<PAGE>
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 1996
Registration
No. 333-8441
===============================================================================
=
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
----------------
VETERINARY CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 95-4097995
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
TOMAS FULLER
VETERINARY CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
3420 OCEAN PARK BOULEVARD, SUITE 1000
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA 90405
(310) 392-9599
(Name, address, including ZIP code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
----------------------
Copies to:
C.N. FRANKLIN REDDICK III, ESQ.
TROOP MEISINGER STEUBER & PASICH
10940 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90024
(310) 824-7000
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time
to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend
or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: [_]
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box: [X]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering: [_]
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box: [_]
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall
file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration
Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
<PAGE>
VETERINARY CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FORM S-3 ITEM SECTION IN
PROSPECTUS
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<S> <C>
1. Forepart of the Registration
Statement and Outside Front Cover
Page of Prospectus................ Facing Page; this Cross-Reference
Sheet; Outside Front Cover Page
of Prospectus
2. Inside Front and Outside Back
Cover Pages of Prospectus......... Inside Front and Outside Back Cover
Pages of Prospectus; Incorporation
of Certain Documents by Reference;
Available Information
3. Summary Information, Risk Factors
and Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges........................... Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors;
Incorporation of Certain Documents
by Reference
4. Use of Proceeds................... Use of Proceeds
5. Determination of Offering Price... *
6. Dilution.......................... *
7. Selling Security Holders.......... Selling Stockholders and Plan of
Distribution
8. Plan of Distribution.............. Outside Front and Outside Back Cover
Pages of Prospectus; Selling
Stockholders and Plan of Distribution
9. Description of Securities to be Description of the Capital Stock;
Registered........................ Description of Debentures
10. Interests of Named Experts and *
Counsel...........................
11. Material Changes.................. *
12. Incorporation of Certain
Information by Reference.......... Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference
13. Disclosure of Commission
Position on Indemnification for
Securities Act Liabilities....... Undertakings
14. Other Expenses of Issuance and *
Distribution......................
15. Indemnification of Directors and
Officers.......................... Indemnification of Directors and
Officers
16. Exhibits.......................... Exhibits
17. Undertakings...................... Undertakings
(a) Rule 415 Offering............ Undertakings
(b) Filing Incorporating
Subsequent Exchange Act
Documents by Reference....... Undertakings
(j) Qualification of Trust
Indentures Under Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 for
Delayed Offerings............ Undertakings
- -------------------
</TABLE>
*Omitted because the item is negative or inapplicable.
<PAGE>
Subject to Completion, Dated August 29, 1996
PROSPECTUS
$37,100,000
VETERINARY CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
5 1/4% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
DUE MAY 1, 2006
(INTEREST PAYABLE MAY 1 AND NOVEMBER 1)
AND
1,080,059 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
____________
This Prospectus relates to the public offering by the Selling Security
Holders (see "Selling Security Holders") of up to 37,100,000 aggregate principal
amount of 5 1/4% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due May 1, 2006 (the
"Debentures") of Veterinary Centers of America, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), and the shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of
the Company (the "Common Stock" and, together with the Debentures, the
"Securities") that are issuable upon conversion of the Debentures. The
Debentures are convertible into a maximum of 1,080,059 shares of Common Stock at
a conversion price of $34.35 per share, subject to adjustment in certain
circumstances, at any time prior to redemption or maturity. See "Description of
the Debentures." The Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market
under the symbol "VCAI." The last reported sales price of the Common Stock on
Nasdaq on August 27, 1996 was $19.75 per share. See "Description of
Capital Stock."
Interest on the Debentures is payable semi-annually in arrears on each of
May 1 and November 1, commencing November 1, 1996, and the Debentures will
mature on May 1, 2006, unless previously redeemed. See "Description of the
Debentures."
The Debentures are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in
part, at any time on or after May 16, 1999, at the redemption prices set forth
herein, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. In the event of
a Change of Control (as defined herein), each holder of the Debentures will have
the right to cause the Company to repurchase the Debentures, in whole but not in
part, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and
unpaid interest to the repurchase date. See "Description of the Debentures-
Redemption" and "-Change of Control."
The Debentures are general unsecured obligations of the Company,
subordinated to all existing and future Senior Indebtedness (as defined herein),
which at June 30, 1996 was approximately $48.6 million (exclusive of the
Debentures). See "Description of the Debentures."
The Company will not receive any proceeds from this offering. The aggregate
proceeds to the Selling Security Holders from the sale of the Securities will be
the offering price of the Securities sold, less applicable agents' commissions
and underwriters' discounts, if any. The Company will pay all expenses incident
to the preparation and filing of a registration statement for the Securities
under federal securities laws. The Selling Security Holders may sell the
Securities from time to time on terms to be determined at the time of sale,
either directly or through agents designated from time to time or dealers or
underwriters designated from time to time. To the extent required, the principal
amount of Debentures or the number of shares of Common Stock to be sold, the
offering price thereof, the name of each Selling Security Holder and each agent,
dealer and underwriter, if any, and any applicable commissions or discounts with
respect to a particular offering will be set forth in an accompanying Prospectus
Supplement. See "Plan of Distribution."
_______________
There is no public market for the Debentures prior to the offering hereby.
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 5 HEREOF FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN
INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE
SECURITIES.
_______________
The date of this Prospectus is August __, 1996
1
<PAGE>
No dealer, salesman or any other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representation not contained in this Prospectus and,
if given or made, such information or representation must not be relied upon as
having been authorized by the Company or the Managers. This Prospectus does not
relate to any securities other than those described herein or constitute an
offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in any
jurisdiction where, or to any person to whom, it is unlawful to make such an
offer or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made
hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create an implication that the
information herein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date hereof or
that there has been no change in the affairs of the Company since such date.
THE DEBENTURES AND THE UNDERLYING SHARES OF COMMON STOCK HAVE NOT BEEN
APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR BY ANY
STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR
ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION REVIEWED OR PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE RESIDENTS: NEITHER THE FACT THAT A REGISTRATION STATEMENT
OR AN APPLICATION FOR A LICENSE HAS BEEN FILED UNDER RSA 421-B WITH THE STATE OF
NEW HAMPSHIRE NOR THE FACT THAT A SECURITY IS EFFECTIVELY REGISTERED OR A PERSON
IS LICENSED IN THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE CONSTITUTES A FINDING BY THE SECRETARY
OF STATE THAT ANY DOCUMENT FILED UNDER RSA 421-B IS TRUE, COMPLETE AND NOT
MISLEADING. NEITHER ANY SUCH FACT NOR THE FACT THAT AN EXEMPTION OR EXCEPTION IS
AVAILABLE FOR A SECURITY OR A TRANSACTION MEANS THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE OF
THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE HAS PASSED IN ANY WAY UPON THE MERITS OR
QUALIFICATIONS OF, OR RECOMMENDED OR GIVEN APPROVAL TO, ANY PERSON, SECURITY OR
TRANSACTION. IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE, OR CAUSE TO BE MADE, TO ANY PROSPECTIVE
PURCHASER, CUSTOMER OR CLIENT ANY REPRESENTATION INCONSISTENT WITH THE P
ROVISIONS OF THIS PARAGRAPH.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK HAS NOT PASSED ON OR ENDORSED
THE MERITS OF THIS OFFERING. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL.
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL
PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH
JURISDICTION.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-3 (the "Registration Statement) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act") with respect to the Common Stock offered hereby. This
Prospectus, which constitutes part of the Registration Statement does not
contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement and the
exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the
Company and the Common Stock offered hereby, reference is hereby made to such
Registration Statement, and the exhibits and schedules thereto which may be
obtained from the Commission's principal office in Washington, D.C., upon
payment of the fees prescribed by the Commission. Statements contained in this
Prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other document are
not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of
such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part, each such statement being
qualified in all respects by such reference.
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<PAGE>
VCA is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Commission. These reports, proxy statements and other information can be
inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the following
regional offices of the Commission Offices located at 7 World Trade Center,
Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048, and 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of the material can be obtained at prescribed
rates by writing to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Public Reference
Section, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. The Common Stock is
traded on the Nasdaq National Market and the Company's reports, proxy or
information statements, and other information filed with the Nasdaq National
Market may be inspected at the offices of Nasdaq at 1735 K Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20006.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents heretofore filed by the Company with the Commission
pursuant to the Exchange Act, are incorporated by reference into this
Prospectus:
(1) Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1995;
(2) Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended
March 31, 1996 and June 30, 1996; and
(3) Registrant's Reports on Form 8-K, filed on February 21, 1996, March 5,
1996, March 15, 1996 (as amended on April 12, 1996 and April 18, 1996), March
25, 1996, April 4, 1996, April 12, 1996, April 17, 1996, July 5, 1996 (as
amended on July 17, 1996) and August 1, 1996.
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the
termination of the offering of the securities covered by this Prospectus shall
be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be part hereof from the
date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained herein or in a
document, all or a portion of which is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of
this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other
subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded,
to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
The Company hereby undertakes to provide without charge to each person to
whom a copy of this Prospectus has been delivered, upon the oral or written
request of any such person, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated
herein by reference (other than exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits
are expressly incorporated by reference into such documents). Written requests
for such copies should be directed to Tomas Fuller, Chief Financial Officer,
Veterinary Centers of America, Inc. 3420 Ocean Park Boulevard, Suite 1000, Santa
Monica, California 90405. Telephone inquiries may be directed to Veterinary
Centers of America, Inc., at (310) 392-9599.
3
<PAGE>
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SUMMARY
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read
in conjunction with, the more detailed information contained herein and in the
consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus. Unless the context otherwise requires, all
references herein to the "Company" and "VCA" refer to Veterinary Centers of
America, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. The documents incorporated in
this Prospectus contain forward looking statements, which are inherently
uncertain. Actual results may differ from those discussed in such forward
looking statements for the reasons, among others, discussed in "Risk Factors."
THE COMPANY
Veterinary Centers of America. Inc. ("VCA" or the "Company") was founded in
1986 and is a leading companion animal health care company. The Company has
established a premier position in the animal hospital and veterinary diagnostic
laboratory segments and has an emerging presence in the premium pet food
segment. The Company operates the largest network of free-standing, full service
animal hospitals in the country. As a leader in the industry, the Company
employs more veterinarians than any single private-sector employer. The
Company's network includes privately owned teaching hospitals which provide
clinical training for recent veterinary school graduates. In addition, the
Company operates the largest network of veterinary-exclusive laboratories in
the nation. The Company also markets both a life-stage and a therapeutic line of
premium pet foods through Vet's Choice, a joint venture with Heinz Pet
Products, an affiliate of H.J. Heinz Company.
The Company operates in three market segments which had total domestic
revenues in 1994 of approximately $10.0 billion, composed of approximately $8.2
billion for veterinary care (animal hospitals and veterinary diagnostic
laboratories) and $1.8 billion for premium pet food. The animal hospital
industry is highly fragmented with approximately 115 million dogs and cats in
the United States being cared for by an estimated 55,000 veterinarians
practicing at 16,000 animal hospitals. These animal hospitals are primarily
single site, sole practitioner facilities. The Company believes that its larger
size and multi-site network offer advantages to the veterinary professional and
consumer alike. The Company's size and breadth of operations enable it to
leverage corporate overhead, centralize administrative functions, realize
economies of scale in purchasing and other administrative functions, enhance
medical care through specialists and state of the art equipment and technology
and free the veterinary professional from administrative tasks, thereby allowing
the veterinarian greater time to practice veterinary medicine.
The Company's animal hospitals offer a full range of general medical and
surgical services and also perform specialty services such as orthopedics for
small animals, including dogs, cats, birds and other household pets. In
addition to treating disease and injury, the Company's animal hospitals
emphasize pet wellness and offer programs to encourage routine vaccinations,
health examinations, spaying and neutering and dental care. The Company's
veterinary diagnostic laboratories offer a full range of diagnostic and
reference tests. Laboratory tests are used by veterinarians to diagnose,
monitor and treat diseases through the detection of substances in blood,
urine or tissue samples and other specimens. The Company does not conduct
experiments on animals and is not engaged in animal research. Vet's Choice
markets a line of life-stage and therapeutic premium pet foods under the
brand names, Select Balance and Select Care, respectively.
