SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. ___)
Filed by the Registrant /X/
Filed by a party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/X/ Preliminary proxy statement / / Confidential, for Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted
by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
/ / Definitive proxy statement
/ / Definitive additional materials
/ / Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
Darling International Inc.
-------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ No fee required.
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
---------------------------------
/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
N/A
-------------------------------
/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount previously paid:
(2) Form, schedule or registration statement no.:
(3) Filing party:
(4) Date filed:
<PAGE>
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
251 O'Connor Ridge Boulevard
Suite 300
Irving, Texas 75038
, 1997
To the Stockholders of Darling International Inc.:
You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of stockholders
of Darling International Inc. (the "Company") to be held on October 28, 1997 at
10:00 a.m., at The Mansion on Turtle Creek, 2821 Turtle Creek, Dallas, Texas.
At this meeting, we are seeking approval of (1) an amendment to the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation which will increase the number of shares
of common stock that the Company is authorized to issue to twenty-five million
(25,000,000) shares and (2) an amendment to the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation which will authorize one million (1,000,000) shares of preferred
stock issuable in series with the terms of each series to be fixed by the Board
of Directors of the Company. On August 20, 1997, the Company's Board of
Directors (a) declared a three-for-one stock split (to be effected in the form
of a stock dividend) subject to obtaining stockholder approval of this amendment
and (b) authorized the listing of the Company's Common Stock on the American
Stock Exchange, Inc. The objectives of the stock split include broadening the
distribution and improving the marketability of the common stock of the Company.
The increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock of the Company
would be used in part to effect this stock split. The availability of additional
authorized but unissued common stock and preferred stock is intended to
facilitate future transactions such as acquisitions, equity financings or stock
splits.
Please read the enclosed materials carefully and return your proxy as
soon as possible. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Joseph R. Weaver, Jr.
Secretary
<PAGE>
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
251 O'Connor Ridge Boulevard
Suite 300
Irving, Texas 75038
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be held October 28, 1997
To the Stockholders of Darling International Inc.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting of stockholders of Darling
International Inc. will be held on October 28, 1997 at 10:00 a.m., at The
Mansion on Turtle Creek, 2821 Turtle Creek, Dallas, Texas for the following
purposes:
(1) to approve an amendment to Article Four of the Certificate of
Incorporation of Darling International Inc. to increase the total
number of shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the
"Common Stock"), which Darling International Inc. has the authority to
issue from ten million (10,000,000) shares to twenty-five million
(25,000,000) shares in order to effect a three-for-one stock split of
the Common Stock (in the form of a stock dividend) and to increase the
amount of the authorized but unissued Common Stock;
(2) to approve an amendment to Article Four of the Certificate of
Incorporation of Darling International Inc. to authorize one million
(1,000,000) shares of preferred stock issuable in series with the
terms of each series to be fixed by the Company's Board of Directors;
and
(3) to transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on September 2,
1997 as the record date for determination of stockholders entitled to
notice of and vote at the meeting or any adjournment or postponement
thereof.
STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO FILL IN, SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED PROXY
AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Joseph R. Weaver, Jr.
Secretary
, 1997
<PAGE>
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
251 O'Connor Ridge Boulevard
Suite 300
Irving, Texas 75038
PROXY STATEMENT
SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held October 28, 1997
The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Darling
International Inc. (the "Company"). This Proxy Statement and the accompanying
form of proxy, Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders and letter to
stockholders are first being mailed to stockholders of the Company on or about
October 10, 1997 in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of
Directors of the Company for use at the Special Meeting of Stockholders (the
"Meeting") to be held at The Mansion on Turtle Creek, 2821 Turtle Creek, Dallas,
Texas, on October 28, 1997, at 10:00 a.m.
