<PAGE>
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 5, 1998
Registration No. 333-_______
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
--------
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
--------
HA-LO INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
ILLINOIS 36-3573412
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
5980 WEST TOUHY AVENUE
NILES, ILLINOIS 60714
(847) 647-2300
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
Registrant's executive offices)
---------
HA-LO INDUSTRIES, INC. 1997 STOCK PLAN (AMENDED AND RESTATED)
(Full title of the plan)
RICHARD A. MAGID
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
HA-LO INDUSTRIES, INC.
5980 WEST TOUHY AVENUE
NILES, ILLINOIS 60714
(847) 647-2300
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of agent for service)
With copies to:
BARRY J. SHKOLNIK, ESQ.
NEAL, GERBER & EISENBERG
TWO NORTH LASALLE STREET
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60602
(312) 269-8000
------------
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title of Securities Amount Proposed Maximum Proposed Maximum Amount of
to be Registered to be Registered Offering Price Per Unit Aggregate Offering Price Registration Fee
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock,
no par value 3,000,000 shares $28.219 (1) $84,657,000.00 $23,535 (2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
pursuant to Rules 457(c) and 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, on the basis of the average of the high and low prices of the
Company's Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on
October 30, 1998. Does not reflect an indeterminate number of shares that
may be issued as a result of anti-dilution provisions contained in the
above-referenced Plan.
(2) This Registration Statement registers additional shares of the Registrant's
Common Stock issuable pursuant to the same employee benefit plan, as
amended and restated, for which Registration Statement Nos. 333-28361 and
333-48961 are currently effective. Accordingly, pursuant to Instruction E
on Form S-8, the registration fee is being paid with respect to the
additional securities only.
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- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
INTRODUCTION
Registration Statement No. 333-28361 was filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on June 3, 1997 by HA-LO Industries,
Inc. (the "Corporation" or the "Registrant") to register 1,500,000 shares of
its common stock, no par value (the "Common Stock"), issuable pursuant to the
HA-LO Industries, Inc. 1997 Stock Plan (Restated) (the "Plan"). Registration
Statement No. 333-48961 was filed with the Commission on March 31, 1998 to
register an additional 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to
the Plan, as amended and restated. Registration Statement Nos. 333-28361 and
333-48961 are still effective. This Registration Statement is being filed to
register 3,000,000 additional shares of the Common Stock issuable by the
Corporation pursuant to the Plan, as amended and restated.
Except as modified hereby, the contents of the Corporation's Registration
Statements No. 333-28361 and No. 333-48961 are incorporated herein by reference.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed by the Corporation with the Securities and
Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof:
(a) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997
(the "HA-LO 10-K");
(b) The portions of the Corporation's Proxy Statement for the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders held on June 2, 1998 that have been
incorporated by reference into the HA-LO 10-K;
(c) The portions of the Company's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders that
have been incorporated by reference into the HA-LO 10-K;
(d) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998;
(e) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998;
and
(f) The description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the
Registration Statement dated October 20, 1992 filed pursuant to
Section 12 of the Exchange Act and any amendment or report filed for
the purpose of updating such description.
All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or
which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be part hereof
from the date of filing of such documents.
<PAGE>
ITEM 8. EXHIBITS
Exhibit
No. Description
- ------- -----------
5.1 Opinion of Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg
10.1 HA-LO Industries, Inc. 1997 Stock Plan (Amended and Restated)
23.1 Consent of Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.2 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
24.1 Powers of Attorney (included in the signature pages hereto)
<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-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Chicago, State of Illinois, on November 5, 1998.
HA-LO INDUSTRIES, INC.
By: /s/ Lou Weisbach
------------------------------------
Lou Weisbach
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
We, the undersigned officers and directors of HA-LO Industries, Inc.,
hereby severally constitute Lou Weisbach, Richard A. Magid and Barry J.