The Company's business strategy focuses on (i) expanding its animal
hospital and veterinary diagnostic laboratory businesses through acquisitions
and internal growth, (ii) achieving cost savings by consolidating operations
and realizing economies of scale in purchasing and administrative support
functions and the implementation of the Company's standard management programs,
(iii) taking advantage of its unique opportunity to deliver its products and
services through multiple channels to its customers, who are primarily
veterinarians and pet owners, and (iv) capitalizing on its leadership position
within the companion animal health care industry to expand into other products
and services for veterinarians and pet owners.
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4
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information contained in or incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus, the following factors should be considered
before making an investment in the Company.
SUBORDINATION
The Debentures will be expressly subordinated in right of payment to all
existing and future Senior Indebtedness of the Company (but not its
subsidiaries). Neither the Indenture nor the Debentures will limit the ability
of the Company to incur additional Senior Indebtedness or other indebtedness by
the Company or its subsidiaries. The Indenture and the Debentures will not
contain any financial covenants or similar restrictions with respect to the
Company or its subsidiaries and therefore, the holders of the Debentures will
have no protection (other than rights upon Events of Default as described in
"Description of the Debentures") from adverse changes in the Company's financial
condition. By reason of such subordination of the Debentures, in the event of
insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or winding up
of the business of the Company or upon a default in payment with respect to any
indebtedness of the Company or an event of default with respect to such
indebtedness resulting in the acceleration thereof, the assets of the Company
will be available to pay the amounts due on the Debentures only after all Senior
Indebtedness had been paid in full. The Debentures will rank paripassu with
other unsecured subordinated obligations of the Company.
The Debentures are obligations exclusively of VCA and not of its
subsidiaries. Because the operations of VCA are currently conducted through its
subsidiaries, the cash flow and consequent ability to service debt of VCA,
including the Debentures, are dependent, in part, upon the earnings of its
subsidiaries and the distribution of those earnings to VCA or upon loans or on
the payment of funds by those subsidiaries to VCA. The subsidiaries are separate
and distinct entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay
any amounts due pursuant to the Debentures or to make any funds available
therefor, whether by dividends, loans, or other payments. In addition, the
payment of dividends and the making of loans and advances to VCA by its
subsidiaries may be subject to statutory or contractual restrictions, or
contingent upon the earnings of those subsidiaries and are subject to various
business considerations.
For the reasons set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph, the
Debentures will be effectively subordinated to all indebtedness and liabilities,
including current liabilities and commitments under leases of VCA's
subsidiaries. Any right of VCA to receive assets of any of its subsidiaries
upon liquidation or reorganization of the subsidiary (and the consequent right
of the holder of the Debentures to participate in those assets) will be
effectively subordinated to the claims of that subsidiary's creditors
(including trade creditors), except to the extent that VCA is itself
recognized as a creditor of such subsidiary, in which case the claims of VCA
would still be subordinated to any security interest in the assets of such
subsidiary and any of the indebtedness of such subsidiary senior to that held
by VCA.
As of June 30, 1996, Senior Indebtedness of the Company and indebtedness of
its subsidiaries aggregated approximately $48.6 million (exclusive of the
Debentures). The merger with The Pet Practice, Inc. ("Pet Practice") was
consummated July 19, 1996, and, as a result, Pet Practice became a subsidiary of
VCA, and the Debentures were effectively subordinated to all indebtedness of Pet
Practice which at July 3, 1996 was approximately $19.0 million.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
VCA acquired Pets' Rx, the owner and operator of 16 animal hospitals in
California and Nevada, on June 19, 1996, and Pet Practice, the operator of 84
animal hospitals, on July 19, 1996.
VCA has entered into these transactions with the expectation that the
transactions will result in beneficial synergies for the combined business.
These include the potential to realize improved operating margins at animal
hospitals through a strategy of centralizing various corporate and
administrative functions and leveraging fixed costs while providing customers
with improved services.
5
<PAGE>
Achieving these anticipated business benefits will depend in part on
whether the operations of Pet Practice and Pets' Rx, or either of them, can be
integrated with the operations of VCA in an efficient, effective and timely
manner. There can be no assurance that this will occur. The combination of the
companies will require, among other things, integration of the companies'
management staffs, coordination of the companies' sales and marketing efforts,
integration and coordination of the companies' development teams and the
identification and elimination of redundant and/or unnecessary overhead and
poor-performing hospitals. The success of this process will be significantly
influenced by the ability of the combined business to retain key management and
marketing and development personnel. There is no assurance that this integration
will be accomplished smoothly or successfully or that VCA will be successful in
retaining key members of management. The difficulties of such integration may be
increased by the necessity of coordinating geographically separated
organizations with distinct cultures. The integration of operations of the
companies following the mergers will require the dedication of management
resources, which may temporarily distract attention from the day-to-day
business of the combined business. The inability of management to integrate
successfully the operations of the companies could have an adverse effect on
the business and results of the combined business. In addition, even if the
operations of the three companies are ultimately successfully integrated, it is
anticipated that the integration will be accomplished over time and, in the
interim, the combination may have an adverse effect on the business, results of
operations and financial condition of the combined business.
In addition, there can be no assurance that the present and potential
customers of VCA, Pet Practice and Pets' Rx will continue their current
utilization patterns without regard to the acquisitions or that the
acquisitions will not have an adverse impact upon relationships with
veterinarians and other animal health care professionals currently employed
by VCA. Any significant reduction in utilization patterns by VCA's customers,
or any significant adverse impact on relationships with the veterinarians and
other animal health care professionals currently employed by VCA could have
an adverse effect on the near-term business and results of operations of the
combined business.
Pet Practice commenced operations in October 1993, although the initial
business Pet Practice acquired has, and most of the veterinary hospitals
acquired since have, operated over a substantial period. Pet Practice had net
losses of $4,888,000 in fiscal 1994, $3,175,000 in fiscal 1995 and $899,000 for
the thirteen weeks ended April 3, 1996 and an accumulated deficit of $9,591,000
as of April 3, 1996 relating to net losses in the period from October 27, 1993
(commencement of operations) through December 29, 1993, fiscal 1994 and 1995 and
the thirteen weeks ended April 3, 1996. In view of Pet Practice's significant
recent growth and the impact of certain charges on Pet Practice's 1994 and 1995
results, Pet Practice's historical financial performance may not be indicative
of its future performance. There can be no assurance that Pet Practice will
achieve profitability or successfully implement its business strategy.
Pets' Rx commenced operations on May 28, 1991. Pets' Rx had net losses of
approximately $2,805,000 in fiscal 1994, $1,977,000 in fiscal 1995 and $358,000
for the three months ended March 31, 1996 and an accumulated deficit of
$8,505,000 as of March 31, 1996. Further losses have been recorded for
fiscal 1995 and 1996 as a result of anticipated pooling adjustments. In view of
Pets' Rx's recent growth and the impact of nonrecurring charges and certain
other charges on Pets' Rx's 1994 and 1995 results, Pets' Rx's historical
financial performance may not be indicative of its future performance. There can
be no assurance that Pets' Rx will achieve profitability or successfully
implement its business strategy.
ANTICIPATED EFFECTS OF ACQUISITIONS
VCA has implemented a plan with respect to the integration of the
businesses of Pets' Rx and Pet Practice into VCA's exiting operations. It is
anticipated that a significant restructuring of the combined operations will be
required as a result of the mergers. As a consequence of this restructuring and
the consummation of the mergers, VCA anticipates incurring one-time
restructuring and related charges in 1996. The magnitude of these charges has
not been quantified at this time.
The Pets' Rx acquisition was accounted for on a pooling of interests method
of accounting. Under the pooling rules, the historical financial results of VCA
have been restated to reflect the combination, together with certain
adjustments to conform the accounting policies of Pets' Rx to those of VCA.
Pets' Rx incurred a loss in each of the three fiscal years ended December 31,
1995 and in the first quarter ended March 31, 1996.
6
<PAGE>
Further, under the pooling rules, the costs amounting to $2,901,000 incurred in
consummating the merger have been expensed during the second quarter.
The Pet Practice acquisition was accounted for as a purchase. Under the
purchase rules, the Pet Practice acquisition resulted in a significant
increase in the goodwill and other intangibles recorded on VCA's
balance sheet. This increase in goodwill and other intangibles is in
addition to the increase resulting from the combination with Pets' Rx, which
also has significant goodwill and other intangibles recorded on its balance
sheet. As a result, VCA expects that its amortization expense will significantly
increase over historical levels.
The combined effect of the restructuring and related charges discussed
above, the pooling treatment in the Pets' Rx acquisition and the increased
amortization expense will have an adverse effect on the results of operations
of VCA in each of the second and third quarters of 1996. Further, the effect
of the increased amortization expense is expected to temper reported
earnings of VCA in the fourth quarter and subsequent periods.
RAPID EXPANSION AND MANAGEMENT OF GROWTH
Due to the number and size of acquisitions completed since January 1, 1994,
the Company has experienced rapid growth. In 1994, the Company completed six
acquisitions (five animal hospitals and one veterinary diagnostic laboratory)
and in 1995, the Company completed 32 acquisitions (25 animal hospitals, six
veterinary diagnostic laboratories and the remaining 30 percent interest in
Professional Animal Laboratory). In 1996, the Company completed the acquisition
of Pet Practice, Pets' Rx, 14 animal hospitals and four veterinary diagnostic
laboratories. As a result of these acquisitions, the Company's revenues have
grown from $25.3 million in 1993 to $42.2 million in 1994, to $92.1 million in
1995 and to unaudited proforma 1995 revenue of approximately $220 million. In
addition, during this period, the Company entered two new lines of business,
veterinary diagnostic laboratories and premium pet food.
The Company's growth and pace of acquisitions have placed, and will
continue to place, a substantial strain on its management, operational,
financial and accounting resources. The successful management of this growth
will require the Company to continue to implement and improve its financial and
management information systems and to train, motivate and manage its employees.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to identify,
consummate or integrate acquisitions without substantial delays, costs or other
problems. Once integrated, acquisitions may not achieve sales, profitability and
asset productivity commensurate with the combined business' other operations. In
addition, acquisitions involve several other risks, including adverse short-term
effects on the combined business' reported operating results, impairments of
goodwill and other intangible assets, the diversion of management's attention,
the dependence on retention, hiring and training of key personnel, the
amortization of intangible assets and risks associated with unanticipated
problems or legal liabilities. The Company's failure to manage growth
effectively would have a material adverse effect on its results of operations
and its ability to execute its business strategy.
In addition, the growth experienced by the Company, and the corresponding
increased need for timely information, have placed significant demands on the
Company's existing accounting and management information systems. As a result,
the Company is in the process of upgrading these systems. No assurance can be
given that these upgrades will be completed successfully or that the new systems
can be successfully integrated or that the new systems will effectively serve
the Company's future information requirements.
DEPENDENCE ON ACQUISITIONS FOR FUTURE GROWTH
The Company's growth strategy is dependent principally on its ability to
acquire existing animal hospitals and veterinary diagnostic laboratories.
Successful acquisitions involve a number of factors which are difficult to
control, including the identification of potential acquisition candidates, the
willingness of the owners to sell on reasonable terms and the satisfactory
completion of negotiations. In addition, acquisitions may be subject to pre-
merger or post-merger review by governmental authorities for antitrust and other
legal compliance. Adverse regulatory action could negatively affect the
Company's operations through the assessment of fines or penalties against the
Company, or the possible requirement of divestiture of one or more of the
Company's operations.
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There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to identify and
acquire acceptable acquisition candidates on terms favorable to the Company in a
timely manner in the future. Assuming the availability of capital, VCA's plans
include an aggressive acquisition program involving the acquisition of at least
15 to 25 facilities per year. VCA continues to evaluate acquisitions
and negotiate with several potential acquisition candidates. The failure
to complete acquisitions and continue expansion could have a material
adverse effect on VCA's financial performance. As the combined business
proceeds with its acquisition strategy, it will continue to encounter
the risks associated with the integration of acquisitions described above.
LEVERAGE
The Company has incurred substantial indebtedness to finance the
acquisition of its animal hospitals and veterinary diagnostic
laboratories. Giving effect to debt incurred in acquisitions subsequent to June
30, 1996 through August 13, 1996, the Company had at June 30, 1996 consolidated
long-term obligations (including current portion) of approximately $152 million.
