SHELDAHL INC
8-K, EX-99.1, 2000-06-26
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                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1

                                  June 25, 2000

Mr. John D. Lutsi
Morgenthaler Partners
50 Public Square, Suite 2700
Cleveland, OH  44113

Mr. Donald R. Friedman
International Flex Technologies, Inc.
2187 Atlantic Street
Stamford, CT  06902

Dear Don and John:

This letter sets forth our understanding concerning certain exclusivity rights
granted in connection with a possible transaction pursuant to which Morgenthaler
Partners ("Morgenthaler") and certain other investors will make a cash
investment in a new class of convertible preferred securities of Sheldahl, Inc.
("Sheldahl" or the "Company") (the "Investment") and Sheldahl will
simultaneously acquire all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of
International Flex Technologies, Inc. ("IFT") in exchange for shares of Sheldahl
common stock (the "Acquisition").

1.       The Company, Morgenthaler and IFT each agrees that until such time as
         this Letter Agreement has terminated in accordance with the provisions
         of Section 4 hereof, neither it nor any of its representatives,
         officers, directors, agents, stockholders or affiliates shall initiate,
         solicit, entertain, negotiate, accept or discuss, directly or
         indirectly, (a) any proposal or offer (an "Acquisition Proposal") to
         acquire all or any material part of the business, assets, properties or
         associated technology rights of the Company (with respect to the
         Company) or IFT (with respect to Morgenthaler and IFT) whether by
         merger, purchase of assets, or otherwise (a "Third Party Acquisition")
         or (b) any proposal or offer (a "Financing Proposal") to acquire
         securities from or make a loan or advance to the Company (with respect
         to the Company) or IFT (with respect to IFT) except as explicitly
         contemplated hereby in connection with the Investment and except
         proposals or offers from banking institutions with respect to credit
         facilities to extend or replace the Company's existing credit facility
         or from other third parties to provide credit to the Company in the
         ordinary course of business consistent with past practices. The
         Company, Morgenthaler and IFT each represents that neither it nor any
         of its shareholders or affiliates is party to or bound by any agreement
         with respect to an Acquisition Proposal or Financing Proposal other
         than under this Letter Agreement. Further, the Company has represented
         to Morgenthaler and IFT that the Company has had prior discussions with
         other potential acquirers. The Company represents and agrees that, in
         accordance with the terms of this Letter Agreement, no further
         discussions will take place during the term of this agreement and that
         the Company is not obligated to pay any expense reimbursement,
         termination, breakup, alternate transaction or any similar fees or
         expenses to any third party (other than U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray and
         other Company advisors) in connection with or as a result of the
         transactions contemplated hereby,




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         including the Investment and the Acquisition on the terms and
         conditions contemplated. IFT and Morgenthaler each agrees that the
         provisions of this paragraph 1 shall apply equally to any Acquisition
         Proposal made by IFT with respect to a Third Party Acquisition by IFT
         of any third party; provided, however, that IFT may continue to discuss
         a current potential Third Party Acquisition by IFT of a third party,
         but shall not, during the term of this letter, enter into any agreement
         or arrangement, whether written or oral, or discussion which would
         impose any liability on IFT to the third party, nor shall any
         confidential information of the Company be provided to such third
         party.

2.       If the Investment and Acquisition are not consummated and, within 225
         days after the acceptance of this Letter Agreement, a Third Party
         Acquisition is completed due to a breach of Section 1 by the Company,
         on the one hand, or Morgenthaler or IFT, on the other hand, then the
         breaching Party shall pay to the non-breaching Party, in complete
         satisfaction of any and all obligations to the non-breaching Party, and
         as its exclusive remedy, an amount equal to such Party's reasonable
         out-of-pocket expenses incurred from the date hereof forward in
         connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding
         the foregoing, in no event shall amounts be paid in the event the
         Investment and Acquisition is not consummated for any reason other than
         due to a breach of Section 1 by any breaching Party. Nothing herein
         shall restrict any Party's ability to enter into a Third Party
         Acquisition notwithstanding a breach of Section 1, if a third party
         makes an unsolicited proposal to the extent determined by the Board of
         Directors of such Party to be required pursuant to its fiduciary duties
         under applicable law.

