage in substantive discussions
with any Person (other than Buyers) with respect to any Takeover Proposal (it
being understood that the passive receipt of communications from third parties
shall not be deemed participation in discussions or negotiations) or enter into
any agreement, arrangement or understanding requiring it to abandon, terminate
or fail to consummate the Merger; provided, however, that if the Board of
Directors of the Company determines in good faith, after consultation with
independent outside legal counsel (who may be the Company's regularly engaged
independent legal counsel), that prior to obtaining the Requisite Company Vote,
it is necessary to do so in order to act in a manner consistent with its
fiduciary duties to the Company's stockholders under applicable law, the Company
may, prior to obtaining the Requisite Company Vote, in response to a Takeover
Proposal, which proposal was not solicited by it and which did not otherwise
result from a breach of this Section 5.8, and subject to providing prior written
notice of its decision to take such action to Buyers and compliance with the
other requirements of this Section 5.8, (i) furnish information with respect to
the Company and the Company Subsidiaries to any Person making such Takeover
Proposal pursuant to a customary confidentiality agreement (as determined in
good faith by the Company based on the advice of its independent outside legal
counsel) and (ii) participate in discussions or negotiations regarding such
Takeover Proposal.
(b) Except in connection with a Superior Proposal, provided
that there has been no violation of this Section 5.8, neither the Board of
Directors of the Company nor any committee thereof shall (i) withdraw or modify,
or propose publicly to withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to Buyers, the
approval or recommendation by the Board of Directors of the Company or such
committee of this Agreement, (ii) approve or recommend, or propose publicly to
approve or recommend, any Takeover Proposal, or (iii) cause the Company to enter
into any Acquisition Agreement.
(c) The Company shall promptly advise Buyers orally and in
writing of any request for information of the type referred to in Section 5.8(a)
or of any Takeover Proposal, the material terms and conditions of such request
or Takeover Proposal and the identity of the Person making such request or
Takeover Proposal. The Company will keep Buyers informed of the status and
details (including amendments or proposed amendments) of any such request or
Takeover Proposal.
(d) Nothing contained in this Section 5.8 shall prohibit the
Company from taking and disclosing to its stockholders a position contemplated
by Rule 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act or from making any
disclosure to the Company's stockholders if, in the good faith judgment of the
Board of Directors of the Company, after consultation with independent outside
legal counsel and based as to legal matters on the written advice of the
Company's independent outside legal consent, failure so to disclose would be
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inconsistent with its obligations under applicable law; provided, however, that,
except as contemplated by Section 5.8(b), neither the Company nor the Board of
Directors of the Company nor any committee thereof shall withdraw or modify, or
propose publicly to withdraw or modify, its position with respect to this
Agreement, the Offer or Merger, or approve or recommend, or propose publicly to
approve or recommend, a Takeover Proposal.
Section 5.9 Directors' and Officers' Indemnification.
(a) The Surviving Corporation shall, to the fullest extent
permitted under applicable law or under the Surviving Corporation's Certificate
of Incorporation or Bylaws, 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 attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages,
liabilities and amounts paid in settlement in connection with any claim, action,
suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, arising out of such individuals' services as directors, officers
or employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (x) arising out of or
pertaining to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Stock
Purchase Agreement, the Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the
Company and Dickstein & Co., L.P., Dickstein Focus Fund L.P., Dickstein
International Limited and Mark B. Dickstein, and the Registration Rights
Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Company and Buyers or (y)
otherwise with respect to any acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the
Effective Time, to the same extent as provided in the Company Charter Documents
or any applicable Contract as in effect on the date hereof.
(b) The Surviving Corporation will maintain, for a period of
not less than six years after the Effective Time, the current policies of
directors' and officers' liability insurance maintained by the Company for the
Company's directors and officers as of the date prior to the date of this
Agreement and as of the date hereof directors and officers for events occurring
at or prior to the Effective Time (the "D&O Insurance"); provided that the
Surviving Corporation may substitute therefor policies that are no less
favorable than the existing policy or, if substantially equivalent insurance
coverage is unavailable, the best available coverage; provided, however, that
the Surviving Corporation shall not be required to pay an annual premium for the
D&O Insurance in excess of 150% of the annual premium currently paid by the
Company for such insurance, but in such case shall purchase as much such
coverage as possible for such amount.
(c) This Section 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 5.10 Consents; Filings; Further Action. Upon the terms and
subject to the conditions hereof, each of the parties hereto shall use its
reasonable best efforts to (i) take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate
action, and do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable
under applicable Law or otherwise to consummate and make effective as promptly
as practicable the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii)
obtain from Governmental Entities any consents, licenses, permits, waivers,
approvals, authorizations or
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orders required to be obtained or made by the Company or Buyers or any of their
respective subsidiaries in connection with the authorization, execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) obtain all consents, amendments to or
waivers under the terms of any Contracts required by the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, and (iv) make all necessary filings, and
thereafter make any other submissions either required or deemed appropriate by
each of the parties, with respect to this Agreement and the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby required under (A) the Securities Act, the
Exchange Act and any applicable state securities laws or Blue Sky Laws, (B) the
HSR Act, (C) the DGCL, (D) any other applicable Law and (E) the rules and
regulations of NASDAQ. The parties hereto shall cooperate and consult with each
other in connection with the making of all such filings, including by providing
copies of all such documents to the nonfiling party and its advisors prior to
filing, and none of the parties will file any such document if any of the other
parties shall have reasonably objected to the filing of such document. No party
to this Agreement shall consent to any voluntary extension of any statutory
deadline or waiting party or to any voluntary delay of the consummation of the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby at the behest of any
Governmental Entity without the consent and agreement of the other parties to
this Agreement, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
Section 5.11 Public Announcements. The initial press release
concerning the Merger shall be a joint press release and, thereafter, the
Company and Buyers shall consult with each other before issuing any press
release or otherwise making any public statements with respect to this Agreement
or any of the transactions contemplated hereby and shall not issue any such
press release or make any such public statement prior to such consultation,
except to the extent required by applicable Law or the requirements of NASDAQ,
in which case the issuing party shall use its reasonable best efforts to consult
with the other parties before issuing any such release or making any such public
statement.
Section 5.12 Expenses. All expenses incurred by the parties hereto
in connection with this Agreement and the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby, whether or not the Merger or any of such other transactions
are consummated, shall be paid by the Company; provided, however, that, with
respect to the expenses of Buyers, the Company shall pay only the reasonable
aggregate expenses of Buyers but in no event any expenses of Buyers in excess of
$500,000; provided, further, that the Company shall not pay any expenses of the
Buyers if the Merger is not consummated solely as a result of a breach of this
Agreement by either Buyer.
Section 5.13 Takeover Statutes. If any Takeover Statute is or may
become applicable to the Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby,
each of the Company and Buyers and its respective board of directors or similar
body shall grant such approvals and take such actions as are necessary so that
such transactions may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms
contemplated by this Agreement and otherwise act to eliminate or minimize the
effects of such statute or regulation on such transactions.
Section 5.14 Control of the Company's Operations. Nothing contained
in this Agreement shall give the Company or Buyers, directly or indirectly,
rights to control or direct the other party's operations prior to the Effective
Time.
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Section 5.15 Tax Reporting. The parties hereto intend that the
Merger be treated as a purchase by Buyers of the Common Shares into which the
Merger Sub Common Stock shall convert pursuant to Section 2.2 on the one hand,
and a redemption by the Company of the Common Shares on the other hand, and each
of the parties agrees to report the Merger on its respective Tax returns in a
manner consistent with this position and will not take any position inconsistent
with this position.
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS
Section 6.1 Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the
Merger. The respective obligation of each party to effect the Merger is subject
to the satisfaction or waiver at or prior to the Effective Time of each of the
following conditions:
(a) The Company shall have received the vote of the holders of
any class or series of the Company's capital stock necessary (under the Company
Charter Documents, the DGCL, other applicable Law or otherwise) to approve this
Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(b) The waiting period applicable to the consummation of the
Merger under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated;
(c) No court or Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction
shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any Law, order,
injunction or decree (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that is in
effect and restrains, enjoins or otherwise prohibits consummation of the Merger;
(d) The Registration Statement, if any, shall have become
effective under the Securities Act, and no stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement, if any, shall have been issued, and
no proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated or be threatened by
the SEC; and
(e) The number of Dissenting Shares shall not be more than
300,000.
Section 6.2 Conditions to Obligation of Buyers and the Merger Sub.
The obligation of Buyers and the Merger Sub to effect the Merger shall be
subject to the fulfillment or waiver at the Effective Time of the following
additional conditions:
(a) The Company shall have performed in all material respects
the covenants and obligations required to be performed by it under this
Agreement on or prior to the Effective Time;
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(b) The representations and warranties of the Company
contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects
on and as of the Effective Time as if made on and as of such date (except to the
extent that any such representation or warranty had by its terms been made as of
a specific date in which case such representation or warranty shall have been
true and correct as of such specific date);
(c) Buyers shall have received a certificate signed by an
executive officer of the Company to the effect of Sections 6.2(a) and (b); and
(d) None of the claims pending as set forth in the Company SEC
Reports, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted or could reasonably be
expected to be likely result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section 6.3 Conditions to Obligation of the Company. The obligation
of the Company to effect the Merger shall be subject to the fulfillment or
waiver at the Effective Time of the following additional conditions:
(a) Buyers and the Merger Sub shall have performed in all
material respects the covenants and obligations required to be performed by them
under this Agreement on or prior to the Effective Time;
(b) The representations and warranties of Buyers and the
Merger Sub contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material
respects on and as of the Effective Time as if made on and as of such date
(except to the extent that any such representation or warranty had by its terms
been made as of a specific date in which case such representation or warranty
shall have been true and correct as of such specific date);
(c) The Company shall have received a certificate signed by
the general partner of each Buyer to the effect of Sections 6.3(a) and (b); and
(d) The Company shall have obtained financing from The CIT
Group/Commercial Services, Inc. ("CIT") on the terms contemplated by the letter
agreement, dated May 10, 1999 (the "CIT Agreement"), between CIT and Leslie Fay
Marketing, Inc. or, if such financing is not available, financing from a third
party in such amounts and on terms comparable to the terms set forth in the CIT
Agreement, or, if such financing is not available, financing from Three Cities
Research, Inc. or one of its affiliates (if offered by such Persons at their
option) on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Company and in such amount as is
necessary to fund the aggregate Merger Consideration.
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ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION
Section 7.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the
Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, notwithstanding
the Requisite Company Vote, as follows:
(a) by mutual written consent of Buyers and the Company;
(b) by either Buyers or the Company if:
(i) the Merger has not been consummated on or before
September 30, 1999; provided, however, that the right to terminate this
Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(b)(i) shall not be available to any
party whose failure to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement has
been the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the Effective Time to
occur on or before such date;
(ii) a statute, rule, regulation or executive order
shall have been enacted, entered or promulgated prohibiting the
consummation of the Merger substantially on the terms contemplated hereby;
or
(iii) an order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have
been entered permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting
the consummation of the Merger substantially on the terms contemplated
hereby and such order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have become
final and non-appealable;
(c) by Buyers, if the Board of Directors of the Company or any
committee thereof shall have (i) withdrawn or modified, or proposed publicly to
withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to Buyers, its approval of this
Agreement or recommendation to the Company's stockholders, (ii) approved or
recommended, or proposed publicly to approve or recommend, any Takeover
Proposal, (iii) caused the Company to enter into any agreement with respect to
any Superior Proposal, in each case in accordance with Section 5.8 of this
Agreement, or (iv) the Board or any committee thereof shall have resolved to
take any of the foregoing actions;
(d) by Buyers or Merger Sub, if the Company shall have
breached in any material respect any of its representations, warranties,
covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement and such breach has
not been cured within 30 days after the giving of written notice to the Company;
(e) by the Company, if Buyers or Merger Sub shall have
breached in any material respect any of their respective representations,
warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreements, and such
breach has not been cured within 30 days after the giving of written notice to
Buyers or Merger Sub;
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(f) by the Company, if the Company receives a Superior
Proposal and the Board of Directors of the Company, based on the advice of
independent outside legal counsel (who may be the Company's regularly engaged
independent legal counsel), determines in good faith that such action is
necessary for the Board of Directors to avoid breaching its fiduciary duties to
the Company's stockholders under applicable law; or
(g) by Buyers or the Company, if the Requisite Company Vote
has not been obtained at the relevant stockholders' meeting or completion of the
consent solicitation process, as applicable.
Section 7.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of termination of
this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1, written notice thereof shall forthwith
be given to the other party or parties specifying the provision hereof pursuant
to which such termination is made, and this Agreement shall terminate and be of
no further force and effect (except for the provisions of Sections 5.11, 5.12
and 7.3 and Article VIII), and there shall be no other liability on the part of
Buyers, Merger Sub or the Company, except liability, if any, for a breach of
this Agreement.
Section 7.3 Fees and Expenses.
(a) If this Agreement is terminated by (x) Buyers pursuant to
Section 7.1(c) or (y) by the Company pursuant to Section 7.1(f), the Company
shall pay Buyers an aggregate fee (the "Fee") of $350,000; provided, however,
that if the Superior Proposal, as a result of which the Agreement is terminated
in accordance with Section 7.1, is for less than all shares of the Company's
capital stock then outstanding, the Fee shall be an aggregate of $1,000,000.
(b) The Company shall pay the Fee payable pursuant to Section
7.3(a) and the expenses of the Buyers payable pursuant to Section 5.12, if any,
promptly (but not later than five days) after the date of the termination of
this Agreement.
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 8.1 Defined Terms.
"Acquisition Agreement" shall mean any letter of intent, agreement
in principle, acquisition agreement or other similar agreement, contract or
commitment related to any Takeover Proposal.
"affiliate," as applied to any Person, shall mean any other Person
directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with,
that Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control" (including, with
correlative meanings, the terms "controlling," "controlled by" and "under common
control with"), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the
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management and policies of that Person, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise.
