SCOR US CORP
8-K, 1995-11-06
FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE
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                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                               Washington, D.C.  20549

                                _____________________

                                       FORM 8-K

                                    CURRENT REPORT

                        Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                           Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                 ___________________


                                   November 2, 1995               
                  ------------------------------------------------
                  (Date of Report; Date of Earliest Event Reported)


                                SCOR U.S. CORPORATION                    
             ------------------------------------------------------------
                (Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)


      Delaware                        0-15176                    75-1791342     
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (State of Incorporation)    (Commission File No.)         (IRS Employer    
                                                             Identification No.)

     Two World Trade Center, New York New York                   10048-0178
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------
     (Address of Principal Executive Offices)                    (Zip Code)


                                     (212) 390-5200                 
                  --------------------------------------------------
                 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)



     110 William Street, New York New York                       10038-3995     
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)





<PAGE>


               Items 1-4.  Not Applicable.
                           --------------

               Item 5.     Other Events.
                           ------------

                           On November 2, 1995, SCOR U.S. Corporation, a

               Delaware corporation (the "Company"), entered into an

               Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 2, 1995

               (the "Merger Agreement") with SCOR S.A., a societe anonyme

               organized under the laws of The Republic of France

               ("Parent"), and SCOR Merger Sub Corporation, a newly

               organized Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary

               of Parent ("Merger Sub").

                         Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub has

               agreed to commence a tender offer (the "Offer") for all of

               the outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.30 per

               share, of the Company at a price of $15.25 per share, net to

               the seller in cash, without interest thereon, subject to the

               terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement and

               to be set forth in the tender offer documents.  If the Offer

               is successfully completed, holders of the 5-1/4% Convertible

               Subordinated Debentures due April 1, 2000 of the Company

               would have the right to require the Company to repurchase

               such Convertible Debentures at a price equal to 100% of the

               principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid

               interest to the repurchase date.  The Merger Agreement

               provides for the merger of Merger Sub (the "Merger") with

               and into the Company after completion of the Offer upon the





<PAGE>








               terms and subject to the conditions contained in the Merger

               Agreement.

                         The foregoing description is qualified in its

               entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement, which is

               attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1 and is incorporated by

               reference herein. 

               Item 6.  Not Applicable.
                        --------------

               Item 7.  Financial Statements
                        Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
                        --------------------------------------------

                (a)-(b) Not Applicable.
                        --------------

                    (c) Exhibits Required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K
                        -----------------------------------------------

                      2.1     Agreement and Plan of Merger among SCOR U.S.
                              Corporation, SCOR Merger Sub Corporation and
                              SCOR U.S., dated as of November 2, 1995.

               Item 8.  Not Applicable.
                        --------------



















<PAGE>


                                         SIGNATURE


                         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities

               Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this

               report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned

               hereunto duly authorized.


               Dated: November 6, 1995


                                        SCOR U.S. CORPORATION



                                        By   /s/ John T. Andrews, Jr.      
                                          ---------------------------------
                                          Name:  John T. Andrews, Jr.
                                          Title: Senior Vice President,
                                                 General Counsel and
                                                 Secretary
















<PAGE>



                                       EXHIBIT INDEX


                Exhibit No.                   Description
                -----------                   -----------

                    2.1.     Agreement and Plan of Merger among SCOR U.S.
                             Corporation, SCOR Merger Sub Corporation and
                             SCOR S.A., dated as of November 2, 1995.























                                                                Exhibit 2.1
                                                                -----------




                               AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
                               ----------------------------


                         AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (hereinafter called
               this "Agreement"), dated as of November 2, 1995, among SCOR
               U.S. Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
               SCOR S.A., a societe anonyme organized under the laws of the
               Republic of France ("Purchaser"), and SCOR Merger Sub
               Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned
               subsidiary of Purchaser ("Merger Sub"), the Company and
               Merger Sub sometimes being hereinafter collectively referred
               to as the "Constituent Corporations."


                                         RECITALS

                         WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of Purchaser and
               the Company each have determined that it is in the best
               interests of their respective shareholders for Purchaser to
               acquire the shares of Common Stock, par value $0.30 per
               Share, that it does not currently directly or indirectly own
               upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
               herein; and

                         WHEREAS, the Company, Purchaser and Merger Sub
               desire to make certain representations, warranties, cove-
               nants and agreements in connection with this Agreement.

                         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises,
               and of the representations, warranties, covenants and
               agreements contained herein the parties hereto hereby agree
               as follows:


                                         ARTICLE I

                                     The Tender Offer

                         1.1.  Tender Offer.  (a) Provided that this Agree-
                               ------------
               ment shall not have been terminated in accordance with 
               Article IX hereof and none of the events set forth in
               Annex A hereto shall have occurred or be existing, within
               five business days of the date hereof, Merger Sub will com-
               mence a tender offer (the "Offer") for all of the
               outstanding Shares that neither it nor Purchaser currently
               directly or indirectly owns at a price of $15.25 per Share
               in cash, net to the seller, subject to the conditions set
               forth in Annex A hereto.  Subject to the terms and
               conditions of the Offer, Merger Sub will promptly pay for
               all Shares duly tendered that it is obligated to purchase
               thereunder.  The Company's Board of Directors and a majority







<PAGE>



               of the Company's Independent Directors (as defined below)
               shall recommend acceptance of the Offer to its stockholders
               in a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9
               (as such statement may be amended or supplemented from time
               to time, the "Schedule 14D-9") to be filed with the
               Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") upon
               commencement of the Offer; provided, however, that if the
                                          --------  -------
               Company's Board of Directors determines that its fiduciary
               duties require it to amend or withdraw its recommendation,
               such amendment or withdrawal shall not constitute a breach
               of this Agreement.  Merger Sub will not without the prior
               written consent of the Company decrease the price per Share
               or change the form of consideration payable in the Offer,
               decrease the number of Shares sought or change the
               conditions to the Offer.  Merger Sub shall not terminate or
               withdraw the Offer or extend the expiration date of the
               Offer unless at the expiration date of the Offer the
               conditions to the Offer set forth on Annex A hereto shall
               not have been satisfied or waived.

                         (b)  Purchaser and Merger Sub agree, as to the
               Offer to Purchase and related Letter of Transmittal (which
               together, as either of them may be amended or supplemented
               from time to time, constitute the "Offer Documents"), and
               the Company agrees, as to the Schedule 14D-9, that such
               documents shall, in all material respects, comply with the
               requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as
               amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the rules and regulations
               thereunder and other applicable laws.  The Company and its
               counsel, as to the Offer Documents, and Purchaser or Merger
               Sub and its counsel, as to the Schedule 14D-9, shall be
               given an opportunity to review such documents prior to their
               being filed with the SEC.

                         (c)  In connection with the Offer, the Company
               will cause its Transfer Agent to furnish promptly to Merger
               Sub a list, as of a recent date, of the record holders of
               Shares and their addresses, as well as mailing labels con-
               taining the names and addresses of all record holders of
               Shares and lists of security positions of Shares held in
               stock depositories.  The Company will furnish Merger Sub
               with such additional information (including, but not limited
               to, updated lists of holders of Shares and their addresses,
               mailing labels and lists of security positions) and such
               other assistance as Purchaser or Merger Sub or their agents
               may reasonably request in communicating the Offer to the
               record and beneficial holders of Shares.









<PAGE>








                                        ARTICLE II

                            The Merger; Closing; Effective Time

                         2.1.  The Merger.  Subject to the terms and condi-
                               ----------
               tions of this Agreement, at the Effective Time (as defined
               in Section 2.3) Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the
               Company and the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub
               shall thereupon cease (the "Merger").  The Company shall be
               the surviving corporation in the Merger (sometimes
               hereinafter referred to as the "Surviving Corporation") and
               shall continue to be governed by the laws of the State of
               Delaware, and the separate corporate existence of the
               Company with all its rights, privileges, immunities, powers
               and franchises shall continue unaffected by the Merger,
               except as set forth in Section 3.1.  The Merger shall have
               the effects specified in the Delaware General Corporation
               Law (the "DGCL").