Shkolnik, and each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys with full power
to them, and each of them singly, to sign for us and in our names in the
capacities indicated below, any and all amendments, including post-effective
amendments, to this Registration Statement, and generally to do all such things
in our name and behalf in such capacities to enable HA-LO Industries, Inc. to
comply with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and we hereby
ratify and confirm our signatures as they may be signed by our said attorneys,
or any of them, to any and all such documents.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed on November 5, 1998 by the following
persons in the capacities indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE
--------- -----
/s/ Lou Weisbach Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
---------------------------- Executive Officer
Lou Weisbach (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Linden D. Nelson Vice Chairman
----------------------------
Linden D. Nelson
/s/ Richard A. Magid Chief Operating Officer, Director
----------------------------
Richard A. Magid
/s/ David C. Robbins Executive Vice President, Director
----------------------------
David C. Robbins
3
<PAGE>
/s/ Gregory J. Kilrea Chief Financial Officer
---------------------------- (Principal Financial Officer and
Gregory J. Kilrea Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ Robert Sosnick Director
----------------------------
Robert Sosnick
/s/ Thomas Herskovits Director
----------------------------
Thomas Herskovits
/s/ Jordon R. Katz Director
----------------------------
Jordon R. Katz
/s/ Marshall J. Katz Director
----------------------------
Marshall J. Katz
/s/ Seymour N. Okner Director
----------------------------
Seymour N. Okner
/s/ Neil A. Ramo Director
----------------------------
Neil A. Ramo
4
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 5.1
November 5, 1998
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Re: HA-LO Industries, Inc.
Registration Statement on Form S-8
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are counsel to HA-LO Industries, Inc., an Illinois corporation (the
"Company"), and in such capacity we have assisted in the preparation and
filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act
of 1993, as amended, of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the
"Registration Statement") relating to the issuance from time to time by the
Company of up to 3,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock, no par value
per share (the "Common Stock"), pursuant to the HA-LO Industries, Inc. 1997
Stock Plan (Amended and Restated) (the "Plan").
As such counsel, we have examined the Plan, the Company's Restated
Articles of Incorporation, the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company,
the minute books of the Company and such other papers, documents and
certificates of public officials and certificates of officers of the Company
as we have deemed relevant and necessary as the basis for the opinions
hereinafter expressed. In such examinations, we have assumed the genuineness
of all signatures and the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as
originals and the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted
to us as conformed or photostatic copies.
Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1. The issuance from time to time by the Company of up to an
additional 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan as
described in the prospectus previously delivered to participants in the
Plan (the "Prospectus") has been duly and validly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of the Company.
2. When issued and paid for as described in the Prospectus and in
accordance with the Plan, the additional 3,000,000 shares available for
issuance under the Plan will be duly and validly issued and outstanding,
fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.
<PAGE>
Securities and Exchange Commission
November 5, 1998
Page 2
Please be advised that certain partners of, attorneys associated with
and/or of counsel to our firm beneficially own shares of Common Stock.
The opinions expressed above are limited to the laws of the State of
Illinois and the federal laws of the United States, and are limited to the
specific legal matters expressly addressed herein. No opinion is expressed with
respect to the laws of any other jurisdiction or any legal matter not addressed
herein. This opinion speaks only as of the date hereof and we undertake no
obligation to update this opinion.
Very truly yours,
/s/ NEAL, GERBER & EISENBERG
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 10.1
HA-LO INDUSTRIES, INC.
1997 STOCK PLAN
(AMENDED AND RESTATED)(*)
1. Preamble.
In 1997, HA-LO Industries, Inc. (the "Company") established the HA-LO
Industries, Inc. 1997 Stock Plan (the "Plan") as a means whereby the Company
may, through awards of (i) stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), (ii)
non-qualified stock options ("NSOs"), (iii) restricted stock ("Restricted
Stock"), and (iv) phantom stock ("Phantom Stock"):
(a) provide employees who have substantial responsibilities for the
direction and management of the Company and other employees of the
Company with additional incentive to promote the success of the
Company's business;
(b) enable such employees to acquire proprietary interests in the Company;
(c) encourage such employees to remain in the employ of the Company;
(d) provide Officers and Directors of the Company (who are not otherwise
employees of the Company) with additional incentive to promote the
success of the Company's business; and
(e) provide Sales Representatives with an incentive to remain associated
with the Company and to promote the success of the Company's business.