3.       Each Party agrees that until this letter is terminated as provided in
         Section 4, they will provide the other Parties reasonable access,
         during normal business hours and upon reasonable notice, to all of
         their respective officers, key employees, premises and books and
         records, and shall furnish the other Parties and their respective
         representatives with such financial and operating data and other
         information with respect to their business and properties as shall be
         reasonably requested; provided, however, that access to proprietary
         manufacturing processes and technologies will be granted only upon such
         conditions and at such times as the Parties may mutually agree.

4.       This letter will automatically terminate and be of no further force and
         effect upon the earlier of (i) execution of definitive investment and
         acquisition documentation by and among Morgenthaler, IFT and the
         Company; (ii) mutual agreement of Morgenthaler and the Company; and
         (iii) 12:01 a.m., Central Standard Time, August 7, 2000.
         Notwithstanding anything in the previous sentence, Section 2, shall
         survive the termination of this Letter Agreement and the termination of
         this Letter Agreement shall not affect any rights any party has with
         respect to the breach of this Letter Agreement by another party prior
         to such termination.

5.       This Letter Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
         with internal substantive laws of the State of Minnesota, regardless of
         the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of
         conflicts of law or choice of law.



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6.       The terms and conditions of the letter agreement dated December 3, 1999
         executed by IFT and by U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray on behalf of the
         Company (the "December Letter") shall remain in full force and effect,
         as modified by letter dated March 13, 2000, and Morgenthaler agrees to
         be bound by the terms and conditions of the December Letter as if it
         were a party thereto and shall be subject to the rights of the Company
         in the event it violates any of the provisions thereof. Notwithstanding
         the terms of the December Letter, during the term of this agreement,
         none of the Company, Morgenthaler or IFT will make any press release
         regarding the transactions contemplated hereby, without providing all
         of the other parties with a copy of the same and a reasonable
         opportunity to comment, although each party hereto will retain ultimate
         control of its own press releases. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no
         event shall Morgenthaler or IFT issue a press release regarding any
         update or termination of negotiations without receiving the prior
         written consent of the Company. Morgenthaler and IFT acknowledge that
         the Company will file a Form 8-K with regard to the press release in
         the form provided them as of the date of this letter and will attach as
         exhibits this letter and the press release. Except to the extent
         disclosed in the press release or Form 8-K, Morgenthaler and IFT shall
         not disclose to any third party (other than their advisors,
         representatives or agents on a need to know basis) information
         concerning the transactions contemplated hereby, or any of the terms,
         conditions or other facts with respect thereto, including the status
         thereof. Morgenthaler and IFT shall have no discussions with Company
         shareholders.

7.       Except as specifically set forth or referred to herein, nothing herein
         is intended or shall be construed to confer upon any person or entity
         other than the parties hereto and their successors or assigns, any
         rights or remedies under or by reason of this letter.

8.       This Letter Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which
         shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall
         constitute one agreement.

If you are in agreement with the terms set forth above, please sign this Letter
Agreement in the designated space provided below and return an executed copy to
the attention of the undersigned.

Very truly yours,

SHELDAHL, INC.

By:      /s/ Edward L. Lundstrom
   ----------------------------------------------
         Edward L. Lundstrom
         President and Chief Executive Officer
         Sheldahl, Inc.


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Agreed to and accepted for Morgenthaler Partners
on this 25th day of June, 2000.

By:      /s/ John D. Lutsi
   ----------------------------------------------
         John D. Lutsi
         President
         Morgenthaler Partners

Agreed to and accepted for IFT on this
25th day of June, 2000.

By:       /s/ Donald R. Friedman
   ----------------------------------------------
         Donald R. Friedman
         President and CEO
         International Flex Technologies, Inc.



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