PURPOSE OF MEETING
At the meeting, action will be taken to (1) approve an amendment to
Article Four of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation to increase the total
number of shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, (the "Common
Stock"), which the Company shall have the authority to issue from ten million
(10,000,000) shares to twenty-five million (25,000,000) shares and (2) approve
an amendment to Article Four of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation to
authorize one million (1,000,000) shares of preferred stock issuable in series
with the terms of each series to be fixed by the Company's Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors does not know of any other matter that is to come before
the Meeting. If any other matters are properly presented for consideration,
however, the persons authorized by the enclosed proxy will have discretion to
vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
Stockholders are urged to sign the accompanying form of proxy,
solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company, and, immediately
after reviewing the information contained in this Proxy Statement, return it in
the envelope provided for that purpose. If the accompanying proxy card is
properly signed and returned to the Company prior to the Meeting, it will be
voted at the Meeting and any adjournment or adjournments thereof in the manner
specified therein. If no directions are given but proxies are executed in the
manner set forth therein, such proxies will be voted FOR approval of each of the
amendments to Article Four of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation.
INFORMATION REGARDING SOLICITATION AND VOTING
Solicitation of Proxies
The expense of the solicitation of proxies will be borne by the
Company. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, solicitation may be
made by the directors, officers and employees of the Company by other means,
including telephone, telegraph or in person. No special compensation will be
paid to directors, officers or employees for the solicitation of proxies. To
solicit proxies, the Company also will request the assistance of banks,
brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees or fiduciaries, and, upon
request, will reimburse such organizations or individuals for their reasonable
expenses in forwarding soliciting materials to beneficial owners and in
obtaining authorization for the execution of proxies.
1
<PAGE>
Revocation of Proxy
Any stockholder returning the accompanying proxy may revoke such proxy
at any time prior to its exercise by giving written notice to the Secretary of
the Company of such revocation, voting in person at the Meeting, or executing
and delivering to the Secretary of the Company a later-dated proxy.
Quorum and Voting Requirements
Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on September 2,
1997 (the "Record Date"), are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting
or any adjournments thereof. As of the close of business on the Record Date,
there were shares of the Company's Common Stock, issued and outstanding and
entitled to vote. The Common Stock constitutes the only class of capital stock
of the Company issued and outstanding. Each stockholder of record on the Record
Date is entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held. A majority of
the outstanding shares of Common Stock, represented in person or by proxy, will
constitute a quorum at the Meeting; however, if a quorum is not present or
represented at the Meeting, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present
in person or represented by proxy, have the power to adjourn the Meeting from
time to time, without notice, other than by announcement at the Meeting, until a
quorum is present or represented. At any such adjourned Meeting at which a
quorum is present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have
been transacted at the original Meeting.
Approval of each of the proposals to amend the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of
outstanding Common Stock entitled to vote thereon. Votes cast by proxy or in
person will be counted by two persons appointed by the Company to act as
inspectors for the Meeting. The election inspectors will treat shares
represented by proxies that reflect abstentions as shares that are present and
entitled to vote for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. Since
each of the amendments to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation requires
the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, abstention
votes will have the effect of a negative vote.
Broker non-votes occur where a broker holding stock in street name
votes the shares on some matters but not others. Brokers are permitted to vote
on routine, non-controversial proposals in instances where they have not
received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the stock but are not
permitted to vote on non-routine matters. The missing votes on non-routine
matters are deemed to be "broker non-votes." The election inspectors will treat
broker non-votes as shares that are present and entitled to vote for the purpose
of determining the presence of a quorum. However, for the purpose of determining
the outcome of any matter as to which the broker or nominee has indicated on the
proxy that it does not have discretionary authority to vote, those shares will
be treated as not present and not entitled to vote with respect to that matter
(even though those shares are considered entitled to vote for quorum purposes
and may be entitled to vote on other matters).
Unless otherwise noted, all share numbers in this proxy statement are
stated without giving effect to the Company's proposed three-for-one stock
split.
2
<PAGE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
The following table and the notes thereto set forth certain information
with respect to the beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock, as of August
19, 1997, by each person or group within the meaning of Rule 13(d)-3 under the
Exchange Act who is known to the management of the Company to be the beneficial
owner of more than five percent of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company:
Amount and
Nature of
Name and Address Beneficial Percent
of Beneficial Owner Ownership (1) of Class
Phoenix Partners LP............................. 86,980 1.68%
Betje Partners.................................. 30,384 0.59%
Phaeton International Ltd. ..................... 60,783 1.18%
Morgens Waterfall Income Partners LP............ 77,729 1.50%
Morgens, Waterfall, Vintiadis & Company, Inc.... 238,204 (2) 4.60%
Restart Partners L.P............................ 466,940 9.01%
Restart Partners II, L.P........................ 685,339 13.21%
Restart Partners III, L.P....................... 481,979 9.30%
Restart Partners IV, L.P........................ 300,123 5.80%
Restart Partners V, L.P......................... 50,000 0.97%
MWV Employee Retirement Plan Group Trust........ 23,373 0.45%
The Common Fund for Non-Profit Organizations.... 147,037 2.84%
Edwin H. Morgens................................ 2,387,294 (3) 45.47%
John C. Waterfall .............................. 2,398,794 (4) 45.69%
(collectively the "MW Group")
MW Group
10 East 50th Street
New York, NY 10022......................... 2,419,667(5) 46.13%
Oppenheimer & Co., Inc.