At December 31, 1995 and June 30, 1996, the Company's ratio of long-term debt to
total stockholders' equity was 49.0% and 128.6%, respectively. As of June 30,
1996, after giving effect to the acquisitions subsequent to June 30, 1996
through August 13, 1996, the ratio of long-term debt to total stockholders'
equity will be 88.9%. The Company expects to incur additional indebtedness in
the future to continue its acquisition strategy.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INTANGIBLE ASSETS
A substantial portion of the assets of the Company consists of intangible
assets, including goodwill and covenants not to compete relating to the
acquisition of animal hospitals and veterinary diagnostic laboratories. At June
30, 1996, VCA's balance sheet reflected $96.2 million of intangible assets of
these types, a substantial portion of VCA's $259.2 million in total assets at
such date. At July 3, 1996, Pet Practice's balance sheet reflected $52.4 million
of intangible assets of these types, a significant portion of Pet Practice's
$80.1 million in total assets. VCA expects the aggregate amounts of goodwill and
other intangible assets on its balance sheet to increase in the future in
connection with additional acquisitions. This increase will have an adverse
impact on earnings as goodwill and other intangible assets will be amortized
against earnings. In the event of any sale or liquidation of VCA, there can be
no assurance that the value of these intangible assets will be realized.
In addition, the Company continually evaluates whether events and
circumstances have occurred that indicate the remaining balance of intangible
assets may not be recoverable. When factors indicate that these intangible
assets should be evaluated for possible impairment, they may be required to
reduce the carrying value of intangible assets, which could have a material
adverse effect on results of operations during the periods in which such
reduction is recognized. In accordance with this policy, VCA recognized a
writedown of goodwill and related assets in the amount of $2.3 million in 1993
in connection with three of VCA's facilities which were not performing. There
can be no assurance that the combined business will not be required to writedown
assets further in future periods. In connection with an accounting change
related to the pooling of interests of Pets' Rx, the combined company
recognized a pretax writedown of $2.1 million in each of 1993 and 1995.
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GUARANTEED PAYMENTS
In connection with acquisitions in which the purchase price consists, in
part, of shares of Common Stock (the "Guarantee Shares"), VCA often guarantees
(the "Guarantee Right") that the value of such stock two to three years
following the date of the acquisition (the "Measurement Price") will equal or
exceed the value of the stock on the date of acquisition (the "Issue Price"). In
the event the Measurement Price does not equal or exceed the Issue Price, VCA
typically is obligated either to (i) pay to the seller in cash, notes payable or
additional shares of Common Stock the difference between the Issue Price and the
Measurement Price multiplied by the number of Guarantee Shares then held by the
seller, or (ii) purchase the Guarantee Shares then held by the seller. Once the
Guarantee Shares are registered for resale under the Securities Act, which
registration VCA covenants to effect generally within six months of issuance of
the Guarantee Shares, the seller's Guarantee Right typically terminates if the
Common Stock trades at 110% to 120% of the Issue Price (the "Release Price") for
five to 20 consecutive days, depending on the terms of the specific acquisition
agreement. There are 177,810 Guarantee Shares outstanding at June 30, 1996
(including Guarantee Shares that may have been sold by the seller, which sale
terminates the Guarantee Right with respect to the sold shares), with Issue
Prices ranging from $11.70 to $17.49 that have not reached their respective
Release Prices for the required period or have not been delivered due to escrow
arrangements. If the value of the VCA Common Stock decreases and is less than
an Issue Price at the end of the respective Guarantee Period for these shares,
VCA may be obligated to compensate these sellers.
In connection with the Pet Practice merger, VCA has assumed the Guarantee
Rights issued by Pet Practice (which generally operate similarly to the
Guarantee Rights issued by VCA, except that there is no provision for a release
of the Guarantee Right). As a result of the Pet Practice merger, at June 30,
1996, there are 61,933 additional shares of Common Stock of VCA with associated
guarantee values ranging from $24.53 to $25.76 per share.
SEASONALITY AND FLUCTUATING QUARTERLY RESULTS
A large portion of the business of the Company is seasonal, with operating
results varying substantially from quarter to quarter. Historically, VCA's
revenues have been greater in the second and third quarters than in the first
and fourth quarters. The demand for VCA's veterinary services are significantly
higher during warmer months because pets spend a greater amount of time
outdoors, where they are more likely to be injured and are more susceptible to
disease and parasites. In addition, use of veterinary services may be affected
by levels of infestation of fleas, heartworms and ticks, and the number of
daylight hours, as well as general economic conditions. A substantial portion of
VCA's costs are fixed and do not vary with the level of demand. Consequently,
net income for the second and third quarters at individual animal hospitals
generally has been higher than that experienced in the first and fourth
quarters.
DEPENDENCE ON KEY MANAGEMENT
VCA's success will continue to depend to a
significant extent on VCA's executive officers and other key management,
particularly its Chief Executive Officer, Robert L. Antin. VCA has an employment
contract with Mr. Robert Antin, Mr. Arthur Antin, Chief Operating Officer of
VCA and Mr. Neil Tauber, Senior Vice President of VCA, each of which expires in
December 1998. VCA has no other written employment agreements with its
executive officers. None of VCA's officers are parties to noncompetition
covenants which extend beyond the term of their employment with VCA. VCA
maintains "key man" life insurance on Mr. Robert Antin in the amount of $3.0
million, of which VCA is the sole beneficiary. VCA does not maintain any
insurance on the lives of its other senior management. As VCA continues to
grow, it will continue to hire, appoint or otherwise change senior managers and
other key executives. There can be no assurance that VCA will be able to retain
its executive officers and key personnel or attract additional qualified
members to management in the future. In addition, the success of certain of
VCA's acquisitions may depend on VCA's ability to retain selling veterinarians
of the acquired companies. The loss of services of any key manager or selling
veterinarian could have a material adverse effect upon VCA's business.
JOINT VENTURES
VCA conducts a portion of its veterinary diagnostic laboratory business
through a joint venture with Vet Research, Inc. ("VRI"), and conducts its pet
food business through a joint venture with Heinz Pet Products, an affiliate of
H.J. Heinz Company. VCA has an option (the "VCA Option Agreement") in January
1997 to acquire the remaining 49 percent
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interest in the laboratory joint venture for $18.6 million in cash plus an
additional amount based upon the earnings of the joint venture to be paid over
six years. Based on current information available to it, VCA expects to exercise
its purchase option in January 1997. If for any reason VCA does not exercise the
option, VRI has the option to purchase from VCA its entire 51 percent interest
for $3.5 million. On the earlier of a change in control of VCA or January 1,
2000, Heinz Pet Products has the option to purchase all of VCA's interest in the
Vet's Choice joint venture at a purchase price equal to the fair market value of
such interest. The acquisition of Pet Practice did not result in a
change in control for purposes of the Vet's Choice joint venture.
There can be no assurance that VCA will not have to sell these joint venture
interests.
COMPETITION
The companion animal health care industry is highly competitive and subject
to continual change in the manner in which services are delivered and providers
are selected. VCA believes that the primary competitive factors in connection
with animal hospitals are convenient location, recommendation of friends,
reasonable fees, quality of care and convenient hours. VCA's primary competitors
for its animal hospitals in most markets are individual practitioners or small,
regional multi-clinic practices. In addition, certain national companies in the
pet care industry, including the operators of super-stores, are developing
multi-regional networks of animal hospitals in markets which include VCA's
animal hospitals. Among veterinary diagnostic laboratories, VCA believes that
quality, price and the time required to report results are the major competitive
factors. There are many clinical laboratory companies which provide a broad
range of laboratory testing services in the same markets serviced by VCA. In
addition, several national companies provide on-site diagnostic equipment that
allows veterinarians to perform their own laboratory tests. VCA's major
competitors in the premium pet food industry are Hill's and Iams, both of which
have extensive experience in the manufacture of premium pet food and possess
research and development, marketing and financial resources far greater than
that of Vet's Choice.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
The laws of some states prohibit veterinarians from splitting fees with
non-veterinarians and prohibit business corporations from providing veterinary
services through the direct employment of veterinarians. These laws and their
interpretations vary from state to state and are enforced by the courts and by
regulatory authorities with broad discretion. Although VCA believes its
operations as currently conducted are in material compliance with
existing applicable laws, there can be no assurance that VCA's existing
operational structure will not be successfully challenged in one or more states
as constituting the unlicensed practice of veterinary medicine. Such a
determination in a state could adversely affect the operations of VCA through
the assessment of fines or penalties against VCA or the possible requirement of
divestiture of VCA's operations in the state. In addition, there can be no
assurance that state legislation or regulations will not change so as to
restrict VCA's or, in the future, the combined business' existing operations or
the expansion of such operations.
ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECT
A number of provisions of VCA's Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws and
certain Delaware laws and regulations relating to matters of corporate
governance, certain rights of directors and the issuance of preferred stock
without stockholder approval, may be deemed to have and may have the effect of
making more difficult, and thereby discouraging, a merger, tender offer, proxy
contest or assumption of control and change of incumbent management, even when
stockholders other than VCA's principal stockholders consider such a transaction
to be in their best interest. In addition, H.J. Heinz Company has an option to
purchase VCA's interest in the Vet's Choice joint venture upon the occurrence of
a change in control (as defined in the joint venture agreement), which may have
the same effect. Accordingly, stockholders may be deprived of an opportunity to
sell their shares at a substantial premium over the market price of the shares.
IMPACT OF SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Future sales by existing stockholders could adversely affect the prevailing
market price of the VCA Common Stock. As of August 13, 1996, VCA had 15,879,530
shares of common stock outstanding, most of which are either freely tradeable in
the public market without restriction or tradeable in accordance with Rule 144
under the Act. There are also
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2,057,736 shares which VCA is obligated to issue in connection with the Pets'
Rx merger, the Pet Practice acquisition and certain other acquisitions; 583,333
shares issuable upon conversion of outstanding preferred stock; 1,549,822 shares
of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options; 1,222,177
shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants; and
51,256 shares issuable upon conversion of convertible notes. Shares may also be
issued under price guarantees delivered in connection with acquisitions. These
shares will be eligible for immediate sale upon issuance. In addition, the
Debentures are convertible into 2,456,623 shares of Common Stock at a rate of
$34.35 per share.
POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE
The market price of the VCA Common Stock could be subject to significant
fluctuations caused by variations in quarterly operating results, litigation
involving VCA, announcements by VCA or its competitors, general conditions in
the companion animal health care industry and other factors. The stock market in
recent years has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have
often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of
publicly traded companies. The broad fluctuations may adversely affect the
market price of the VCA Common Stock.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Securities
offered by the Selling Stockholders hereunder.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBENTURES
Set forth below is a summary of certain provisions of the Debentures. The
Debentures were issued pursuant to an Indenture (the "Indenture") dated as of
April 17, 1996, by and between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.,
as trustee (the "Trustee"). The following summary of the Debentures, the
Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement does not purport to be complete
and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by, reference to all of the
provisions of the Indenture, the Debentures and the Registration Rights
Agreement, including the definitions therein contained. Copies of the Indenture
and the Registration Rights Agreement can be obtained from the Company upon
request. Capitalized terms used herein without definition have the meaning
ascribed to them in the Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement, as
appropriate. References under this heading to the "Company" are to Veterinary
Centers of America, Inc. and do not include its subsidiaries unless expressly
stated. Wherever particular provisions of the Indenture or the Registration
Rights Agreement are referred to in this summary, such provisions are
incorporated by reference as a part of the statements made and such statements
are qualified in their entirety by such reference. The Debentures offered hereby
were issued as part of an offering of convertible subordinated debentures
effected by the Company in April 1996. All references to "Debentures," in this
section will refer to the entire issues of convertible subordinated debentures
issued in the offering and not just to the Debentures offered hereby.
GENERAL
The Debentures are unsecured general obligations of the Company, limited in
aggregate principal amount to $84,385,000. The Debentures are subordinated in
right of payment to all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of the Company,
as described under "Subordination" below. At June 30, 1996, Senior Indebtedness
of the Company and indebtedness of its subsidiaries aggregated $48.6 million
(exclusive of the Debentures). Upon consummation of the Pet Practice
acquisition, the Debentures were effectively subordinated to all indebtedness of
Pet Practice which at January 3, 1996 was approximately $19.5 million. Neither
the Indenture nor the Debentures will limit the amount of Senior Indebtedness or
other indebtedness that the Company or its subsidiaries may incur.