"business day" shall mean any day, other than Saturday, Sunday or a
federal holiday, and shall consist of the time period from 12:01 a.m. through
12:00 midnight Eastern Standard or Eastern Daylight time, as appropriate. In
computing any time period under this Agreement, the date of the event which
begins the running of such time period shall be included except that if such
event occurs on other than a business day such period shall begin to run on and
shall include the first business day thereafter.
"Buyer Material Adverse Effect" shall mean any change in or effect
on the business, assets, properties, results of operations or financial
condition, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of Buyers or Merger
Sub that is or could reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the
Buyers and Merger Sub, taken as a whole, or that could reasonably be expected to
materially impair the ability of Buyers to perform its obligations under this
Agreement or consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
hereby.
"Claims" shall mean any suit, claim, action, proceeding or
investigation.
"Company Material Adverse Effect" shall mean any change in or effect
on the business, assets, properties, results of operations or financial
condition, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company or any
Company Subsidiaries that is or could reasonably be expected to be materially
adverse to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or that
could reasonably be expected to materially impair the ability of the Company to
perform its obligations under this Agreement or consummate the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated hereby.
"Contract" shall mean any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract,
agreement, commitment, lease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument or
obligation.
"Environment" means navigable waters, waters of the contiguous zone,
ocean waters, natural resources, surface waters, ground water, drinking water
supply, land surface, subsurface strata, ambient air, both inside and outside of
buildings and structures, man-made buildings and structures, and plant and
animal life on earth.
"Environmental Claims" means any notification, whether direct or
indirect, formal or informal, written or oral, pursuant to Safety and
Environmental Laws or principles of common law relating to pollution, protection
of the Environment or health and safety, that any of the current or past
operations of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, as the case may be, or any
by-product thereof, or any of the property currently or formerly owned, leased
or operated by the Company or any Company Subsidiary, or the operations or
property of any predecessor of the Company or any Company Subsidiary is or may
be implicated in or subject to any proceeding, action, investigation, claim,
lawsuit, order, agreement or evaluation by any Governmental Entity or any other
person.
"GAAP" shall mean United States generally accepted accounting
principles, as currently in effect.
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"Governmental Entity" shall mean any domestic or foreign national,
federal, state, provincial or local governmental, regulatory or administrative
authority, agency, commission, court, tribunal or arbitral body or
self-regulated entity.
"including" shall mean, unless the context clearly requires
otherwise, including but not limited to the things or matters named or listed
after that term.
"Indebtedness" shall mean (i) indebtedness of or any obligation of
the Company and Company Subsidiaries for borrowed money, whether current,
short-term, or long-term, secured or unsecured, (ii) all lease obligations of
the Company and Company Subsidiaries, (iii) any payment obligations of the
Company or Company Subsidiaries in respect of banker's acceptances or letters of
credit and (iv) any present, future or contingent obligations of the Company or
Company Subsidiaries.
"knowledge," shall mean, as applied to the Company, the actual
knowledge of the directors and executive officers of the Company.
"Law" shall mean foreign or domestic law, statute, ordinance, rule,
regulation, order, judgment or decree.
"Liens" shall mean any mortgage, security interest, lien,
encumbrance, claim, pledge, option, right of first refusal, agreement or
limitation of any kind on the Company's or Company Subsidiary's voting rights,
charges and other encumbrances or any nature whatsoever.
"NASDAQ" shall mean either the Nasdaq National Market System or
Nasdaq Small Cap Market.
"Person" means an individual, a corporation, a limited liability
company, a partnership, an association, a trust or any other entity or
organization, including a government or political subdivision or any agency or
instrumentality thereof.
"Safety and Environmental Laws" means all federal, state and local
laws and orders relating to pollution, protection of the Environment, public or
worker health and safety, or the emission, discharge, release or threatened
release of pollutants, contaminants or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances
or wastes into the Environment or otherwise relating to the manufacture,
processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or
handling of pollutants, contaminants or industrial, toxic or hazardous
substances or wastes.
"Stock Purchase Agreement" shall mean the Stock Purchase Agreement
dated as of the date hereof among Buyers and Dickstein & Co., L.P., Dickstein
Focus Fund L.P., Dickstein International Limited and Mark B. Dickstein.
"subsidiary" or "subsidiaries" shall mean, with respect to Buyers,
the Company or any other Person, any entity of which any of Buyers, the Company
or such other Person, as the case may be (either alone or through or together
with any other subsidiary), owns, directly or indirectly, stock or other equity
interests constituting more than 50% of the voting or economic interest in such
entity.
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"Superior Proposal" shall mean any proposal made by a third party to
acquire, directly or indirectly, including pursuant to a tender offer, exchange
offer, merger, consolidation, business combination, recapitalization,
reorganization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction, for
consideration to the Company's stockholders consisting of cash and/or
securities, a majority of the shares of the Company's capital stock then
outstanding or all or substantially all the assets of the Company, on terms
which the Board of Directors of the Company determines in its good faith
judgment to be more favorable to the Company's stockholders than the Merger and
for which financing, to the extent required, is then committed.
"Takeover Statute" shall mean a "fair price," "moratorium," "control
share acquisition" or other similar state or federal anti-takeover statute or
regulation.
"Taxes" shall mean all federal, state, local and foreign income,
property, sales, excise and other taxes, tariffs, assessments, or governmental
charges of any nature whatsoever.
Section 8.2 Non-Survival of Representations and Warranties. The
representations and warranties in this Agreement shall not survive the Closing.
Each party agrees that, except for the representations and warranties contained
in this Agreement and the Company Disclosure Letter, no party to this Agreement
has made any other representations and warranties, and each party disclaims any
other representations and warranties, made by itself or any of its
Representatives with respect to the execution and delivery of this Agreement or
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, notwithstanding the delivery of
disclosure to any other party or any party's Representatives of any
documentation or other information with respect to any one or more of the
foregoing.
Section 8.3 VENUE; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.
(a) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE MADE IN AND IN ALL
RESPECTS SHALL BE INTERPRETED, CONSTRUED AND GOVERNED BY AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW
PRINCIPLES, EXCEPT THAT DELAWARE LAW SHALL APPLY TO THE EXTENT REQUIRED IN
CONNECTION WITH THE EFFECTUATION OF THE MERGER. The parties irrevocably submit
to the jurisdiction of the federal courts of the United States of America
located in the State of New York solely in respect of the interpretation and
enforcement of the provisions of this Agreement and of the documents referred to
in this Agreement, and in respect of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and by those documents, and hereby waive, and agree not to assert, as
a defense in any action, suit or proceeding for the interpretation or
enforcement of this Agreement or of any such document, that it is not subject to
this Agreement or that such action, suit or proceeding may not be brought or is
not maintainable in said courts or that the venue thereof may not be appropriate
or that this Agreement or any such document may not be enforced in or by such
courts, and the parties hereto irrevocably agree that all claims with respect to
such action or proceeding shall be heard and determined in such a federal court.
The parties hereby consent to and grant any such court jurisdiction over the
Person of such parties and over the subject matter of such dispute and agree
that mailing of process or other papers in connection with any such action or
proceeding in the manner provided in Section 8.4 or in such other manner as may
be permitted by Law, shall be valid and sufficient service thereof.
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(b) EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY
WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND
DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN
RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO
THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY
CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY
OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD
NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) EACH
SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii)
EACH SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) EACH SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN
INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS
AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 8.3.
Section 8.4 Notices. Any notice or other communication required or
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, sent
by facsimile transmission or sent by certified, registered or express mail,
postage prepaid. Any such notice shall be deemed given when so delivered
personally or sent by facsimile transmission or, if mailed, five days after the
date of deposit in the United States mails, as follows:
If to Buyers or Merger Sub:
Three Cities Research, Inc.
650 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attention: Willem F. P. de Vogel
Telephone: (212) 838-9660
Facsimile: (212) 980-1142
with copies to:
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
1285 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019-6064
Attention: Judith R. Thoyer, Esq.
Telephone: (212) 373-3000
Facsimile: (212) 757-3990
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If to the Company:
The Leslie Fay Company, Inc.
1412 Broadway
New York, New York 10018
Attention: John J. Pomerantz
Telephone: (212) 221-4141
Facsimile: (212) 221-4287
with copies to:
Parker, Chapin, Flattau & Klimpl, LLP
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
Attention: Michael J. Shef, Esq.
Telephone: (212) 704-6140
Facsimile: (212) 704-6288
or to such other persons or addresses as may be designated in writing by the
party to receive such notice as provided above.
Section 8.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including any exhibits
and annexes to this Agreement) and the Company Disclosure Letter constitute the
entire agreement and supersede all other prior agreements, understandings,
representations and warranties, both written and oral, among the parties, with
respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.
Section 8.6 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Except as provided in
Section 5.9, this Agreement is not intended to confer upon any Person other than
the parties to this Agreement any rights or remedies under this Agreement.
Section 8.7 Obligations of Buyers and of the Company. Whenever this
Agreement requires Merger Sub to take any action, that requirement shall be
deemed to include an undertaking on the part of Buyers to cause Merger Sub to
take that action. Whenever this Agreement requires a Company Subsidiary to take
any action, that requirement shall be deemed to include an undertaking on the
part of the Company to cause that Company Subsidiary to take that action.
Section 8.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts, each such counterpart being deemed to be an original
instrument, and all such counterparts shall together constitute the same
agreement.
Section 8.9 Interpretation. The table of contents and headings in
this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute part of
this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any of the
provisions of this Agreement. Where a reference in this Agreement is made to a
section, exhibit or annex, that reference shall be to a section of or exhibit or
annex to this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
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Section 8.10 Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable by
operation of law or otherwise, except that Buyers or Merger Sub may designate,
by written notice to the Company, another subsidiary that is wholly owned
directly or indirectly by either Buyer or that is owned directly or indirectly
jointly by Buyers to be merged with and into the Company in lieu of Merger Sub,
in which event all references in this Agreement to Merger Sub shall be deemed
references to such other subsidiary, and in that case, all representations and
warranties made in this Agreement with respect to Merger Sub as of the date of
this Agreement shall be deemed representations and warranties made with respect
to such other subsidiary as of the date of such designation.
Section 8.11 Specific Performance. The parties to this Agreement
agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the
provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their
specific terms or were otherwise reached. It is accordingly agreed that the
parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of
this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this
Agreement in any court of the United States or any state having jurisdiction,
this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at Law or
in equity.
Section 8.12 Waivers and Amendments; Non-Contractual Remedies;
Preservation of Remedies. At any time prior to the Effective Time and subject to
applicable Law, this Agreement may be amended, superseded, canceled, modified,
renewed or extended, and the terms hereof may be waived, only by a written
agreement signed by each of the parties or, in the case of a waiver, by the
party waiving compliance. No delay on the part of any party in exercising any
right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall
any waiver on the part of any party of any such right, power or privilege, nor
any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege, preclude
any further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such right, power or
privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative and are not
exclusive of any rights or remedies that any party may otherwise have at Law or
in equity.
Section 8.13 Usage. All pronouns and any variations thereof refer to
the masculine, feminine or neuter, singular or plural, as the context may
require. All terms defined in this Agreement in their singular or plural forms
have correlative meanings when used herein in their plural or singular forms,
respectively.
Section 8.14 Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for
reference only, and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
Section 8.15 Further Assurances. Each of the parties agree to
execute any and all documents and take any and actions as may be reasonably
required or necessary to carry out the provisions of this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
THE LESLIE FAY COMPANY, INC.
By: /s/ Warren Wishart
------------------------------------------
Warren Wishart
Chief Financial Officer
THREE CITIES FUND II, L.P.,
By: TCR Associates, L.P., its general partner
By: /s/ Willem F. P. de Vogel
------------------------------------
Willem F. P. de Vogel
General Partner
THREE CITIES OFFSHORE II C.V.,
By: Three Cities Associates, N.V.,
its general partner
By: J. William Uhrig
------------------------------------
J. William Uhrig
Managing Director
TCR ACQUISITION SUB CO.
By: /s/ J. William Uhrig
------------------------------------------
J. William Uhrig
President
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<PAGE>
Annex A
SHARE CONVERSION
1. If the number of Electing Cash Shares is less than 825,000, the shares of
Merger Sub Common Stock shall convert, in accordance with Section 2.2,
into one Surviving Corporation Common Share.
2. If the number of Electing Cash Shares is at least 825,000 but less than
1,625,000, the shares of Merger Sub Common Stock shall convert, in
accordance with Section 2.2, into the number of Surviving Corporation
Common Shares equal to the number of Electing Cash Shares.
3. If the number of Electing Cash Shares is at least 1,625,000 but less than
2,111,966, the shares of Merger Sub Common Stock shall convert, in
accordance with Section 2.2, into the number of Surviving Corporation
Common Shares equal to the excess of (A) 3,295,890.04(1) over (B) the
product of (x) 1.04(2) and (y) the number of Electing Cash Shares;
provided, however, that such number shall be rounded up to the nearest
whole number if it is not a whole number.
- --------
(1) (Total Diluted Shares * 0.51 less 2,158,000)/0.49
(2) 51/49
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Exhibit A
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
THE LESLIE FAY COMPANY, INC.
ARTICLE I
The name of the Corporation is:
"The Leslie Fay Company, Inc."
ARTICLE II
The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State
of Delaware is: 15 East North Street, Dover, Kent County, Delaware 19901. The
name of the registered agent of the Corporation in the State of Delaware at such
address is: United Corporate Services, Inc.
ARTICLE III
The purpose of the Corporation shall be to engage in any lawful act
or activity for which corporations may be organized and incorporated under the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE IV
(A) Authorized Stock. The total number of shares of stock which the
corporation shall have authority to issue is twenty million five hundred
thousand (20,500,000), consisting of twenty million (20,000,000) shares of
common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"), and five hundred
thousand (500,000) shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share
("Preferred Stock").
(B) Preferred Stock. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to
time in one or more series. The Board of Directors is hereby authorized to
create and provide for the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in series and,
by filing a certificate pursuant to the applicable law of the State of Delaware
(hereinafter referred to as a "Preferred Stock Designation"), to establish from
time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix
the designation, power, preferences and rights of the shares of each such series
and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.