By action of the Board of Directors of the Company, the Plan was approved.
The terms of the Plan are contained herein.
The provisions of this Plan do not apply to or affect any option, SAR, or
stock heretofore or hereafter granted under any other stock plan of the Company,
and all such options, SARs or stock continue to be governed by and subject to
the applicable provisions of the plan under which they were granted.
2. DEFINITIONS.
1.021 "BOARD" or "BOARD OF DIRECTORS" means the board of directors of
the Company.
- --------------------------
(*) Amended as of August 15, 1998.
<PAGE>
2.02 "CAUSE" means, as determined in the sole discretion of the
Board, a Participant's (1) commission of a felony; (2) dishonesty or
misrepresentation involving the Company; (3) serious misconduct in the
performance or non-performance of Participant's responsibilities to the
Company; (4) violation of a material condition of employment;
(5) unauthorized use of trade secrets or confidential information;
(6) aiding a competitor of the Company.
2.03 "CHANGE IN CONTROL" means, the occurrence of any one of the
following events:
(a) any consolidation or merger of the Company, if the Company is not
the continuing or surviving corporation or which contemplates that all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company shall be
controlled by another corporation or a recapitalization in which the
current controlling stockholders do not continue to be the controlling
stockholders;
(b) any sale, lease, exchange or transfer (in one transaction or
series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company;
(c) approval by the stockholders of the Company of any plan or
proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, unless such
plan or proposal is abandoned within 60 days following such approval;
(d) any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2)
of the Exchange Act), other than a person who is a stockholder of the
Company on the Option Date, who shall become the beneficial owner of
securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting
power of the Company's then outstanding securities ordinarily having the
right to vote in the election of directors;
(e) any sale, exchange or transfer (other than transfers among
affiliated entities, i.e. entities controlling, controlled by or under
common control with, the transferor) of securities of the Company
representing more than 50% of (i) the total fair market value of the
Company's then outstanding equity securities, or (ii) the combined voting
power of the Company's then outstanding securities ordinarily having the
right to vote in the election of directors, whether pursuant to a tender or
exchange offer, open market offering, purchase or sale, privately
negotiated purchase and sale or otherwise; or
(f) if during a period of two consecutive years from the Option Date,
individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the directors
of the Company cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof,
unless the election, or nomination for election by the Company's
stockholders, of each director of the Company first elected during such
period was approved by a vote of at least a
-2-
<PAGE>
majority of the directors then still in office who were directors at the
beginning of any such period.
2.04 "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it exists now
and as it may be amended from time to time.
2.05 "COMMITTEE" means the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors. Each member of the Committee shall (a) be a "Non-Employee
Director" as determined under Rule 16b-3(b)(3)(i) of the Exchange Act and (b)
be an "Outside Director" as determined under Treasury Regulation 26 CFR
Section 1.162-27(e)(3) or any successor regulation thereto. Once appointed,
the members of the Committee shall continue to serve until otherwise directed
by the Board of Directors.
2.06 "COMMON STOCK" means the common stock of the Company, no par
value.
2.07 "COMPANY" shall means HA-LO Industries, Inc., an Illinois
corporation, any successor thereto and any subsidiary thereof.
2.08 "DIRECTOR" means a member of the Board.
2.09 "EXCHANGE ACT" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
it exists now or from time to time may hereafter be amended.
2.10 "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, at the discretion of the Company in each
case, either (a) the mean between the bid and asked prices or (b) the last sale
price, as of the close of business on the day Fair Market Value is to be
determined, for Common Stock as reported by the NASDAQ System or any other stock
exchange on which the Common Stock is traded. If Common Stock is not traded on
that day, then the Fair Market Value shall be determined as of the next
preceding day on which such stock was traded. If trading of the Common Stock is
not reported by the NASDAQ System or on a stock exchange, Fair Market Value will
be determined by the Board based upon the best available data.
