<PAGE>
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 17, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
--------------------
SCHEDULE 13E-4
ISSUER TENDER OFFER STATEMENT
(PURSUANT TO SECTION 13(e)(1) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934)
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
(Name of Issuer)
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
(Name of Person(s) Filing Statement)
Series A Cumulative Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)
07556Q
(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)
Ian J. McCarthy
President and Chief Executive Officer
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road
Suite B-200
Atlanta, Georgia 30342
(404) 250-3420
<PAGE>
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Persons Authorized to Receive Notice and
Communications on Behalf of Person(s) Filing Statement)
Copy to:
William F. Schwitter, Esq.
Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP
399 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10022
(212) 318-6000
February 17, 1999
(Date Tender Offer First Published, Sent or Given to Securityholders)
--------------------
Calculation of Filing Fee:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transaction Valuation* Amount of Filing Fee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$45,462,525 $9,093
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[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Rule 0-11(a)(2)
and identify the filing with which the offsetting fee was previously paid.
Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or
schedule and the date of its filing.
Amount previously paid: N/A Filing party: N/A
Form or registration No.: N/A Date filed: N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Determined on the basis of (i) the maximum number of shares of Series A
Cumulative Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock to be converted by
holders (1,534,600) and (ii) the closing price of such Series A Cumulative
Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on
February 16, 1999 ($29.625 per share)
<PAGE>
Item 1. Security and Issuer.
(a) The name of the issuer is Beazer Homes USA, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), which has its principal executive offices at 5775
Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite B-200, Atlanta, Georgia 30342 (telephone number
(404) 250-3420).
(b) This schedule relates to the Company's offer made on February 17, 1999
to the holders of the currently outstanding 1,534,600 shares of its Series
A Cumulative Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock, $.01 par value (the
"Preferred Stock"), pursuant to a Notice to the holders of Preferred Stock (the
"Notice to Stockholders") and a Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of
Transmittal"), copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibit 9(a)(1) and
9(a)(2). The information set forth under "Alternatives Available to Holders of
the Preferred Stock", "Purpose of the Conversion Enhancement" and "Interests of
Certain Persons in the Transaction" in the Notice to Stockholders is
incorporated herein by reference.
(c) The Preferred Stock and the Company's Common Stock are listed for
trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The information set forth under
"Price Range of the Common Stock and Preferred Stock" in the Notice to
Stockholders is incorporated herein by reference.
(d) Not applicable.
Item 2. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
(a) The information set forth under "Sources of Financing for the
Conversion Enhancement" in the Notice to Stockholders is incorporated herein by
reference.
(b) Not applicable.
Item 3. Purpose of the Tender Offer and Plans or Proposals of the Issuer or
Affiliate.
(a)-(g) The information set forth under "The Company", "Sources of
Financing for the Conversion Enhancement", "Purpose of the Conversion
Enhancement" and "Description of the Common Stock" in the Notice to Stockholders
is incorporated herein by reference.
<PAGE>
(h) In the event all or a significant number of shares of Preferred
Stock are converted into Common Stock, the Preferred Stock could become
ineligible to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") and, in
such event, will be delisted from the NYSE.
(i) In the event a sufficient number of holders of Preferred Stock
convert their shares into Common Stock so that the Preferred Stock would no
longer be eligible to be listed on the NYSE, the Preferred Stock would no
longer be required to be registered under Section 12 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
(j) Not applicable.
Item 4. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
On February 12, 1999 holders of 465,400 shares of Preferred Stock converted
such shares into 610,761 shares of Common Stock. Such holders received $.75
per share as an enhancement for such conversion, plus a $.50 per share fee
for converting prior to the record date for the $.50 per share
Preferred Stock dividend payable on March 1, 1999. Such conversions were made
pursuant to separately negotiated agreements between the holders of such
Preferred Stock and the Company.
Item 5. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to
the Issuer's Securities.
None.
Item 6. Persons Retained, Employed or to be Compensated.
None.
Item 7. Financial Information.
(a) (1) The consolidated financial statements of the Company and its
subsidiaries (and the notes thereto) set forth on pages 18-43, inclusive, of
the Company's 1998 Annual Report we incorporated herein by reference; and (2)
the unaudited balance sheets and comparative year-to-date income statements and
statements of cash flows and related earnings per share amounts set forth on
pages 3-5, inclusive, of the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended December 31, 1998 are incorporated herein by reference, and
(3) the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements to
reflect the Company's acquisition of certain net assets of Trafalgar House
Property, Inc. on December 4, 1998 set forth on the Company's current report
on Form 8-K/A dated December 4, 1998 are incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Not applicable.