The authority of the Board of Directors with respect to each series
shall include, but not be limited to, determination of the following:
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(i) The designation of the series, which may be by
distinguishing number, letter or title.
(ii) The number of shares of the series, which number the
Board of Directors may thereafter (except where otherwise provided in the
Preferred Stock Designation) increase or decrease (but not below the
number of shares thereof then outstanding).
(iii) Whether dividends, if any, shall be cumulative or
noncumulative and the dividend rate of the series.
(iv) The dates at which dividends, if any, shall be payable.
(v) The redemption rights and price or prices, if any, for
shares of the series.
(vi) The terms and amount of any sinking fund provided for the
purchase or redemption of shares of the series.
(vii) The amounts payable on, and the preferences, if any, of
shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.
(viii) Whether the shares of the series shall be convertible
into or exchangeable for shares of any other class or series, or any other
security, of the Corporation or any other corporation, and, if so, the
specification of such other class or series of such other security, the
conversion or exchange price or prices or rate or rates, any adjustments
thereof, the date or dates at which such shares shall be convertible or
exchangeable and all other terms and conditions upon which such conversion
may be made.
(ix) Restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same series
or of any other class or series.
(x) The voting rights, if any, of the holders of shares of the
series.
(xi) Such other powers, preferences and relative,
participating, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications,
limitations and restrictions thereof as the Board of Directors shall
determine.
(C) Common Stock. The Common Stock shall be subject to the express
terms of the Preferred Stock and any series thereof. Each share of Common Stock
shall be equal to each other share of Common Stock. The holders of shares of
Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share upon all
questions presented to the stockholders.
(D) Vote. Except as may be provided in this Certificate of
Incorporation or in a Preferred Stock Designation, or as may be required by
applicable law, the Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the
election of directors and for all other purposes, and holders of shares of
Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to receive notice of any meeting of
stockholders at which they are not entitled to vote.
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(E) Record Holders. The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the
person in whose name any share of its stock is registered as the owner thereof
for all purposes and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other
claim to, or interest in, such share on the part of any other person, whether or
not the Corporation shall have notice thereof, except as expressly provided by
applicable law.
ARTICLE V
(A) In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by
law, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized and empowered:
(i) to adopt, amend or repeal the By-laws of the Corporation,
provided, however, the By-laws may also be altered, amended or repealed by
the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66-2/3 percent of the
voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock (as hereinafter
defined), voting together as a single class; and
(ii) from time to time to determine whether and to what
extent, and at what times and places, and under what conditions and
regulations, the accounts and books of the Corporation, or any of them,
shall be open to inspection of stockholders; and, except as so determined,
or as expressly provided in this Certificate of Incorporation or in any
Preferred Stock Designation, no stockholder shall have any right to
inspect any account, book or document of the Corporation other than such
rights as may be conferred by applicable law.
(B) The Corporation may in its By-laws confer powers upon the Board
of Directors in addition to the foregoing and in addition to the powers and
authorities expressly conferred upon the Board of Directors by applicable law.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Certificate of Incorporation to the
contrary, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66-2/3 percent of the
voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock, voting together as a single
class, shall be required to amend, repeal or adopt any provision inconsistent
with subparagraph (i) of paragraph (A) of this Article V. For the purposes of
this Certificate of Incorporation, "Voting Stock" shall mean the outstanding
shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors of the Corporation.
ARTICLE VI
(A) Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred
Stock to elect additional directors under specific circumstances, the number of
directors of the Corporation shall be fixed by the By-laws of the Corporation
and may be increased or decreased from time to time in such a manner as may be
prescribed by the By-laws.
(B) Unless and except to the extent that the By-laws of the
Corporation shall so require, the election of directors of the Corporation need
not be by written ballot.
(C) Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred
Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, and unless
the Board of Directors otherwise determines or the By-laws otherwise provide,
vacancies resulting from death, resignation, retirement,
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disqualification, removal from office or other cause, and newly created
directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors,
may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining
directors, though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, and directors so
chosen shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until
such director's successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. No
decrease in the number of authorized directors constituting the Whole Board
shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
(D) Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred
Stock to elect additional directors under specific circumstances, any director
may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66-2/3 percent of the voting power
of the then outstanding Voting Stock, voting together as a single class.
(E) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Certificate of
Incorporation to the contrary, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least
66-2/3 percent of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock, voting
together as a single class, shall be required to amend or repeal, or adopt any
provision inconsistent with, this Article VI.
ARTICLE VII
Section 1. Vote Required for Certain Business Combinations.
(A) Higher Vote for Certain Business Combinations. In addition to
any affirmative vote required by law or this Certificate of Incorporation or by
any Preferred Stock Designation, and except as otherwise expressly provided in
Section 2 of this Article VII:
(i) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any
Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined) with (a) any Interested Stockholder
(as hereinafter defined) or (b) any other person (whether or not itself an
Interested Stockholder) which is, or after such merger or consolidation
would be, an Affiliate (as hereinafter defined) of an Interested
Stockholder; or
(ii) any sale, lease exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or
other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) to or
with any Interested Stockholder, including all Affiliates of the
Interested Stockholder, of any assets of the Corporation or any Subsidiary
having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as hereinafter defined) of
$10,000,000 or more; or
(iii) the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or any
Subsidiary (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of any
securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to any Interested
Stockholder, including all Affiliates of any Interested Stockholder, in
exchange for cash, securities or other property (or a combination thereof)
having an aggregate Fair Market Value of $10,000,000 or more; or
(iv) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation
or dissolution of the Corporation proposed by or on behalf of an
Interested Stockholder or any Affiliates of an Interested Stockholder; or
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(v) any reclassification of securities (including any reverse
stock split), or recapitalization of the Corporation, or any merger or
consolidation of the Corporation with any of its Subsidiaries or any other
transaction (whether or not an Interested Stockholder is a party thereto)
which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the
proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of equity or
convertible securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary which is
Beneficially Owned (as hereinafter defined) by any Interested Stockholder
or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder;
shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3 percent of
the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock, voting together as a
single class, and the affirmative vote of the holders of more than 50 percent of
the voting power of the Voting Stock voting on such matter that is not owned
directly or indirectly by an Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any
Interested Stockholder. Such affirmative votes shall be required notwithstanding
any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, any Preferred Stock
Designation or any provision of law or of any agreement with any national
securities exchange or otherwise which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or
no vote.
(B) Definition of "Business Combination." The term "Business
Combination" as used in this Article VII shall mean any transaction described in
any one or more of clauses (i) through (v) of paragraph (A) of this Section 1.
Section 2. When Higher Vote is Not Required. The provisions of
Section 1 of this Article VII shall not be applicable to any particular Business
Combination, and such Business Combination shall require only such affirmative
vote as is required by law or any other provision of this Certificate of
Incorporation and any Preferred Stock Designation, if, in the case of a Business
Combination that does not involve any cash or other consideration being received
by the stockholders of the Corporation, the condition specified in the following
paragraph (A) is met or, in the case of any other Business Combination, the
conditions specified in either of the following paragraph (A) or (B) are met:
(A) Approval by Independent Directors. The Business Combination
shall have been approved by at least 75% of the Independent Directors; provided,
however, that this condition shall not be capable of satisfaction unless there
are at least three Independent Directors.
(B) Price and Procedure Requirements. All of the following
conditions shall have been met:
(i) The consideration to be received by holders of shares of a
particular class (or series) of outstanding capital stock (including
Common Stock and other than Excluded Preferred Stock (as hereinafter
defined)) shall be in cash or in the same form as the Interested
Stockholder or any of its Affiliates has previously paid for shares of
such class (or series) or capital stock. If the Interested Stockholder or
any of its Affiliates have paid for shares of any class (or series) of
capital stock with varying forms of consideration, the form of
consideration to be received per share by holders of shares of such class
(or series) of capital stock shall be either cash or the form used to
acquire the largest number of shares of such class (or series) of capital
stock previously acquired by the Interested Stockholder.
(ii) The aggregate amount of (x) the cash and (y) the Fair
Market Value, as of the date (the "Consummation Date") of the consummation
of the Business Combination, of the
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consideration other than cash to be received per share by holders of
Common Stock in such Business Combination shall be at least equal to the
higher of the following (in each case appropriately adjusted in the event
of any stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares or similar
event):
(a) (if applicable) the highest per share price
(including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting
dealers' fees) paid by the Interested Stockholder or any of its
Affiliates for any shares of Common Stock acquired by them within
the two-year period immediately prior to the date of the first
public announcement of the proposal of the Business Combination (the
"Announcement Date") or in any transaction in which the Interested
Stockholder became an Interested Stockholder, whichever is higher,
plus interest compounded annually from the first date on which the
Interested Stockholder became an Interested Stockholder (the
"Determination Date") through the Consummation Date at the publicly
announced base rate of interest of Citibank, N.A. (or such other
major bank headquartered in the City of New York as may be selected
by the Independent Directors) from time to time in effect in the
City of New York, less the aggregate amount of any cash dividends
paid, and the Fair Market Value of any dividends paid in other than
cash, on each share of Common Stock from the Determination Date
through the Commission Date in an amount up to but not exceeding the
amount of interest so payable per share of Common Stock; and
(b) the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on
the Announcement Date or the Determination Date, whichever is
higher.
(iii) The aggregate amount of (x) the cash and (y) the Fair
Market Value, as of the Consummation Date, of the consideration other than
cash to be received per share by holders of shares of any class (or
series), other than Common Stock or Excluded Preferred Stock, of
outstanding capital stock shall be at least equal to the highest of the
following (in each case appropriately adjusted in the event of any stock
dividend, stock split, combination of shares or similar event), it being
intended that the requirements of this paragraph (B)(iii) shall be
required to be met with respect to every such class (or series) or
outstanding capital stock whether or not the Interested Stockholder or any
of its Affiliates has previously acquired any shares of a particular class
(or series) of capital stock:
(a) (if applicable) the highest per share price
(including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting
dealers' fees) paid by the Interested Stockholder or any of its
Affiliates for any shares of such class (or series) of capital stock
acquired by them within the two-year period immediately prior to the
Announcement Date or in any transactions in which it became an
Interested Stockholder, whichever is higher, plus interest
compounded annually from the Determination Date through the
Consummation Date at the publicly announced base rate of interest of
Citibank, N.A. (or such other major bank headquartered in the City
of New York as may be selected by the Independent Directors) from
time to time in effect in the City of New York, less the aggregate
amount of any cash dividends paid, and the Fair Market Value of any
dividends
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paid in other than cash, on each share of such class (or series) of
capital stock from the Determination Date through the Consummation
Date in an amount up to but not exceeding the amount of interest so
payable per share of such class (or series) of capital stock;
(b) the Fair Market Value per share of such class (or
series) of capital stock on the Announcement Date or on the
Determination Date, whichever is higher, and
(c) the highest preferential amount per share, if any,
to which the holders of shares of such class (or series) of capital
stock would be entitled in the event of and voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.
(iv) After such Interested Stockholder has become an
Interested Stockholder and prior to the consummation of such Business
Combination: (a) except as approved by a majority of the Independent
Directors, there shall have been no failure to declare and pay at the
regular date therefor any full quarterly dividends (whether or not
cumulative) on any outstanding Preferred Stock; (b) there shall have been
(I) no reduction in the annual rate of dividends paid on the Common Stock
(except as necessary to reflect any subdivision of the Common Stock),
except as approved by a majority of the Independent Directors, and (II) an
increase in such annual rate of dividends as necessary to reflect any
reclassification (including any reverse stock split), recapitalization,
reorganization or any similar transaction which has the effect of reducing
the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, unless the failure so to
increase such annual rate is approved by a majority of the Independent
Directors; and (c) neither such Interested Stockholder nor any of its
Affiliates shall have become the beneficial owner of any additional shares
of Voting Stock except as part of the transaction which results in such
Interested Stockholder becoming an Interested Stockholder; provided,
however, that no approval by Independent Directors shall satisfy the
requirements of this subparagraph (iv) unless at the time of such approval
there are at least three Independent Directors.
(v) After such Interested Stockholder has become an Interested
Stockholder, such Interested Stockholder and any of its Affiliates shall
not have received the benefit, directly or indirectly (except
proportionately, solely in such Interested Stockholder's or Affiliate's
capacity as a stockholder of the Corporation), of any loans, advances,
guarantees, pledges or other financial assistance or any tax credits or
other tax advantages provided by the Corporation, whether in anticipation
of or in connection with such Business Combination or otherwise.
(vi) A proxy or information statement describing the proposed
Business Combination and complying with the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder
(or any subsequent provisions replacing such Act, rules or regulations)
shall be mailed to all stockholders of the Corporation at least 30 days
prior to the consummation of such Business Combination (whether or not
such proxy or information statement is required to be mailed pursuant to
such Act or subsequent provisions).
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(vii) Such Interested Stockholder shall have supplied the
Corporation with such information as shall have been requested pursuant to
Section 4 of this Article VII within the time period set forth therein.
Section 3. For the purposes of this Article VII:
(1) A "person" means any individual, limited partnership, general
partnership, corporation or other firm or entity.
(2) "Interested Stockholder" means any person (other than the
Corporation or any Subsidiary) who or which:
(i) is the beneficial owner (as hereinafter defined), directly
or indirectly, of ten percent or more of the voting power of the
outstanding Voting Stock; or
(ii) is an Affiliate or an Associate of the Corporation and at
any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in
question was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of ten
percent or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding Voting
Stock; or
(iii) is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded to any
shares of Voting Stock which were at any time within the two-year
period immediately prior to the date in question beneficially owned
by any Interested Stockholder, if such assignment or succession
shall have occurred in the course of a transaction or series of
transactions not involving a public offering within the meaning of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor act
thereto.