2.11 "NAKED SAR" means a SAR issued not in connection with a ISO or NSO.
2.12 "NSO" means non-qualified stock options, which are NOT intended to
qualify under Section 422 of the Code.
2.13 "OFFICER" means a corporate officer of the Company.
2.14 "OPTION" means the right of a participant to purchase a specified
number of shares of Common Stock, subject to the terms and conditions of the
Plan.
2.15 "OPTION DATE" means the date upon which an Option, SAR, Restricted
Stock or Phantom Stock is awarded to a Participant under the Plan.
-3-
<PAGE>
2.16 "OPTION PRICE" means the price per share at which an Option may be
exercised.
2.17 "PARTICIPANT" means an individual to whom an Option, SAR, Phantom
Stock or Restricted Stock has been granted under the Plan.
2.18 "PHANTOM STOCK" means a hypothetical share of Common Stock issued as
phantom stock under the Plan.
2.19 "PLAN" means the HA-LO Industries, Inc. 1997 Stock Plan, as set forth
herein and as from time to time amended.
2.20 "RESTRICTED STOCK" means Common Stock awarded to a Participant
pursuant to this Plan and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 8.
2.21 "SALES REPRESENTATIVE" means an independent contractor who has an
arrangement with the Company, whether or not exclusively, to market, promote and
sell the Company's products.
2.22 "SAR" means a stock appreciation right. A SAR may be a Naked SAR or a
Tandem SAR.
2.23 "TANDEM SAR" means a SAR associated with and issued in connection with
an Option.
2.24 RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
(a) GOVERNING LAW. The construction and operation of this Plan are
governed by the laws of the State of Illinois.
(b) UNDEFINED TERMS. Unless the context requires another meaning, any
term not specifically defined in this Plan has the meaning given to it
by the Code.
(c) HEADINGS. All headings in this Plan are for reference only and are
not to be utilized in construing the Plan.
(d) GENDER. Unless clearly appropriate, all nouns of whatever gender
refer indifferently to persons or objects of any gender.
(e) SINGULAR AND PLURAL. Unless clearly inappropriate, singular terms
refer also to the plural and VICE VERSA.
(f) SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Plan is determined to be
illegal or invalid for any reason, the remaining provisions are to
continue in full force
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<PAGE>
and effect and to be construed and enforced as if the illegal or
invalid provision did not exist, unless the continuance of the Plan
in such circumstances is not consistent with its purposes.
3. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 12, the aggregate number of shares
of Common Stock that may be issued under Options or as Restricted Stock, under
this Plan may not exceed Six Million (6,000,000) shares. Reserved shares may be
either authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares, in the Board's
discretion. If any awards hereunder shall terminate or expire, as to any number
of shares, new NSOs and Restricted Stock may thereafter be awarded with respect
to such shares. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be
issued under Options, as Restricted Stock or upon which SARs or Phantom Stock
may be awarded to any one Participant may not exceed 500,000, as may be adjusted
pursuant to Section 12.
4. ADMINISTRATION.
The Plan is administered by the Committee. In addition to any other powers
set forth in this Plan, the Committee has the following powers:
(a) to construe and interpret the Plan, including the power to remedy any
ambiguities or inconsistencies in the Plan document;
(b) to establish, amend and rescind appropriate rules and regulations
relating to the Plan;
(c) subject to the express provisions of the Plan, to determine the
individuals who will receive awards of Options, Restricted Stock,
Phantom Stock and/or SARs, the times when they will receive them, the
number of shares to be subject to each award and the Option Price,
payment terms, payment method, and expiration date applicable to each
award;
(d) to contest on behalf of the Company or Participants, at the expense of
the Company, any ruling or decision on any matter relating to the Plan
or to any awards of NSOs, Restricted Stock, Phantom Stock and/or SARs;
(e) generally, to administer the Plan, and to take all such steps and make
all such determinations in connection with the Plan and the awards of
NSOs, Restricted Stock, Phantom Stock and/or SARs granted thereunder
as it may deem necessary or advisable;
(f) to determine the form in which payment of a SAR or a Phantom Stock
award granted hereunder will be made (i.e., cash, Common Stock or a
combination
-5-
<PAGE>
thereof) or to approve a participant's election to receive
cash in whole or in part in settlement of the SAR or Phantom Stock
award; and
(g) to determine the form in which tax withholding under Section 15 of
this Plan will be made.