Item 8. Additional Information.
(a)-(d) Not applicable.
(e) Additional information is contained in the Notice to Stockholders and
the Letter of Transmittal, which are attached hereto as Exhibit 9(a)(1) and
9(a)(2), respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
<PAGE>
Item 9. Material to be Filed as Exhibits.
(a)(1) Notice to Holders of Preferred Stock dated February 17, 1999.
(a)(2) Form of Letter of Transmittal dated February 17, 1999.
(a)(3) Press Release dated February 17, 1999.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) Not applicable.
(e) Not applicable.
(f) Not applicable.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify
that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
Dated: February 17, 1999 BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
/s/ Ian J. McCarthy
---------------------------
Ian J. McCarthy
President and Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
Number Description
------ -----------
<S> <C>
7(a)(1) The Company's 1998 Annual Report to stockholders.
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1998.
7(a)(2) The Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended December 31, 1998.
7(a)(3) The Company's current report on Form 8-K/A for an event
dated December 4, 1998.
9(a)(1) Notice to Holders of Preferred Stock dated February 17,
1999.
9(a)(2) Form of Letter of Transmittal dated February 17, 1999
9(a)(3) Press Release dated February 17, 1999
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
BEAZER HOMES, USA, INC.
February 17, 1999
TO: Holders of Our Series A Cumulative
Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock
Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (the "Company") is currently offering (the "Offer")
to holders of its Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, $.01 par
value per share (the "Preferred Stock"), a payment in cash of $.75 per share of
Preferred Stock as an enhancement (the "Conversion Enhancement") to convert
shares of Preferred Stock into shares of the Company's Common Stock, $.01 par
value per share (the "Common Stock"), and associated preferred share purchase
rights (all references herein to "Common Stock" received upon conversion of
Preferred Stock shall include the associated preferred stock purchase rights) at
the conversion rate described below. The Offer expires at 5:00 p.m. (New York
City time) on March 17, 1999 (the "Expiration Date"). After the expiration of
the Offer, a holder of Preferred Stock may still convert shares of Preferred
Stock into Common Stock, pursuant to the terms of the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended, and the Certificate of Designations of the Preferred
Stock (collectively, the "Certificate"), but will not be entitled to the
Conversion Enhancement.
Each share of Preferred Stock is convertible, at a conversion price of
$19.05 per share of Common Stock, into 1.312336 shares of Common Stock (the
"Conversion Rate"). The Preferred Stock is also currently redeemable with a
minimum of 30 days prior notice, at a price of $26.25 per share, plus accrued
and unpaid dividends through the redemption date. On the basis of the closing
price of the Common Stock reported by the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE")
on February 16, 1999 of $22.50 per share, the 1.312336 shares of Common Stock
into which each share of Preferred Stock is convertible had a market value
equivalent to approximately $29.53.
<PAGE>
In an effort to simplify its capital structure and reduce its Preferred
Stock dividend, the Company has decided to seek to induce the holders of the
Preferred Stock to convert their shares to Common Stock. The Conversion
Enhancement is being offered to such holders of the Preferred Stock to make
conversion more financially attractive during the period of time that the Offer
is outstanding. The Company would like to provide for the expedient conversion
of a significant portion of the Preferred Stock to Common Stock while reducing
the uncertainty associated with a 30 day non-cancelable call for redemption of a
significant portion of the Company's equity. Any shares of Preferred Stock not
converted to Common Stock will remain outstanding subject to the terms of the
Certificate, which includes the Company's right to redeem such shares at any
time upon 30 days notice.
So long as the market price of Common Stock is more than $19.43 per share,
holders of the Preferred Stock will receive more value upon conversion of the
Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock, pursuant to this offer, than the
value at which the Company can currently redeem the Preferred Stock. Holders of
the Preferred Stock are urged to obtain current market prices prior to
converting their Preferred Stock. The Common Stock and Preferred Stock are
listed on the NYSE under the trading symbols BZH and BZH.PrA, respectively.
On February 12, 1999, holders of 465,400 shares of Preferred Stock
converted such shares into 610,761 shares of the Company's Common Stock. Such
holders received $.75 per share as an enhancement for such conversion, plus a
$0.50 per share fee for converting prior to the record date for the $.50 per
share Preferred Stock dividend payable on March 1, 1999. Such conversions were
made pursuant to separately negotiated agreements between the holders of such
Preferred Stock and the Company. After such conversions there are 1,534,600
shares of Preferred Stock currently outstanding.