Oppenheimer Group, Inc.
Oppenheimer Tower, 6th Floor
World Financial Center
New York, NY 10281......................... 551,493 10.67%
Intermarket Corp.
667 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10021............................. 615,768 11.91%
(footnotes on following page)
3
<PAGE>
(1) Except as otherwise indicated in footnotes 2, 3, 4 and 5 hereto, the
entities named in this table have sole voting and investment power
with respect to all shares of capital stock shown as beneficially
owned by them.
(2) Morgens Waterfall Vintiadis & Company, Inc. does not directly own any
of the Common Stock or options described in footnote 5 hereto but may
be deemed to indirectly beneficially own 238,204 shares of Common
Stock, assuming exercise of the options, by virtue of contracts with
Phaeton International Ltd., The Common Fund for Non-Profit
Organizations and Betje Partners pursuant to which Morgens Waterfall
Vintiadis & Company, Inc. provides investment advisory services.
(3) Edwin H. Morgens does not directly own any of the Common Stock or
options described in footnote 5 hereto but may be deemed to indirectly
beneficially own 2,387,294 shares of Common Stock, assuming exercise
of the options, by virtue of his positions as a managing member of MW
Mgt LLC and MW Capital LLC, the general partner of Phoenix Partners LP
and Morgens Waterfall Income Partners LP, respectively; as Chairman of
the Board of Directors and Secretary of Morgens Waterfall Vintiadis &
Company, Inc.; and as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Secretary
of Prime, Inc., as general partner of each of Prime Group, L.P., Prime
Group II, L.P., Prime Group III, L.P., Prime Group IV, L.P. and Prime
Group V, L.P., as general partners of Restart Partners L.P., Restart
Partners II, L.P., Restart Partners III, L.P., Restart Partners IV,
L.P. and Restart Partners V, L.P., respectively.
(4) John C. Waterfall directly owns options for 11,500 shares. He may be
deemed to indirectly beneficially own 2,387,294 shares of Common
Stock, assuming exercise of the options described in footnote 5
hereto, by virtue of his positions as a managing member of MW Mgt LLC
and MW Capital LLC, the general partner of Phoenix Partners LP and
Morgens Waterfall Income Partners LP, respectively; as President,
Assistant Secretary and a Director of Morgens Waterfall Vintiadis &
Company, Inc.; as President and a Director of Prime, Inc. (which is
the general partner of each of Prime Group, L.P., Prime Group II,
L.P., Prime Group III, L.P., Prime Group IV, L.P. and Prime Group V,
L.P.), as general partner of each of Prime Group, L.P., Prime Group
II, L.P., Prime Group III, L.P., Prime Group IV, L.P. and Prime Group
V, L.P., as general partners of Restart Partners L.P., Restart
Partners II, L.P., Restart Partners III, L.P., Restart Partners IV,
L.P. and Restart Partners V, L.P., respectively.
(5) Includes options, which are immediately exercisable, in the following
amounts for each entity: Phoenix Partners LP (2,166 options); Betje
Partners (774 options); Phaeton International Ltd. (1,540 options);
Morgens Waterfall Income Partners LP (2,338 options); Morgens,
Waterfall, Vintiadis & Company, Inc. (6,738 options); Restart Partners
L.P. (14,049 options); Restart Partners II, L.P. (20,620 options);
Restart Partners III, L.P. (14,500 options); Restart Partners IV, L.P.
(9,029 options); MWV Employee Retirement Plan Group Trust (560
options); The Common Fund for Non-Profit Organizations (4,424
options); Edwin H. Morgens (70,000 options); John C. Waterfall (80,940
options).