                         2.2.  Closing.  The closing of the Merger (the
                               -------
               "Closing") shall take place (i) at the offices of Sullivan & 
               Cromwell, 125 Broad Street, New York, New York at 10:00 A.M. 
               on the first business day on which the last to be fulfilled
               or waived of the conditions set forth in Article VIII (other
               than those conditions that by their nature are to be
               satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the fulfillment or
               waiver of those conditions) shall be fulfilled or waived in
               accordance with this Agreement or (ii) at such other place
               and time and/or on such other date as the Company and
               Purchaser may agree.

                         2.3.  Effective Time.  As soon as practicable
                               --------------
               following the Closing, and provided that this Agreement has 
               not been terminated or abandoned pursuant to Article IX
               hereof, the Company and Purchaser will cause a Certificate
               of Merger (the "Delaware Certificate of Merger") to be
               executed and filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware
               as provided in Section 251 of the DGCL.  The Merger shall
               become effective on the date on which the Delaware Certifi-
               cate of Merger has been duly filed with the Secretary of
               State of Delaware, and such time is hereinafter referred to
               as the "Effective Time."

                         2.4  Merger Without Meeting of Stockholders. 
                              --------------------------------------
               Notwithstanding Section 2.3 hereof, in the event that
               Purchaser, Merger Sub or any other subsidiary of Purchaser
               shall acquire at least 90% of the outstanding Shares
               pursuant to the Offer or otherwise, the parties hereto
               agree, at the request of Purchaser or Merger Sub, to take
               all necessary and appropriate action to cause the Merger to
               become effective as soon as practicable after the acceptance


 




<PAGE>








               for payment and purchase of Shares by the Merger Sub
               pursuant to the Offer without a meeting of stockholders of
               the Company in accordance with Section 253 of the DGCL.


                                        ARTICLE III

                         Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws
                               of the Surviving Corporation

                         3.1.  The Certificate of Incorporation.  The
                               --------------------------------
               Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (the
               "Certificate") in effect at the Effective Time shall be the
               Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation,
               until duly amended in accordance with the terms thereof and
               the DGCL, except that Article 4A of the Company's
               Certificate shall be amended to read in its entirety as
               follows:

                         "The aggregate number of shares of stock
                    which the Corporation shall have the
                    authority to issue is 1,000 shares of Common
                    Stock, par value $0.01 per share."

                         3.2.  The By-Laws.  The By-Laws of the Company in
                               -----------
               effect at the Effective Time shall be the By-Laws of the
               Surviving Corporation, until duly amended in accordance with
               the terms thereof and the DGCL.


                                        ARTICLE IV

                                  Officers and Directors
                               of the Surviving Corporation

                         4.1.  Officers and Directors.  The directors and
                               ----------------------
               officers of the Company at the Effective Time shall, from
               and after the Effective Time, be the directors and officers,
               respectively, of the Surviving Corporation until their
               successors have been duly elected or appointed and qualified
               or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in
               accordance with the Surviving Corporation's Certificate of
               Incorporation and By-Laws.

                         4.2. Actions by Directors.  For purposes of
                              --------------------
               Section 1.1(a), Article IX and Sections 10.3 and 10.4, no
               action taken by the Board of Directors of the Company prior
               to the Merger shall be effective unless such action is
               approved by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of
               the directors of the Company who are not officers of



 




<PAGE>








               Purchaser or the Company or any affiliate of either of them
               (the "Independent Directors").


                                         ARTICLE V

                    Conversion or Cancellation of Shares in the Merger

                         5.1.  Conversion or Cancellation of Shares.  The
                               ------------------------------------
               manner of converting or canceling shares of the Company and
               Merger Sub in the Merger shall be as follows:

                         (a)  At the Effective Time, each share of the
               Common Stock, par value $.30 per share (the "Shares"), of
               the Company issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
               Effective Time (other than Shares owned by Purchaser, Merger
               Sub or any other direct or indirect subsidiary of Purchaser
               (collectively, the "Purchaser Companies") or Shares that are
               owned by the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of
               the Company or Shares ("Dissenting Shares") which are held
               by stockholders ("Dissenting Stockholders") properly
               exercising appraisal rights pursuant to Section 262 of the
               DGCL (collectively, "Excluded Shares")) shall, by virtue of
               the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder
               thereof, be converted into the right to receive, without
               interest, an amount in cash (the "Merger Consideration")
               equal to $15.25 or such greater amount which may be paid
               pursuant to the Offer.  At the Effective Time, all Shares,
               by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part
               of the holders thereof, shall no longer be outstanding and
               shall be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist, and
               each holder of a certificate representing any such Shares
               (other than Excluded Shares) shall thereafter cease to have
               any rights with respect to such Shares, except the right to
               receive the Merger Consideration for such Shares upon the
               surrender of such certificate in accordance with Section 5.2
               or the right, if any, to receive payment from the Surviving
               Corporation of the "fair value" of such Shares as determined
               in accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL.

                         (b)  At the Effective Time, each Share issued and
               outstanding at the Effective Time and owned by any of
               Purchaser Companies or held in the Company's treasury or
               owned by the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of
               the Company shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any
               action on the part of the holder thereof, cease to be
               outstanding, shall be canceled and retired without payment
               of any consideration therefor and shall cease to exist.

                         (c)  At the Effective Time, each share of common
               stock, par value $1.00 per share, of Merger Sub issued and


 




<PAGE>








               outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall,
               by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part
               of Merger Sub or the holders of such shares, be converted
               into one share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation.

                         5.2.  Payment for Shares.  Purchaser shall make
                               ------------------
               available or cause to be made available to the paying agent
               appointed by Purchaser with the Company's prior approval
               (the "Paying Agent") amounts sufficient in the aggregate to
               provide all funds necessary for the Paying Agent to make
               payments pursuant to Section 5.1(a) hereof to holders of
               Shares issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
               Effective Time.  Promptly after the Effective Time, the
               Surviving Corporation shall cause to be mailed to each
               person who was, at the Effective Time, a holder of record
               (other than holders of Excluded Shares) of issued and
               outstanding Shares a form (mutually agreed to by Purchaser
               and the Company) of letter of transmittal and instructions
               for use in effecting the surrender of the certificates
               which, immediately prior to the Effective Time, represented
               any of such Shares in exchange for payment therefor.  Upon
               surrender to the Paying Agent of such certificates, together
               with such letter of transmittal, duly executed and completed
               in accordance with the instructions thereto, the Surviving
               Corporation shall promptly cause to be paid to the persons
               entitled thereto a check in the amount to which such persons
               are entitled, after giving effect to any required tax with-
               holdings.  No interest will be paid or will accrue on the
               amount payable upon the surrender of any such certificate. 
               If payment is to be made to a person other than the
               registered holder of the certificate surrendered, it shall
               be a condition of such payment that the certificate so
               surrendered shall be properly endorsed or otherwise in
               proper form for transfer and that the person requesting such
               payment shall pay any transfer or other taxes required by
               reason of the payment to a person other than the registered
               holder of the certificate surrendered or establish to the
               satisfaction of the Surviving Corporation or the Paying
               Agent that such tax has been paid or is not applicable.  One
               hundred and eighty days following the Effective Time, the
               Surviving Corporation shall be entitled to cause the Paying
               Agent to deliver to it any funds (including any interest
               received with respect thereto) made available to the Paying
               Agent which have not been disbursed to holders of certifi-
               cates formerly representing Shares outstanding on the
               Effective Time, and thereafter such holders shall be
               entitled to look to the Surviving Corporation only as
               general creditors thereof with respect to the cash payable
               upon due surrender of their certificates.  Notwithstanding
               the foregoing, neither the Paying Agent nor any party hereto
               shall be liable to any holder of certificates formerly


 




<PAGE>








               representing Shares for any amount paid to a public official
               pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or
               similar law.  The Surviving Corporation shall pay all
               charges and expenses, including those of the Paying Agent,
               in connection with the exchange of cash for Shares and
               Purchaser shall reimburse the Surviving Corporation for such
               charges and expenses.