5. ELIGIBILITY.
The Committee shall have the power to award Options, SARs, Restricted
Stock, and Phantom Stock. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee
shall determine from time to time those employees, Directors and Officers of the
Company and Sales Representatives who shall be designated as Participants and
the number, if any, of Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, and Phantom Stock, or
any combination thereof, to be awarded to each such participant.
6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION.
The Committee may, in its discretion, grant NSOs to any Participant under
the Plan. Each NSO shall be evidenced by an agreement between the Company and
the Participant. Unless the Committee (in its discretion) determines otherwise,
each NSO agreement, in such form as is approved by the Committee, shall be
subject to the following terms and conditions and to such other terms and
conditions as the Committee may deem appropriate:
(a) OPTION PERIOD. Each NSO will expire as of the earliest of:
(i) the date on which it is forfeited under the provisions of
Section 11;
(ii) the date three months after the Participant's termination of
employment, directorship or relationship with the Company,
as applicable, for any reason other than death; or
(iii) the date six months after the Participant's death.
(b) OPTION PRICE. At the time of grant, the Committee will fix the Option
Price, which will be no less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the
Fair Market Value of the shares subject to the NSO on the Option Date.
(c) OTHER OPTION PROVISIONS. The form of NSO authorized by the Plan may
contain such other provisions as the Committee may from time to time
determine.
7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
-6-
<PAGE>
The Committee may, in its discretion, grant a SAR to any Participant under
the Plan. Each SAR shall be evidenced by an agreement between the Company and
the Participant, in such form as is approved by the Committee, and may be a
Naked SAR or a Tandem SAR. Unless the Committee (in its discretion) determines
otherwise, each SAR awarded to Participants under the Plan shall be subject to
the following terms and conditions and to such other terms and conditions as the
Committee may deem appropriate:
(a) TANDEM SARS. Tandem SARs shall terminate on the same date as the
related NSO. A Tandem SAR shall be exercisable only if the Fair
Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of surrender
exceeds the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Option Date,
if related to an NSO, and then shall be exercisable to the extent, and
only to the extent, that the related NSO is exercisable. A Tandem SAR
shall entitle the Participant to whom it is granted the right to
elect, so long as such Tandem SAR is exercisable and subject to such
limitations as the Committee shall have imposed, to surrender any then
exercisable portion of his related NSO, in whole or in part, and
receive from the Company in exchange, without any payment of cash
(except for applicable employee withholding taxes), that number of
shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value on the
date of surrender equal to the product of (i) the excess of the Fair
Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of surrender over
the per share Option Price under such NSO or the Fair Market Value of
the Common Stock on the Option Date, if such SAR is related to an NSO
and (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such NSO or
portion thereof which is surrendered. Any NSO or portion thereof
which is surrendered shall no longer be exercisable. The Committee,
in its sole discretion, may allow the Company to settle all or part of
the Company's obligation arising out of the exercise of a Tandem SAR
by the payment of cash equal to the aggregate Fair Market Value of the
shares of Common Stock which the Company would otherwise be obligated
to deliver.
(b) NAKED SARS. Naked SARs shall terminate as provided in the
Participant's SAR agreement. The Committee may at the time of
granting any Naked SAR add such conditions and limitations to the
Naked SAR as it shall deem advisable, including but not limited to,
limitations on the period within which the Naked SAR shall be
exercisable and the maximum amount of appreciation to be recognized
with regard to such Naked SAR.
(c) OTHER CONDITIONS. If a Participant is subject to Section 16(a) and
Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the Committee may at any time add
such additional conditions and limitations to such SAR which, in its
discretion, the Committee deems necessary or desirable in order to
comply with such Section 16(a) or Section 16(b) and the rules and
regulations issued thereunder, or in order to obtain any exemption
therefrom.