4
<PAGE>
Security Ownership of Management
The following table and the notes thereto set forth certain information
with respect to the beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock of the
Company, as of August 19, 1997, by each director, executive officer and by all
executive officers and directors as a group:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Common Stock Percent of
Common Former Class Unexercised Beneficially Common
Name of Individual Stock Owned A Options(1) Plan Options(2) Owned (3) Stock Owned
- ------------------ ----------- ---------- ------------- ---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
William Westerman 0 0 0 0 *
Fredric J. Klink 30,000 0 11,500 41,500 *
Denis J. Taura 10,000 10,000 13,250 33,250 *
Douglas P. Anderson 4 0 43,955 43,959 *
Omer A. Dreiling, II 0 0 43,955 43,955 *
Dennis B. Longmire 0 0 120,000 120,000 2.27%
James A. Ransweiler 0 0 43,955 43,955 *
John C. Waterfall (4) 2,317,854 69,440 11,500 2,398,794 45.69%
Robert L. Willis 8,109 0 10,989 19,098 *
John R. Witt 0 0 9,000 9,000 *
Joseph R. Weaver, Jr. 0 0 2,925 2,925 *
All executive officers and
directors as a group
(11 persons) 2,365,967 79,440 311,030 2,756,437 49.52
- ------------------
<FN>
* Represents less than one percent of the Common Stock outstanding.
(1) These Class A options were canceled and the numbers represent options to
purchase shares of Common Stock.
(2) Represents options that have vested and are exercisable as of October 31,
1997.
(3) Except as otherwise indicated in the columns "Former Class A Options" and
footnote 1 thereto and "Unexercised Plan Options" and footnote 2 thereto,
the persons named in this table have sole voting and investment power with
respect to all shares of capital stock shown as beneficially owned by them.
(4) Based on his management positions with the MW Group, Mr. Waterfall may be
deemed to indirectly beneficially own 2,387,294 of the securities listed,
assuming exercise of all of the options. See footnote 4 to "Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners" table above.
</FN>
</TABLE>
Proposal No. 1
AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
TO INCREASE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
General
The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as currently in
effect, (the "Certificate"), provides that the Company's authorized capital
stock shall consist of ten million (10,000,000) shares of Common Stock. On
August 20, 1997, the Board of Directors unanimously approved and recommended
that the stockholders of the Company consider and approve an amendment
("Amendment No. 1") to Article FOUR of the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation (the "Certificate") that would increase the number of authorized
shares of the Company's Common Stock from ten million (10,000,000) shares to
twenty-five million (25,000,000) shares. On August 20, 1997, the Board of
Directors declared a three-for-one stock split (to be effected in the form of a
stock dividend), subject to obtaining stockholder approval of Amendment No. 1.
In the event that stockholder approval of Amendment No. 1 is obtained, the
Company will then effect the three-for-one stock split (in the form of a stock
dividend), to be paid on , 1997 to holders of record of the Common Stock on ,
1997 (the "Stock Split"). A copy of Article FOUR of the Certificate, as proposed
to be amended by Proposal No. 1 and Proposal No. 2 hereof, is attached as Annex
A.
5
<PAGE>
Increase in Authorized Shares of Common Stock
In connection with the Stock Split, each holder of shares of the
Company's Common Stock would receive two additional shares for each share held.
In addition, the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance or
subject to outstanding options granted under the Company's employee and director
stock option plans and under individual stock option agreements (the "Stock
Option Plans") would increase by 200% (and the exercise prices of outstanding
options would correspondingly decrease). The proposed Stock Split was approved
by the Company's Board of Directors with the intention of benefiting
stockholders by obtaining wider market distribution for the Company's Common
Stock, as well as improving the marketability of the Common Stock. The Company
also recognizes benefits from stock splits relating to the hiring and retention
of employees. The proposed increase in the Company's authorized shares of Common
Stock would be necessary to effect the Stock Split.