The Debentures mature on May 1, 2006. The Debentures bear interest at 5-
1/4% per annum from April 17, 1996 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date
to which interest has been paid or provided for, payable semi-annually in
arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing on November 1, 1996.
Interest will be calculated on the
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basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The interest payable
on November 1, 1996, will amount to $28.29 per $1,000 principal amount of the
Debentures and on each May 1 and November 1 thereafter will amount to $26.25 per
$1,000 principal amount of the Debentures.
SUBORDINATION
The Debentures are obligations exclusively of the Company and not of its
subsidiaries. Because the operations of VCA are currently conducted through its
subsidiaries, the cash flow and consequent ability to service debt of VCA,
including the Debentures, are dependent, in part, upon the earnings of its
subsidiaries and the distribution of those earnings to VCA or upon loans or on
the payment of funds by those subsidiaries to VCA. The subsidiaries are separate
and distinct entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay
any amounts due pursuant to the Debentures or to make any funds available
therefor, whether by dividends, loans, or other payments. In addition, the
payment of dividends and the making of loans and advances to VCA by its
subsidiaries may be subject to statutory or contractual restrictions, or
contingent upon the earnings of those subsidiaries and are subject to various
business considerations.
The Debentures are subordinated in right of payment to all existing and
future Senior Indebtedness of the Company and rank pari passu with other
unsecured subordinated indebtedness of the Company. The rights of holders of
Debentures are effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities
(including trade payables and commitments under leases) of the Company's
subsidiaries. Neither the Indenture nor the Debentures will restrict the
incurrence of Senior Indebtedness or other indebtedness by the Company or its
subsidiaries. Any right of the Company to receive assets of any of its
subsidiaries upon liquidation or reorganization of the subsidiary (and the
consequent right of the holders of the Debentures to participate in those
assets) will be effectively subordinated to the claims of that subsidiary's
creditors, except to the extent that the Company is itself recognized as a
creditor of such subsidiary, in which case the claims of the Company would still
be subject to any security interests in the assets of such subsidiary and
subordinated to any indebtedness of such subsidiary senior to that held by the
Company.
The Indenture provides that no payment may be made by the Company on
account of the principal of, premium, if any, interest on, or Additional Amounts
(as defined herein) with respect to, the Debentures, or to acquire any of the
Debentures (including repurchases of Debentures at the option of the holder
thereof) for cash or property (other than Junior Securities as defined herein),
or on account of the redemption provisions of the Debentures, (i) upon the
maturity of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company by lapse of time,
acceleration (unless waived) or otherwise, unless and until all principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on such Senior Indebtedness and all other
Obligations in respect thereof are first paid in full (or such payment is duly
provided for), or (ii) in the event of default in the payment of any principal
of, premium, if any, interest on or any other Obligation in respect of any
Senior Indebtedness of the Company when it becomes due and payable, whether at
maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration or otherwise (a
"Payment Default"), unless and until such Payment Default has been cured or
waived or otherwise has ceased to exist.
Upon (i) the happening of an event of default (other than a Payment
Default) that permits the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their representative
immediately to accelerate its maturity and (ii) written notice of such event of
default given to the Company and the Trustee, by the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness or their representative (a "Payment Notice"), then, unless and
until such event of default has been cured or waived or otherwise has ceased to
exist, no payment (by set off or otherwise) may be made by or on behalf of the
Company on account of the principal of, premium, if any, interest on, or
Additional Amounts with respect to, the Debentures, or to acquire or repurchase
any of the Debentures for cash or property, or on account of the redemption
provisions of the Debentures, in any such case other than payments made with
Junior Securities of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless (i) the
Senior Indebtedness in respect of which such event of default exists has been
declared due and payable in its entirety within 179 days after the Payment
Notice is delivered as set forth above (the "Payment Blockage Period"), and (ii)
such declaration has not been rescinded or waived, at the end of the Payment
Blockage Period the Company shall be required to pay all sums not paid to the
holders of the Debentures during the Payment Blockage Period due to the
foregoing prohibitions and to resume all other payments as and when due on the
Debentures. Any number of Payment Notices may be given; provided, however, that
(i) not more than one Payment Notice shall be given within any period of 360
consecutive days, and (ii) no default that existed upon the date of such Payment
Notice or the commencement of such Payment Blockage Period (whether or not such
event of default is on the same issue of Senior Indebtedness) shall be made the
basis for the commencement of any other Payment Blockage Period.
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In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or
distribution of assets of the Company (other than Junior Securities) shall be
received by the Trustee or the holders of Debentures at a time when such payment
or distribution is prohibited by the foregoing provisions, such payment or
distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of the holders of Senior
Indebtedness of the Company, and shall be paid or delivered by the Trustee or
such holders of Debentures, as the case may be, to the holders of the Senior
Indebtedness of the Company remaining unpaid or unprovided for or to their
representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any
indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any of such Senior
Indebtedness of the Company may have been issued, ratably according to the
aggregate amounts remaining unpaid on account of the Senior Indebtedness of the
Company held or represented by each, for application to the payment of all
Senior Indebtedness of the Company remaining unpaid, to the extent necessary to
pay or to provide for the payment of all such Senior Indebtedness in full after
giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such
Senior Indebtedness.
Upon any distribution of assets of the Company upon any dissolution,
winding up, total or partial liquidation or reorganization of the Company,
whether voluntary or involuntary, in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or a
similar proceeding or upon assignment for the benefit of creditors or any
marshaling of assets or liabilities, (i) the holders of all Senior Indebtedness
of the Company will first be entitled to receive payment in full (or have such
payment duly provided for) before the holders of Debentures are entitled to
receive any payment on account of the principal of, premium, if any, interest
on, or Additional Amounts with respect to, the Debentures (other than Junior
Securities) and (ii) any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any
kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (other than Junior
Securities) to which the holders of Debentures or the Trustee on their behalf
would be entitled (by set off or otherwise), except for the subordination
provisions contained in the Indenture, will be paid by the liquidating trustee
or agent or other person making such a payment or distribution directly to the
holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or their representative to the
extent necessary to make payment in full of all such Senior Indebtedness
remaining unpaid, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution
to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.
No provision contained in the Indenture or the Debentures affect the
obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay, when
due, principal of, premium, if any, interest on, and Additional Amounts with
respect to, the Debentures. The subordination provisions of the Indenture and
the Debentures will not prevent the occurrence of any default or Event of
Default or limit the rights of any holder of Debentures, subject to the four
immediately preceding paragraphs, to pursue any other rights or remedies with
respect to the Debentures.
As a result of these subordination provisions, in the event of the
liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar
proceeding or an assignment for the benefit of the creditors of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries or a marshaling of assets or liabilities of the Company
and its subsidiaries, holders of the Debentures may receive ratably less than
other creditors.
DELIVERY AND FORM OF RESTRICTED DEBENTURES
The Manager arranged for the sale of a portion of the Debentures to certain
institutions in the United States in reliance on exemptions from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act. Those of such Debentures that
were sold to QIBs were represented by a single global Debenture (the "Rule 144A
Global Security"), which was deposited on April 17, 1996 with, or on behalf of,
the Depository and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of the
Depository (such nominee being referred to herein as the "Rule 144A Global
Security Holder"). The Debentures represented by the Rule 144A Global Security
are eligible for trading on PORTAL. Debentures that were sold to institutional
accredited investors (the "Accredited Investor Debentures") are in fully
registered form. The Rule 144A Global Security and the Accredited Investor
Debentures were delivered for the accounts of the purchasers thereof on April
17, 1996.
The Depository is a limited-purpose trust company that was created to hold
securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the "Participants"
or the "Depository's Participants") and to facilitate the clearance and
settlement of transactions in such securities between Participants through
electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The Depository's
Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies,
clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to the
Depository's system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers,
dealers and trust companies (collectively, the "Indirect Participants" or the
"Depository's Indirect Participants") that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly.
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Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities held by or on
behalf of the Depository only through the Depository's Participants or the
Depository's Indirect Participants.
So long as the Rule 144A Global Security Holder is the registered owner of
any Debentures, the Rule 144A Global Security Holder will be considered the sole
holder under the Indenture of any Debentures evidenced by the Rule 144A Global
Security. Beneficial owners of Debentures evidenced by the Rule 144A Global
Security will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the
Indenture for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any
directions, instructions or approvals to the Trustee. Neither the Company nor
the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records of the Depository or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any
records of the Depository relating to the Debentures.
Payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, interest on, and
Additional Amounts with respect to, any Debentures registered in the name of the
Rule 144A Global Security Holder on the applicable record date are payable by
the Trustee to or at the direction of the Rule 144A Global Security Holder in
its capacity as the registered holder under the Indenture. Under the terms of
the Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may treat the persons in whose names
the Debentures, including the Rule 144A Global Security, are registered as the
owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments. Consequently, neither
the Company nor the Trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for
the payment of such amounts to beneficial owners of Debentures. The Company
believes, however, that it is currently the policy of the Depository immediately
to credit the accounts of the relevant Participants with such payments, in
amounts proportionate to their respective holdings of beneficial interests in
the relevant security as shown on the records of the Depository. Payments by the
Depository's Participants and the Depository's Indirect Participants to the
beneficial owners of Debentures are governed by standing instructions and
customary practice and are the responsibility of the Depository's Participants
or the Depository's Indirect Participants.
EXCHANGE AND TRANSFER
At the option of the holder thereof and subject to the terms of the
Debentures and of the Indenture, Registered Debentures are exchangeable for an
equal aggregate principal amount of Registered Debentures of different
authorized denominations, in each case without service charge (other than the
cost of delivery) and upon payment of any taxes and other governmental charges.
Registered Debentures are not exchangeable for Bearer Debentures. Registered
Debentures shall be registered as provided in the Indenture. The registered
holder of a Registered Debenture will be treated by the Company, the Trustee and
their respective agents for all purposes as the owner of such Registered
Debenture.
The transfer of Registered Debentures may be registered, and Registered
Debentures may be presented in exchange for other Registered Debentures of
different authorized denominations, at the office of the Trustee in The City of
New York, without service charge (other than the cost of delivery) and upon
payment of any taxes or other governmental charges. Registered Debentures may
also be presented for purposes of transfer or such exchange at the offices of
the paying agents in London (which will initially be The Chase Manhattan Bank,
N.A.) or the transfer agent in Luxembourg (which will initially be Chase
Manhattan Bank Luxembourg, S.A.), or such other paying agents as may be
specified in notices to the holders of Debentures in accordance with "-Notices"
below.
In the event of a redemption in part, the Company is not required (i) to
register the transfer of Registered Debentures for a period of 15 days
immediately preceding the date on which notice is given identifying the serial
numbers of the Debentures called for such redemption; or (ii) to register the
transfer or exchange of any such Registered Debenture, or portion thereof,
called for redemption.
Subject to certain conditions, any person having a beneficial interest
in the Rule 144A Global Security may, upon request to the Trustee, exchange such
beneficial interest for Debentures in the form of certificated Debentures. Upon
any such issuance, the Trustee is required to register such certificated
Debentures in the name of, and cause the same to be delivered to, such person or
persons (or the nominee of any thereof). All such certificated Debentures will
be subject to the legend requirements described herein under "Notice to
Investors." In addition, if (i) the Company notifies the Trustee in writing that
the Depository is no longer willing or able to act as a depository and the
Company is unable to locate a qualified successor within 90 days or (ii) the
Company, at its option, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause
the issuance of Debentures in the form of certificated Debentures under the
Indenture, then, upon surrender by the
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Rule 144A Global Security Holder of the Rule 144A Global Security, Debentures in
certificated form will be issued to each person that the Rule 144A Global
Security Holder and the Depository identify as being the beneficial owner of the
related Debentures.
Neither the Company nor the Trustee will be liable for any delay by the
Rule 144A Global Security Holder or the Depository in identifying the beneficial
owners of Debentures, and the Company and the Trustee may conclusively rely on,
and will be protected in relying on, instructions from the Rule 144A Global
Security Holder or the Depository for all purposes.