-7-
<PAGE>
8. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS.
The Committee, in its discretion, may grant Restricted Stock to any
Participant under the Plan. Each grant of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced
by an agreement between the Company and the Participant. Unless the Committee
(in its discretion) determines otherwise, all shares of Common Stock awarded to
Participants under the Plan as Restricted Stock shall be subject to the
following terms and conditions and to such other terms and conditions as the
Committee may deem appropriate:
(a) RESTRICTED PERIOD. Shares of Restricted Stock awarded to Participants
may not be sold, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered before
they vest. Subject to the provisions of subparagraphs (b) and (c)
below and any other restrictions imposed by law, any shares of
Restricted Stock that vest will be transferred, to the Participant or,
in the event of his death, to the beneficiary or beneficiaries
designated by writing filed by the Participant with the Committee for
such purpose or, if none, to his estate. Delivery of shares in
accordance with the preceding sentence shall be made within the
thirty-day period after they vest.
(b) FORFEITURES. A Participant shall forfeit all unpaid accumulated
dividends and all shares of Restricted Stock which have not vested
prior to the date that his employment, membership on the Board, if a
Director, or relationship, if a Sales Representative with the Company
is terminated for any reason.
(c) CERTIFICATES DEPOSITED WITH COMPANY. Each certificate issued in
respect of shares of Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan shall be
registered in the name of the Participant and deposited with the
Company. Each such certificate shall bear the following (or a
similar) legend:
"The transferability of this certificate and the shares of stock
represented hereby are subject to the terms and conditions (including
forfeiture) relating to Restricted Stock contained in the HA-LO
Industries, Inc. 1997 Stock Plan (Amended and Restated) and an
agreement entered into between the registered owner and HA-LO
Industries, Inc. Copies of such Plan and agreement are on file at the
principal office of HA-LO Industries, Inc."
(d) STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS. Subject to the foregoing restrictions, each
Participant shall have all the rights of a stockholder with respect to
his shares of Restricted Stock including, but not limited to, the
right to vote such shares.
(e) DIVIDENDS. On each Common Stock dividend payment date, each
Participant shall receive an amount equal to the dividend paid on that
date on a share of Common Stock, multiplied by his number of shares of
Restricted Stock.
-8-
<PAGE>
9. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PHANTOM STOCK.
The Committee may, in its discretion, award Phantom Stock to any
Participant under the Plan. Each award of Phantom Stock shall be evidenced by
an agreement between the Company and the Participant. The Committee may at the
time of awarding any Phantom Stock add such additional conditions and
limitations to the Phantom Stock as it shall deem advisable, including, but not
limited to, the right for Participants to receive payments equivalent to
dividends paid on Common Stock, limitations on the period or periods within
which the Phantom Stock may be surrendered, and the maximum amount of
appreciation to be recognized with regard to such Phantom Stock. If a
Participant is subject to Section 16(a) and Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act,
the Committee may at any time add such additional conditions and limitations to
such Phantom Stock which, in its discretion, the Committee deems necessary or
desirable in order to comply with such Section 16(a) or Section 16(b) and the
rules and regulations issued thereunder, or in order to obtain any exemption
therefrom. An award of Phantom Stock shall entitle the Participant to whom it
is awarded the right to elect, so long as such Phantom Stock is vested and
subject to such limitations as the Committee shall have imposed, to surrender
any then vested portion of the Phantom Stock, in whole or in part, and receive
from the Company in exchange therefor the Fair Market Value on the date of
surrender of the Common Stock to which the surrendered Phantom Stock relates in
cash or in shares of Common Stock as the Committee may determine.