As of the Record Date, 5,168,784 shares of the Company's Common Stock
were outstanding, 901,640 shares were subject to outstanding options granted
under the Stock Option Plans and 199,831 shares were reserved and available for
issuance under the Stock Option Plans. As a result, prior to effecting the Stock
Split, the Company requires a minimum of 6,270,255 shares of the Common Stock
authorized for issuance under its Certificate (the "Share Requirement"). Prior
to the effectiveness of Amendment No. 1, the Company had only ten million
(10,000,000) authorized shares of Common Stock, leaving only 3,729,745 shares
outside the Company's current requirements. The Company would not be able to
effect the Stock Split given its current authorization of capital stock of ten
million (10,000,000) shares as the Stock Split would cause the Share Requirement
to increase to 18,810,765 shares resulting in a shortage of 8,810,765 shares
that would need to be issued to effect the Stock Split. In the event stockholder
approval of this proposal is obtained, following the effectiveness of Amendment
No. 1 and the Stock Split, the Company would have a total of 6,189,235
authorized and unissued shares remaining available pursuant to its Certificate.
While the Company has no specific, present intentions for the use of such
shares, the Company believes that maintaining such a reserve could save the
Company time and money in responding to future events requiring the issuance of
additional shares of Common Stock such as raising additional capital through the
sale of securities in the public market or the acquisition of another company or
business. Moreover, such shares may be used in connection with future stock
splits, effected by means of an issuance of a stock dividend, if the Board of
Directors concludes that it is in the best interest of the Company's
stockholders to implement such splits. The additional shares of Common Stock
authorized but not required to effect the Stock Split would be available for
issuance from time to time by the Board of Directors without further stockholder
action. These additional authorized shares of Common Stock will restore the
Company's flexibility to issue Common Stock to a level the Board of Directors
believes advisable.
The additional shares of Common Stock for which authorization is being
sought would be identical to the shares of Common Stock of the Company now
authorized. Adoption of the proposed Amendment No. 1 and the issuance of Common
Stock would not affect the rights of holders of currently outstanding Common
Stock of the Company, except for effects incidental to increasing the number of
shares of the Company's Common Stock outstanding. Holders of Common Stock do not
have preemptive rights to subscribe to additional securities which may be issued
by the Company.
6
<PAGE>
Certain Anti-Takeover Effects of Proposed Amendment No. 1
In addition to the foregoing corporate purposes, under certain
circumstances the Board of Directors could create impediments to, or delay
persons seeking to effect, a takeover or transfer of control of the Company by
causing such additional authorized shares to be issued to a holder or holders
who might side with the Board of Directors in opposing a takeover bid that the
Board of Directors determines is not in the best interests of the Company and
its stockholders. Such an issuance could diminish the voting power of existing
stockholders who favor a change in control and the ability to issue the shares
could discourage an attempt to acquire control of the Company. While it may be
deemed to have potential anti-takeover effects, the proposed Amendment No. 1 is
not prompted by any specific effort or takeover threat currently perceived by
management. Moreover, management does not currently intend to propose additional
anti-takeover measures in the foreseeable future.
The Company has in place certain other provisions which have an
anti-takeover effect. The Company's Certificate includes provisions which
provide, among other things, noncumulative voting for directors and limits on
the calling of special meetings. Additionally, certain executive officers of the
Company have employment agreements with the Company containing severance
provisions which could be triggered in the event of termination of employment
following a change of control of the Company, therefore making an acquisition
more costly to the acquirer.
In addition, other potential anti-takeover measures are available to
management and the Board of Directors under the laws of Delaware, where the
Company is incorporated. Under Delaware statutes, a change in control may be
delayed unless holders of a substantial percentage of the outstanding voting
securities approve the change of control transaction. Although the Delaware
statutes may protect stockholders against partial takeovers and abusive takeover
tactics, the effects of the statutes may negatively impact stockholders desiring
a change of control in the ways set forth above.
If Amendment No. 1 is approved by the stockholders, such amendment will
become effective upon the filing of a Certificate of Amendment of the
Certificate with the Secretary of State of the state of Delaware.
Required Vote
To be adopted, this proposal requires the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the
Company entitled to vote thereon at the Meeting. The Board of Directors believes
that this proposed amendment is in the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION.
7
<PAGE>
Proposal No. 2
AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
TO AUTHORIZE SHARES OF PREFERRED STOCK
General
The Certificate, as currently in effect, does not provide for the
authorization of any shares of preferred stock of the Company. On August 20,
1997, the Board of Directors unanimously approved and recommended that the
stockholders of the Company consider and approve an amendment ("Amendment No.