CONVERSION RIGHTS
The Debentures are convertible into Common Stock, initially at the
conversion price of $34.35 per share (equivalent to approximately 29.11 shares
of Common Stock for each $1,000 principal amount of Debentures), at any time on
and after the Exchange Date, and prior to redemption or maturity. The right to
convert a Debenture called for redemption or delivered for repurchase will
terminate at the close of business on the fifth day (or if such day is not a
Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) next preceding the redemption
date for such Debenture. Holders of the Debentures will have the right to
convert Debentures called for redemption until terminated in accordance with the
preceding sentence.
The right of conversion attaching to any Debenture may be exercised by the
holder thereof by delivering the Debenture at the specified office of a
conversion agent (including such office in Luxembourg, as described under
"--Payments, Paying Agents and Conversion Agents" below), accompanied by a duly
signed and completed notice of conversion. The conversion date shall be the date
on which the Debenture and the duly signed and completed notice of conversion
shall have been so delivered. As promptly as practicable on or after the
conversion date, the Company will cause to be delivered at such office of the
conversion agent certificates representing the number of shares of Common Stock
deliverable upon conversion, together with payment in lieu of any fractional
shares. A holder delivering a Debenture for conversion will not be required to
pay any taxes or duties payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of Common
Stock on conversion but will be required to pay any tax or duty which may be
payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of the
Common Stock in a name other than that of the holder of the Debenture.
Certificates representing shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the
Debentures will be issued and delivered by the Company's transfer agent upon
notice from the conversion agent under the Indenture only after all taxes and
duties, if any, payable by such holder have been paid. Such certificates will be
delivered to the address specified by such holder in its completed notice of
conversion.
In the case of any Registered Debenture that has been converted after any
Interest Record Date, but on or before the next Interest Payment Date, interest,
the stated due date of which is on such Interest Payment Date, shall be payable
on such Interest Payment Date notwithstanding such conversion, and such interest
shall be paid to the holder of such Registered Debenture who is a holder on such
Interest Record Date. Any Registered Debenture so converted must be accompanied
by payment of an amount equal to the interest payable on such Interest Payment
Date on the principal amount of Registered Debentures being surrendered for
conversion, except that Registered Debentures called for redemption on May 16,
1999 shall not be accompanied by such payment.
The conversion price is subject to adjustment in certain events, including
(a) dividends (and other distributions) payable in Common Stock on any class of
capital stock of the Company, (b) the issuance to all holders of Common Stock of
rights, options or warrants entitling them to subscribe for or purchase Common
Stock (or securities convertible into Common Stock) at less than the then-
current market price (as determined in accordance with the Debentures) unless
holders of Debentures are entitled to receive the same upon conversion, (c)
subdivisions, combinations and reclassifications of Common Stock and (d)
distributions to all holders of Common Stock of evidences of indebtedness of the
Company or assets (including securities, but excluding those rights, options,
warrants, dividends and distributions referred to above, dividends and
distributions paid in cash out of the retained earnings of the Company and
regular quarterly dividends consistent with past practice). In addition to the
foregoing adjustments, the Company is permitted to make such downward
adjustments in the conversion price as it considers to be advisable in order
that any event treated for United States federal income tax purposes as a
dividend of stock or stock rights will not be taxable to the holders of the
Common Stock. Adjustments in the conversion price of less than $0.25 will not be
required, but any adjustment that would otherwise be required to be made will be
taken into account in the computation of any subsequent adjustment. Fractional
shares of
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Common Stock are not to be issued or delivered upon conversion, but, in lieu
thereof, a cash adjustment will be paid based upon the then-current market price
of Common Stock.
Subject to the foregoing, no payments or adjustments will be made upon
conversion on account of accrued interest on the Debentures or for any dividends
or distributions on any shares of Common Stock delivered upon such conversion.
Notice of any adjustment of the conversion price will be given in the manner set
forth herein under "--Notices" below.
Conversion price adjustments or omissions in making such adjustments may,
under certain circumstances, be deemed to be distributions that could be taxable
as dividends under the Code to holders of Debentures or of Common Stock.
If at any time the Company makes a distribution of property to its
stockholders that would be taxable to such stockholders as a dividend for United
States federal income tax purposes (e.g., distribution of evidences of
indebtedness or assets of the Company, but generally not stock dividends or
rights to subscribe for Common Stock) and, pursuant to the antidilution
provisions of the Debentures, the conversion price of the Debentures is reduced,
such reduction may be deemed to be the payment of a taxable dividend to holders
of Debentures. Such a deemed dividend might be subject to a 30% or then
applicable United States withholding tax unless the holder is entitled to a
reduction of the tax under a tax treaty.
In the event that the Company should merge with another company, become a
party to a consolidation or sell or transfer all or substantially all of its
assets to another company, each Debenture then outstanding would, without the
consent of any holder of Debentures, become convertible only into the kind and
amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon the merger,
consolidation or transfer by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock
into which such Debenture might have been converted immediately prior to such
merger, consolidation or transfer.
REDEMPTION
Unless previously redeemed, converted or purchased and canceled by the
Company, the Debentures will mature on May 1, 2006 and shall be redeemed at
their principal amount.
Optional Redemption
The Debentures may be redeemed, at the option of the Company, in whole or
in part, at any time on and after May 16, 1999, upon notice as described below,
at a redemption price equal to 103% of their principal amount if redeemed during
the 12-month period commencing May 16, 1999, 102% of their principal amount if
redeemed during the 12-month period commencing May 16, 2000, 101% of their
principal amount if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing May 16, 2001
and 100% of their principal amount if redeemed during the 12-month period
commencing May 16, 2002 and thereafter, in each case together with accrued and
unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption. In the event of a partial
redemption, the Debentures to be redeemed will be selected by the Trustee not
more than 75 days before the date fixed for redemption, by such method as the
Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate.
Debentures may be redeemed, in whole but not in part, upon notice as
described below, at the option of the Company at any time, if the Company shall
determine that as a result of any change in or amendment to the laws or any
regulations or rulings of the United States or any political subdivision or
taxing authority thereof or therein affecting taxation, or any amendment to, or
change in, an official application or interpretation of such laws, regulations
or rulings, which amendment or change is announced or becomes effective on or
after April 17, 1996, the Company has or will become obligated to pay Additional
Amounts on the Debentures or coupons, as described below under "Payment of
Additional Amounts," and such obligation cannot be avoided by the Company taking
reasonable measures available to it; provided, however, that no such notice of
redemption shall be given earlier than 90 days prior to the earliest date on
which the Company would be obligated to pay such Additional Amounts were a
payment in respect of the Debentures then due; and provided further, that at the
time such notice is given, such obligation to pay such Additional Amounts
remains in effect. In case of any such redemption, the redemption price will be
100% of the principal amount of the Debentures, together in each case with
accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption. The Company is
required to deliver to the Trustee a certificate stating that the Company is
entitled to effect such redemption and that the conditions
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precedent to the right of the Company to redeem the Debentures have occurred
and an opinion of counsel stating that the legal conditions precedent to the
right of the Company to effect such redemption have occurred.
Notices of Redemption
Notice of intention to redeem Debentures will be given as described under
"--Notices" below. In the case of redemption of all Debentures, notice will be
given once not more than 60 nor less than 30 days prior to the date fixed for
redemption. In the case of a partial redemption, notice will be given twice, t
he first such notice to be given not more than 60 nor less than 45 days prior to
the date fixed for redemption and the second such notice to be given not more
than 45 nor less than 30 days prior to the date fixed for redemption.
Notices of redemption will specify the date fixed for redemption, the
applicable redemption price, the date on which the conversion privilege expires
and, in the case of a partial redemption, the aggregate principal amount of
Debentures to be redeemed and the aggregate principal amount of Debentures which
will be outstanding after such partial redemption. In addition, in the case of a
partial redemption, the first notice will specify the last date on which
exchanges or transfers of Debentures may be made pursuant to the provisions of
"--Exchange and Transfer" above and the second notice will specify the serial
numbers of the Debentures and the portions thereof called for redemption.
As used herein, "United States" means the United States of America
(including the states and the District of Columbia), its territories, its
possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction. The term "United States
Alien" means any person who, for United States federal income tax purposes, is
(i) a foreign corporation, (ii) a foreign partnership one or more of the members
of which are, for United States federal income tax purposes, foreign
corporations, non-resident alien individuals or non-resident alien fiduciaries
of a foreign estate or trust, (iii) a non-resident alien individual or (iv) a
non-resident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust.
In addition, the Company may at any time and from time to time repurchase
the Debentures in the open market or in private transactions at prices it
considers attractive. Debentures repurchased by the Company will be canceled.
CHANGE OF CONTROL
Each holder of a Debenture has the right, at such holder's option, to cause
the Company to purchase such Debenture, in whole but not in part, for a cash
amount equal to 100% of the principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid
interest to the repurchase date, if a Change of Control (as defined herein)
occurs or has occurred. Notice with respect to the occurrence of a Change of
Control will be given as described under "--Notices" below and not later than 30
days after the Exchange Date or the date of the occurrence of such Change of
Control. The date fixed for such purchase will be a date not less than 30 nor
more than 60 days after notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control is given
(except as otherwise required by law). To be purchased, a Debenture must be
received with a duly executed written notice, substantially in the form provided
on the reverse side of such Debenture, at the office of a paying agent not later
than the fifth day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding
Business Day) prior to the date fixed for such purchase. All Debentures
purchased by the Company will be canceled. Holders of Debentures who have
tendered a notice of purchase will be entitled to revoke their election by
delivering a written notice of such revocation to a paying agent on or prior to
the date fixed for such purchase. In addition, holders of Debentures will retain
the right to require such Debentures to be converted into Common Stock (or other
securities, property or cash, payable in lieu thereof by reference to the
adjustment price as provided under the adjustment provision, see "--Conversion
Rights") prior to the purchase date, so long as notice to that effect, including
such holder's nontransferable receipt for the Debentures from a paying agent, is
delivered to a paying agent on or prior to the close of business on the fifth
day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day)
next preceding the applicable Redemption Date.
A "Change of Control" will be deemed to have occurred (i) upon any merger
or consolidation of the Company with or into any person or any sale, transfer or
other conveyance, whether direct or indirect, of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company, on a consolidated basis, in one transaction or a series
of related transactions, if, immediately after giving effect to such
transaction, any "person" or "group" (as such terms are used for purposes of
Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the "Exchange Act"), whether or not applicable) is or becomes the
"beneficial owner," directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting
power in the aggregate
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normally entitled to vote in the election of directors, managers, or trustees,
as applicable, of the transferee or surviving entity, (ii) when any "person" or
"group" (as such terms are used for purposes of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the
Exchange Act, whether or not applicable) is or becomes the "beneficial owner,"
directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power in the
aggregate normally entitled to vote in the election of directors of the Company,
or (iii) when, during any period of 12 consecutive months after the Closing
Date, individuals who at the beginning of any such 12-month period constituted
the Board of Directors of the Company (together with any new directors whose
election by such Board or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of
the Company was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors then still in
office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose
election or nomination for election was previously so approved), cease for any
reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company then in
office.
The phrase "all or substantially all" of the assets of the Company is
likely to be interpreted by reference to applicable state law at the relevant
time, and will be dependent on the facts and circumstances existing at such
time. As a result, there may be a degree of uncertainty in ascertaining whether
a sale or transfer of "all or substantially all" of the assets of the Company
has occurred. For purposes of this definition, (i) the terms "person" and
"group" shall have the meaning used for purposes of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 of the
Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date, whether or not applicable; and
(ii) the term "beneficial owner" shall have the meaning used in Rules 13d-3 and
13d-5 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date, whether or not
applicable, except that a "person" shall not be deemed to have "beneficial
ownership" of all shares that any such person has the right to acquire, whether
such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time or upon
the occurrence of certain events.
The Change of Control provisions described above may make more difficult or
discourage a takeover of the Company, and, thus, the removal of incumbent
management. The Change of Control provisions will not prevent a leveraged buy
out led by Company management, a recapitalization of the Company or change in a
majority of the members of the Board of Directors which is approved by the then-
current Board of Directors and may not afford the holders of Debentures
protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, reorganization,
restructuring, merger, spin-off or similar transaction that may adversely affect
such holders, if such transaction does not constitute a Change of Control, as
set forth above.