                         5.3.  Dissenters' Rights.  If any Dissenting
                               ------------------
               Stockholder shall be entitled to be paid the "fair value" of
               such Dissenting Stockholder's Shares, as provided in
               Section 262 of the DGCL, the Company shall give Purchaser
               notice thereof and Purchaser shall have the right to
               participate in all negotiations and proceedings with respect
               to any such demands.  Neither the Company nor the Surviving
               Corporation shall, except with the prior written consent of
               Purchaser, voluntarily make any payment with respect to, or
               settle or offer to settle, any such demand for payment.  If
               any person who otherwise would have been a Dissenting
               Stockholder shall have failed to perfect or shall have
               effectively withdrawn or lost the right to dissent, the
               Shares held by such person shall thereupon be treated as
               though such Shares had been converted into the Merger
               Consideration pursuant to Section 5.1.

                         5.4.  Transfer of Shares After the Effective Time. 
                               -------------------------------------------
               No transfers of Shares shall be made on the stock transfer
               books of the Surviving Corporation at or after the Effective
               Time.


                                        ARTICLE VI

                              Representations and Warranties

                         6.1.  Representations and Warranties of the
                               -------------------------------------
               Company.  The Company hereby represents and warrants to 
               -------
               Purchaser and Merger Sub that:

                         (a)  Corporate Organization and Qualification.
                              ----------------------------------------
               Each of the Company and its subsidiaries is a corporation
               duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
               the laws of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation and
               is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each juris-
               diction where the properties owned, leased or operated, or
               the business conducted, by it require such qualification,
               except for such failure to so qualify or be in such good
               standing, which, when taken together with all other such
               failures, could reasonably be expected to have a Material
               Adverse Effect (as defined below).  Each of the Company and
               its subsidiaries has the corporate requisite power and


 




<PAGE>








               authority to carry on its respective businesses as they are
               now being conducted except where the failure to have such
               power or authority could not reasonably be expected to have
               a Material Adverse Effect.  As used in this Agreement, the
               term "Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse
               effect on the condition (financial or otherwise),
               properties, assets, liabilities, business or results of
               operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a
               whole.

                         (b)  Authorized Capital.  The authorized capital
                              ------------------
               stock of the Company consists of 50,000,000 Shares, of which
               18,170,971 Shares are outstanding on the date hereof, and
               5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, no par value per share
               (the "Preferred Shares"), of which no shares are
               outstanding.  All of the outstanding Shares have been duly
               authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and nonassess-
               able.  The Company has no Shares or Preferred Shares
               reserved for issuance, except that, as of the date hereof,
               there were 1,446,734 Shares subject to issuance pursuant to
               the Company's Stock Incentive Plan for Key Executives, the
               Company's Stock Option Plan for Directors and the Company's
               Stock Option Plan for Key Employees (collectively, the
               "Company Stock and Option Plans") and 2,993,103 Shares
               subject to issuance pursuant to the Company's 5-1/4%
               Convertible Subordinated Debentures due April 2000 (the
               "Debentures").  Each of the outstanding shares of capital
               stock of each of the Company's subsidiaries is duly
               authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and
               owned, either directly or indirectly, by the Company free
               and clear of all liens, pledges, security interests, claims
               or other encumbrances.  Except as set forth above, there are
               no shares of capital stock of the Company authorized, issued
               or outstanding and there are no preemptive rights nor any
               outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, rights,
               convertible securities or other agreements or commitments of
               any character relating to the issued or unissued capital
               stock or other securities of the Company or any of its
               subsidiaries.  After the Effective Time, the Surviving
               Corporation will have no obligation to issue, transfer or
               sell any Shares or shares of common stock of the Surviving
               Corporation pursuant to any Company Stock and Option Plans
               or any other employee benefit plan of the Company.

                         (c)  Corporate Authority.  Subject only to
                              -------------------
               approval of this Agreement by the holders of a majority of
               the outstanding Shares, the Company has the requisite
               corporate power and authority and has taken all corporate
               action necessary in order to execute and deliver this
               Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated
               hereby.  This Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of


 




<PAGE>








               the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance
               with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
               fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar
               laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
               creditors' rights and to general equity principles.

                         (d)  Governmental Filings; No Violations. 
                              -----------------------------------
               (i) Other than the filing of a certificate of merger under
               the DGCL and filings required to be made pursuant to the
               Exchange Act (together, the "Regulatory Filings"), no
               notices, reports or other filings are required to be made by
               the Company or any of its subsidiaries with, nor are any
               consents, registrations, approvals, permits or
               authorizations required to be obtained by the Company or any
               of its subsidiaries from, any governmental, regulatory or
               administrative authority, agency, tribunal, commission or
               other entity, domestic, international or foreign, including
               any state insurance governmental or regulatory body and non-
               governmental self-regulatory organization (collectively,
               "Governmental Entities" or each a "Governmental Entity"), in
               connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement
               by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the
               transactions contemplated hereby, the failure to make or
               obtain any or all of which could reasonably be expected to
               have a Material Adverse Effect or could prevent or
               materially delay the transactions contemplated by this
               Agreement.

                         (ii)  The execution and delivery of this Agreement
               by the Company do not, and the consummation by the Company
               of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not,
               constitute or result in (A) a breach or violation of, or a
               default under, the Certificate or By-Laws of the Company or
               the comparable governing instruments of any of its
               subsidiaries, (B) except as disclosed in the Company Reports
               (as hereinafter defined) filed with the SEC prior to the
               date hereof, a breach or violation of, a default under or
               the triggering of any payment or other material obligations
               pursuant to, any of the Company's existing employee benefit
               plans or any grant or award made under any of the foregoing,
               (C) a breach or violation of, or a default under, the
               acceleration of or the creation of a lien, pledge, security
               interest or other encumbrance on assets (with or without the
               giving of notice or the lapse of time) pursuant to, any
               provision of any agreement, lease, contract, note, mortgage,
               indenture, arrangement or other obligation ("Contracts") of
               the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any law, rule,
               ordinance or regulation or judgment, decree, order, award or
               governmental or non-governmental permit or license to which
               the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject or (D) any
               change in the rights or obligations of any party under any


 




<PAGE>








               of the Contracts, except, in the case of clause (C) or
               (D) above, for such breaches, violations, defaults,
               accelerations or changes that, alone or in the aggregate,
               could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
               Effect or that could not prevent, materially delay or
               materially burden the transactions contemplated by this
               Agreement.  Schedule 6.1(d) sets forth, to the best
               knowledge of the officers of the Company, a list of any
               consents required under any Contracts to be obtained prior
               to consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
               Agreement (whether or not subject to the exception set forth
               with respect to clause (C) above).  The Company will use its
               best efforts to obtain the consents referred to on such
               Schedule 6.1(d).

                         (e)  Company Reports; Financial Statements.  The
                              -------------------------------------
               Company has made available to Purchaser each registration
               statement, schedule, report, proxy statement or information
               statement prepared by it since December 31, 1994 ("Audit
               Date"), including, without limitation, (i) the Company's
               Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
               1994 and (ii) the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
               for the periods ended March 31, 1995 and June 30, 1995, each
               in the form (including exhibits and any amendments thereto)
               filed with the SEC (collectively, the "Company Reports"). 
               To the best knowledge of the Company, as of their respective
               dates, the Company Reports did not, and any Company Reports
               filed with the SEC subsequent to the date hereof will not,
               contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
               state a material fact required to be stated therein or
               necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of
               the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading. 
               To the best knowledge of the Company, each of the
               consolidated balance sheets included in or incorporated by
               reference into the Company Reports (including the related
               notes and schedules) fairly presents the consolidated
               financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries as of
               its date and each of the consolidated statements of income
               and of changes in financial position included in or
               incorporated by reference into the Company Reports
               (including any related notes and schedules) fairly presents
               the results of operations, retained earnings and changes in
               financial position, as the case may be, of the Company and
               its subsidiaries for the periods set forth therein (subject,
               in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end
               audit adjustments which will not be material in amount or
               effect), in each case in accordance with generally accepted
               accounting principles consistently applied during the
               periods involved, except as may be noted therein.  Other
               than the Company Reports, the Company has not filed any



 




<PAGE>








               other definitive reports or statements with the SEC since
               the Audit Date.