The Company has paid annual dividends of $4,000,000 on the Preferred Stock,
pursuant to the terms of the Certificate. The Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of the remaining outstanding Preferred Stock represents 23% of the
shares of the Common Stock outstanding, determined on a diluted basis.
2
<PAGE>
Any conversion of Preferred Stock pursuant to a proper acceptance of the
Offer will be effective on the date of such acceptance. Thereafter, the person
or persons entitled to receive the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion
shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares
of Common Stock (including for purposes of determining holders entitled to
receive payments of dividends and to vote on matters submitted to a vote of the
holders of Common Stock). Holders who convert after February 18, 1999 but prior
to March 2, 1999 will receive the $.50 dividend per share payable March 1, 1999.
Any holder electing to convert shares of Preferred Stock after March 1, 1999
pursuant to this offer will not receive any dividends with respect to such
Preferred Stock accrued after March 1, 1999.
Payment of the Conversion Enhancement will be made on conversion of the
Preferred Stock, upon presentation and surrender to First Chicago Trust Company
of New York (the "Paying and Conversion Agent") of shares of Preferred Stock.
Such conversions may be made during usual business hours as described in (i) or
(ii), below:
(i) Holders of stock certificates representing Preferred Stock
shall deliver such certificates to the Paying and Conversion Agent at the
addresses set forth in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal . The Letter of
Transmittal sets forth a full description of the procedures for accepting the
Offer and surrendering certificates of Preferred Stock. Also enclosed are the
Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number. In the event any
holder surrenders stock certificates representing shares of Preferred Stock, the
method of delivery of the Preferred Stock to the Paying and Conversion Agent is
at the option and risk of the holder, but if mail is used, registered mail with
return receipt requested, properly insured, is suggested. Important additional
delivery instructions are contained in the enclosed Letter of Transmittal.
(ii) Holders of shares of Preferred Stock held by the
Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), as custodian for such holders, may use the
normal procedures employed by DTC for converting their shares.
3
<PAGE>
ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE TO HOLDERS OF THE PREFERRED STOCK
Holders of the Preferred Stock have the following alternatives:
1. RECEIPT OF THE CONVERSION ENHANCEMENT AND CONVERSION OF THE PREFERRED
STOCK INTO COMMON STOCK BY 5:00 P.M. (NEW YORK CITY TIME) ON THE EXPIRATION
DATE. A holder of Preferred Stock may elect to receive the Conversion
Enhancement and convert shares of Preferred Stock at any time up to, but not
later than, 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Expiration Date, into fully
paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock at the Conversion Rate. Shares of
Preferred Stock may be surrendered for conversion during usual business hours to
the Paying and Conversion Agent in accordance with the procedures set forth
above. Since it is the time of receipt, not the time of mailing, that determines
whether the Preferred Stock has been properly tendered for conversion,
sufficient time should be allowed for delivery.
No adjustment with respect to accrued dividends will be made upon
conversion of the Preferred Stock. No fractional shares or scrip representing
fractional shares of Common Stock are issuable upon conversion. In lieu of any
fractional shares, the Company will pay holders of Preferred Stock surrendered
for conversion an equivalent amount of cash, determined as provided in the
Certificate.
On the basis of the closing price of the Common Stock reported by the NYSE
on February 16, 1999 of $22.50 per share, the 1.312336 shares of Common Stock
into which each share of Preferred Stock is convertible had a market value
equivalent to approximately $29.53. On February 16, 1999, the closing price of
the Preferred Stock reported by the NYSE was $29.625 per share. Holders of the
Preferred Stock are urged to obtain current market prices of the Common Stock
and the Preferred Stock prior to converting their shares of Preferred Stock. The
Common Stock and Preferred Stock are listed on the NYSE under the trading
symbols BZH and BZH.PrA, respectively.
4
<PAGE>
2. ELECTION NOT TO RECEIVE CONVERSION ENHANCEMENT AND NOT TO CONVERT
PREFERRED STOCK. A holder of the Preferred Stock may elect not to receive the
Conversion Enhancement and not to convert shares of Preferred Stock. Such holder
would continue to be entitled to the rights, preferences, powers, privileges and
restrictions, qualifications and limitations of a holder of Preferred Stock as
set forth in the Certificate. Holders of the Preferred Stock should consider,
before deciding whether to elect to receive the Conversion Enhancement and
convert the Preferred Stock, that the Company may elect to redeem the Preferred
Stock, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, in accordance with
the terms of the Certificate, currently at a price of $26.25 per share of
Preferred Stock, plus accrued and unpaid dividends through the redemption date.