The Company will comply with the provisions of Rule 13e-4 and any other
tender offer rules under the Exchange Act which may then be applicable and will
file a Schedule 13E-4 or any other schedule required thereunder in connection
with any offer by the Company to purchase Debentures at the option of holders
thereof upon a Change of Control. The Change of Control purchase feature is not,
however, as of the date of this Offering Circular, the result of management's
knowledge of any specific efforts to accumulate shares of Common Stock or to
obtain control of the Company by means of a merger, tender offer, solicitation
of proxies or consents or otherwise, or part of a plan to implement a series of
anti-takeover measures.
The Company could, in the future, enter into certain transactions,
including certain recapitalizations of the Company, that would not constitute a
Change of Control under the Debentures, but that would increase the amount of
Senior Indebtedness (or any other indebtedness of the Company or its
subsidiaries) outstanding at such time. There are no restrictions in the
Debentures or the Indenture on the creation of additional Senior Indebtedness
(or any other indebtedness or the Company or its subsidiaries), and, under
certain circumstances, the incurrence of significant amounts of additional
indebtedness by the Company or any of its subsidiaries could have an adverse
effect on the Company's ability to service its indebtedness, including the
Debentures. If such a Change of Control were to occur, there can be no assurance
that the Company would have sufficient funds at the time of such event to pay
the Change of Control purchase price for all Debentures tendered by the holders
thereof. A default by the Company on its obligation to pay the Change of Control
purchase price could, pursuant to cross-default provisions, result in
acceleration of the payment of other indebtedness of the Company outstanding at
that time.
Certain of the Company's existing and future agreements relating to its
indebtedness could prohibit the purchase by the Company of the Debentures
pursuant to the exercise by a holder of Debentures of the foregoing option,
depending on the financial circumstances of the Company at the time any such
purchase may occur, because such purchase could cause a breach of certain
covenants contained in such agreements. Such a breach may constitute an event of
default under such indebtedness as a result of which any repurchase could,
absent a waiver, be blocked by the subordination provision of the Debentures.
See "--Subordination." Failure of the Company to repurchase the Debentures when
required would
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result in an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures whether or not such
repurchase is permitted by the subordination provisions.
PAYMENTS, PAYING AGENTS AND CONVERSION AGENTS
The principal of, premium, if any, and interest on Registered Debentures
are payable in United States dollars. Payments of such principal and premium, if
any, will be made against surrender of Registered Debentures at the corporate
trust office of the Trustee in The City of New York or, subject to any
applicable laws and regulations, at the offices of the paying agents in London
or Luxembourg (or such other paying agencies as may be specified in notices to
the holders of Debentures in accordance with "--Notices" below) by United States
dollar check drawn on, or wire transfer to a United States dollar account
maintained by the holder with, a bank located in The City of New York. Payments
of any installment of interest on Registered Debentures will be made by a United
States dollar check drawn on a bank in The City of New York mailed to the holder
at such holder's registered address or (if arrangements satisfactory to the
Company and the Trustee are made) by wire transfer to a dollar account
maintained by the holder with a bank in The City of New York. Payment of such
interest on any Interest Payment Date will be made to the person in whose name
such Registered Debenture is registered at the close of business on the Interest
Record Date prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date. Accrued interest
payable on any Registered Debenture that is redeemed will be payable against
surrender of such Registered Debenture in the manner described above with
respect to payments of principal on Registered Debentures, except Registered
Debentures that are redeemed on a date after the close of business on the
Interest Record Date immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date and on or
before the Interest Payment Date, on which interest will be paid to the holder
of record on the Interest Record Date.
The Debentures may be surrendered for conversion or exchange at the
corporate trust office of the Trustee in The City of New York or, at the option
of the holder and subject to applicable laws and regulations, at the office of
any of the conversion agents.
The Company has initially appointed the Trustee as paying agent and
conversion agent and has initially appointed Chase Manhattan Bank Luxembourg,
S.A. as additional paying and transfer agent in Luxembourg. These appointments
may be terminated at any time and additional or other paying and conversion
agents may be appointed, provided that until the Debentures have been delivered
for cancellation, or monies sufficient to pay the principal of and premium, if
any, and interest on the Debentures have been made available for payment and
either paid or returned to the Company as provided in the Indenture, a paying,
conversion and transfer agent will be maintained (a) in The City of New York for
the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on Registered
Debentures only and for the surrender of Debentures for conversion and (b) in a
European city that, so long as the Debentures are listed on the Luxembourg Stock
Exchange and the rules of such Exchange shall so require, will be Luxembourg,
for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on
Debentures and for the surrender of Debentures for conversion, payment,
redemption, transfer or exchange. Notice of any such termination or appointment
and of any change in the office through which any paying, conversion, or
transfer agent will act will be given in accordance with "--Notices" below. All
fees to be paid to the Trustee, Registrar, Transfer Agent, Paying Agent and
Conversion Agent shall be the responsibility of the Company.
All monies paid by the Company to a paying agent for the payment of
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Debenture that remain
unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest
shall have become due and payable will be repaid to the Company, and the holder
of such Debenture or any related coupon will thereafter look only to the Company
for payment thereof.
PAYMENT OF ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS
The Company will pay to the holder of any Debenture or any related coupon
who is a United States Alien (as defined above) such additional amounts
("Additional Amounts") as may be necessary in order that every net payment of
the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Debenture, and any cash
payments made in lieu of issuing shares of Common Stock upon conversion of a
Debenture, after withholding for or on account of any present or future tax,
assessment or governmental charge imposed upon or as a result of such payment by
the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or
therein, will not be less than the amount provided for in such Debenture or in
such coupon to be then due and payable; provided, however, that the foregoing
obligations to pay Additional Amounts shall not apply to any one or more of the
following:
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(a) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which would not have
been so imposed but for (i) the existence of any present or former connection
between such holder (or between a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member or
stockholder of, or a person holding a power over, such holder, if such holder is
an estate, trust, partnership or corporation) and the United States, including,
without limitation, such holder (or such fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary,
member, stockholder or person holding a power) being or having been a citizen or
resident or treated as a resident thereof or being or having been engaged in a
trade or business therein or being or having been present therein or having or
having had a permanent establishment therein, (ii) such holder's present or
former status as a personal holding company, foreign personal holding company,
passive foreign investment company, foreign private foundation or other foreign
tax-exempt entity, or controlled foreign corporation for United States federal
income tax purposes or a corporation which accumulates earnings to avoid United
States federal income tax, or (iii) such holder's status as a bank extending
credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of
business;
(b) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which would not have
been so imposed but for the presentation by the holder of such Debenture or any
related coupon for payment on a date more than 10 days after the date on which
such payment became due and payable or on the date on which payment thereof is
duly provided, whichever occurs later;
(c) any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, transfer or personal or
intangible property tax or any similar tax, assessment or other governmental
charge;
(d) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which would not have
been imposed but for the failure to comply with certification, information,
documentation or other reporting requirements concerning the nationality,
residence, identity or present or former connection with the United States of
the holder or beneficial owner of such Debenture or any related coupon if such
compliance is required by statute, regulation or ruling of the United States or
any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein as a
precondition to relief or exemption from such tax, assessment or other
governmental charge;
(e) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which is payable
otherwise than by deduction or withholding from payments of principal of and
premium, if any, or interest on such Debenture;
(f) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed on interest
received by a person holding, actually or constructively, 10% or more of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company entitled to
vote; or
(g) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge required to be
withheld by any paying agent from any payment of principal of, or premium, if
any, or interest on any Debenture or interest on any coupon appertaining thereto
if such payment can be made without such withholding by any other paying agent;
nor will Additional Amounts be paid with respect to payment of the principal of,
premium, if any, or interest on any such Debenture (or cash in lieu of issuance
of shares of Common Stock upon conversion) to a person other than the sole
beneficial owner of such payment, or that is a partnership or a fiduciary to the
extent such beneficial owner, member of such partnership or beneficiary or
settlor with respect to such fiduciary would not have been entitled to the
Additional Amounts had such beneficial owner, member, beneficiary or settlor
been the holder of such Debenture or any related coupon.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
The Indenture defines an Event of Default with respect to the Debentures as
any of the following events: (i) the failure by the Company to pay any
installment of interest on, or Additional Amounts with respect to, the
Debentures as and when the same becomes due and payable and the continuance of
any such failure for a period of 30 days, (ii) the failure by the Company to pay
all or any part of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Debentures as
and when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, redemption, by
acceleration or otherwise, (iii) the failure of the Company to perform any
conversion of Debentures required under the Indenture and the continuance of any
such failure for a period of 60 days, (iv) the failure by the Company to observe
or perform any other covenant or agreement contained in the Debentures or the
Indenture and, subject to certain exceptions, the continuance of such failure
for a period of 60 days after appropriate written notice is given to the Company
by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25%
in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding, (v) certain events
of bankruptcy, insolvency
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or reorganization in respect of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (vi) a
default in the payment of principal, premium or interest when due that extends
beyond any stated period of grace applicable thereto or an acceleration for any
other reason of the maturity of any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries with an aggregate principal amount in excess of $10 million, and
(vii) final judgments not covered by insurance aggregating in excess of $2
million, at any one time rendered against the Company or any of its significant
subsidiaries and not satisfied, stayed, bonded or discharged within 60 days.
The Debentures provide that if an Event of Default occurs and is
continuing, then the Company will provide notice thereof to the Trustee within
five Business Days after the Company becomes aware of such Event of Default, and
the Trustee shall then notify the holders of Debentures thereof within 90 days
after its receipt of notice from the Company. If an Event of Default occurs and
is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount
of the Debentures then outstanding may, by notice in writing to the Company (and
to the Trustee, if given by the holders) (an "Acceleration Notice"), declare all
principal and accrued interest thereon and Additional Amounts thereof, if any,
to be due and payable immediately.
Prior to the declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the Debentures,
the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the
time outstanding may waive on behalf of all the holders any default, except a
default in the payment of principal of or interest on any Debenture not yet
cured, or a default with respect to any covenant or provision that cannot be
modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding
Debenture affected. Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the
duties of the Trustee, the Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its
rights or powers under the Indenture at the request, order or direction of any
of the holders, unless such holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable
security or indemnity. Subject to all provisions of the Indenture and applicable
law, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures
at the time outstanding have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising
any trust or power conferred on the Trustee.
LIMITATION ON MERGER, SALE OR CONSOLIDATION
The Indenture provides that the Company may not, directly or indirectly,
consolidate with or merge with or into another person or sell, lease, convey or
transfer all or substantially all of its assets (computed on a consolidated
basis), whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, to
another Person or group of affiliated Persons, unless (i) either (a) in the case
of a merger or consolidation the Company is the surviving entity or (b) the
resulting, surviving or transferee entity is a corporation organized under the
laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and
expressly assumes by written agreement all of the obligations of the Company in
connection with the Debentures and the Indenture; and (ii) no default or Event
of Default shall exist or shall occur immediately after giving effect on a pro
forma basis to such transaction.
Upon any consolidation or merger or any transfer of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company in accordance with the foregoing, the successor
corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or
to which such transfer is made, shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and
may exercise every right and power of, the Company under the Indenture with the
same effect as if such successor corporation had been named therein as the
Company, and the Company will be released from its obligations under the
Indenture and the Debentures, except as to any obligations that arise from or as
a result of such transaction.
AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee to
enter into a supplemental indenture for certain limited purposes without the
consent of the holders. With the consent of the holders of not less than a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time
outstanding, the Company and the Trustee are permitted to amend or supplement
the Indenture or any supplemental indenture or modify the rights of the holders
or waive compliance by the Company with any provision of the Indenture or the
Debentures; provided, that no such amendment, supplement, modification or waiver
may, without the consent of each holder affected thereby: (i) change the Stated
Maturity of any Debenture or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate (or
extend the time for payment) of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the
redemption thereof, or change the place of payment where, or the coin or
currency in which, any Debenture or any premium or the interest thereon is
payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement
21
<PAGE>
of any such payment or the conversion of any Debenture on or after the due date
thereof (including, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date),
or reduce the redemption price, or alter the redemption or Change of Control
provisions in a manner adverse to the holders, (ii) reduce the percentage in
principal amount of the outstanding Debentures, the consent of whose holders is
required for any such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver provided for
in the Indenture, (iii) adversely affect the right of such holder to convert
Debentures or (iv) modify any of the waiver provisions, except to increase any
required percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture
cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each
outstanding Debenture affected thereby.