                         (f) Absence of Certain Changes.  Except as dis-
                             --------------------------
               closed in the Company Reports filed with the SEC prior to
               the date hereof, since the Audit Date, the Company and its
               subsidiaries have conducted their respective businesses only
               in, and have not engaged in any material transaction other
               than according to, the ordinary and usual course of such
               businesses and there has not been: (i) any material adverse
               change (including, without limitation, any change arising
               out of or related to any natural disaster (including
               hurricanes and earthquakes)) in the condition (financial or
               otherwise), properties, assets, liabilities, business or
               results of operations of the Company or any of its
               subsidiaries or any development or combination of
               developments of which the Company or any of its subsidiaries
               has knowledge which is reasonably likely to result in any
               such change; (ii) any declaration, setting aside or payment
               of any dividend or other distribution with respect to the
               capital stock of the Company, other than regular quarterly
               cash dividends not in excess of $.05 per Share; or (iii) any
               change by the Company in accounting principles, practices or
               methods.

                         (g)  Brokers and Finders.  Neither the Company nor
                              -------------------
               any of its officers, directors or employees has employed any
               broker or finder or incurred any liability for any brokerage
               fees, commissions or finders, fees in connection with the
               transactions contemplated herein, except that Dillon, Read &
               Co. (the "Financial Advisor") has been employed as financial
               advisor to the Independent Directors, the arrangements with
               which have been disclosed in writing to Purchaser prior to
               the date hereof.

                         (h) Takeover Statutes.  No "fair price",
                             -----------------
               "moratorium", "control share acquisition" or other similar
               antitakeover statute or regulation (each a "Takeover
               Statute") is, or at the Effective Time will be, applicable
               to the Company, the Shares, the Offer, the Merger or the
               transactions contemplated by the Offer or hereby.

                         (i)  Permits.  The Company and its subsidiaries
                              -------
               have such certificates, permits, licenses, franchises,
               consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations,
               qualifications and clearances from appropriate insurance and
               other Governmental Entities ("Permits") as are necessary to
                                             -------
               own, lease or operate their properties and to conduct their
               businesses in the manner described in the Company Reports
               and as currently owned or leased and conducted and all such
               Permits are valid and in full force and effect except such


 




<PAGE>








               licenses that the failure to have or to be in full force and
               effect, individually or in the aggregate, could not
               reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. 
               Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received
               any written notice that any violations are being or have
               been alleged in respect of any such Permit and no proceeding
               is pending or, to the best of the Company's knowledge, after
               due inquiry, threatened, to suspend, revoke or limit any
               such Permit.  To the best of the Company's knowledge, after
               due inquiry, the Company and its subsidiaries are in
               compliance in all material respects with their respective
               obligations under such Permits, with such exceptions as
               individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be
               expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and no event has
               occurred that allows, or after notice or lapse of time would
               allow, revocation, suspension, limitation or termination of
               such Licenses, except such events as could not reasonably be
               expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  

                         (j)  Fairness Opinion.  The Board of Directors of
                              ----------------
               the Company has received an opinion of Dillon, Read & Co.
               Inc., dated the date hereof, to the effect that the Offer
               and the Merger are fair, from a financial point of view, to
               the holders of Shares (other than Purchaser).

                         (k)  Schedule 14D-9; Offer Documents.  The
                              -------------------------------
               Schedule 14D-9 distributed to the Company's stockholders in
               connection with the Merger will not, at the date of filing
               with the SEC, contain any untrue statement of a material
               fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
               stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
               made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
               were made, not misleading, except that no representation is
               made by the Company with respect to information supplied by
               Purchaser or Merger Sub for inclusion in the Schedule 14D-9. 
               None of the information supplied by the Company for
               inclusion in the Offer Documents or the Rule 13e-3
               Transaction Statement on Schedule 13E-3 (together with any
               supplements or amendments thereto, the "Schedule 13E-3"), at
               the respective times such Offer Documents or the Schedule
               13E-3 or any amendments or supplements thereto are filed
               with the SEC, will contain any untrue statement of a
               material fact or omit to state any material fact required to
               be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
               statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under
               which they were made, not misleading.  With respect to
               information contained in the Company Reports that is
               supplied by the Company for inclusion or incorporation in
               the Offer Documents or the Schedule 13E-3, the
               representations and warranties made in the preceding two
               sentences shall be limited to the best of the Company's


 




<PAGE>








               knowledge.  The Company agrees to correct promptly any
               information in the Schedule 14D-9 or any information
               provided by it for use in the Offer Documents or the
               Schedule 13E-3 if and to the extent that it shall have
               become false or misleading in any material respect and the
               Company further agrees to take all steps necessary to cause
               the Schedule 14D-9 as so corrected to be filed with the SEC
               and disseminated to the holders of Shares, in each case as
               and to the extent required by applicable federal securities
               laws.

                         6.2.  Representations and Warranties of Purchaser
                               -------------------------------------------
               and Merger Sub.  Purchaser and Merger Sub represent and
               --------------
               warrant to the Company that:

                         (a)  Corporate Organization and Qualification. 
                              ----------------------------------------
               Each of Purchaser and Merger Sub is a corporation duly or-
               ganized, validly existing and in good standing under the
               laws of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation and is
               in good standing as a foreign corporation in each juris-
               diction where the properties owned, leased or operated, or
               the business conducted, by it require such qualification
               except for such failure to so qualify or to be in such good
               standing, which, when taken together with all other such
               failures, could not reasonably be expected to have a
               material adverse effect on the condition (financial or
               otherwise), properties, assets, liabilities, business or
               results of operations of Purchaser and its subsidiaries,
               taken as a whole.

                         (b)  Corporate Authority.  Each of Purchaser and
                              -------------------
               Merger Sub has the requisite corporate power and authority
               and has taken all corporate action necessary in order to
               execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the
               transactions contemplated hereby.  This Agreement is a valid
               and binding agreement of Purchaser and Merger Sub
               enforceable against Purchaser and Merger Sub in accordance
               with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
               fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar
               laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
               creditors' rights and to general equity principles.

                         (c)  Governmental Filings; No Violations. 
                              -----------------------------------
               (i) Other than Regulatory Filings by Purchaser (the
               "Purchaser Regulatory Filings"), no notices, reports or
               other filings are required to be made by Purchaser and
               Merger Sub with, nor are any consents, registrations,
               approvals, permits or authorizations required to be obtained
               by Purchaser and Merger Sub from, any Governmental Entity in
               connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement
               by Purchaser and Merger Sub and the consummation of the


 




<PAGE>








               transactions contemplated hereby by Purchaser and Merger
               Sub, the failure to make or obtain any or all of which could
               prevent or materially delay the transactions contemplated by
               this Agreement.

                         (ii)  The execution and delivery of this Agreement
               by Purchaser and Merger Sub do not, and the consummation of
               the transactions contemplated hereby by Purchaser and Merger
               Sub will not, constitute or result in a breach or violation
               of, or a default under, the Certificate of Incorporation or
               By-Laws (or similar organizational documents) of Purchaser
               or Merger Sub.

                         (d)  Funds.  Purchaser has or will have at the
                              -----
               time of acceptance for payment of Shares pursuant to the
               Offer and at the Effective Time the funds necessary to
               consummate the Offer and the Merger.