So long as the market price of Common Stock is more than $19.43 per share,
holders of the Preferred Stock will receive more value upon conversion of the
Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock, pursuant to this Offer, than the
value at which the Company can currently redeem the Preferred Stock.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO CONSIDER
THE COMPANY
The Company designs, builds and sells single family homes in the Southeast,
Southwest, Central and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States and, based on
home closings, is one of the ten largest builders of single family detached
homes in the nation. The Company's Southeast region includes Georgia, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Florida, its Southwest region includes
Arizona, California and Nevada, its Central region includes Texas, and its Mid
Atlantic region includes Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia. The Company's homes
are designed to appeal primarily to entry-level and first time move-up home
buyers. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998, the Company had 6,113 home
closings and revenues of approximately $977.4 million and net income of $23.2
million. For the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 1998, the Company had 1,396
home closings and revenues of approximately $242.1 million and net income of
$4.7 million.
The information contained in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for
the year ended September 30, 1998 under the caption "Description of Business" is
hereby incorporated by reference. Copies of such Form 10-K and the Company's
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1998 are available by contacting
Ian J. McCarthy of the Company, at the Company's principal executive offices.
5
<PAGE>
THE COMPANY'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES ARE LOCATED AT 5775 PEACHTREE
DUNWOODY ROAD, SUITE B-200, ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30342, AND ITS TELEPHONE NUMBER IS
(404) 250-3420.
SOURCE OF FINANCING FOR THE CONVERSION ENHANCEMENT
The amount of funds required for the payment of the Conversion Enhancement
will depend upon the number of shares of Preferred Stock which are surrendered
for conversion prior to the Expiration Date. If all the shares of Preferred
Stock are so surrendered, the amount of funds required for the payment of the
Conversion Enhancement will be $1,150,950. The Company will finance the payment
of the Conversion Enhancement with bank borrowings under its revolving credit
facility.
PURPOSE OF THE CONVERSION ENHANCEMENT
In an effort to simplify its capital structure and reduce its Preferred
Stock dividend, the Company has decided to seek to induce the holders of the
Preferred Stock to convert their shares to Common Stock. The Conversion
Enhancement is being offered to such holders of Preferred Stock to make
conversion more financially attractive during the period of time that the Offer
is outstanding. The Company would like to provide for the expedient conversion
of a significant portion of the Preferred Stock to Common Stock while reducing
the uncertainty associated with a 30 day non-cancelable call for redemption of a
significant portion of the Company's equity. Any shares of Preferred Stock not
converted to Common Stock will remain redeemable by the Company after the
Expiration Date.
The Company has paid annual dividends of $4,000,000 on the Preferred Stock,
pursuant to the terms of the Certificate. The Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of the Preferred Stock represents 23% of the shares of the Common
Stock outstanding, determined on a fully diluted basis.
6
<PAGE>
PRICE RANGE OF THE COMMON STOCK AND PREFERRED STOCK
The Common Stock and Preferred Stock are listed and traded on the NYSE. On
February 16, 1999, the closing price of the Common Stock and Preferred Stock
reported by the NYSE were $22.50 and $29.625 per share, respectively. The
following table sets forth the high and low sale prices of the Preferred Stock
as reported by the NYSE for the periods indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL QUARTER COMMON STOCK PREFERRED STOCK
- --------------- ------------------------- --------------------------
High Low High Low
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1997:
1st Quarter $18.50 $13.75 $28.75 $24.375
2nd Quarter 18.50 14.75 29.00 25.75
3rd Quarter 17.25 12.75 27.875 23.75
4th Quarter 20.4375 16.00 31.4375 26.25
1998:
1st Quarter 20.00 17.6875 30.50 27.25
2nd Quarter 26.00 19.875 34.75 29.00
3rd Quarter 27.125 21.00 36.375 30.00
4th Quarter 26.875 20.125 35.875 27.625
1999:
1st Quarter 25.825 16.50 33.9375 25.375
2nd Quarter 27.375 21.8125 35.75 29.625
(through February 16)
</TABLE>
The Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock has been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933.
7
<PAGE>
DIVIDENDS
The Company presently anticipates that, except for the payment of scheduled
dividends on the Preferred Stock to the extent any holders of Preferred Stock do
not accept the Offer, earnings will be retained to finance the continuing
development of its business. The payment of dividends on the Common Stock will
be at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors. In addition, the
Company's credit facility and senior note indentures restrict the amount of
dividends payable by the Company.
DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMON STOCK
The authorized capital stock of the Company includes 30,000,000 shares of
the Common Stock.
Subject to the rights of holders of the Preferred Stock, the holders of
outstanding shares of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in dividends
declared out of assets legally available therefor at such time and in such
amounts as the Board of Directors may from time to time lawfully determine. Each
holder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share held. The Common
Stock is not entitled to conversion or preemptive rights and is not subject to
redemption or assessment. Subject to the rights of holders of any outstanding
Preferred Stock, upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, any
assets legally available for distribution to stockholders as such are to be
distributed ratably among the holders of the Common Stock at that time
outstanding. The Common Stock presently outstanding is, and the Common Stock
issued upon any conversion of the Preferred Stock will be, fully paid and
nonassessable.
SOLICITATION OF CONVERSIONS; FEES
The Company has not retained any agents to solicit conversions of the
Preferred Stock to Common Stock, and the Company will not make any payments to
brokers, dealers or others for soliciting such conversions.
8
<PAGE>
The Company has retained First Chicago Trust Company of New York as Paying
and Conversion Agent in connection with any payments of the Conversion
Enhancement and conversions of the Preferred Stock. The Paying and Conversion
Agent will receive reasonable and customary compensation for its services in
connection with such matters, will be reimbursed for its reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses and will be indemnified against certain liabilities and
expenses in connection therewith, including liabilities under the federal
securities laws.
The Company will also reimburse brokers, dealers, commercial banks and
trust companies for customary handling and mailing expenses incurred in
forwarding this Notice to Stockholders, the Letter of Transmittal and related
materials to their customers.
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE TRANSACTION.
As of the date of this notice, none of the executive officers or directors
of the Company beneficially owned any of the Preferred Stock.
TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion is a summary of the principal federal income tax
considerations, under current law, relevant to the conversion of shares of
Preferred Stock into Common Stock and to sales of Preferred Stock. It does not
address all potentially relevant federal income tax matters, including
consequences to persons (such as foreign persons, banks, life insurance
companies, dealers in securities and tax-exempt organizations and persons
holding the Preferred Stock as part of a hedging or conversion transaction or a
straddle) subject to special provisions of federal income tax law. The following
discussion assumes that the shares of Preferred Stock are held as capital assets
at the time of conversion or sale. The following summary is for general
information only, and holders of Preferred Stock should consult their own tax
advisors about the federal, state, local, and foreign tax consequences of the
conversion or sale of shares of Preferred Stock.
9
<PAGE>
CONVERSION INTO COMMON STOCK. Under current United States federal income
tax law, the conversion of Preferred Stock into Common Stock will likely be
treated as a recapitalization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(E) of the
Code. Accordingly, no taxable gain or loss will be recognized by any holder of
Preferred Stock on the conversion of such shares into Common Stock, except with
respect to any cash received in exchange for a fractional interest in Common
Stock. The tax basis for the shares of Common Stock received upon conversion
will be equal to the adjusted tax basis of the shares of Preferred Stock
converted, reduced by the portion of such basis allocable to any fractional
interest exchanged for cash. The holding period of the shares of Common Stock
received upon conversion will include the holding period of the shares of
Preferred Stock converted, provided such Preferred Stock were held as a capital
asset at the time of conversion.
Holders receiving cash in lieu of fractional shares will be treated as if
such fractional shares had been redeemed by the Company for cash. Unless such
redemption is found to be essentially equivalent to a dividend, as described
below, the holder will recognize gain or loss measured by the difference between
the holder's basis in the fractional share surrendered and the amount of cash
received. Such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the
holding period for the Preferred Stock exceeds one year. In the case of an
individual holder of Preferred Stock, any such long-term capital gain will be
subject to tax at a maximum rate of 20%.
The tax consequences of the payment of the Conversion Enhancement will
depend, in part, on whether such payment is treated as a separate transaction.
If the payment of the Conversion Enhancement is treated as a separate
transaction, such payment will likely be treated as a distribution taxable as a
dividend to the extent of the Company's current or accumulated earnings and
profits, with any excess treated as a return of capital. There can be no
assurance that the Internal Revenue Service will accept this treatment and
instead may treat the payment of the Conversion Enhancement as a separate
payment in the nature of a fee paid to encourage the holders to convert their
shares of Preferred Stock into Common Stock. Under this treatment, holders would
recognize ordinary income in the amount of the Conversion Enhancement payment
received.