10. MANNER OF EXERCISE OF OPTIONS.
To exercise an Option in whole or in part, a Participant (or, after his
death, his executor or administrator) must give written notice to the Committee,
stating the number of shares to which he intends to exercise the Option. The
Company will issue the shares with respect to which the Option is exercised upon
payment in full of the Option Price. Upon receipt of such notice, and prior to
issuance of shares, the Company may require the Participant (or after his death,
his executor or administrator) to pay to the Company any and all amounts which
the Participant may owe the Company on such date. The Option Price may be paid
in cash, certified bank check or by delivery of irrevocable instructions to a
broker to promptly deliver to the Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds
necessary to pay for all Common Stock acquired through such exercise and any tax
withholding obligations resulting from such exercise. At the discretion of the
Company, the Option Price may also be paid in shares of Common Stock having an
aggregate Fair Market Value, as determined on the date of delivery, equal to the
Option Price. At the discretion of the Company, the Option Price may be paid in
shares of Common Stock which were received by the Participant upon the exercise
of one or more Options, including shares which the Participant directs the
Company to withhold for the purpose of paying the Option Price from shares the
Participant would have received upon the exercise of the Option. At the
discretion of the Company, the Option Price may be paid in shares of Common
Stock which were received by the Participant as an award of Restricted Stock
under the Plan. The Option Price may be paid by surrender of Tandem SARs equal
to the Option Price.
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11. VESTING.
(a) A Participant may not exercise an Option or surrender a SAR or
Phantom Stock until it has become vested. The portion of an Option, SAR or
Phantom Stock award that is vested depends upon the period that has elapsed
since the Option Date. The following schedule applies to any Options
granted under this Plan, to Restricted Stock, SARs, and Phantom Stock
awarded under this Plan unless the Committee establishes a different
vesting schedule (as set forth in the agreement between the Participant and
the Company that governs such award) at the time when an Option is granted
or the Restricted Stock, SAR or Phantom Stock is awarded:
Number of Years
Since Option Date Vested Percentage
------------------------- -----------------
Fewer than one 0%
One but fewer than two 20%
Two but fewer than three 40%
Three but fewer than four 60%
Four but fewer than five 80%
Five or more 100%
If a Participant's employment with, or if a Director, his membership on the
Board of, or if a Sales Representative, his relationship with, the Company
terminates for any reason, he will be deemed to have forfeited, as of the
date of such termination, any Options, Restricted Stock, SARs and/or
Phantom Stock that are not yet vested as of such date. A transfer from the
Company to a subsidiary or affiliate, or VICE VERSA is not a termination of
employment for purposes of this Plan. Notwithstanding the vesting schedule
contained herein or in the Participant's agreement, if the Participant's
employment, or if a Director, his membership on the Board, or if a Sales
Representative, his relationship is terminated for Cause, the Participant's
Vested Percentage shall be 0%, and he shall forfeit all Options, SARs,
Restricted Stock and/or Phantom Stock, automatically and without any action
being required on the part of the Company, effective as of delivery of
notice that his termination was for Cause.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 11(a) or anything
contained in a Participant's agreement to the contrary, upon a Change in
Control all Option, Restricted Stock, SARs and/or Phantom Stock shall
become 100% vested and immediately exercisable.
12. ADJUSTMENTS TO REFLECT CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE.
If there is any change in the corporate structure or shares of the Company,
the Board of Directors may make any adjustments necessary to prevent accretion,
or to protect against
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dilution, in the number and kind of shares authorized by the Plan and, with
respect to outstanding Options, Restricted Stock, Phantom Stock and/or SARs,
in the number and kind of shares covered thereby and in the applicable Option
Price. For the purpose of this Section 12, a change in the corporate
structure or shares of the Company includes, without limitation, any change
resulting from a recapitalization, stock split, stock dividend,
consolidation, rights offering, spin-off, reorganization, or liquidation and
any transaction in which shares of Common Stock are changed into or exchanged
for a different number or kind of shares of stock or other securities of the
Company or another corporation.
13. NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS, SARS AND PHANTOM STOCK.
The Options and SARs granted or Phantom Stock awarded under the Plan are
not transferable, voluntarily or involuntarily, other than by will, by the laws
of descent and distribution or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order
as defined in Section 414(p) of the Code. During a Participant's lifetime, his
Options may be exercised only by him.
14. RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER.
No Common Stock may be delivered upon the exercise of any Option until full
payment has been made. A Participant has no rights whatsoever as a stockholder
with respect to any shares covered by an Option until the date of the issuance
of a stock certificate for the shares. A Participant who has been granted SARs
or Phantom Stock shall have no rights whatsoever as a stockholder with respect
to such SARs or Phantom Stock.
15. WITHHOLDING TAX.
The Company shall have the right to withhold in cash or shares of Common
Stock with respect to any payments made to Participants under the Plan any taxes
required by law to be withheld because of such payments. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, with respect to a Participant subject to Section 16(a) or 16(b) of
the Exchange Act, all amounts required to be withheld upon either (i) the
vesting of Restricted Stock or (ii) the exercise of a SAR or surrender of
Phantom Stock which had a set duration and for which payment is made in Common
Stock, shall automatically be withheld in Common Stock otherwise deliverable to
the Participant and having a Fair Market Value determined on the date the income
is includable in the Participant's income equal to the amount of taxes required
to be withheld.
16. NO RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT.
Participation in the Plan will not give any Participant a right to be
retained as an employee of the Company, or any right or claim to any benefit
under the Plan, unless the right or claim has specifically accrued under the
Plan.
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17. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN.
The Board of Directors may from time to time amend or revise the terms of
this Plan in whole or in part and may without limitation, adopt any amendment
deemed necessary; provided, however, that no change in any award previously
granted to a Participant may be made that would impair the rights of the
Participant without the Participant's consent.
18. CONDITIONS UPON ISSUANCE OF SHARES.
An Option shall not be exercisable, a share of Common Stock shall not be
issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option, and Restricted Stock shall not be
awarded until such time as the award of Restricted Stock, exercise of such
Option and the issuance and delivery of such share pursuant thereto shall comply
with all relevant provisions of law, including, without limitation, the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which
the shares of Common stock may then be listed, and shall be further subject to
the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance. As a
condition to the exercise of an Option, the Company may require the person
exercising such Option to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise
that the Common Stock is being purchased only for investment and without any
present intention to sell or distribute such shares if, in the opinion of
counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any of the
aforementioned relevant provisions of law.
19. EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION OF PLAN.
1.191 EFFECTIVE DATE. This Plan is effective as of January 1, 1997.
1.192 TERMINATION OF THE PLAN. The Board of Directors may terminate
the Plan at any time with respect to any shares that are not then subject to
Options or Restricted Stock. Termination of the Plan will not affect the rights
and obligations of any Participant with respect to Options, SARs, Phantom Stock
or Restricted Stock awarded before termination.
20. DIRECTOR STOCK OPTIONS.
(a) Each Director who is not otherwise an employee of the Company from and
after the effective date of the Plan shall, at the first regularly
scheduled meeting of the Board held after January 1 of each calendar
year, automatically be granted NSOs to purchase ten thousand (10,000)
shares of Common Stock having an exercise price per share equal to
100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the Option Date.
(b) Each Director's interest in any NSO granted pursuant to this Section
20 shall vest ratably over a period of twelve months from the Option
Date; provided, however, such NSO may not be exercised at any time
prior to six months after the Option Date. NSOs granted pursuant to
this Section 20 shall expire ten years from the Option Date.
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(c) In the event that the number of shares of Common Stock available for
future grant under the Plan is insufficient to make all automatic
grants required to be made on such date, then all non-employee
Directors entitled to a grant on such date shall share ratably in the
number of NSOs on shares available for grant under the Plan.
(d) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section 20 may not be amended
more often than once every six months. Except as expressly provided
in this Section 20, any NSO granted hereunder shall be subject to the
terms and conditions of the Plan if the grant were made pursuant to
Section 6 hereof.
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EXHIBIT 23.2
Consent of Independent Public Accountants
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference in this registration statement of our report dated February 13,
1998 included in HA-LO Industries, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1997 and to all references to our Firm included in this
registration statement.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Chicago, Illinois
November 5, 1998