                         (e)  Offer Documents; Schedule 14D-9.  The Offer
                              -------------------------------
               Documents will not, at the date of filing with the SEC,
               contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
               state any material fact required to be stated therein or
               necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in
               light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
               misleading, except that no representation is made by
               Purchaser or Merger Sub with respect to information supplied
               by the Company for inclusion in the Offer Documents.  None
               of the information supplied by Purchaser or Merger Sub for
               inclusion in the Schedule 14D-9 or related materials or the
               Schedule 13E-3 at the respective times such Schedules or any
               amendments or supplements thereto are filed with the SEC,
               will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
               to state any material fact necessary in order to make the
               statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under
               which they were made, not misleading.  Purchaser and Merger
               Sub agree to correct promptly any information in the Offer
               Documents or any information provided by them for use in the
               Schedule 14D-9 or related materials or the Schedule 13E-3 if
               and to the extent that it shall have become false or
               misleading in any material respect and Purchaser and Merger
               Sub further agree to take all steps necessary to cause the
               Offer Documents as so corrected to be filed with the SEC and
               to be disseminated to holders of Shares, in each case as and
               to the extent required by applicable federal securities
               laws.








 




<PAGE>








                                        ARTICLE VII

                                         Covenants

                         7.1.  Interim Operations of the Company.  The
                               ---------------------------------
               Company covenants and agrees that, prior to the Effective 
               Time (unless Purchaser shall otherwise agree in writing and
               except as otherwise expressly contemplated by this
               Agreement), the business of the Company and its subsidiaries
               shall be conducted only in the ordinary and usual course
               consistent with past practice and, to the extent consistent
               therewith, each of the Company and its subsidiaries shall
               use its best efforts to preserve its business organization
               intact (including maintaining all of its Permits) and
               maintain its existing relations with customers, suppliers,
               employees and business associates and it will take no action
               that would adversely affect the ability of the parties to
               promptly consummate the transactions contemplated by this
               Agreement. 

                         7.2.  Meetings of the Company's Stockholders.  If
                               --------------------------------------
               required following termination of the Offer, the Company
               will take all action necessary to convene a meeting of
               holders of Shares as promptly as practicable to consider and
               vote upon the approval of this Agreement and the Merger. 
               Subject to fiduciary requirements of applicable law, the
               Board of Directors of the Company shall recommend such
               approval and the Company shall take all lawful action to
               solicit such approval.  At any such meeting of the Company
               all of the Shares then owned by Purchaser Companies
               (including all Shares currently owned by the Purchaser
               Companies) will be voted in favor of this Agreement.  The
               Company's proxy or information statement with respect to
               such meeting of shareholders (the "Proxy Statement"), at the
               date thereof and at the date of such meeting, will not
               include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
               state a material fact required to be stated therein or
               necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
               circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
               provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply to the
               --------  -------
               extent that any such untrue statement of a material fact or
               omission to state a material fact was made by the Company in
               reliance upon and in conformity with written information
               concerning Purchaser Companies furnished to the Company by
               Purchaser specifically for use in the Proxy Statement. 
               Purchaser understands that for purposes of this Section 7.2
               that while the Company's projections and forward-looking
               information furnished by the Company to Purchaser were
               prepared in good faith and represent the Company's best
               estimate as to the subject matter thereof, the Company makes
               no representation or warranty as to the truth, completeness


 




<PAGE>








               or accuracy of any projections or forward-looking
               information furnished by the Company to Purchaser.  The
               Proxy Statement shall not be filed, and no amendment or
               supplement to the Proxy Statement will be made by the Com-
               pany, without consultation with Purchaser and its counsel.

                         7.3.  Filings; Other Action.  Subject to the terms
                               ---------------------
               and conditions herein provided, the Company and Purchaser
               shall:  (a) promptly make their respective Regulatory
               Filings and Purchaser Regulatory Filings and thereafter make
               any other required submissions with respect to the Offer and
               the Merger; and (b) use their respective best efforts to
               take promptly, or cause to be taken promptly, all other
               action and do, or cause to be done, all other things neces-
               sary, proper or appropriate under applicable laws and regu-
               lations to consummate and make effective the transactions
               contemplated by this Agreement as soon as practicable.

                         7.4.  Access.  Upon reasonable notice, the Company
                               ------
               shall (and shall cause each of its subsidiaries to) afford
               Purchaser's officers, employees, counsel, accountants and
               other authorized representatives ("Representatives") access,
               during normal business hours throughout the period prior to
               the Effective Time, to its properties, books, Contracts and
               records and, during such period, the Company shall (and
               shall cause each of its subsidiaries to) furnish promptly to
               Purchaser all information concerning its business, proper-
               ties and personnel as Purchaser or its Representatives may
               reasonably request, provided that no investigation pursuant
                                   --------
               to this Section 7.4 shall affect or be deemed to modify any
               representation or warranty made by the Company.

                         7.5.  Notification of Certain Matters.  The Com-
                               -------------------------------
               pany shall give prompt notice to Purchaser of:  (a) any
               notice of, or other communication relating to, any default
               or event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would
               become a default, received by the Company or any of its
               subsidiaries subsequent to the date of this Agreement and
               prior to the Effective Time, under any Contract to which the
               Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or is subject
               where such default could reasonably be expected to have a
               Material Adverse Effect; and (b) any material adverse change
               (including, without limitation, any change arising out of or
               related to any natural disaster (including hurricanes and
               earthquakes)) in the condition (financial or otherwise),
               properties, assets, liabilities, business or results of
               operations of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any
               development or combination of developments of which the
               Company or any of its subsidiaries has knowledge which could
               reasonably be expected to result in any such change.  Each
               of the Company and Purchaser shall give prompt notice to the


 




<PAGE>








               other party of any notice or other communication from any
               third party alleging that the consent of such third party is
               or may be required in connection with the transactions con-
               templated by this Agreement.

                         7.6.  Publicity.  The initial press release issued
                               ---------
               in connection with the execution of this Agreement shall be
               a joint press release and thereafter the Company and
               Purchaser shall consult with each other prior to issuing any
               press releases or otherwise making public statements with
               respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and prior to 
               making any filings with any Governmental Entity or with any
               national securities exchange with respect thereto.

                         7.7.  Stock Options.  Prior to the Effective Time,
                               -------------
               the Company shall take such actions as may be necessary such
               that at the Effective Time each stock option outstanding
               pursuant to the Company Stock and Option Plans ("Option"),
               whether or not then vested, shall be canceled and only
               entitle the holder thereof, upon surrender thereof, to
               receive an amount in cash equal to the difference between
               the Merger Consideration and the exercise price per Share of
               such Option, multiplied by the number of Shares previously
               subject to such Option.

                         7.8.  Indemnification; Directors' and Officers'
                               -----------------------------------------
               Insurance.  (a) From and after the Effective Time, the
               ---------
               Surviving Corporation and Purchaser each agrees that it will
               indemnify and hold harmless each present and former director
               and/or officer of the Company, determined as of the
               Effective Time (the "Indemnified Parties"), that is made a
               party or threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
               pending or completed, action, suit, proceeding or claim,
               whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by
               reason of the fact that he or she was a director or officer
               of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company prior to the
               Effective Time and arising out of actions or omissions of
               the Indemnified Party in any such capacity occurring at or
               prior to the Effective Time (a "Claim") against any costs or
               expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees), judgments,
               fines, amounts paid in settlement pursuant to Section
               7.8(b), losses, claims, damages or liabilities
               (collectively, "Costs") reasonably incurred in connection
               with any Claim, whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or
               after the Effective Time, to the fullest extent that the
               Company would have been permitted under Delaware law.  The
               Surviving Corporation and Purchaser shall also advance
               expenses (including attorneys' fees), as incurred by the
               Indemnified Party to the fullest extent permitted under
               applicable law provided such Indemnified Party provides an
               undertaking to repay such advances if it is ultimately


 




<PAGE>








               determined that such Indemnified Party is not entitled to
               indemnification.