Any instrument given by or on behalf of any holder of a Debenture in
connection with any consent to any such amendment, supplement, modification or
waiver will be irrevocable once given and will be conclusive and binding on all
subsequent holders of such Debenture and related coupons. Any amendment,
supplement, modification or waiver to the Indenture or to the terms and
conditions of the Debentures will be conclusive and binding on all holders of
Debentures and related coupons, whether or not they have given such consent or
were present at any meeting, and on holders of Debentures and related coupons,
whether or not notation of such amendment, supplement, modification or waiver is
made upon the Debentures or related coupons.
RULE 144A INFORMATION REQUIREMENT
The Company has agreed to furnish to the holders or beneficial owners of
the Debentures or the underlying Common Stock and prospective purchasers of the
Debentures or the underlying Common Stock designated by the holders of the
Debentures or the underlying Common Stock, upon their request, the information
required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act
until such time as such securities are no longer "restricted securities" within
the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
REPORTS
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee and to each holder of Debentures,
within 15 days after it is required to file such with the Commission, annual and
quarterly consolidated financial statements substantially equivalent to
financial statements required to be included in reports filed with the
Commission including, with respect to annual information only, a report thereon
by the Company's certified independent public accountants as such is required in
such reports to the Commission, in each case, together with managements
discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations.
NOTICES
Notices to holders of the Debentures will be given by publication in a
leading daily newspaper in the English language of general circulation in The
City of New York and in London and, so long as the Debentures are listed on the
Luxembourg Stock Exchange, in a daily newspaper of general circulation in
Luxembourg or, if publication in either London or Luxembourg is not practical,
in Europe. Such publication is expected to be made in The Wall Street Journal
(Eastern Edition), the Financial Times and the Luxembourg Wort. In addition,
notices to holders of Registered Debentures will be given by mail to the
addresses of such holders as they appear in the register maintained by the
Trustee on the fifteenth day prior to such mailing. Such notices will be deemed
to have been given on the date of such publication or mailing or, if published
in such newspapers on different dates, on the date of the first such
publication.
REPLACEMENT OF DEBENTURES AND RELATED COUPONS
Debentures (including related coupons, if any) that become mutilated,
destroyed, stolen or lost will be replaced by the Company at the expense of the
holder thereof upon delivery to the Trustee of the Debentures and related
coupons or evidence of the loss, theft or destruction thereof satisfactory to
the Company and the Trustee. In the case of a lost, stolen or destroyed
Debenture or related coupon, an indemnity satisfactory to the Company and the
Trustee may be required at the expense of the holder of such Debenture or
related coupon before a replacement Debenture or related coupon, as the case may
be, will be issued.
22
<PAGE>
GOVERNING LAW
The Debentures, the related coupons and the Indenture are governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving
effect to its conflicts of law rules.
MARKETABILITY; REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Prior to the offering hereby, there has been no public market for the
Debentures, and it is likely that only a limited market will develop. The
Debentures were sold pursuant to exemptions from registration under the
Securities Act.
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
"Business Day" means, with respect to any act to be performed pursuant to
the Indenture or the terms of the Debentures, each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday or Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in the place
where such act is to occur are authorized or obligated by applicable law,
regulation or executive order to close.
"Capital Stock" means, with respect to any corporation, any and all shares,
interests, rights to purchase (other than convertible or exchangeable
indebtedness), warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or
interests (however designated) in stock issued by that corporation.
"Indebtedness" of any person means, without duplication, (a) all
liabilities and obligations, contingent or otherwise, of any such person, (i) in
respect of borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the
whole of the assets of such person or only to a portion thereof), (ii) evidenced
by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments, (iii) representing the
balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services,
except such as would constitute trade payables to trade creditors in the
ordinary course of business that are not more than 90 days past their original
due date, (iv) evidenced by bankers acceptances or similar instruments issued or
accepted by banks, (v) for the payment of money relating to a capitalized lease
obligation, or (vi) evidenced by a letter of credit or a reimbursement
obligation of such person with respect to any letter of credit; (b) all net
obligations of such person under interest swap and hedging obligations; (c) all
liabilities of others of the kind described in the preceding clauses (a) or (b)
that such person has guaranteed or that is otherwise its legal liability and all
obligations to purchase, redeem or acquire any Capital Stock; and (d) any and
all deferrals, renewals, extensions, refinancings and refundings (whether direct
or indirect) of any liability of the kind described in any of the preceding
clauses (a), (b) or (c), or this clause (d), whether or not between or among the
same parties.
"Junior Securities" of any person means any Capital Stock and any
Indebtedness of such person that is (i) subordinated in right of payment to the
Debentures and has no scheduled installment of principal due, by redemption,
sinking fund payment or otherwise, on or prior to the Stated Maturity of the
Debentures and (ii) subordinated in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness
at least to the same extent as the Debentures.
"Obligations" means any principal, premium, interest, penalties, fees,
indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under
the documentation governing any Senior Indebtedness.
"Senior Indebtedness" of the Company means any principal, premium, if any,
and interest or other monetary obligation, whether outstanding on the date of
the Indenture or thereafter incurred or created, on (a) any indebtedness of
Veterinary Centers of America, Inc. (excluding the Debentures and indebtedness
ranking pari passu with or subordinate to the Debentures pursuant to the terms
of the instrument creating or evidencing such indebtedness, but including
guarantees given by the Company), and (b) any and all deferrals, renewals,
extensions, refundings, refinancings (whether direct or indirect) of any such
indebtedness. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall Senior
Indebtedness include (a) indebtedness of the Company owed or owing to any
subsidiary of the Company or any officer, director or employee of the Company or
any subsidiary thereof or (b) any liability for taxes owed or owing by the
Company.
"Stated Maturity" when used with respect to any Debenture, means May 1,
2006.
23
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
GENERAL
The authorized capital stock of the company consists of 60,000,000 shares
of Common Stock, par value $0.001, of which 17,860,913 shares were outstanding
on August 13, 1996 (including shares to be issued in connection with the Pet
Practice and Pets' Rx acquisitions), and 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock,
par value $0.001, of which 583,333 shares were outstanding on August 13, 1996.
The Company's Common Stock and Redeemable Warrants are listed on the Nasdaq
National Market under the symbols "VCAI" and "VCAIW", respectively. The
following statements are brief summaries of certain provisions relating to the
Company's capital stock.
COMMON STOCK
The Company is authorized to issue 60,000 shares of Common Stock, par
value $0.001 per share. The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote
for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by the stockholders.
The holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive ratably dividends when, as
and if declared by the Board of Directors our of funds legally available
therefor. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Company, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets
remaining available for distribution to them after payment of liabilities and
after provision is made for each class of stock, if any, having preference
over the Common Stock.
The holders of shares of Common Stock, as such, have no conversion,
preemptive or other subscription rights and there are no redemption
provisions applicable to the Common Stock. All the outstanding shares of
Common Stock are, and the shares of Common Stock to be issued on conversion of
the Debentures offered hereby will be, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
REDEEMABLE WARRANTS
At December 31, 1995, there were 1,968,492 shares of Common Stock issuable
upon exercise of outstanding warrants (the "Redeemable Warrants"). The
Redeemable Warrants were issued in registered form pursuant to an agreement,
dated October 10, 1991 (the "Warrant Agreement"), between the Company and
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the "Warrant Agent"). The following
discussion of certain terms and provisions of the Redeemable Warrants is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the detailed provisions of the Warrant
Agreement.
One Redeemable Warrant represents the right of the registered holder to
purchase one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of 120% of the initial
offering price of the Common Stock per share, subject to adjustment (the
"Purchase Price"). The Redeemable Warrants are entitled to the benefit of
adjustments in the Purchase Price and in the number of shares of Common Stock
and/or other securities deliverable upon the exercise thereof in the event of a
stock dividend, stock split, reclassification, reorganization, consolidation or
merger. The Company has the right to reduce the Purchase Price or increase the
number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Redeemable
Warrants.
Unless previously redeemed, the Redeemable Warrants may be exercised at any
time commencing April 10, 1992 and prior to the close of business on October 10,
1996 (the "Expiration Date"). On and after the Expiration Date, the Redeemable
Warrants become wholly void and of no value. The Company may at any time extend
the Expiration Date of all outstanding Redeemable Warrants for such increased
period of time as it may determine. The Redeemable Warrants may be exercised at
the office of the Warrant Agent.
The Company has the right at any time after April 10, 1992 to redeem the
Redeemable Warrants in whole for cancellation at a price of $0.20 each,
by written notice mailed 30 days prior to the redemption date to each Redeemable
Warrant holder at his address as it appears on the books of the Warrant Agent.
Such notice may be given within 10 days following any period of 20 consecutive
trading days during which the high closing bid of the shares of Common Stock on
the Nasdaq National Market exceeds a per share price equal to $9.00 (150% of the
initial public offering price of the Common Stock), subject to adjustments for
stock dividends, stock splits and the like. If the Redeemable Warrants are
called for redemption, they must be exercised prior to the close of business on
the date of any such redemption or the right to purchase the applicable shares
of Common Stock is forfeited.
24
<PAGE>
No holder, as such, of Redeemable Warrants is entitled to vote or receive
dividends or be deemed the holder of shares of Common Stock for any purpose
whatsoever until such Redeemable Warrants have been duly exercised and the
Purchase Price has been paid in full.
If required, the Company will file a new registration statement with the C
ommission with respect to the securities underlying the Redeemable Warrants
prior to the exercise of the Redeemable Warrants and deliver a prospectus with
respect to such securities to all Redeemable Warrant holders as required by
Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act.
PREFERRED STOCK
The Board of Directors has the authority to issue the authorized and
unissued Preferred Stock in one or more series with such designations, rights
and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Board of
Directors. Accordingly, the Board of Directors is empowered, without stockholder
approval, to issue Preferred Stock with dividend, liquidation, conversion,
voting or other rights which could adversely affect the voting power or other
rights of the holders of the Company's Common Stock.
On December 22, 1992, the Company completed the sale of 583,333 shares of
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the "Series A
Shares") for net proceeds of $2,985,000. The Series A Shares are convertible
into 583,333 shares of the Company's Common Stock commencing December 22, 1997.
The Series A Shares participate in any dividend payments on the Company's Common
Stock on an as converted basis. The Series A Shares have a liquidation
preference of $5.14 per share and are callable by the Company any time after
March 22, 1998 at a price of $5.14 per share. The Series A Shares have no voting
rights, other than certain protective rights in the event of an adverse change
in the rights, preferences or privileges or the Series A Shares as provided by
the Delaware Law.
As a result of the issuance of the Series A Shares, 416,667 shares of
Preferred Stock remain authorized and unissued and may be issued in one or more
series with such designations, rights and preferences as may be determined from
time to time by the Board of Directors. In the event of issuance, these shares
of Preferred Stock could be utilized under certain circumstances as a method of
discouraging, delaying or preventing an acquisition or change in control of the
Company. The Company does not currently intend to issue any of the authorized
but unissued shares of its Preferred Stock.
VRI WARRANTS
In connection with the formation of Vet Research Laboratories, LLC ("VRI"),
the Company issued warrants to purchase 363,636 shares of the Common Stock of
the Company at $11.00 per share (the "VRI Warrants"). At June 30, 1996, there
were 179,636 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding VRI
Warrants. The warrants were purchased at $0.001 per share and are exercisable
until the fifth day following the last day upon which the Company is permitted
to close the purchase of VRI's interest in Vet Laboratories pursuant to the VCA
Option Agreement. On April 26, 1995, the Company filed a Registration Statement
on Form S-3 with respect to the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
the VRI Warrants. Holders of the VRI Warrants agreed to a restriction upon the
sale of any shares issuable upon exercise of the VRI Warrants which will lapse
with respect to 50,000 shares issuable to each of the two holders upon exercise
of the VRI Warrants at the time of exercise and with respect to an additional
50,000 shares every ninety days thereafter, but which in any event will lapse
entirely on April 30, 1997.
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws include a number of
provisions which may have the effect of discouraging persons from pursuing non-
negotiated takeover attempts. These provisions include a classified Board of
Directors, the inability of stockholders to take action by written consent
without a meeting, the inability of stockholders to call for a special meeting
of stockholders under certain circumstances without the approval of the Board
and the inability of stockholders to remove directors without cause. The
Certificate of Incorporation also contains a provision that requires a 66 2/3
percent vote to amend any of the previously discussed provisions. In addition,
H.J. Heinz Company has an option to purchase the Company's interest in the Vet's
Choice joint venture upon the occurrence of a change in control (as defined in
the joint venture agreement).