(3) A person shall be a "beneficial owner" of, or shall
"Beneficially Own", any Voting Stock:
(i) which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates
(as hereinafter defined) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly
within the meaning of Rule 13d-3, or any successor rule thereto,
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any
successor act thereto; or
(ii) which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates
has (a) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable
immediately or only after the passage of time), pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding or upon the exercise of
conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options or otherwise
or (b) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding (but neither such person nor any such Affiliate or
Associate shall be deemed to be the beneficial owner of any shares
of Voting Stock solely by reason of a revocable proxy granted for a
particular meeting of stockholders, pursuant to a public
solicitation of proxies for such meeting, and with respect to which
shares neither such person nor any such Affiliate or Associate is
otherwise deemed the beneficial owner); or
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(iii) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly,
within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, or any successor rule thereto, by any other
person with which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates
has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of
acquiring, holding, voting (other than solely by reason of a
revocable proxy as described in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph
(3)) or disposing of any shares of Voting Stock;
provided, however, that in the case of any employee stock ownership or similar
plan of the Corporation or of any Subsidiary in which the beneficiaries thereof
possess the right to vote any shares of Voting Stock held by such plan, no such
plan nor any trustee with respect thereto (nor any Affiliate of such trustee),
solely by reason of such capacity of such trustee, shall be deemed, for any
purposes hereof, to beneficially own any shares of Voting Stock held under any
such plan.
(4) For the purposes of determining whether a person is an
Interested Stockholder pursuant to paragraph (2) of this Section 3, the number
of shares of Voting Stock deemed to be outstanding shall include shares deemed
owned through application of paragraph (3) of this Section 3 but shall not
include any other unissued shares of Voting Stock which may be issuable pursuant
to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion
rights, warrants or options, or otherwise.
(5) "Affiliate" or "Associate" shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor rule thereto.
(6) "Subsidiary" means any person of which a majority of any class
of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation;
provided, however, that for the purposes of the definition of Interested
Stockholder set forth in paragraph (2) of this Section 3, the term "Subsidiary"
shall mean only a person of which a majority of each class of equity security is
owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation.
(7) "Independent Director" means any member of the Board of
Directors of the Corporation who is unaffiliated with the Interested Stockholder
and independent of management and free from any relationship that, in the
opinion of the Whole Board, would interfere with the exercise of independent
judgment.
(8) "Fair Market Value" means: (i) in the case of stock, the highest
closing sale price during the 30-day period immediately preceding the date in
question of a share of such stock on the Composite Tape for New York Stock
Exchange Listed Stocks, or, if such stock is not listed on such Exchange, on the
principal United States securities exchange registered under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, on which stock is listed, or, if such stock is
not listed on any such exchange, the highest closing bid quotation with respect
to a share of such stock during the 30-day period preceding the date in question
on the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations
System or any system then in use, or if no such quotations are available, the
fair market value on the date in question of a share of such stock as determined
by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 4 of this Article VII; and
(ii) in the case of property other than cash or stock, the fair market value of
such property on the date in question as determined by the Board of Directors in
accordance with Section 4 of this Article VII.
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(9) In the event of any Business Combination in which the
Corporation survives, the phrase "consideration other than cash to be received"
as used in paragraphs (B)(ii) of Section 2 of this Article VII shall include the
shares of Common Stock and/or the shares of any other class (or series) of
outstanding capital stock retained by the holders of such shares.
(10) "Whole Board" means the total number of directors which this
Corporation would have if there were no vacancies.
(11) "Excluded Preferred Stock" means any series of Preferred Stock
with respect to which the Preferred Stock Designation creating such series
expressly provides that the provisions of this Article VII shall not apply.
Section 4. (a) A majority of the Whole Board, but only if a majority
of the Whole Board shall then consist of Independent Directors or, if a majority
of the Whole Board shall not then consist of Independent Directors, a majority
of the Independent Directors, shall have the power and duty to determine, on the
basis of information known to them after reasonable inquiry, all facts necessary
to determine compliance with this Article VII, including, without limitation,
(i) whether a person is an Interested Stockholder, (ii) the number of shares of
Voting Stock beneficially owned by any person, (iii) whether a person is an
Affiliate or Associate of another, (iv) whether the applicable conditions set
forth in paragraph (B) of Section 2 of this Article VII have been met with
respect to any Business Combination, (v) the Fair Market Value of stock or other
property in accordance with paragraph (8) of Section 3 of this Article VII, and
(vi) whether the assets which are the subject of any Business Combination
referred to in paragraph (1)(A)(ii) of Section 1 of this Article VII have, or
the consideration to be received for the issuance or transfer of securities by
the Corporation or any Subsidiary in any Business Combination referred to in
paragraph (1)(A)(iii) of Section 1 of this Article VII has, an aggregate Fair
Market Value of $10,000,000 or more.
(b) A majority of the Whole Board shall have the right to demand,
but only if a majority of the Whole Board shall then consist of Independent
Directors, or, if a majority of the Whole Board shall not then consist of
Independent Directors, a majority of the then Independent Directors shall have
the right to demand, that any person who it is reasonably believed is an
Interested Stockholder (or holds of record shares of Voting Stock Beneficially
Owned by any Interested Stockholder) supply this Corporation with complete
information as to (i) the record owner(s) of all shares Beneficially Owned by
such person who it is reasonably believed is an Interested Stockholder, (ii) the
number of, and class or series of, shares Beneficially Owned by such person who
it is reasonably believed is an Interested Stockholder and held of record by
each such record owner and the number(s) of the stock certificate(s) evidencing
such shares, and (iii) any other factual matter relating to the applicability or
effect of this Article VII, as may be reasonably requested of such person, and
such person shall furnish such information within 10 days after receipt of such
demand.
Section 5. No Effect on Fiduciary Obligations of Interested
Stockholders. Nothing contained in this Article VII shall be construed to
relieve any Interested Stockholder from any fiduciary obligation imposed by law.
Section 6. When Stockholder Approval is Required. Notwithstanding
any other provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including, without
limitation, Sections 1 and 2 of this
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Article VII), but in addition to any affirmative vote required by law or this
Certificate of Incorporation or by any Preferred Stock Designation:
(i) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any
person (whether or not an Interested Stockholder); or
(ii) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or
other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) to or
with any person (whether or not an Interested Stockholder or Affiliate
thereof) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation;
shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66-2/3 percent of
the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock, voting together as a
single class. Such affirmative vote shall be required notwithstanding any other
provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, any Preferred Stock Designation
or any provision of law or of any agreement with any national securities
exchange or otherwise which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote.
Section 7. Amendment, Repeal, etc. (a) Notwithstanding any other
provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation or the By-laws of the
Corporation (and notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage may be
permitted by law, this Certificate of Incorporation, any Preferred Stock
Designation or the By-laws of the Corporation), but in addition to any
affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class of Voting Stock required
by law, this Certificate of Incorporation or any Preferred Stock Designation,
the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3 percent of the voting
power of the shares of the then outstanding Voting Stock voting together as a
single class, including the affirmative vote of the holders of more than 50
percent of the voting power of the Voting Stock voting on such matter that is
not owned directly or indirectly by any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate
of any Interested Stockholder, shall be required to amend or repeal, or adopt
any provisions inconsistent with, Sections 1 through 5 and this clause (a) of
Section 7 of this Article VII; and (b) the affirmative vote of the holders of at
least 66-2/3 percent of the voting power of the shares of the then outstanding
Voting Stock voting together as a single class shall be required to amend or
repeal, or adopt any provisions inconsistent with, Section 6 and this clause (b)
of Section 7 of this Article VII.
ARTICLE VIII
A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the
Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's
duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or
omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived
an improper personal benefit. Any repeal or modification of this Article VIII
shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the
Corporation existing hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring to
such repeal or modification.
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ARTICLE IX
Each person who is or was or had agreed to become a director or
officer of the Corporation, or each such person who is or was serving or who had
agreed to serve at the request of the Board of Directors or an officer of the
Corporation as an employee or agent of the Corporation or as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise (including the heirs, executor, administrators or
estate of such person), shall be indemnified by the Corporation, in accordance
with the By-laws of the Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted from time
to time by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as the same
exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only
to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader
indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior
to such amendment) or any other applicable laws as presently or hereafter in
effect. The Corporation may, by action of the Board of Directors, provide
indemnification to employees and agents of the Corporation, and to persons
serving as employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, at the request of the Corporation, with the
same scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification of directors and
officers. The Corporation shall be required to indemnify any person seeking
indemnification of directors and officers. The Corporation shall be required to
indemnify any person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or
part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof)
was authorized by the Board of Directors or is a proceeding to enforce such
person's claim to indemnification pursuant to the rights granted by this
Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise by the Corporation. Without limiting
the generality or the effect of the foregoing, the Corporation may enter into
one or more agreements with any person which provide for indemnification greater
or different than that provided in this Article IX. Any amendment or repeal of
this Article IX shall not adversely affect any right or protection existing
hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to such amendment or
repeal.
ARTICLE X
In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by law
or in this Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors (and any
committee of the Board of Directors) is expressly authorized, to the extent
permitted by law, to take such action or actions as the Board of Directors or
such committee may determine to be reasonably necessary or desirable to (A)
encourage any person (as defined in Article VII of this Certification of
Incorporation) to enter into negotiations with the Board of Directors and
management of the Corporation with respect to any transaction which may result
in a change in control of the Corporation which is proposed or initiated by such
person or (B) contest or oppose any such transaction which the Board of
Directors or such committee determines to be unfair, abusive or otherwise
undesirable with respect to the Corporation and its business, assets or
properties or the stockholders of the Corporation, including, without
limitation, the adoption of such plans or the issuance of such rights, options,
capital stock, notes, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness or other
securities of the Corporation, which rights, options, capital stock, notes,
evidences of indebtedness and other securities (i) may be exchangeable for or
convertible into cash or other securities on such terms and conditions as may be
determined by the Board of Directors or such committee and (ii) may provide for
the treatment of any holder or class of holders thereof designated by the Board
of Directors or any such committee in respect of the terms, conditions,
provisions and rights of such securities which is different from, and unequal
to, the terms, conditions, provisions and rights applicable to all other holders
thereof.
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ARTICLE XI
Except as may be expressly provided in this Certification of
Incorporation, the Corporation reserves the right at any time and from time to
time to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this
Certificate of Incorporation, or any Preferred Stock Designation, and any other
provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force
may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed herein or by
law; and all rights, preferences and privileges of whatsoever nature conferred
upon stockholders, directors or any other persons whomsoever by and pursuant to
this Certificate of Incorporation in its present form or as hereafter amended as
granted subject to the right reserved in this Article XI; provided, however,
that any amendment or repeal of Article VIII or Article IX of this Certificate
of Incorporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection existing
hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to such amendment or
repeal; and provided, further, that no Preferred Stock Designation shall be
amended after the issuance of any shares of the series of Preferred Stock
created thereby, except in accordance with the terms of such Preferred Stock
Designation and the requirements of applicable law.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, The Leslie Fay Company, Inc. has caused this
Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be executed by _________________, its
_____________, attested by its Secretary, this ____ day of _______________,
1999.
THE LESLIE FAY COMPANY, INC.
Attest: By:
---------------------------- -----------------------------
Name: Name:
Title: Secretary Title:
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Annex B
262 APPRAISAL RIGHTS.
(a) Any stockholder of a corporation of this State who holds shares of
stock on the date of the making of a demand pursuant to subsection (d) of this
section with respect to such shares, who continuously holds such shares through
the effective date of the merger or consolidation, who has otherwise complied
with subsection (d) of this section and who has neither voted in favor of the
merger or consolidation nor consented thereto in writing pursuant to ss.228 of
this title shall be entitled to an appraisal by the Court of Chancery of the
fair value of such stockholder's shares of stock under the circumstances
described in subsections (b) and (c) of this section. As used in this section,
the word "stockholder" means a holder of record of stock in a stock corporation
and also a member of record of a nonstock corporation; the words "stock" and
"share" mean and include what is ordinarily meant by those words and also
membership or membership interest of a member of a nonstock corporation; and the
words "depository receipt" mean a receipt or other instrument issued by a
depository representing an interest in one or more shares, or fractions thereof,
solely of stock of a corporation, which stock is deposited with the depository.
(b) Appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of any class or
series of stock of a constituent corporation in a merger or consolidation to be
effected pursuant to ss.251 (other than a merger effected pursuant to ss.251(g)
of this title), ss.252, ss.254, ss.257, ss.258, ss.263 or ss.264 of this title:
(1) Provided, however, that no appraisal rights under this section
shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock, which
stock, or depository receipts in respect thereof, at the record date fixed
to determine the stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at
the meeting of stockholders to act upon the agreement of merger or
consolidation, were either (i) listed on a national securities exchange or
designated as a national market system security on an interdealer
quotation system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
or (ii) held of record by more than 2,000 holders; and further provided
that no appraisal rights shall be available for any shares of stock of the
constituent corporation surviving a merger if the merger did not require
for its approval the vote of the stockholders of the surviving corporation
as provided in subsection (f) of ss.251 of this title.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, appraisal
rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class
or series of stock of a constituent corporation if the holders thereof are
required by the terms of an agreement of merger or consolidation pursuant
to ss.ss.251, 252, 254, 257, 258, 263 and 264 of this title to accept for
such stock anything except:
a. Shares of stock of the corporation surviving or resulting
from such merger or consolidation, or depository receipts in respect
thereof;
b. Shares of stock of any other corporation, or depository
receipts in respect thereof, which shares of stock (or depository
receipts in respect thereof) or depository receipts at the effective
date of the merger or consolidation will be either listed on a
national securities exchange or designated as a national market
system security on an interdealer quotation system by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or held of record by more
than 2,000 holders;
c. Cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository
receipts described in the foregoing subparagraphs a. and b. of this
paragraph; or
d. Any combination of the shares of stock, depository receipts
and cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository
receipts described in the foregoing subparagraphs a., b. and c. of
this paragraph.
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(3) In the event all of the stock of a subsidiary Delaware
corporation party to a merger effected under ss.253 of this title is not
owned by the parent corporation immediately prior to the merger, appraisal
rights shall be available for the shares of the subsidiary Delaware
corporation.