10
<PAGE>
If the payment of the Conversion Enhancement is not treated as a
separate transaction, the Conversion Enhancement will be treated as taxable
"boot." Accordingly, a holder of Preferred Stock will recognize gain on the
conversion of Preferred Stock into Common Stock equal to the lesser of (1) the
excess of (a) the sum of (i) the fair market value of the Common Stock received
at the time of the conversion and (ii) the Conversion Enhancement received over
(b) the holder's tax basis in the Preferred Stock and (2) the Conversion
Enhancement received. Any such gain will be treated as capital gain unless the
receipt of the Conversion Enhancement has the effect of a distribution of a
dividend for federal income tax purposes, in which case such recognized gain
will be treated as ordinary dividend income to the extent of such holder's
ratable share of the Company's accumulated earnings and profits. Such capital
gain will be long-term capital gain if the holding period for the Preferred
Stock exceeds one year. In the case of an individual holder of Preferred Stock,
any such long-term capital gain will be subject to tax at a maximum rate of 20%.
For purposes of determining whether the Conversion Enhancement received
pursuant to the conversion of Preferred Stock into Common Stock will be treated
as a dividend for federal income tax purposes, the rules regarding the
redemption of stock from a shareholder by the issuing corporation will apply. In
general, the determination as to whether the Conversion Enhancement received
will be received pursuant to a sale or exchange (generating capital gain) or a
dividend distribution (generating ordinary income) depends upon whether and to
what extent there is a reduction in the holder's deemed percentage stock
ownership of the Company. A holder of Preferred Stock who converts such stock
into Common Stock will recognize capital gain rather than dividend income if the
deemed redemption by the Company is substantially disproportionate as to such
holder (taking into account shares deemed owned by the holder by reason of
certain constructive ownership rules). Moreover, if as a result of a deemed
redemption of the Preferred Stock, a holder whose relative stock interest in the
Company is minimal and who exercises no control over the Company's affairs
experiences an actual reduction in such holder's proportionate interest in the
Company (taking into account the constructive ownership rules mentioned above),
then, based upon a published Internal Revenue Service ruling, such holder should
be exempt from dividend treatment because such redemption should be treated as
not essentially equivalent to a dividend.
11
<PAGE>
Further, the tax basis for the shares of Common Stock received upon
conversion will be equal to the adjusted tax basis of the shares of Preferred
Stock converted (reduced by the portion of such basis allocable to any
fractional interest exchanged for cash) decreased by the Conversion Enhancement
and increased by the amount of gain recognized on the exchange by the holder.
SALE TO THIRD PARTY. Upon a sale of Preferred Stock for cash, a holder of
Preferred Stock will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference
between the amount of cash received and such holder's basis in the Preferred
Stock sold. Such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the
holding period for the Preferred Stock exceeds one year. In the case of an
individual holder of Preferred Stock, any such long-term capital gain will be
subject to tax at a maximum rate of 20%.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING. A holder of Preferred Stock or Common Stock may be
subject to backup withholding at the rate of 31% with respect to dividends paid
on, or the gross proceeds of a conversion or sale of, Preferred Stock or Common
Stock, as the case may be, unless such holder (1) comes within certain exempt
categories under the applicable law and regulations and, when required,
demonstrates this fact; or (2) provides a taxpayer identification number
(employer identification number or social security number) and certifies that
such number is correct, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup
withholding, and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup
withholding rules. Amounts paid as backup withholding do not constitute an
additional tax and will be credited against the holder's federal income tax
liability, provided that the required information is furnished to the Internal
Revenue Service.
The Company will report to the holders of Preferred Stock or Common Stock,
and to the Internal Revenue Service, the amount of any "reportable payments" and
any amount withheld with respect to the shares of Preferred Stock and Common
Stock during each calendar year.
12
<PAGE>
ADDITIONAL AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended , and in accordance therewith files reports,
proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy statements and other
information filed by the Company with the Commission can be inspected, and
copies may be obtained, at the Public Reference Section of the Commission, 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates, as well as at
the following Regional Offices of the Commission: Seven World Trade Center,
Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048; and Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison
Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. Such material may also be
accessed electronically by means of the Commission's home page on the Internet
at http://www.sec.gov.
The Company has also filed with the Commission a statement on Schedule
13E-4 that contains additional information with respect to the transactions
described in this Notice to Stockholders. Such Schedule and certain amendments
thereto may be examined and copies may be obtained at the same places and in the
same manner as set forth above (except that any such Schedule may not be
available in the regional offices of the Commission).
If you wish to convert your Preferred Stock into Common Stock and receive
the Conversion Enhancement, the Preferred Stock must be converted pursuant to
the procedures set forth herein prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the
Expiration Date. Please allow sufficient time to assure that your Preferred
Stock will be received by that date.