25
<PAGE>
SECTION 203 OF THE DELAWARE LAW
The Company is a Delaware corporation and is subject to Section 203 of the
Delaware law. Section 203 of the Delaware law prevents an "interested
stockholder" (defined generally as a person owning 15% or more of a
corporation's outstanding voting stock or an affiliate of such person) from
engaging in a "business combination" (as defined) with a Delaware corporation
for three years following the date such person became an interested stockholder
unless (i) before such person became an interested stockholder, the board of
directors of the corporation approved the transaction in which the interested
stockholder became an interested stockholder or approved the business
combination; (ii) upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the
interested stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested
stockholder owns at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding
at the time the transaction commenced (excluding stock held by directors who are
also officers of the corporation and employee stock plans that do not provide
employees with the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject
to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer); or (iii) following
the transaction in which such person became an interested stockholder, the
business combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation
and authorized at a meeting of stockholders by vote of the holders of two-thirds
of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation not owned by the interested
stockholder. Under Section 203 of the Delaware law, the restrictions described
above also do not apply to certain business combinations proposed by an
interested stockholder following the announcement or notification of one of
certain extraordinary transactions involving the corporation and a person who
had not been an interested stockholder during the previous three years or became
an interested stockholder with the approval of a majority of the corporation's
directors. The provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware law requiring a
supermajority vote of disinterested shares to approve certain corporate
transactions could enable a minority of the Company's stockholders to exercise
veto power over such transactions.
TRANSFER AGENT
The Company's transfer and warrant agent is Continental Stock Transfer &
Trust Company, 2 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, New York, 10004.
26
<PAGE>
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS AND PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Debentures were issued by the Company on April 17, 1996, in a private
placement pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation D under the Securities Act. The
following table sets forth, as of June 12, 1996, the name of each beneficial
owner of the Debentures identified to the Company and the principal amount of
the Debentures owned, and that may be sold, by each such beneficial owner as of
the date hereof, based upon information furnished to the Company:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Principal Amount
Principal Amount Percentage of
of Debentures of
Debentures That Outstanding
Name Owned May
Be Sold Debentures
- ----------------------------------- ----------------
- ----------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
<C>
Bank of New York $ 580,000 $ 580,000
1.56%
Bankers Trust Company 5,465,000 5,465,000
14.73
Bear Stearns Securities 1,200,000 1,200,000
3.23
Bankers Trust Company/NatWest
Securities, Ltd. 450,000 450,000
1.21
Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Co. 245,000 245,000
0.66
The Bank of Tokyo Trust Company 500,000 500,000
1.35
The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. 5,200,000 5,200,000
14.02
Corestates Bank, N.A. 500,000 500,000
1.35
Fleet Bank of Massachusetts, N.A. 30,000 30,000
*
Goldman, Sachs & Co. 2,700,000 2,700,000
7.28
Lehman Brothers, Inc. 2,575,000 2,575,000
6.94
NatWest Securities Corporation 1,100,000 1,100,000
2.96
Northern Trust Co.-Trust 160,000 160,000
0.43
Paine Webber, Inc. 3,125,000 3,125,000
8.42
PNC National Association 450,000 450,000
1.21
Republic New York Securities Corp. 250,000 250,000
0.67
SSB-Custodian 11,200,000 11,200,000
30.19
Trust Company Bank 50,000 50,000
*
Wachovia Bank North Carolina 120,000 120,000
0.32
Wagner, Stott & Co. 750,000 750,000
2.02
</TABLE>
- --------------
*Less than 1%.
Additional Selling Security Holders may be identified and other information
concerning Selling Security Holders may be set forth in Prospectus Supplements
from time to time.
Other than by ownership of the Debentures or Common Stock, none of the
Selling Security Holders has had any material relationship with the Company
within the past three years.
Because the Selling Security Holders may offer all or only some of the
Debentures that they now hold and/or shares of Common Stock issued upon
conversion thereof in the offering contemplated by this Prospectus and because
there are presently no agreements, arrangements or understandings concerning the
sale of any of the Debentures or shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion
thereof, no estimate can be given about the principal amount of Debentures or
shares of Common Stock that will be held by the Selling Security Holders after
completion of this offering. See "Plan of Distribution" herein.
27
<PAGE>
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from this offering. The
Selling Security Holders may sell all or a portion of the Debentures and shares
of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof from time to time directly to
purchasers or through agents, dealers (who may act as principals for their own
account) or underwriters on terms to be determined at the times of such sales.
Any agent, dealer or underwriter through whom Debentures or shares of Common
Stock are sold may receive compensation in the form of underwriting discounts,
commissions or concessions from the Selling Security Holders and/or the
purchasers of the Debentures or shares of Common Stock for whom they act as
agent. To the extent required, the principal amount of the Debentures or the
number of shares of Common Stock to be sold, the offering price thereof, the
name of each Selling Security Holder and each agent, dealer and underwriter, if
any, and any applicable discounts or commissions concerning a particular
offering will be set forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement. The
aggregate proceeds to the Selling Security Holders from the Debentures and
shares of Common Stock offered by the Selling Security Holders hereby will be
the offering price of such Debentures and shares of Common Stock less applicable
commissions or discounts.
There is no assurance that the Selling Security Holders will sell any of
the Debentures or shares of Common Stock offered hereby.
In order to comply with the securities laws of certain States or other
jurisdictions, if applicable, the Debentures and shares of Common Stock will be
sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or
dealers. In addition, in certain States or other jurisdictions the Debentures
and shares of Common Stock may not be sold unless they have been registered or
qualified for sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions or an
exemption from the registration and qualification requirements of such laws is
available and the conditions of such exemption are satisfied.
The Selling Security Holders and any broker-dealers, agents or underwriters
that participate with the Selling Security Holders in the distribution of the
Debentures or shares of Common Stock may be deemed to be "underwriters" within
the meaning of the Securities Act, in which case any commissions received by
such broker-dealers, agents or underwriters and any profit on the resale of the
Debentures or shares of Common Stock purchased by them may be deemed to be
underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act.
Under applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person
engaged in the distribution of the Debentures or shares of Common Stock offered
hereby may not simultaneously engage in market making activities for either the
Debentures or the Common Stock for a period of nine business days (in the case
of the Debentures) or two business days (in the case of the Common Stock) prior
to the commencement of such distribution. In addition, each Selling Security
Holder and any other person who participates in a distribution of the Debentures
or shares of Common Stock will be subject to applicable provisions of the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including Rules 10b-2,
10b-6 and 10b-7, which provisions may limit the timing of purchases and sales of
Debentures or shares of Common Stock by the Selling Security Holders. The
applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder may effect the marketability of the Debentures and shares of Common
Stock and the ability of any person to engage in market making activities for
the Debentures or shares of Common Stock.
To the Company's knowledge, no person presently intends to make a market in
the Debentures.
Pursuant to the Indenture, the Company will pay all expenses incident to
the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the Debentures and the Common Stock offered hereby will be
passed upon for the Company by Troop Meisinger Steuber & Pasich, LLP, Los
Angeles, California.
28
<PAGE>
EXPERTS
The audited consolidated financial statements of VCA, the audited
supplemental combined financial statements of VCA, the audited financial
statements of Southwest Veterinary Diagnostic, Inc. and the audited financial
statements of Pets' Rx, Inc. incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and
elsewhere in the Registration Statement, to the extent and for the periods
indicated, have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public
accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and are
included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving
said reports.
The audited financial statements of Pet Practice incorporated by reference
in this Prospectus and elsewhere in the Registration Statement have been audited
by Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, as set forth in its report
thereon appearing elsewhere herein. Such financial statements have been so
included in reliance on such report, given on the authority of said firm as
experts in auditing and accounting.
The financial statements of Pets' Rx as of and for each of the two years in
the period ended December 31, 1994 incorporated by reference in this Prospectus
have been so included in reliance on the report of Price Waterhouse LLP,
independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in
auditing and accounting.
No dealer, salesperson or other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representation, other than those contained in this
Prospectus, in connection with the offer made by this Prospectus, and if given
or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having
been authorized by the Company. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any
sale made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create an implication that
there has been no change in the affairs of the Company since the date hereof.
This Prospectus does not constitute an offer or solicitation by anyone in any
jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which
the person making such offer is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it
is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.
29
<PAGE>
PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
The estimated expenses in connection with the offering
are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Amount
------
<S> <C>
Registration Fee Under Securities Act of 1933... $12,794
NASD Filing Fee................................. $17,500
Blue Sky Fees and Expenses...................... $ *
Printing and Engraving Certificates............. $ *
Legal Fees and Expenses......................... $ 2,000
Accounting Fees and Expense..................... $ *
Registrar and Transfer Agent Fees............... $ *
Miscellaneous Expenses.......................... $ *
-------
TOTAL................................. $32,294
=======
</TABLE>
- --------------
* Not applicable or none.
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that the
Company may indemnify an officer or director who is made a party to a
"proceeding" (including a law suit or derivative action) because of his
position, if he acted in good faith in a manner he reasonably believed to be in
or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his
conduct was unlawful, and may advance expenses incurred in defending any
proceeding in certain cases. If the director or officer is successful on the
merits or otherwise, he must be indemnified against all expenses actually and
reasonably incurred. If the officer or director is adjudged liable, indemnity
can be made only by court order.
The Company has also entered into an indemnity agreement (the "Indemnity
Agreement") with its directors which provides for mandatory indemnity of an
officer or director made party to a "proceeding" by reason of the fact that he
or she is or was a director of the Company, if he or she acted in good faith and
in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Company. The Indemnity Agreement also obligates the Company to
advance expenses to a director provided that he or she is not entitled to
partial indemnification. Directors are also entitled to partial indemnification,
and indemnification for expenses incurred as a result of acting at the request
of the Company as a director, officer or agent of an employee benefit plan or
other partnership, corporation, joint venture, trust or other enterprise owned
or controlled by the Company.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Company pursuant to the above statutory provisions or
otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
<PAGE>
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
See the Exhibit Index of this Registration Statement.
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to the appropriate
jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement to include any
material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously
disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such
information in the Registration Statement;
(2) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof; and
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual
report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by
reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new Registration
Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to file an application
for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the Trustee to act under
subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended
(the "Trust Indenture Act"), in accordance with the rules and regulations
prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Los
Angeles, and State of California, on August 28, 1996.
VETERINARY CENTERS OF
AMERICA, INC.
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Tomas W. Fuller
----------------------------
Tomas W. Fuller
Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
and Assistant Secretary
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
No. Item
Page
--- ----
----
<S> <C>
<C>
1.1 Subscription Agreement (1)
4.1 Indenture(2)
5.1 Opinion of Troop Meisinger Steuber & Pasich, LLP (1)
23.1 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23.2 Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP
23.3 Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP
23.4 Consent of Troop Meisinger Steuber & Pasich, LLP (1)
25.1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee (1)
</TABLE>
- --------------
(1) Previously filed.
(2) Incorporated by reference from Registrant's Registration Statement on
Form S-4, File No. 333-6667
<PAGE>
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our reports
and to all references to our Firm included in or made a part of this
Registration Statement.
/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
ARTHUR ANDERSON LLP
Los Angeles, California
August 23, 1996
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 of our reports as of the dates and
relating to the financial statements of the companies listed below, which appear
on the following pages of the current report on Form 8-K of Veterinary Centers
of America, Inc. dated July 3, 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMPANY DATE OF REPORT PAGE REFERENCE
------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
The Pet Practice, Inc. March 22, 1996 F-21
Professional Veterinary March 29, 1995 F-36
Hospitals of America, Inc.
</TABLE>
We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in
such Registration Statement.
/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP
PRICE WATERHOUSE
Philadelphia, PA
August 23, 1996
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.3
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
----------------------------------
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting part of this Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-8441) of
Veterinary Centers of America, Inc. of our report dated September 12, 1995,
relating to the financial statements of Pets' Rx, Inc., which appears in the
amended Current Report on Form 8-K/A of Veterinary Centers of America, Inc.
dated July 16, 1996. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading
"Experts" in such Prospectus.
/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
San Jose, California
August 23, 1996