                         (b)  Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim
               indemnification under paragraph (a) of this Section 7.8,
               upon learning of any such Claim, shall promptly notify the
               Surviving Corporation and Purchaser thereof, but the failure
               to so notify shall not relieve the Surviving Corporation or
               Purchaser of any liability it may have to such Indemnified
               Party if such failure does not materially prejudice the
               indemnifying party.  In the event of any such claim, action,
               suit, proceeding or investigation (whether arising before or
               after the Effective Time), (i) Purchaser or the Surviving
               Corporation shall have the right to assume the defense
               thereof and Purchaser shall not be liable to such
               Indemnified Parties for any legal expenses of other counsel
               or any other expenses subsequently incurred by such
               Indemnified Parties in connection with the defense thereof,
               except that if Purchaser or the Surviving Corporation elects
               not to assume such defense or counsel for the Indemnified
               Parties advises that there are issues which raise conflicts
               of interest between Purchaser or the Surviving Corporation
               and the Indemnified Parties, the Indemnified Parties may
               retain counsel satisfactory to them, and Purchaser or the
               Surviving Corporation shall pay all reasonable fees and
               expenses of such counsel for the Indemnified Parties
               promptly as statements therefor are received; provided,
                                                             --------
               however, that the Surviving Corporation and Purchaser shall
               -------
               be obligated pursuant to this paragraph (b) to pay for only
               one firm of counsel for all Indemnified Parties in any
               jurisdiction unless the use of one counsel for such
               Indemnified Parties would present such counsel with a
               conflict of interest, (ii) the Indemnified Parties will
               cooperate in the defense of any such matter and (iii) Pur-
               chaser shall not be liable for any settlement effected
               without its prior written consent; and provided further that
               the Surviving Corporation and Purchaser, respectively, shall
               not have any obligation hereunder to any Indemnified Party
               when and if a court of competent jurisdiction shall
               ultimately determine, and such determination shall have
               become final and non-appealable, that the indemnification of
               such Indemnified Party in the manner contemplated hereby is
               prohibited by applicable law.  If such indemnity is not
               available with respect to any Indemnified Party, then the
               Surviving Corporation and the Indemnified Party shall
               contribute to the amount payable in such proportion as is
               appropriate to reflect relative faults and benefits.

                         (c)  If a claim for indemnification or advancement
               under this Section 7.8 is not paid in full by the Surviving
               Corporation or Purchaser within thirty days after a written


 




<PAGE>








               claim therefor has been received by the Surviving
               Corporation or Purchaser, the Indemnified Party may any time
               thereafter bring suit against the Surviving Corporation or
               Purchaser to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if
               successful in whole or in part, the Indemnified Party shall
               be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such
               claims.

                         Neither the failure of the Surviving Corporation
               or Purchaser (including their Boards of Directors,
               independent legal counsel or shareholders) to have made a
               determination prior to the commencement of such suit that
               indemnification of the Indemnified Party is proper in the
               circumstances because he or she has met the applicable
               standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the
               Surviving Corporation or Purchaser (including their Boards
               of Directors, independent legal counsel, or shareholders)
               that the Indemnified Party has not met such applicable
               standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the suit or
               create a presumption that the Indemnified Party has not met
               the applicable standard of conduct.

                         (d)  The Surviving Corporation shall maintain the
               Company's existing officers' and directors' liability
               insurance or equivalent liability insurance ("D&O
               Insurance") for a period of six years after the Effective
               Time so long as the annual premium therefor is not in excess
               of the last annual premium paid prior to the date hereof
               (the "Current Premium"); provided, however, if the existing
                                        --------  -------
               D&O Insurance expires, is terminated or canceled during such
               six-year period, the Surviving Corporation will use its best
               efforts to obtain as much D&O Insurance as can be obtained
               for the remainder of such period for a premium not in excess
               (on an annualized basis) of 200 percent of the Current
               Premium.

                         (e)  In lieu of the insurance arrangement referred
               to in clause (d) of this Section 7.8, the Surviving
               Corporation may, on or before the expiration of the Offer,
               enter into alternative insurance arrangements provided that
               such arrangements are approved by the Independent Directors
               and Purchaser.

                         7.9.  Debentures.  If Merger Sub or any other
                               ----------
               Purchaser Company shall have purchased Shares pursuant to
               the Offer, the Company shall take all necessary action to
               enter into a supplemental indenture prior to the Effective
               Time with the Trustee (as defined in the Debentures)
               pursuant to the indenture under which the Debentures were
               issued, to provide, among other things, that on and after



 




<PAGE>








               the Effective Time the Debentures will be convertible only
               into the Merger Consideration.

                         7.10.  Other Agreements.  (a) Takeover Statute. 
                                ----------------       ----------------
               If any Takeover Statute shall become applicable to the
               Merger, the Offer or the other transactions contemplated
               hereby, the Company and the members of the Board of
               Directors of the Company shall grant such approvals and take
               such actions as are necessary so that the transactions
               contemplated hereby may be consummated as promptly as
               practicable on the terms contemplated hereby and otherwise
               act to eliminate or minimize the effects of such statute or
               regulation on the transactions contemplated hereby.

                         (b)  Best Efforts and Cooperation.  The Company
                              ----------------------------
               and Purchaser each shall use (and shall cause its
               subsidiaries to use) its best efforts to cause the condi-
               tions set forth in Article VIII to be satisfied and to
               consummate the Merger and the other transactions
               contemplated by this Agreement.  Without limiting the
               generality of the foregoing, the Company shall use (and
               shall cause its subsidiaries to use) its best efforts
               (including providing information and communication) to
               obtain each of the consents or waivers identified pursuant
               to Section 6.1(d)(ii) and to obtain as promptly as
               practicable all necessary approvals, authorizations and
               consents of Governmental Entities (including applicable
               insurance regulators) required to be obtained in order to
               consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and each of
               the parties hereto shall cooperate with the others in
               obtaining all such consents, waivers, approvals and
               authorizations.

                         (c)  Purchaser Vote.  Purchaser shall vote (or
                              --------------
               consent with respect to) or cause to be voted (or a consent
               to be given with respect to) any Shares (including all
               Shares currently owned) and any shares of common stock of
               Merger Sub beneficially owned by it or any of its
               subsidiaries or with respect to which it or any of its
               subsidiaries has the power (by agreement, proxy or
               otherwise) to cause to be voted (or to provide a consent),
               in favor of the adoption and approval of this Agreement at
               any meeting of stockholders of the Company or Merger Sub,
               respectively, at which this Agreement shall be submitted for
               adoption and approval and at all adjournments or
               postponements thereof (or, if applicable, by any action of
               stockholders of either the Company or Merger Sub by consent
               in lieu of a meeting).





 




<PAGE>








                         7.11  Certain Amendments to the Certificate of
                               ----------------------------------------
               Incorporation and By-laws of the Surviving Corporation.  No
               ------------------------------------------------------
               amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of
               the Surviving Corporation shall reduce in any way the
               elimination of personal liability of the directors of the
               Company contained therein or adversely affect any then
               existing right of any director or officer (or former
               director or officer) to be indemnified with respect to acts,
               omissions or events occurring prior to the Effective Time.


                                       ARTICLE VIII

                                        Conditions

                         8.1.  Conditions to Obligations of Parties.  The
                               ------------------------------------
               respective obligations of the parties to consummate the
               Merger are subject to the fulfillment of each of the
               following conditions:

                         (a)  Stockholder Approval.  In the event of a
                              --------------------
               Company stockholder meeting pursuant to Section 7.2, this
               Agreement shall have been duly approved by the holders of a
               majority of the Shares, in accordance with applicable law
               and the Certificate and By-Laws of the Company;

                         (b)  Purchase of Shares.  Merger Sub (or one of
                              ------------------
               Purchaser Companies) shall have purchased Shares pursuant to
               the Offer; and

                         (c)  Litigation.  No court or other Governmental
                              ----------
               Entity of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued,
               promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, rule,
               regulation, judgment, decree, injunction or other order
               (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) which is in
               effect and prohibits consummation of the Merger. 