(c) Any corporation may provide in its certificate of incorporation that
appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any
class or series of its stock as a result of an amendment to its certificate of
incorporation, any merger or consolidation in which the corporation is a
constituent corporation or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of
the corporation. If the certificate of incorporation contains such a provision,
the procedures of this section, including those set forth in subsections (d) and
(e) of this section, shall apply as nearly as is practicable.
(d) Appraisal rights shall be perfected as follows:
(1) If a proposed merger or consolidation for which appraisal rights
are provided under this section is to be submitted for the approval at a
meeting of stockholders, the corporation, not less than 20 days prior to
the meeting, shall notify each of its stockholders who was such on the
record date for such meeting with respect to shares for which appraisal
rights are available pursuant to subsections (b) or (c) hereof that
appraisal rights are available for any or all of the shares of the
constituent corporations, and shall include in such notice a copy of this
section. Each stockholder electing to demand the appraisal of such
stockholder's shares shall deliver to the corporation, before the taking
of the vote on the merger or consolidation, a written demand for appraisal
of such stockholder's shares. Such demand will be sufficient if it
reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the stockholder and
that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the appraisal of such
stockholder's shares. A proxy or vote against the merger or consolidation
shall not constitute such a demand. A stockholder electing to take such
action must do so by a separate written demand as herein provided. Within
10 days after the effective date of such merger or consolidation, the
surviving or resulting corporation shall notify each stockholder of each
constituent corporation who has complied with this subsection and has not
voted in favor of or consented to the merger or consolidation of the date
that the merger or consolidation has become effective; or
(2) If the merger or consolidation was approved pursuant to ss.228
or ss.253 of this title, each constituent corporation, either before the
effective date of the merger or consolidation or within ten days
thereafter, shall notify each of the holders of any class or series of
stock of such constituent corporation who are entitled to appraisal rights
of the approval of the merger or consolidation and that appraisal rights
are available for any or all shares of such class or series of stock of
such constituent corporation, and shall include in such notice a copy of
this section; provided that, if the notice is given on or after the
effective date of the merger or consolidation, such notice shall be given
by the surviving or resulting corporation to all such holders of any class
or series of stock of a constituent corporation that are entitled to
appraisal rights. Such notice may, and, if given on or after the effective
date of the merger or consolidation, shall, also notify such stockholders
of the effective date of the merger or consolidation. Any stockholder
entitled to appraisal rights may, within 20 days after the date of mailing
of such notice, demand in writing from the surviving or resulting
corporation the appraisal of such holder's shares. Such demand will be
sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the
stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the
appraisal of such holder's shares. If such notice did not notify
stockholders of the effective date of the merger or consolidation, either
(i) each such constituent corporation shall send a second notice before
the effective date of the merger or consolidation notifying each of the
holders of any class or series of stock of such constituent corporation
that are entitled to appraisal rights of the effective date of the merger
or consolidation or (ii) the surviving or resulting corporation shall send
such a second notice to all such holders on or within 10 days after such
effective date; provided, however, that if such second notice is sent more
than 20 days following the sending of the first notice, such second notice
need only be sent to each stockholder who is entitled to appraisal rights
and who has demanded appraisal of such holder's shares in accordance with
this subsection. An affidavit of the secretary or assistant secretary or
of
B-2
<PAGE>
the transfer agent of the corporation that is required to give either
notice that such notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be
prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. For purposes of
determining the stockholders entitled to receive either notice, each
constituent corporation may fix, in advance, a record date that shall be
not more than 10 days prior to the date the notice is given, provided,
that if the notice is given on or after the effective date of the merger
or consolidation, the record date shall be such effective date. If no
record date is fixed and the notice is given prior to the effective date,
the record date shall be the close of business on the day next preceding
the day on which the notice is given.
(e) Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger or
consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation or any stockholder
who has complied with subsections (a) and (d) hereof and who is otherwise
entitled to appraisal rights, may file a petition in the Court of Chancery
demanding a determination of the value of the stock of all such
stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time within 60 days
after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, any stockholder
shall have the right to withdraw such stockholder's demand for appraisal
and to accept the terms offered upon the merger or consolidation. Within
120 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, any
stockholder who has complied with the requirements of subsections (a) and
(d) hereof, upon written request, shall be entitled to receive from the
corporation surviving the merger or resulting from the consolidation a
statement setting forth the aggregate number of shares not voted in favor
of the merger or consolidation and with respect to which demands for
appraisal have been received and the aggregate number of holders of such
shares. Such written statement shall be mailed to the stockholder within
10 days after such stockholder's written request for such a statement is
received by the surviving or resulting corporation or within 10 days after
expiration of the period for delivery of demands for appraisal under
subsection (d) hereof, whichever is later.
(f) Upon the filing of any such petition by a stockholder, service
of a copy thereof shall be made upon the surviving or resulting
corporation, which shall within 20 days after such service file in the
office of the Register in Chancery in which the petition was filed a duly
verified list containing the names and addresses of all stockholders who
have demanded payment for their shares and with whom agreements as to the
value of their shares have not been reached by the surviving or resulting
corporation. If the petition shall be filed by the surviving or resulting
corporation, the petition shall be accompanied by such a duly verified
list. The Register in Chancery, if so ordered by the Court, shall give
notice of the time and place fixed for the hearing of such petition by
registered or certified mail to the surviving or resulting corporation and
to the stockholders shown on the list at the addresses therein stated.
Such notice shall also be given by 1 or more publications at least 1 week
before the day of the hearing, in a newspaper of general circulation
published in the City of Wilmington, Delaware or such publication as the
Court deems advisable. The forms of the notices by mail and by publication
shall be approved by the Court, and the costs thereof shall be borne by
the surviving or resulting corporation.
(g) At the hearing on such petition, the Court shall determine the
stockholders who have complied with this section and who have become
entitled to appraisal rights. The Court may require the stockholders who
have demanded an appraisal for their shares and who hold stock represented
by certificates to submit their certificates of stock to the Register in
Chancery for notation thereon of the pendency of the appraisal
proceedings; and if any stockholder fails to comply with such direction,
the Court may dismiss the proceedings as to such stockholder.
(h) After determining the stockholders entitled to an appraisal, the
Court shall appraise the shares, determining their fair value exclusive of
any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the
merger or consolidation, together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to
be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value. In determining
such fair value, the Court shall take into account all relevant factors.
In determining the fair rate of interest, the Court may consider all
relevant factors, including the rate of interest which the surviving or
resulting corporation
B-3
<PAGE>
would have had to pay to borrow money during the pendency of the
proceeding. Upon application by the surviving or resulting corporation or
by any stockholder entitled to participate in the appraisal proceeding,
the Court may, in its discretion, permit discovery or other pretrial
proceedings and may proceed to trial upon the appraisal prior to the final
determination of the stockholder entitled to an appraisal. Any stockholder
whose name appears on the list filed by the surviving or resulting
corporation pursuant to subsection (f) of this section and who has
submitted such stockholder's certificates of stock to the Register in
Chancery, if such is required, may participate fully in all proceedings
until it is finally determined that such stockholder is not entitled to
appraisal rights under this section.
(i) The Court shall direct the payment of the fair value of the
shares, together with interest, if any, by the surviving or resulting
corporation to the stockholders entitled thereto. Interest may be simple
or compound, as the Court may direct. Payment shall be so made to each
such stockholder, in the case of holders of uncertificated stock
forthwith, and the case of holders of shares represented by certificates
upon the surrender to the corporation of the certificates representing
such stock. The Court's decree may be enforced as other decrees in the
Court of Chancery may be enforced, whether such surviving or resulting
corporation be a corporation of this State or of any state.
(j) The costs of the proceeding may be determined by the Court and
taxed upon the parties as the Court deems equitable in the circumstances.
Upon application of a stockholder, the Court may order all or a portion of
the expenses incurred by any stockholder in connection with the appraisal
proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees and
the fees and expenses of experts, to be charged pro rata against the value
of all the shares entitled to an appraisal.
(k) From and after the effective date of the merger or
consolidation, no stockholder who has demanded appraisal rights as
provided in subsection (d) of this section shall be entitled to vote such
stock for any purpose or to receive payment of dividends or other
distributions on the stock (except dividends or other distributions
payable to stockholders of record at a date which is prior to the
effective date of the merger or consolidation); provided, however, that if
no petition for an appraisal shall be filed within the time provided in
subsection (e) of this section, or if such stockholder shall deliver to
the surviving or resulting corporation a written withdrawal of such
stockholder's demand for an appraisal and an acceptance of the merger or
consolidation, either within 60 days after the effective date of the
merger or consolidation as provided in subsection (e) of this section or
thereafter with the written approval of the corporation, then the right of
such stockholder to an appraisal shall cease. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no appraisal proceeding in the Court of Chancery shall be
dismissed as to any stockholder without the approval of the Court, and
such approval may be conditioned upon such terms as the Court deems just.
(l) The shares of the surviving or resulting corporation to which
the shares of such objecting stockholders would have been converted had
they assented to the merger or consolidation shall have the status of
authorized and unissued shares of the surviving or resulting corporation.
B-4
<PAGE>
PROXY CARD
PROXY PROXY
The Leslie Fay Company, Inc.
(Solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors)
The undersigned holder of Common Stock of The Leslie Fay Company, Inc.,
revoking all proxies heretofore given, hereby constitutes and appoints John J.
Pomerantz, John A. Ward and Warren T. Wishart, and each of them, Proxies, with
full power of substitution, for the undersigned and in the name, place and stead
of the undersigned, to vote all of the undersigned's shares of said stock,
according to the number of votes and with all the powers the undersigned would
possess if personally present, at the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of The
Leslie Fay Company, Inc., to be held at the Fashion Institute of Technology,
Seventh Avenue at 27th Street, C-Building, 9th Floor, New York, New York, on
Tuesday, August 24, 1999 at 10:30 a.m., New York City time, and at any
adjournments or postponements thereof.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Meeting and
Proxy Statement relating to the meeting and hereby revokes any proxy or proxies
heretofore given.
Each properly executed Proxy will be voted in accordance with the
specifications made below and in the discretion of the Proxies on any other
matter that may come before the meeting. Where no choice is specified, this
Proxy will be voted FOR all listed nominees to serve as directors and FOR each
of the proposals set forth below.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposal 1, FOR all listed nominees
and FOR Proposals 3 and 4.
(1) Proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement.
|_| FOR |_| AGAINST |_| ABSTAIN
(2) Election of Directors.
|_| FOR all nominees listed |_| WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
(except as marked to the contrary) to vote for all listed nominees
Nominees: John J. Pomerantz, John A. Ward, Clifford B. Cohn, Mark Kaufman,
Robert L. Sind, Bernard Olsoff, H. Whitney Wagner and Thomas G. Weld
(Instruction: To withhold authority to vote for any individual
nominee, circle that nominee's name in the list provided above.)
PLEASE MARK, DATE AND SIGN THIS PROXY ON THIS AND THE REVERSE SIDE
<PAGE>
(3) Proposal to ratify the appointment of the Company's independent
accountants.
|_| FOR |_| AGAINST |_| ABSTAIN
(4) Proposal to adjourn the Meeting, if necessary, to permit further
solicitation of proxies in the event that there are not sufficient votes
at the time of the Meeting to adopt the Merger Agreement.
|_| FOR |_| AGAINST |_| ABSTAIN
The shares represented by this proxy
will be voted in the manner directed. In the
absence of any direction, the shares will be
voted FOR Proposal 1, FOR each nominee named
in Proposal 2 and FOR Proposals 3 and 4 and
in accordance with the Proxies' discretion
on such other matters as may properly come
before the meeting.
Dated:________________________________, 1999
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Signature(s)
(Signature(s) should conform to names as
registered. For jointly owned shares, each
owner should sign. When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, trustee, guardian
or officer of a corporation or other
representative capacity, please give full
title).
PLEASE MARK AND SIGN ABOVE AND
RETURN PROMPTLY
<PAGE>
FORM OF ELECTION
(To accompany certificates or guarantees of delivery for
shares of Common Stock of The Leslie Fay Company, Inc.)
Please follow carefully the instructions contained below
IF YOU WANT TO RECEIVE CASH FOR SOME OR ALL OF YOUR SHARES IN THE MERGER,
THIS FORM OF ELECTION, PROPERLY COMPLETED AND EXECUTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED BELOW, TOGETHER WITH YOUR CERTIFICATE(S) FOR SHARES OF
COMMON STOCK OF THE LESLIE FAY COMPANY, INC. OR A VALID GUARANTEE OF DELIVERY
THEREOF, MUST BE RECEIVED BY AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY (THE
"EXCHANGE AGENT") PRIOR TO THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS (5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME)
ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1999.
COMPLETE THIS FORM OF ELECTION ONLY IF YOU WANT TO RECEIVE CASH IN THE
MERGER FOR SOME OR ALL OF YOUR SHARES. DO NOT COMPLETE THIS FORM OF ELECTION IF
YOU WANT TO KEEP ALL OF YOUR SHARES.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE ELECTION MADE BELOW, THE NUMBER OF SHARES THAT MAY BE
CONVERTED INTO THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE CASH IN THE MERGER IS SUBJECT TO PRORATION
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
EXCHANGE AGENT:
AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
BY MAIL: FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION BY HAND /OVERNIGHT DELIVERY:
40 Wall Street, 46th Floor (FOR ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY): 40 Wall Street, 46th Floor
New York, NY 10005 (718) 234-5001 New York, NY 10005
Attention: Reorganization Department Attention: Reorganization Department
CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE:
(718) 921-8200
FOR INFORMATION CALL:
(718) 921-8200
</TABLE>
This Form of Election, Certificates (as defined below) and any other
required documents should be sent by each holder of shares of Common Stock, par
value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"), of The Leslie Fay Company, Inc. (the
"Company") to the Exchange Agent at one of the addresses set forth above.
Delivery of this Form of Election to an address other than as set forth above or
transmission to a facsimile number other than the one listed above will not
constitute a valid delivery. The instructions accompanying this Form of Election
should be read carefully before this Form is completed. If you have any
questions regarding this Form of Election, please call the Exchange Agent toll
free in the United States at 800-937-5449 or collect at 1-718-921-8200.
NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW.
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.
1
<PAGE>
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, pursuant to the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger
dated as of May 12, 1999 (the "Merger Agreement") among the Company, Three
Cities Fund II, L.P. ("Fund II"), Three Cities Offshore II C.V. (together with
Fund II, the "Buyers") and TCR Acquisition Sub Co., a corporation that is
wholly-owned by the Buyers ("Merger Sub"), hereby deposits, has previously
deposited with the Exchange Agent or has agreed to deliver pursuant to the
guaranteed delivery procedures set forth below the stock certificates (the
"Certificates") identified in Column 1 of Box A below representing the total
number of shares of Common Stock set forth in Column 2 of Box A, of which the
total number of shares of Common Stock set forth in Column 3 of Box A are
surrendered with the request that the total number of shares of Common Stock
listed in such column be converted into the right to receive cash in the merger
of Merger Sub into the Company (the "Merger") at the rate of $7.00 per share,
without interest, and the remainder of such shares remain shares of Common
Stock. THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE OR SHE HAS RECEIVED THE PROXY
STATEMENT OF THE COMPANY DATED JULY 30, 1999 AND UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT,
NOTWITHSTANDING THE ELECTION MADE BELOW, THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF THE UNDERSIGNED
THAT MAY BE CONVERTED INTO THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE CASH IN THE MERGER IS SUBJECT TO
PRORATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set
forth in the Proxy Statement.
NONE OF THE COMPANY, THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE BUYERS OR MERGER
SUB MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION AS TO WHETHER STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY SHOULD
ELECT TO RECEIVE CASH OR KEEP THEIR SHARES OF COMMON STOCK. EACH STOCKHOLDER
MUST MAKE HIS OR HER OWN DECISION WITH RESPECT TO SUCH ELECTION.
The undersigned represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power
and authority to surrender the Certificate(s) surrendered herewith or covered by
a guarantee of delivery, free and clear of any liens, claims, charges or
encumbrances whatsoever. The undersigned understands and acknowledges that the
method of delivery of the Certificate(s) and all other required documents is at
the option and risk of the undersigned and that the risk of loss of such
Certificate(s) shall pass only after the Exchange Agent has actually received
the Certificate(s). ALL questions as to the validity, form and eligibility of
any election and surrender of the Certificate(s) hereunder shall be determined
by the Exchange Agent or the Company, and such determination shall be final and
binding. The undersigned, upon request, shall execute and deliver all additional
documents deemed by the Exchange Agent or the Company to be necessary or
desirable to complete the cancellation and retirement of the shares of Common
Stock delivered herewith or covered by a guarantee of delivery. No authority
hereby conferred or agreed to be conferred hereby shall be affected by, and all
such authority shall survive, the death or incapacity of the undersigned. All
obligations of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs,
personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned.
The undersigned understands that if the holders of more than 2,111,966
shares of Common Stock elect to receive cash, there will be a pro rata reduction
so that all of the holders who elect to receive cash will receive cash for some
of their shares and keep the remainder of their shares. If you make an election
to receive cash and the resulting pro rata reduction would provide you with cash
for a fractional share of Common Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock for
which you will receive $7.00 per share will be rounded down to the nearest whole
share. Unless otherwise indicated in the box entitled "Special Issuance and
Payment Instructions" (Box B), please issue any check and register any
certificate for shares of Common Stock in the name of the registered holder(s)
of the shares of Common Stock appearing below. Similarly, unless otherwise
indicated in the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" (Box C), please
mail any check and any certificate for shares of Common Stock to the registered
holder(s) of the shares of Common Stock at the addresses of the registered
holder(s) appearing below under the box entitled "Election and Description of
Shares Deposited." In the event that the box entitled "Special Issuance and
Payment Instructions" and the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" both
are completed, please issue any check and any certificate for shares of Common
Stock in the name(s) of, and mail such check and such certificate to, the
person(s) so indicated.
2
<PAGE>
THE UNDERSIGNED UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT THE ACCEPTANCE AND DELIVERY OF
ANY FORMS OF ELECTION BY OR TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT (OR ANY OTHER AUTHORIZED
PERSON) WILL NOT OF ITSELF CREATE ANY RIGHT TO RECEIVE CASH IN EXCHANGE FOR THE
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK LISTED ON THIS FORM OF ELECTION AND THAT SUCH RIGHT WILL
ARISE ONLY IF THE MERGER IS CONSUMMATED AND ONLY TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED IN THE
MERGER AGREEMENT. THE UNDERSIGNED FURTHER UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT THE
ELECTION MADE ON THIS FORM SHALL BE IRREVOCABLE UNLESS IT IS PROPERLY REVISED OR
WITHDRAWN IN ACCORDANCE WITH INSTRUCTION E.L. OR E.2. OF THIS FORM.
3
<PAGE>
BOX A: ELECTION AND DESCRIPTION OF SHARES DEPOSITED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME AND ADDRESS OF HOLDER OF RECORD AS SHOWN ON RECORDS OF THE LESLIE FAY COMPANY, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CERTIFICATE(S) DEPOSITED (ATTACH SEPARATE SCHEDULE IF NECESSARY)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COLUMN 1 COLUMN 2 COLUMN 3 COLUMN 4
NUMBER OF SHARES OF
COMMON STOCK NUMBER OF SHARES OF NUMBER OF SHARES OF
CERTIFICATE NUMBER(S) REPRESENTED BY COMMON STOCK FOR COMMON STOCK FOR
DELIVERED HEREWITH CERTIFICATES IN COLUMN 1 WHICH CASH IS ELECTED WHICH CASH IS NOT ELECTED
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL....................
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
ALL SHARES OF COMMON STOCK REPRESENTED BY CERTIFICATES LISTED IN COLUMN 1
WILL NOT BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN SURRENDERED FOR CASH (SUBJECT TO PRORATION)
UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED IN COLUMN 3. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK LISTED IN COLUMN 3 AND COLUMN 4 SHOULD EQUAL THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF
COMMON STOCK LISTED IN COLUMN 2. IF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
LISTED IN COLUMN 3 AND COLUMN 4 IS LESS THAN THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK LISTED IN COLUMN 2, THE DIFFERENCE WILL, UNLESS OTHERWISE REQUESTED IN
WRITING, BE RETURNED TO YOU BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND DEEMED TO BE SHARES OF
COMMON STOCK OF THE COMPANY FOLLOWING THE MERGER ("NON-CASH ELECTION SHARES").
IF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK LISTED IN COLUMN 3 AND COLUMN 4 IS
GREATER THAN THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK LISTED IN COLUMN 2, ONLY THE
EXCESS, IF ANY, OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK LISTED IN COLUMN 2 OVER
THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK LISTED IN COLUMN 4 WILL BE DEEMED TO BE
CASH ELECTION SHARES, AND THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK LISTED IN COLUMN
4 WILL, UNLESS OTHERWISE REQUESTED IN WRITING, BE RETURNED TO YOU BY THE
EXCHANGE AGENT AND DEEMED TO BE NON-CASH ELECTION SHARES.
4
<PAGE>
- -----------------------------------------------------
BOX B:
SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND
PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
To be completed ONLY if the check and/or the certificate(s) for shares
of Common Stock are to be issued in the name of someone other than the
person(s) in whose name(s) the Certificate(s) representing the shares of
Common Stock listed on this Form of Election are registered. (Unless
otherwise indicated in Box C, the check and/or Certificate(s) will be mailed
to the address indicated in Box B.)
Issue check and/or Certificate(s) for shares of Common Stock to:
Name: ______________________________________________________________________
(PLEASE PRINT)
Address: ___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
__________________________________________________________________________
(TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NO.)
(See Substitute Form W-9)
- -----------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------
BOX C:
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
To be completed ONLY if the following are to be mailed to an address
other than that indicated in Box A or Box B: (i) the check representing any
cash issued for shares of Common Stock listed in Column 3 on this Form of
Election and (ii) the Certificate(s) representing any shares listed in
Column 4 on this Form of Election.
Mail check and/or Certificate(s) to:
Name: ______________________________________________________________________
(PLEASE PRINT)
Address: ___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
__________________________________________________________________________
(TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NO.)
(See Substitute Form W-9)
- -----------------------------------------------
5
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOX D:
SIGN HERE
(COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 BELOW)
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(SIGNATURE(S) OF OWNER(S))
____________________________________________________________________________
Name(s): ___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(PLEASE PRINT)
Capacity (full title): _____________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
Area Code and Telephone Number: ( )_______________________________________
Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number: _________________________
(SEE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9)
Dated: _______, 1999
(Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on
stock certificate(s) or on a security position listing or by the person(s)
authorized to become registered holder(s) by certificates and documents
transmitted herewith. If signature is by an agent, attorney, administrator,
executor, guardian, trustee, officer of a corporation or any other person
acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please set forth full
title and see Instruction G.5.)
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS B AND G)
FOR USE BY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ONLY. PLACE MEDALLION GUARANTEE IN SPACE
BELOW.
YOU NEED A SIGNATURE GUARANTEE ONLY IF CHECKS IN PAYMENT OF CASH AND/OR ANY
NEW SHARE CERTIFICATE(S) ARE NOT PAYABLE TO THE ORDER OF AND/OR REGISTERED
IN EXACTLY THE SAME NAME AS INSCRIBED ON THE SURRENDERED CERTIFICATE(S).
Authorized Signature(s): ___________________________________________________
Name: ______________________________________________________________________
Name of Firm: ______________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
Area Code and Telephone Number: ____________________________________________
Dated: _____________________________________________________________________
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<C> <S> <C>
BOX E:
GUARANTEE OF DELIVERY
(TO BE USED ONLY IF CERTIFICATES ARE NOT SURRENDERED HEREWITH)
The undersigned, a firm described by the appropriate box checked below, guarantees delivery to the Exchange Agent
of the certificates representing shares of Common Stock to which this Form of Election relates, duly endorsed in blank
or otherwise in form acceptable for transfer on the books of the Company, no later than 5:00 P.M., New York City time,
on Friday, August 20, 1999.
/ / a broker or dealer
/ / a bank or savings association
/ / any other Eligible Institution (as described in
Instruction 4(b). Please specify the type of Eligible
Institution below.
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
PAYOR'S NAME: AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY
SUBSTITUTE PART I--PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN THE TIN:
FORM W-9 BOX AT THE RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY Social Security Number
SIGNING AND DATING BELOW or Employer
Identification Number
Department of For Payees exempt from backup withholding, see the enclosed Specific
the Treasury, Internal Instructions and complete as instructed therein.
Revenue Service
PAYOR'S REQUEST FOR PART II--Certification--Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION (1) The number shown on this form is my correct TIN (or I am writing for
NUMBER ("TIN") AND a number to be issued to me); and
CERTIFICATION (2) I am not subject to backup withholding because (a) I am exempt from
backup withholding, or (b) I have not been notified by the Internal
Revenue Service ("IRS") that I am subject to backup withholding as a
result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the
IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup
withholding.
SIGNATURE: DATED:
</TABLE>
CERTIFICATION INSTRUCTIONS--You must cross out item (2) above if you have been
notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding because you have
failed to report all interest and dividends on your tax return. However, if
after being notified by the IRS that you were subject to backup withholding, you
received another notification from the IRS that you were no longer subject to
backup withholding, do not cross out item (2). (Also, see the enclosed Specific
Instructions).
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 MAY RESULT IN
BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE
MERGER. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF
TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL
DETAILS.
YOU MUST ALSO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU ARE AWAITING YOUR
TIN.
CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I certify under penalties of perjury that a TIN has not been issued to me,
and either (1) I have mailed or delivered an application to receive a TIN to the
appropriate IRS Center or Social Security Administration office or (2) I intend
to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that if I do
not provide a TIN by the time of payment, 31% of all payments pursuant to the
Merger made to me thereafter will be withheld until I provide a TIN.
Signature: ________________________________________________ Date: ______________
8
<PAGE>
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETION OF FORM OF ELECTION
If you want to receive $7.00 per share in cash for some or all of your
shares of Common Stock in the Merger, this Form of Election should be properly
filled in, dated, signed and delivered, together with the Certificate(s)
representing the shares of Common Stock currently held by you (unless delivery
is guaranteed in Box E ("Guarantee of Delivery") in accordance with Instruction
B), to the Exchange Agent. Please read and follow carefully the instructions
regarding completion of this Form of Election set forth below.
This Form of Election and the election you make herein are subject to the
terms and conditions set forth herein, in the Proxy Statement, which has already
been mailed to you (or which you are receiving at the same time as this Form of
Election), and in the Merger Agreement which is attached as Annex A to the Proxy
Statement. Copies of the Proxy Statement may be requested from the Exchange
Agent. The delivery of this Form of Election to the Exchange Agent constitutes
acknowledgment of the receipt of the Proxy Statement.
EACH HOLDER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE
PROXY STATEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY AND TO DISCUSS THE CONTENTS THEREOF AND THIS
FORM OF ELECTION WITH HIS OR HER FINANCIAL AND TAX ADVISORS PRIOR TO DECIDING
UPON AN ELECTION.
A. ELECTION
This Form of Election provides for your election to receive cash in exchange
for some or all of your shares of Common Stock in the Merger. COMPLETE THIS FORM
OF ELECTION ONLY IF YOU WANT TO RECEIVE CASH IN THE MERGER FOR SOME OR ALL OF
YOUR SHARES. DO NOT COMPLETE THIS FORM OF ELECTION IF YOU WANT TO KEEP ALL OF
YOUR SHARES. At your direction, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in
this Form of Election, in the Proxy Statement and in the Merger Agreement, each
share of Common Stock will either:
- be converted into $7.00 in cash, without interest, pursuant to a "Cash
Election" or
- remain a share of Common Stock of the Company.
You may make a Cash Election or keep your shares of Common Stock in any
combination that you desire.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE ELECTION MADE HEREIN, THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF THE
UNDERSIGNED THAT MAY BE CONVERTED INTO THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE CASH IN THE MERGER
IS SUBJECT TO PRORATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may elect to receive
cash in the Merger is limited to 2,111,966 shares. If the holders of more than
2,111,966 shares elect to receive cash, there will be a pro rata reduction so
that all of the holders who elect to receive cash will receive cash for some of
their shares and keep the remainder of their shares. Stockholders of the Company
who do not make Cash Elections will keep all of their shares of Common Stock.