Please read the enclosed documents carefully. If you desire additional
copies of any of the documents, you may call Ian J. McCarthy at (404) 250-3420.
NOTE: CERTAIN STATEMENTS IN THIS LETTER ARE "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS"
WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION ACT OF 1995.
SUCH STATEMENTS INVOLVE KNOWN AND UNKNOWN RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND
OTHER FACTORS THAT MAY CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY.
SUCH RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND OTHER FACTORS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT
LIMITED TO, CHANGES IN GENERAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, FLUCTUATIONS IN
INTEREST RATES, INCREASES IN RAW MATERIALS AND LABOR COSTS, LEVELS OF
COMPETITION AND OTHER FACTORS DESCRIBED IN THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL
REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998.
13
<PAGE>
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
TO SURRENDER SHARES OF SERIES A CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE EXCHANGEABLE
PREFERRED STOCK
OF
BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
DATED __________________, 1999
CONVERSION AGENT:
FIRST CHICAGO TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK
ATTENTION: TENDERS AND EXCHANGES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BY OVERNIGHT COURIER: BY MAIL: BY HAND:
<S> <C> <C>
First Chicago Trust First Chicago Trust First Chicago Trust
Company of New York Company of New York Company of New York
Tenders & Exchanges Tenders & Exchanges Tenders & Exchanges
14 Wall Street Suite 4660 c/o Securities Transfers
8th Floor, Suite 4680 P.O. Box 2565 and Reporting Services, Inc.
New York, NY 10005 Jersey City, NJ 07303-2565 100 William Street, Galleria
New York, NY 10038
</TABLE>
For information, please call (800) 251-4215
Delivery of this instrument to an address other than as set forth above does not
constitute a valid delivery.
This Letter of Transmittal is to be used for ALL surrenders of Beazer Homes USA,
Inc. Series A Cumulative Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock (the
"Preferred Stock") share certificates.
IF YOU WISH TO CONVERT PREFERRED STOCK INTO COMMON STOCK AT THE RATE OF
1.312336 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK FOR EACH SHARE OF PREFERRED STOCK,
CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING THE PREFERRED STOCK MUST BE RECEIVED, ALONG WITH A
COMPLETED DULY EXECUTED COPY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, BY FIRST CHICAGO
TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK AT ONE OF THE ADDRESSES SET FORTH ABOVE.
The Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange using the ticker
symbol "BZH". Holders of the Preferred Stock may obtain current market prices
for the Common Stock through a broker or by consulting the New York Stock
Exchange listing which is carried in many newspapers.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK SURRENDERED
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Name(s) and address(es) of Registered Holder(s) Certificate(s) Surrendered (Attach additional
(Please fill in, if blank) schedule if necessary)
- ------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
-------------------------- --------------------------
Total Number of Shares
of Preferred Stock
Certificate (s) Represented by
Number (s) Certificate (s)
<S> <C> <C>
-------------------------- --------------------------
-------------------------- --------------------------
-------------------------- --------------------------
-------------------------- --------------------------
-------------------------- --------------------------
-------------------------- --------------------------
-------------------------- --------------------------
-------------------------- --------------------------
-------------------------- --------------------------
-------------------------- --------------------------
-------------------------- --------------------------
-------------------------- --------------------------
-------------------------- --------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
Total Shares Surrendered
- ------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Total Shares Converted
- ------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
IF ANY OF YOUR CERTIFICATES HAVE BEEN LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED, PLEASE CALL THE
CONVERSION AGENT AT (800) 251-4215 FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.
<PAGE>
THIS FORM MUST BE SIGNED IN TWO PLACES
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby surrender to Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (the
"Company"), ______________ shares of the above described shares of Series A
Cumulative Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock"),
pursuant to the instructions indicated above for conversion into shares of
the Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company (the "Common
Stock").
Please issue the check for the payment for fractional shares upon
conversion, as the case may be, in the name(s) of the registered holder(s)
appearing under "Description of Preferred Stock Surrendered" above. Similarly,
please mail the certificate(s) for shares of the Common Stock issued upon
conversion and the check, if any, for the payment for fractional shares upon
conversion, as the case may be, to the address(es) of the registered holder(s)
appearing under "Description of Preferred Stock Surrendered."