2") to Article FOUR of the Certificate that would authorize one million
(1,000,000) shares of preferred stock issuable in series with the terms of each
series to be fixed by the Company's Board of Directors, par value $.01 per share
(the "Preferred Stock"). A copy of Article FOUR of the Certificate, as proposed
to be amended by Proposal No. 1 and Proposal No.
2 hereof, is attached as Annex A.
Creation of a Class of Preferred Stock
The Board of Directors has approved, subject to stockholder approval at
the Meeting, the authorization of one million (1,000,000) shares of Preferred
Stock, which may be issued in one or more series and as to which the Board of
Directors is authorized to determine the voting powers, designations,
preferences, and rights and the qualifications, limitations, and restrictions
thereof, of each such series, including dividend rates, conversion prices,
redemption prices, liquidation preferences and voting and other rights. The
Certificate currently authorizes no shares of Preferred Stock.
The Board of Directors considers Amendment No. 2 desirable because it
would provide the Company with the ability to take advantage of future
opportunities for the issuance of equity in connection with financings, possible
future acquisitions, other programs to facilitate expansion and growth and for
other general corporate purposes, including stock dividends, stock splits and
employee benefit plans without the delay and expense incident to the holding of
a special meeting of stockholders to consider any specific issuance. Such
additional shares could also be issued in a public offering or privately placed
in order to raise capital for various purposes. Authorized but unissued shares
may be issued at such time or times, to such person or persons and for such
consideration as the Board of Directors determines to be in the best interests
of the Company, without further authorization from the stockholders except as
may be required by the rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers
Automated Quotation System or any stock exchange on which the Preferred Stock is
then listed.
To the extent that any shares of Preferred Stock may be issued, such
Preferred Stock may (a) have priority over the Company's Common Stock with
respect to dividends and the assets of the Company upon liquidation; (b) have
significant voting power; (c) provide for representation of the holders of the
Preferred Stock on the Company's Board of Directors upon the occurrence of
certain events; and (d) require the approval of the Preferred Stock for the
taking of certain corporate actions, such as mergers. To the extent that any
shares of Preferred Stock (including preferred stock convertible into Common
Stock) may be issued on other than a pro rata basis to current stockholders, the
present ownership position of current stockholders may be diluted. Such shares
also could be used to dilute the stock ownership of persons seeking to obtain
control of the Company, and thereby defeat a possible takeover attempt which (if
stockholders were offered a premium over the market value of their shares) might
be viewed as being beneficial to stockholders of the Company. Management of the
Company is not aware of any possible takeover attempts at this time.
Currently, the Company is not engaged in any negotiations concerning
the issuance of any shares of Preferred Stock, nor are there any plans,
commitments, agreements or understandings relating to the issuance of any shares
of Preferred Stock. The timing of the actual issuance of shares of Preferred
Stock will depend upon market conditions, the specific purpose for which the
stock is to be issued and other similar factors.
8
<PAGE>
Possible Anti-Takeover Effects of Proposed Amendment No. 2
The primary purpose of Amendment No. 2 is to provide the Company with
the flexibility to raise additional capital from the sale of shares of Preferred
Stock and to take advantage of possible future opportunities for which the
issuance of shares of Preferred Stock may be deemed advisable without the delay
and expense incident to calling a special meeting of the Company's stockholders
in any case in which such a meeting would not otherwise be required.
The issuance of shares of Preferred Stock may be deemed to have an
anti-takeover effect since such shares may be used, under certain circumstances,
to create voting impediments to frustrate persons seeking to effect a takeover
or otherwise gain control of the Company. The Preferred Stock may also be viewed
as having the effect of discouraging an attempt by another person or entity,
through the acquisition of a substantial number of shares of the Common Stock,
to acquire control of the Company, since the issuance of "blank check" preferred
stock may be used for adoption of a stockholders rights plan or "poison pill."
Amendment No. 2 has not been proposed as an anti-takeover measure nor
is the Board of Directors aware of any offers to acquire control of the Company.
It should be noted that any action taken by the Company to discourage an attempt
to acquire control of the Company may result in stockholders not being able to
participate in any possible premiums which may be obtained in the absence of
anti-takeover provisions. Any transaction which may be so discouraged or avoided
could be a transaction that the Company's stockholders might consider to be in
their best interests. However, the Board of Directors has a fiduciary duty to
act in the best interests of the Company's stockholders at all times.