B. TIME IN WHICH TO MAKE A CASH ELECTION
In order for a Cash Election to be effective, the Exchange Agent must
receive a properly completed Form of Election, accompanied by all stock
certificates representing shares of Common Stock currently held by you (or a
proper guarantee of delivery, as described below), NO LATER THAN 5:00 P.M., NEW
YORK CITY TIME, TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1999 (the "Election Date"). If all other
conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement have been met or, if permissible,
waived, the effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time") could occur on
the same day as adoption of the Merger Agreement by stockholders of the Company.
As soon as the date on which the Effective Time is anticipated to occur is
determined, the Company will publicly announce such date, although no assurance
can be given that the Effective Time will occur on such date. Persons whose
stock certificates are not immediately available may also make an election by
completing this Form of Election and having Box E ("Guarantee of Delivery")
properly completed and duly executed by a bank, a broker, dealer, municipal
securities dealer, municipal securities broker, government securities dealer, or
government securities broker, a credit union, a national securities exchange,
registered securities association or clearing agency or a savings association
(subject to the condition that the Certificate(s), the delivery of which is
thereby guaranteed, are in fact delivered to the Exchange Agent no later than
5:00 p.m. New York City Time, on the third trading day after the Election Date
(the "Guaranteed Delivery Deadline")).
9
<PAGE>
IF THE EXCHANGE AGENT HAS NOT RECEIVED YOUR PROPERLY COMPLETED FORM OF
ELECTION, ACCOMPANIED BY YOUR STOCK CERTIFICATE(S), BY THE ELECTION DATE (UNLESS
BOX E (GUARANTEE OF DELIVERY) HAS BEEN PROPERLY COMPLETED AND SUCH
CERTIFICATE(S) ARE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT BY THE GUARANTEED DELIVERY
DEADLINE), YOUR SHARES OF COMMON STOCK WILL BE TREATED AS NON-CASH ELECTION
SHARES.
C. FAILURE TO MAKE AN EFFECTIVE CASH ELECTION
If you fail to make an effective Cash Election, or if your Cash Election is
deemed by the Exchange Agent or the Company to be defective in any way, any
shares covered by this Form of Election will be treated as Non-Cash Election
Shares.
D. SHARES AS TO WHICH A CASH ELECTION IS MADE
You may make a Cash Election with respect to all or any portion of your
shares of Common Stock by listing the number of shares of Common Stock for which
you wish to make a specific election in the appropriate column on Box A
("Election and Description of Shares Deposited"). If there is insufficient space
to list all your Certificate(s) being submitted to the Exchange Agent or to
respond to any other request for information, please attach a separate sheet.
E. SPECIAL CONDITIONS
1. CHANGE OF ELECTION
You may change any election or revoke or change any other instruction in
this Form of Election by written notice, signed and dated by you, to the
Exchange Agent accompanied by a properly completed Form of Election. Such
written notice must identify the name of the holder of record of the shares of
Common Stock subject to such notice and the Certificate number(s) shown on the
Certificate(s) representing such shares of Common Stock. The written notice must
be received by the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
Election Date.
2. WITHDRAWAL OF ELECTION
The holder of the shares of Common Stock listed on this Form of Election may
at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the Election Date withdraw
his or her Cash Election by written notice to the Exchange Agent or by
withdrawal by written request of any Certificate(s) representing shares of
Common Stock listed in connection with the Cash Election made on this Form of
Election. If the Merger is abandoned or if a Cash Election is properly and
timely withdrawn, Certificates representing shares of Common Stock will be
mailed together with this Form of Election to the person whose name appears in
Box A ("Election and Description of Shares Deposited") at the address shown
therein.
3. SHARES HELD BY NOMINEES, TRUSTEES OR FIDUCIARIES
Holders of record of shares of Common Stock who hold such shares of Common
Stock as nominees, trustees or in other representative or fiduciary capacities
(each a "Representative") may submit one or more Forms of Election covering the
aggregate number of shares of Common Stock held by such Representative for the
beneficial owners for whom the Representative is making a Cash Election. Any
Representative who makes a Cash Election may be required to provide the Exchange
Agent with such documents and/or additional certifications, if requested, in
order to satisfy the Exchange Agent that such Representative holds such shares
of Common Stock for a particular beneficial owner of such shares.
F. NO FRACTIONAL SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
The undersigned understands that if the holders of more than 2,111,966
shares of Common Stock elect to receive cash, there will be a pro rata reduction
so that all of the holders who elect to receive cash will receive cash for some
of their shares and keep the remainder of their shares. If you make a Cash
Election and the resulting pro rata reduction would provide you with cash for a
fractional share of Common Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock for which
you will receive $7.00 per share will be rounded down to the nearest whole share
(and you will keep an additional Non-Cash Election Share).
10
<PAGE>
G. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. EXECUTION AND DELIVERY
This Form of Election, or a photocopy of it, should be property completed,
dated and signed, and should be delivered, together with your Certificate(s)
representing your shares of Common Stock (or a properly completed Guarantee of
Delivery) to the Exchange Agent at the appropriate address set forth on the
cover page to this Form of Election.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THIS FORM OF ELECTION, THE CERTIFICATE(S) FOR
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE OPTION AND
RISK OF THE STOCKHOLDER. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN
RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT
TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED FOR SUCH DOCUMENTS TO REACH THE EXCHANGE AGENT. EXCEPT AS
OTHERWISE PROVIDED, DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY
THE EXCHANGE AGENT. No alternative, conditional or contingent elections will be
accepted.
2. SIGNATURES
The signature (or signatures, in the case of Certificate(s) owned by two or
more joint holders) on this Form of Election must correspond exactly to the name
inscribed on the face of the Certificate(s) sent to the Exchange Agent, unless
the shares of Common Stock have been transferred by the holder of record. If
there has been any such transfer, the signature(s) on this Form of Election
should be signed in exactly the same form as the name of the last transferee
indicated on the accompanying stock powers attached to or endorsed on the
Certificate(s) (see General Instruction 4 below).
If shares of Common Stock are registered in different names on several
Certificate(s), it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit a separate
Form of Election for each different registration of Certificates. For example,
if some Certificates are registered solely in your name, some are registered
solely in your spouse's name and some are registered jointly in the name of you
and your spouse, three separate Forms of Election should be submitted.
3. CHECKS AND/OR CERTIFICATES IN SAME NAME
If checks in payment of any cash and/or any new share certificates are to be
payable to the order of and/or registered in exactly the same name as inscribed
on the surrendered Certificate(s), you will not be required to endorse the
surrendered Certificates or make payment for transfer taxes or have your
signature guaranteed. For corrections in name or changes in name not involving
changes in ownership, see General Instruction 4(e) below.
4. CHECKS AND/OR CERTIFICATES IN DIFFERENT NAMES
(IGNORE THIS INSTRUCTION 4 IF THE FIRST SENTENCE OF INSTRUCTION 3 APPLIES)
If checks in payment of any cash and/or any new share certificates are to be
payable to the order of and/or registered in a different name from exactly the
registered name inscribed on the surrendered Certificate(s) or delivered to a
different address, please follow these instructions:
(a) REGISTERED HOLDERS COMPLETING BOX B AND/OR BOX C . If the
registered holder of Certificate(s) signs the Form of Election, the
registered holder should complete Box B ("Special Issuance and Payment
Instructions") and/or Box C ("Special Delivery Instructions") and have his
signature guaranteed on this Form of Election. No endorsements or signature
guarantees on Certificate(s) or stock powers are required in this case.
(b) IF FORM OF ELECTION IS SIGNED BY PERSON OTHER THAN REGISTERED
HOLDER--ENDORSEMENT AND STOCK TRANSFER GUARANTEE. The Certificate(s)
surrendered must be properly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock
power(s) properly executed by the record holder of such Certificate(s) to
the person who is to receive the check or certificate(s) representing shares
of Common Stock. The signature of the record holder on the endorsement or
stock power(s) must correspond with the name that appears on the face of the
Certificate(s) in every particular and must be guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution (as defined below). If this General Instruction 4 applies,
please check with your financial institution or brokerage firm immediately
to determine whether it is an Eligible Institution or if it will need to
help you locate an Eligible Institution. NOTARIES PUBLIC CANNOT EXECUTE
ACCEPTABLE GUARANTEES OF SIGNATURES.
11
<PAGE>
An "Eligible Institution" means:
(i) Banks (as that term is defined in Section 3(a) of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act);
(ii) Brokers, dealers, municipal securities dealers, municipal
securities brokers, government securities dealers and government
securities brokers (as those terms are defined in the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934);
(iii) Credit unions (as that term is defined in Section 19(b)(1)(A)
of the Federal Reserve Act);
(iv) National securities exchanges, registered securities
associations and clearing agencies (as those terms are used in the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934); and
(v) Savings associations (as that term is defined in Section 3(b) of
the Federal Deposit Insurance Act).
(c) TRANSFEREE'S SIGNATURE. If a Certificate has previously been
properly transferred but the transfer has not yet been recorded on the books
of the Company, this Form of Election must be signed by the transferee or by
such transferee's agent and should not be signed by the transferor. The
signature of such transferee or agent on this Form of Election must be
guaranteed by an Eligible Institution if the transferee has completed Box B
or Box C.
(d) TRANSFER TAXES. In the event that any transfer or other tax becomes
payable by reason of the issuance of a check in payment of any cash to a
stockholder of the Company pursuant to the Merger and/or the issuance of any
Certificate(s) representing shares of Common Stock in any name other than
that of the record holder, the transferee or assignee must pay such tax to
the Exchange Agent or must establish to the satisfaction of the Exchange
Agent that such tax has been paid. You should consult your own tax advisor
as to any possible tax consequences resulting from the issuance of shares or
cash in a name different from that of the holder of record of any
surrendered Certificate.
(e) CORRECTION OF OR CHANGE IN NAME. For a correction in name that does
not involve a change in ownership, the surrendered Certificate(s) should be
appropriately endorsed; for example, "John A. Doe, incorrectly inscribed as
John S. Doe," with the signature guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. For
a change in name by marriage, etc., the surrendered Certificate(s) should be
appropriately endorsed; for example, "Mary Doe, now by marriage Mrs. Mary
Jones," with the signature guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
5. SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
In case any Form of Election, Certificate, endorsement or stock power is
executed by an agent, attorney, administrator, executor, guardian, trustee or
any person in any other fiduciary or representative capacity, or by an officer
of a corporation on behalf of the corporation, there must be submitted (with the
Form of Election, surrendered Certificate(s) and/or stock powers) documentary
evidence of appointment and authority to act in such capacity (including court
orders and corporate resolutions when necessary), as well as evidence of the
authority of the person making such execution to assign, sell or transfer the
Certificate(s). Such documentary evidence of authority must be in form
satisfactory to the Exchange Agent.
6. NOTICE OF DEFECTS; RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES
NONE OF THE COMPANY, THE BUYERS, MERGER SUB OR THE EXCHANGE AGENT WILL BE
UNDER ANY OBLIGATION TO NOTIFY YOU OR ANYONE ELSE THAT THE EXCHANGE AGENT HAS
NOT RECEIVED A PROPERLY COMPLETED FORM OF ELECTION FROM YOU OR THAT THE FORM OF
ELECTION SUBMITTED BY YOU IS DEFECTIVE IN ANY WAY.
Any and all disputes with respect to Forms of Election and elections made in
respect of shares of Common Stock (including but not limited to matters relating
to the Election Date, time limits, defects or irregularities in the surrender of
any Certificate(s) and effectiveness of any election) will be resolved by the
Exchange Agent and that decision will be final and binding on all parties
concerned. The Exchange Agent will have the absolute right in its sole
discretion to reject any and all Forms of Election and surrender of
Certificate(s) that are deemed by it to be not in proper form or to waive any
immaterial irregularities in any Form of Election or in the surrender of any
Certificate. Surrenders of Certificates will not be deemed to have been made
until all defects or irregularities that have not been waived have been cured.
12
<PAGE>
7. FEDERAL TAX WITHHOLDING/SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
Under federal income tax law, the Exchange Agent is required to file a
report with the IRS disclosing the cash payments being made to you as an
electing stockholder. Federal law also requires each stockholder to provide the
Exchange Agent with such stockholder's current TIN (E.G., social security number
or employer identification number) on a Substitute Form W-9 set forth above. If
such stockholder is an individual, the TIN is his or her social security number.
If the Exchange Agent is not provided with the correct TIN, the stockholder or
other payee may be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the IRS.
Certain stockholders (including, among others, tax-exempt organizations and
certain foreign persons), however, are not subject to these backup withholding
and reporting requirements. In order for a foreign person to qualify as an
exempt recipient, that stockholder must submit to the Exchange Agent a properly
completed IRS Form W-8, signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that
person's exempt status. A Form W-8 can be obtained from the Exchange Agent. See
the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on
Substitute Form W-9" for additional instructions.
If backup withholding applies, the Exchange Agent is required to withhold
31% of any cash payment made to the stockholder (or other payee if Instruction 4
applies). Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the federal
income tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by
the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a
refund may be obtained from the IRS.
If the Exchange Agent is not provided with a TIN by the time of payment, the
Exchange Agent will withhold 31% on all such cash payments to be made to you
until a TIN is provided to the Exchange Agent. If you do not provide the
Exchange Agent with your TIN, you must complete the Certificate of Awaiting
Taxpayer Identification Number.
The stockholder is required to give the Exchange Agent the TIN of the record
owner of the shares of Common Stock. If the shares of Common Stock are
registered in more than one name or are not registered in the name of the actual
owner, consult the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer
Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional guidance on which
number to report.
8. SPECIAL PAYMENT AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
Any checks representing cash and any Certificate(s) representing shares of
Common Stock will be mailed to the address of the holder of record as indicated
in Box A or to the person identified in Box B (if completed), unless
instructions to the contrary are given in Box C.