                                        ARTICLE IX

                                        Termination

                         9.1.  Termination by Mutual Consent.  This Agree-
                               -----------------------------
               ment may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned at
               any time prior to the Effective Time, before or after the
               approval by holders of Shares, by the mutual consent of
               Purchaser and the Company, by action of their respective
               Boards of Directors.

                         9.2.  Termination by Either Purchaser or the
                               --------------------------------------
               Company.  This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger
               -------


 




<PAGE>








               may be abandoned by action of the Board of Directors of
               either Purchaser or the Company if:  (i) Merger Sub, or any
               Purchaser Company, shall have terminated the Offer without
               purchasing any Shares pursuant thereto, provided, in the
                                                       --------
               case of termination of this Agreement by Purchaser, such
               termination of the Offer is not in violation of the terms of
               the Offer; or (ii) without fault of the terminating party,
               the Merger shall not have been consummated by March 31,
               1996, whether or not such date is before or after the
               approval by holders of Shares.

                         9.3.  Termination by Purchaser.  This Agreement
                               ------------------------
               may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned at any
               time prior to the Effective Time, before or after the ap-
               proval by holders of Shares, by action of the Board of Di-
               rectors of Purchaser, if:  (i) the Company shall have failed
               to comply in any material respect with any of the covenants
               or agreements contained in this Agreement to be complied
               with or performed by the Company at or prior to such date of
               termination; or (ii) the Board of Directors of the Company
               or the Independent Directors shall have withdrawn or
               modified in a manner adverse to Purchaser or Merger Sub its
               approval or recommendation of the Offer, this Agreement or
               the Merger or the Board of Directors of the Company or the
               Independent Directors, upon request by Purchaser, shall fail
               to reaffirm such approval or recommendation, or shall have
               resolved to do any of the foregoing.

                         9.4.  Termination by the Company.  This Agreement
                               --------------------------
               may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned at any
               time prior to the Effective Time, before or after the
               approval by holders of Shares by action of the Board of
               Directors of the Company, if Purchaser or Merger Sub (i)
               shall have failed to comply in any material respect with any
               of the covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement
               to be complied with or performed by Purchaser or Merger Sub
               at or prior to such date of termination or (ii) shall have
               failed to commence the Offer within the time required in
               Section 1.1.

                         9.5.  Effect of Termination and Abandonment.
                               -------------------------------------
               In the event of termination of this Agreement and
               abandonment of the Merger pursuant to this Article IX, no
               party hereto (or any of its directors or officers) shall
               have any liability or further obligation to any other party
               to this Agreement, except as provided in Section 10.2 below
               and except that nothing herein will relieve any party from
               any liability or damages for any breach of this Agreement.





 




<PAGE>








                                         ARTICLE X

                                 Miscellaneous and General

                         10.1.  Payment of Expenses.  Whether or not the
                                -------------------
               Merger shall be consummated, each party hereto shall pay its 
               own expenses incident to preparing for, entering into and
               carrying out this Agreement and the consummation of the
               Merger.

                         10.2.  Survival.  The agreements of the Company,
                                --------
               Purchaser and Merger Sub contained in Sections 5.2 (but only
               to the extent that such Section expressly relates to actions
               to be taken after the Effective Time), 5.3, 5.4, 7.8, 7.11,
               and 10.1 shall survive the consummation of the Merger.  The
               agreements of the Company, Purchaser and Merger Sub
               contained in Section 9.5 and this Article X shall survive
               the termination of this Agreement.   All other
               representations, warranties, agreements and covenants in
               this Agreement shall not survive the consummation of the
               Merger or the termination of this Agreement.

                         10.3.  Modification or Amendment.  Subject to the
                                -------------------------
               applicable provisions of the DGCL, at any time prior to the
               Effective Time, the parties hereto may modify or amend this
               Agreement, by written agreement executed and delivered by
               duly authorized officers of the respective parties.

                         10.4.  Waiver of Conditions.  The conditions to
                                --------------------
               each of the parties' obligations to consummate the Merger
               are for the sole benefit of such party and may be waived by
               such party in whole or in part to the extent permitted by
               applicable law.

                         10.5.  Counterparts.  For the convenience of the
                                ------------
               parties hereto, 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.

                         10.6.  GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE; WAIVER OF JURY
                                ---------------------------------------
               TRIAL.  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 DELAWARE
               WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
               The parties hereby irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of
               the courts of the State of Delaware and the Federal courts
               of the United States of America located in the State of
               Delaware 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


 




<PAGE>








               the transactions contemplated hereby, and hereby waive, and
               agree not to assert, as a defense in any action, suit or
               proceeding for the interpretation or enforcement hereof or
               of any such document, that it is not subject thereto 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 Delaware State or 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 10.7 or in
               such other manner as may be permitted by law, shall be valid
               and sufficient service thereof.

                         (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 10.6.

                         10.7.  Notices.  Any notice, request, instruction
                                -------
               or other document to be given hereunder by any party to the
               others shall be in writing and delivered personally or sent
               by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid:

                         if to Purchaser or Merger Sub
                         -----------------------------

                         SCOR S.A.
                         1 Avenue du President Wilson
                         92074 Paris La Defense Cedex
                         FRANCE
                         Attention:  Jean Alisse, Esq.

                         with a copy to:


 




<PAGE>








                         Allan M. Chapin, Esq.
                         Sullivan & Cromwell
                         250 Park Avenue
                         New York, New York  10177-0021

                         if to the Company
                         -----------------

                         SCOR U.S. Corporation
                         Two World Trade Center,
                         New York, NY  10048-0178.
                         Attention:  Mr. John T. Andrews, Jr., Esq.

                         with a copy to:

                         Phillip R. Mills, Esq.
                         Davis Polk & Wardwell
                         1150 Lexington Avenue
                         New York, New York  10017

                         or to such other persons or addresses as may be
               designated in writing by the party to receive such notice.

                         10.8.  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement (includ-
                                ----------------
               ing any annexes exhibits or Schedules hereto) constitutes
               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 hereof.  

                         10.9.  No Third Party Beneficiaries.  Except as
                                ----------------------------
               provided in Sections 7.8 (Indemnification; Directors' and
               Officers' Insurance) and 7.11 (Certain Amendments to the
               Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws of the Surviving
               Corporation), this Agreement is not intended to confer upon
               any Person other than the parties hereto any rights or
               remedies hereunder.

                         10.10.  Obligations of Purchaser and of the
                                 -----------------------------------
               Company.  Whenever this Agreement requires Merger Sub or,
               -------
               after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation, to take
               any action, such requirement shall be deemed to include an
               undertaking on the part of Purchaser to cause Merger Sub or
               the Surviving Corporation, respectively, to take such
               action, including providing the requisite funds to purchase
               Shares or make any other payment obligation.  Whenever this
               Agreement requires a subsidiary of the Company to take any
               action, such requirement shall be deemed to include an
               undertaking on the part of the Company to cause such
               subsidiary to take such action and, after the Effective
               Time, on the part of the Surviving Corporation to cause such
               subsidiary to take such action.


 




<PAGE>








                         10.11.  Severability.  The provisions of this
                                 ------------
               Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or
               unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the
               validity or enforceability or the other provisions hereof. 
               If any provision of this Agreement, or the application
               thereof to any person or any circumstance, is invalid or
               unenforceable, (a) a suitable and equitable provision shall
               be substituted therefor in order to carry out, so far as may
               be valid and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such
               invalid or unenforceable provision and (b) the remainder of
               this Agreement and the application of such provision to
               other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such
               invalidity or unenforceability, nor shall such invalidity or
               unenforceability affect the validity or enforceability of
               such provision, or the application thereof, in any other
               jurisdiction.