The possible anti-takeover effects of Amendment No. 2 should be considered
together with those discussed above in the proposal to adopt Amendment No. 1.
If Amendment No. 2 is approved by the stockholders, such amendment will
become effective upon the filing of a Certificate of Amendment of the
Certificate with the Secretary of State of the state of Delaware.
Required Vote
To be adopted, this proposal requires the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the
Company entitled to vote thereon at the Meeting. The Board of Directors believes
that this proposed amendment is in the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" AMENDMENT NO. 2
TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION.
9
<PAGE>
OTHER MATTERS
The management of the Company is not aware of any other matters to be
presented for action at the Meeting; however, if any such matters are properly
presented for action, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed
form of proxy to vote in accordance with their best judgment on such matters.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the 1998 annual
meeting of stockholders of the Company must be received by the Secretary of the
Company at the Company's principal executive office no later than January 1,
1998, in order to be included in the proxy statement and form of proxy for such
meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors
JOSEPH R. WEAVER, JR.
Secretary
, 1997
Irving, Texas
STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED, REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF
THE COMPANY OWNED, TO DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY. YOUR COOPERATION
IN GIVING THESE MATTERS YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AND IN RETURNING YOUR PROXY
PROMPTLY IS APPRECIATED.
9
<PAGE>
Annex A
ARTICLE FOUR
The aggregate number of shares of capital stock that the Corporation
will have authority to issue is twenty six million (26,000,000) consisting of
twenty five million (25,000,000) shares of common stock, having a par value of
$0.01 per share (the "Common Stock") and one million (1,000,000) shares of
preferred stock, having a par value of $0.01 per share (the "Preferred Stock").
Each share of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote upon all
matters presented to stockholders and shall have identical rights and privileges
in every other respect. Election of directors may occur by written consent of
the stockholders without a meeting in accordance with the Corporation's Bylaws.
Authority is hereby expressly granted to the Board of Directors of the
Corporation from time to time to issue the Preferred Stock as preferred stock of
any series and, in connection with the creation of each such series, to fix by
the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of shares thereof, the
number of shares of such series, and the designations, relative rights,
preferences, and limitations of such series, to the full extent now or hereafter
permitted by the laws of the state of Delaware.
<PAGE>
Annex B
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Proxy Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors of
the Company for the Special Meeting of Stockholders to be
held on October 28, 1997
The undersigned hereby appoints Dennis B. Longmire and John R. Witt, or
either of them, his true and lawful agents and proxies with full power of
substitution in each, to represent the undersigned at the special meeting of
stockholders of Darling International Inc., to be held at The Mansion on Turtle
Creek, 2821 Turtle Creek, Dallas, Texas 75219, on October 28, 1997, and at any
adjournments thereof, on all matters coming before said meeting.
You are encouraged to specify your choices by marking the appropriate
boxes, SEE REVERSE SIDE, but you need not mark any boxes if you wish to vote in
accordance with the Board of Directors' recommendations. Proxies
cannot vote your shares unless you sign and return this card.
(Continued, and to be signed on reverse side)
<PAGE>
Proxy Proposal No. 1: Amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation to Increase Number of Authorized Shares of Common Stock
Proposal to approve the amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation in order to increase the number of shares of Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per share, authorized for issuance thereunder from ten million
(10,000,000) shares to twenty-five (25,000,000) million shares in order to
effect a three-for-one-stock split of the Company's Common Stock (in the form of
a stock dividend) and to increase the amount of the Company's authorized but
unissued stock.
FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]
Proxy Proposal No. 2: Amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation to Authorize Shares of Preferred Stock
Proposal to approve the amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation in order to authorize one million (1,000,000) shares of preferred
stock, par value $0.01 per share, issuable in series with the terms of each
series to be fixed by the Board of Directors of the Company.
FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]
In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business
as may properly come before the meeting.
MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND NOTE BELOW [ ]
Sign, Date and Return the Proxy Card Promptly Using the Enclosed Envelope.
Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When
signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give
full title as such.
Signature: Date:
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Signature: Date:
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