9. LOST STOCK CERTIFICATES
If you are unable to locate the Certificate(s) representing your shares of
Common Stock, contact the Company's Transfer Agent, American Stock Transfer &
Trust Company, toll free in the United States at 800-937-5449 or collect at
1-718-921-8200. The Transfer Agent will instruct you on the procedures to
follow. In order to make an effective election with respect to the lost
Certificate(s) and receive the cash, you will be required to complete certain
additional documentation and pay for an indemnity bond covering the lost
Certificate(s). The cost of the bond will be based on the value of the shares of
Common Stock represented by the lost Certificates.
10. MISCELLANEOUS
As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, the Exchange Agent will
begin mailing and delivering checks and, if necessary, Certificates representing
shares of Common Stock that you retain as a result of proration, if any, in
exchange for Certificates representing shares of Common Stock that have been
received by the Exchange Agent and for which an election to receive cash has
been properly and timely made. There will be a delay, however, if backup
withholding pursuant to General Instruction 7 applies.
Requests for assistance may be directed to the Exchange Agent at the address
and telephone number set forth on this Form of Election. Additional copies of
the Proxy Statement or this Form of Election may be obtained from the Exchange
Agent at the address set forth below. IMPORTANT: THIS FORM OF ELECTION, TOGETHER
WITH CERTIFICATES (OR THE ATTACHED GUARANTEE OF DELIVERY, OR A FACSIMILE
THEREOF), MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT ON OR PRIOR TO THE ELECTION
DATE.
DO NOT ENCLOSE YOUR PROXY CARD RELATING TO THE ANNUAL MEETING WITH THIS FORM
OF ELECTION; YOUR PROXY CARD SHOULD BE RETURNED IN THE POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE
ENCLOSED WITH THE PROXY STATEMENT FOR THAT PURPOSE.
The Exchange Agent is:
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
40 Wall Street, 46th Floor
New York, NY 10005
TOLL FREE (800) 937-5449
13
<PAGE>
THE LESLIE FAY COMPANY, INC
1412 BROADWAY
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10018
July 30, 1999
Dear Stockholder:
On May 12, 1999, The Leslie Fay Company, Inc. ("Leslie Fay") entered into an
agreement and plan of merger with Three Cities Fund II, L.P., Three Cities
Offshore II C.V. and TCR Acquisition Sub Co. ("Merger Sub") pursuant to which
Merger Sub will merge (the "Merger") into Leslie Fay with Leslie Fay as the
surviving corporation. In the Merger, you will have the right to elect to
receive $7.00 per share in cash in exchange for some or all of your shares of
Leslie Fay's Common Stock. However, if you elect to receive cash for some or all
of your shares and the holders of more than 2,111,966 shares elect to receive
cash, then there will be a pro rata reduction so that you will receive cash for
some of your shares and keep the remainder of your shares.
Leslie Fay has appointed American Stock Transfer & Trust Company as the
exchange agent (the "Exchange Agent") to exchange certificates representing
shares of Common Stock for cash and to issue certificates representing shares
for which a valid election is made but that do not receive cash because of a pro
rata reduction, if any. If you elect to receive cash in exchange for your shares
of Common Stock, you must submit to the Exchange Agent the stock certificate(s)
representing your shares, along with the enclosed Form of Election and any other
supporting documentation required by the Exchange Agent. Please read the Form of
Election carefully and be sure to follow the instructions.
If you elect to receive cash for your shares of Common Stock and you wish to
send your certificate(s) and Form of Election by mail, we recommend sending them
by registered mail, properly insured. An envelope addressed to the Exchange
Agent is enclosed for your convenience. Your properly completed Form of
Election, together with your stock certificate(s) (unless you comply with the
guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Form of Election) and all other
required documents must be received by the Exchange Agent by 5:00 p.m. New York
time on Tuesday, August 17, 1999.
IF YOU DO NOT ELECT TO RECEIVE CASH IN EXCHANGE FOR YOUR SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK, YOU SHOULD NOT COMPLETE A FORM OF ELECTION.
THE ACCEPTANCE AND DELIVERY OF ANY FORMS OF ELECTION BY OR TO THE EXCHANGE
AGENT (OR ANY OTHER AUTHORIZED PERSON) WILL NOT OF ITSELF CREATE ANY RIGHT TO
RECEIVE CASH IN EXCHANGE FOR THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK LISTED ON THE FORM OF
ELECTION, AND SUCH RIGHT WILL ARISE ONLY IF THE MERGER IS CONSUMMATED AND ONLY
TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED IN THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
If you have any questions about your surrender of certificate(s), please
contact the Exchange Agent at (718) 921-8200 or (800) 937-5449 for additional
information.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Very truly yours,
THE LESLIE FAY COMPANY, INC.
By: /s/ JOHN J. POMERANTZ
-----------------------------------------
John J. Pomerantz, Chairman of the Board
and
Chief Executive Officer
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
THE LESLIE FAY COMPANY, INC
1412 BROADWAY
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10018
July 30, 1999
To: Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks,
Trust Companies and Other Nominees:
We are enclosing herewith the material listed below relating to the
agreement and plan of merger (the "Merger Agreement") among The Leslie Fay
Company, Inc. ("Leslie Fay"), Three Cities Fund II, L.P., Three Cities Offshore
II C.V. and TCR Acquisition Sub Co. ("Merger Sub") pursuant to which Merger Sub
will merge (the "Merger") into Leslie Fay with Leslie Fay as the surviving
corporation. In the Merger, Leslie Fay's stockholders will have the right to
elect to receive $7.00 per share in cash in exchange for some or all of their
shares of Leslie Fay's Common Stock. However, if the holders of more than
2,111,966 shares elect to receive cash, then there will be a pro rata reduction
so that Leslie Fay's stockholders who elect to receive cash for some or all of
their shares will receive cash for some of their shares and keep the remainder
of their shares.
Leslie Fay is holding its annual meeting of stockholders on Tuesday, August
24, 1999 where Leslie Fay's stockholders will have the right to vote upon, among
other things, the adoption of the Merger Agreement. Your clients will have the
opportunity to vote on matters presented at the meeting as they would in any
other duly called meeting of Leslie Fay's stockholders. In order for your
clients to properly exercise their right to receive cash in the Merger, American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company must receive a properly completed Form of
Election no later than five business days before the meeting (the "Election
Date").
We are asking you to contact your clients for whom you hold shares of Common
Stock registered in your name (or in the name of your nominee). Please forward
the enclosed documents as promptly as possible. No fees or commissions will be
payable to brokers, dealers or other persons for soliciting Leslie Fay's
stockholders to elect to receive cash in the Merger. Leslie Fay will, however,
upon request, reimburse you for customary mailing and handling expenses incurred
by you in forwarding any of the enclosed materials to your clients. Back-up tax
withholding at a 31% rate may be required unless an exemption is proved or
unless the required taxpayer identification information is provided. See
Instruction G.7 in the accompanying Form of Election.
For your information and for forwarding to your clients, we are enclosing
the following documents:
(1) Letter dated July 30, 1999 from the Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of Leslie Fay to the stockholders;
(2) Proxy Statement dated July 30, 1999;
(3) Form of Proxy for your use and for the information of your clients;
(4) Form of Election for your use and for the information of your clients;
and
(5) Form of letter to clients which may be sent to your clients for whose
accounts you hold shares of Common Stock registered in your name (or in
the name of your nominee), with space provided for obtaining such
clients' instructions with regard to their right to elect to receive cash
in the Merger.
As described in Instruction B, "Time in which to Make a Cash Election," of
the Form of Election, Leslie Fay's stockholders may elect to receive cash in the
Merger without the concurrent delivery of stock certificates if such elections
are made pursuant to a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery by or though
<PAGE>
a bank, a broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer, municipal securities
broker, government securities dealer or government securities broker, a credit
union, a national securities exchange, registered securities association or
clearing agency or a savings association. Certificates for shares with respect
to which such an election is made (or confirmation of book-entry transfer) must
be received by the Exchange Agent within three trading days after the Election
Date.
NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS SHALL CONSTITUTE YOU
OR ANY OTHER PERSON AS THE AGENT OF THE COMPANY OR OF THE EXCHANGE AGENT OR
AUTHORIZE YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON TO MAKE ANY STATEMENTS OR USE ANY MATERIAL ON
THEIR BEHALF WITH RESPECT TO THE MERGER, OTHER THAN THE MATERIAL ENCLOSED
HEREWITH AND THE STATEMENTS SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN SUCH MATERIAL.
THE ACCEPTANCE AND DELIVERY OF ANY FORMS OF ELECTION BY OR TO THE EXCHANGE
AGENT (OR ANY OTHER AUTHORIZED PERSON) WILL NOT OF ITSELF CREATE ANY RIGHT TO
RECEIVE CASH IN EXCHANGE FOR THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK LISTED ON THE FORM OF
ELECTION, AND SUCH RIGHT WILL ARISE ONLY IF THE MERGER IS CONSUMMATED AND ONLY
TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED IN THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
Additional copies of the enclosed materials may be obtained from the
Exchange Agent at the addresses and telephone numbers set forth on the Proxy
Statement. Any questions you may have with respect to your right to elect to
receive cash should be directed to the Exchange Agent, American Stock Transfer &
Trust Company, at (800) 937-5449.
Very truly yours,
THE LESLIE FAY COMPANY, INC.
By: /s/ JOHN J. POMERANTZ
------------------------------------
John J. Pomerantz, Chairman of
the Board
and Chief Executive Officer
Enclosures
2
<PAGE>
July 30, 1999
To Our Clients:
Enclosed for your consideration are the Proxy Statement dated July 30, 1999
(the "Proxy Statement") and the Form of Election distributed in connection with
the agreement and plan of merger (the "Merger Agreement") among The Leslie Fay
Company, Inc. ("Leslie Fay"), Three Cities Fund II, L.P., Three Cities Offshore
II C.V. and TCR Acquisition Sub Co. ("Merger Sub") pursuant to which Merger Sub
will merge (the "Merger") into the Company with the Company as the surviving
corporation. In the Merger, you will have the right to elect to receive $7.00
per share in cash in exchange for some or all of your shares of Leslie Fay's
Common Stock. However, if you elect to receive cash for some or all of your
shares and the holders of more than 2,111,966 shares elect to receive cash, then
there will be a pro rata reduction so that you will receive cash for some of
your shares and keep the remainder of your shares.
We are (or our nominee is) the record holder of shares of Leslie Fay's
Common Stock held for your account. As such, we are the only ones who can elect
to receive cash in exchange for those shares, and then only pursuant to your
instructions. We are sending you the enclosed Form of Election for your
information only.
Please instruct us as to whether you wish us to elect to receive cash for
any or all of the shares of Leslie Fay's Common Stock we hold for your account
upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Merger Agreement.
We call your attention to the following:
(1) The right to elect to receive cash will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on Tuesday, August 17, 1999 (the "Election Date");
(2) A maximum of 2,111,966 shares of Leslie Fay's Common Stock may elect to
receive cash in the Merger; and
(3) Stockholders who elect to receive cash in the Merger will not be
obligated to pay brokerage commission solicitation fees.
If you want us to elect to receive cash for any or all of your shares of
Common Stock (held by us for you), please so instruct us by completing,
executing and returning to us the attached instruction form. An envelope to
return your instructions to us is enclosed. If you authorize us to elect to
receive cash for those shares, we will elect to receive cash for all such shares
unless you specify otherwise on the attached instruction form.
YOUR INSTRUCTIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO US IN AMPLE TIME TO PERMIT US TO
SUBMIT AN ELECTION TO RECEIVE CASH ON YOUR BEHALF PRIOR TO THE ELECTION DATE.
As described in Section A of the Form of Election, in the event that holders
of more than 2,111,966 shares make an effective election to receive cash, Leslie
Fay will accept all shares that make such an election on a pro rata basis
(rounding down to the nearest share to avoid the issuance of fractional shares)
based upon the number of such shares.
THE ACCEPTANCE AND DELIVERY OF ANY FORMS OF ELECTION BY OR TO THE EXCHANGE
AGENT (OR ANY OTHER AUTHORIZED PERSON) WILL NOT OF ITSELF CREATE ANY RIGHT TO
RECEIVE CASH IN EXCHANGE FOR THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK LISTED ON THE FORM OF
ELECTION, AND SUCH RIGHT WILL ARISE ONLY IF THE MERGER IS CONSUMMATED AND ONLY
TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED IN THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
Leslie Fay is not aware of any jurisdiction where the making of an election
to receive cash is not in compliance with applicable law. If Leslie Fay becomes
aware of any jurisdiction where such election is not in compliance with any
valid applicable law, Leslie Fay will make a good faith effort to comply with
<PAGE>
such law. If, after such good faith effort, Leslie Fay cannot comply with such
law, your right to elect to receive cash in the Merger will not be made to (nor
will such election be accepted from or on behalf of) the holders of shares
residing in such jurisdiction.
Sincerely,
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<PAGE>
INSTRUCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO RIGHT TO ELECT TO
RECEIVE CASH IN THE MERGER OF THE LESLIE FAY COMPANY, INC.
The undersigned acknowledge(s) receipt of your letter and the enclosed Proxy
Statement dated July 30, 1999, and the related Form of Election in connection
with the right of stockholders of The Leslie Fay Company, Inc. ("Leslie Fay") to
elect to receive $7.00 per share in cash for some or all of their shares of
Common Stock of Leslie Fay, subject to the conditions set forth in the Form of
Election.
The undersigned hereby instruct(s) you to elect to receive cash with respect
to the number of shares specified below or, if no number is specified, all
shares of Common Stock of Leslie Fay you hold for the account of the
undersigned, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Form
of Election.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Number of shares with respect to which an
election to receive cash is to be made
Signature(s)
Please print name(s)
</TABLE>
Dated: , 1999
- ------------------------
* I understand that if I sign this instruction form without indicating a
lesser number of shares in the space above, you will make an election to
receive cash for all shares of Common Stock of Leslie Fay held by you for my
account.
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