SIGN HERE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Signature (s) of Owner (s)
Dated:________________________________________________________________,1999
(Must be signed by the registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on
stock certificate(s) or on a security position listing or by person(s)
authorized to become registered holder(s) by certificates and documents
transmitted herewith. If signature is by trustees, executors, administrators,
guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a
fiduciary capacity, please set forth full title.)
Name(s)-----------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please Print)
Capacity (Full Title)
--------------------------------------------------------
Address
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Include Zip Code)
(Daytime Telephone No.)
-------------------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT:
TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (TIN) OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER _____________________
FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE TIN INFORMATION WILL RESULT IN
BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS DUE YOU.
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE (S)
Authorized
Signature
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Name of Firm
------------------------------------------------------------------
Dated: ,1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
PRESS RELEASE
-------------
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BEAZER HOMES USA, INC. ANNOUNCES A CASH ENHANCEMENT TO
HOLDERS OF PREFERRED STOCK WHO CONVERT TO COMMON STOCK
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, February 17, 1999 -- Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (NYSE:BZH and
BZH.PrA) announced today that it is offering each of the holders of the
outstanding shares of its Series A Cumulative Convertible Exchangeable Preferred
Stock (the "Preferred Stock") a cash enhancement of $.75 per share for each
share of Preferred Stock converted to the Company's Common Stock on or before
March 17, 1999.
Holders of Preferred Stock that convert their shares of Preferred Stock
into shares of Common Stock at any time until 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on
March 17, 1999 shall receive 1.312336 shares of Common Stock and a cash payment
of $.75 for each share of Preferred Stock. Holders who convert after February
18, 1999 but prior to March 2, 1999 will receive the $.50 dividend per share
payable March 1, 1999. Any holder electing to convert shares of Preferred Stock
after March 1, 1999 pursuant to this offer will not receive any dividends with
respect to such Preferred Stock accrued after March 1, 1999.
The Preferred Stock is currently redeemable by the Company with a minimum
of 30 days prior notice, at a price of $26.25 per share, plus accrued and unpaid
dividends to the date of redemption. Based on the closing price of the Company's
Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on February 16, 1999 of
$22.50, the 1.312336 shares of Common Stock into which each share of the
Preferred Stock is convertible had a value of $29.53. So long as the market
price of Common Stock is more than $19.43 per share, holders of the Preferred
Stock will receive more value upon conversion of the Preferred Stock into shares
of Common Stock pursuant to this offer , than the value at which the Company can
currently redeem the Preferred Stock. On February 16, 1999, the closing price of
the Company's Preferred Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange
Composite Tape was $29.625.
<PAGE>
In an effort to simplify its capital structure and reduce its Preferred
Stock dividend, the Company has decided to seek to induce the holders of the
Preferred Stock to convert their shares to Common Stock. The conversion
enhancement is being offered to such holders of the Preferred Stock to make
conversion more financially attractive during the period of time that this offer
is outstanding. The Company would like to provide for the expedient conversion
of a significant portion of the Preferred Stock to Common Stock while reducing
the uncertainty associated with a 30 day non-cancelable call for redemption of a
significant portion of the Company's equity. Any shares of Preferred Stock not
converted to Common Stock will remain outstanding subject to the terms of the
Certificate of Designations of the Preferred Stock, which includes the Company's
right to redeem such shares at any time upon 30 days notice.
On February 12, 1999, holders of 465,400 shares of Preferred Stock
converted such shares into 610,761 shares of Common Stock. Such holders received
$.75 per share as an enhancement for such conversion, plus a $.50 per share fee
for converting prior to the record date for the $.50 per share Preferred Stock
dividend payable on March 1, 1999. Such conversions were made pursuant to
separately negotiated agreements between the holders of such Preferred Stock and
the Company. After such conversions there are 1,534,600 shares of Preferred
Stock currently outstanding.
Beazer Homes USA, Inc., based in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of the country's
ten largest single family homebuilders, with operations in Arizona, California,
Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
Contact: David S. Weiss
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(404)250-3420
NOTE: CERTAIN STATEMENTS IN THIS PRESS RELEASE ARE "FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS" WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION
ACT OF 1995. SUCH STATEMENTS INVOLVE KNOWN AND UNKNOWN RISKS,
UNCERTAINTIES AND OTHER FACTORS THAT MAY CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO
DIFFER MATERIALLY. SUCH RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND OTHER FACTORS
INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, CHANGES IN GENERAL ECONOMIC
CONDITIONS, FLUCTUATIONS IN INTEREST RATES, INCREASES IN RAW
MATERIALS AND LABOR COSTS, LEVELS OF COMPETITION AND OTHER FACTORS
DESCRIBED IN THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1998.