                         10.12.  Interpretation.  The table of contents and
                                 --------------
               headings herein 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
               hereof.  Where a reference in this Agreement is made to a
               Section or Schedule, such reference shall be to a Section of
               or Annex or Schedule to this Agreement unless otherwise
               indicated.  Whenever the words "include," "includes" or
               "including" are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed
               to be followed by the words "without limitation."

                         10.13.  Assignment.  This Agreement shall not be
                                 ----------
               assignable by operation of law or otherwise; provided,
                                                            --------
               however, that Parent may designate, by written notice to the
               -------
               Company, another wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiary
               to be a Constituent Corporation in lieu of Merger Sub, in
               the event of which, all references herein to Merger Sub
               shall be deemed references to such other subsidiary except
               that all representations and warranties made herein 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.

                         10.14.  Definition of "Subsidiary" and "Person". 
                                 ---------------------------------------
               When a reference is made in this Agreement to a subsidiary
               of a party, the word "subsidiary" means any corporation or
               other organization whether incorporated or unincorporated of
               which at least a majority of the securities or interests
               having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect
               at least a majority of the board of directors or others
               performing similar functions with respect to such
               corporation or other organization is directly or indirectly
               owned or controlled by such party or by any one or more of
               its subsidiaries, or by such party and one or more of its


 




<PAGE>








               subsidiaries.  When a reference is made in this Agreement to
               a person, the word "person" means and includes any natural
               person, corporation, partnership, firm, joint venture,
               association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated
               organization, governmental or political subdivision,
               regulatory body or other entity.


















 




<PAGE>








                         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly
               executed and delivered by the duly authorized officers of
               the parties hereto on the date first hereinabove written.



                                        SCOR S.A.



                                        By/s/Serge Osouf              
                                          ---------------------------
                                          Name:  Serge Osouf
                                          Title: General Manager




                                        SCOR U.S. CORPORATION



                                        By/s/Jerome Karter           
                                          --------------------------
                                          Name:  Jerome Karter
                                          Title: President and Chief
                                                 Executive Officer




                                        SCOR MERGER SUB CORPORATION



                                        By/s/Serge Osouf            
                                          --------------------------
                                          Name:  Serge Osouf
                                          Title: Vice President

















 




<PAGE>








                                                                    Annex A


                         Certain Conditions of the Offer.  Notwithstanding
                         -------------------------------
               any other provision of the Offer, the Merger Sub shall not
               be obligated to accept for payment any Shares or, subject to
               any applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, including
               Rule 14e-1(c) (relating to Merger Sub's obligation to pay
               for or return tendered Shares promptly after termination or
               withdrawal of the Offer) or pay for, and may delay the
               acceptance for payment of or payment for, any tendered
               Shares unless there have been validly tendered and not
               withdrawn prior to the expiration date of the Offer a number
               of Shares that, together with any Shares currently
               beneficially owned directly or indirectly by Purchaser,
               constitutes at least 90% of the total Shares outstanding and
               issuable pursuant to Company Stock and Option Plans, as of
               the date the Shares are accepted for payment pursuant to the
               Offer (the "Minimum Tender Condition"), or if on or after
               November 2, 1995, and at or before the time of payment for
               any of such Shares (whether or not any Shares have
               theretofore been accepted for payment or paid for pursuant
               to the Offer), any of the following events shall occur:

                              (a) there shall be any statute, rule,
                         regulation, judgment, injunction or other order,
                         enacted, promulgated, entered, enforced or deemed
                         applicable to the Offer or the Merger or any other
                         action shall have been taken by any government,
                         legislative body, court or governmental,
                         regulatory or administrative agency, authority,
                         tribunal or commission, domestic, supranational or
                         foreign (each, a "Governmental Entity"), or any
                         other person, domestic, supranational or foreign 
                         (i) challenging the legality of the acquisition by
                         the Merger Sub of the Shares; (ii) restraining,
                         delaying or prohibiting the making or consummation
                         of the Offer or the Merger or obtaining from the
                         Company, Purchaser or the Merger Sub any damages
                         in connection therewith; (iii) relating to assets
                         of, or prohibiting or limiting the ownership or
                         operation by Purchaser or the Merger Sub of all or
                         any portion of the business or assets of, the
                         Company, Purchaser or the Merger Sub (including
                         the business or assets of their respective
                         affiliates and subsidiaries) or imposing any
                         limitation on the ability of Purchaser or the
                         Merger Sub to conduct such business or own such
                         assets; (iv) imposing limitations on the ability
                         of Purchaser or Merger Sub (or any affiliate of
                         Purchaser or the Merger Sub) to acquire or hold or


 




<PAGE>








                         to exercise full rights of ownership of the
                         Shares, including, without limitation, the right
                         to vote the Shares purchased by them on all
                         matters properly presented to the stockholders of
                         the Company or (v) having a substantial likelihood
                         of any of the foregoing. 

                              (b) there shall have occurred (i) any general
                         suspension of, or limitation on times or prices
                         for, trading in securities on any national
                         securities exchange or in the over-the-counter
                         market in the United States or France or (ii) a
                         declaration of a banking moratorium or any
                         suspension of payments in respect of banks in the
                         United States or France (whether or not
                         mandatory);

                              (c)  The Company shall have breached or
                         failed to perform in any material respect any of
                         its covenants, obligations or agreements under the
                         Agreement or any representation or warranty of the
                         Company set forth in the Agreement shall have been
                         inaccurate or incomplete in any material respect
                         when made or thereafter shall become inaccurate or
                         incomplete in any material respect;

                              (d)  any change, including, without
                         limitation, any change arising out of or related
                         to any natural disaster (including hurricanes and
                         earthquakes), shall have occurred or been
                         threatened or become known (or any condition,
                         event or development shall have occurred or been
                         threatened or become known involving a prospective
                         change) in the business, properties, assets,
                         liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise),
                         or results of operations of the Company or any of
                         its subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected
                         to be materially adverse to the Company and its
                         subsidiaries taken as a whole; 

                              (e) all consents, registrations, approvals,
                         permits, authorizations, notices, reports or other
                         filings required to be made or obtained by the
                         Company, Purchaser, the Merger Sub or any
                         stockholder of Purchaser with or from any
                         Governmental Entity in connection with the Offer
                         and the Merger shall not have been made or
                         obtained except where the failure to make or to
                         obtain, as the case may be, such consents,
                         registrations, approvals, permits, authorizations,
                         notices, reports or other filings could not


 




<PAGE>








                         reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
                         Effect;

                              (f)  the Special Committee of the Board of
                         Directors shall have adversely amended or modified
                         or shall have withdrawn its recommendation of the
                         Offer or the Merger, or shall have failed to
                         publicly reconfirm such recommendation upon
                         request by Purchaser or Merger Sub, or shall have
                         resolved to do any of the foregoing; or

                              (g) The Agreement shall have been terminated
                         in accordance with its terms or the Merger Sub
                         shall have reached an agreement or understanding
                         with the Special Committee providing for
                         termination of the Offer

               which, in the reasonable judgment of the Merger Sub with
               respect to each and every matter referred to above, and
               regardless of the circumstances (including any action or
               inaction by the Merger Sub, Purchaser or any affiliate of
               Purchaser) giving rise to any such condition, makes it
               inadvisable to proceed with the Offer or with such accep-
               tance for payment or payment.

                         The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit
               of the Merger Sub and may be asserted by the Merger Sub
               regardless of the circumstances (including any action or
               inaction by the Merger Sub, Purchaser or any affiliate of
               Purchaser) giving rise to any such conditions or may be
               waived by the Merger Sub in whole or in part at any time and
               from time to time in its sole discretion.  The failure by
               the Merger Sub at any time to exercise any of the foregoing
               rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such right and
               each such right shall be deemed an ongoing right which may
               be asserted at any time and from time to time.  Any
               determination by the Merger Sub concerning the events
               described above will be final and binding on all holders of
               the Shares.







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