UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 23, 2006
FARGO ELECTRONICS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware |
| 000-29029 |
| 41-1959505 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of |
| (Commission File Number) |
| (I.R.S. Employer Identification |
|
|
|
|
|
6533 Flying Cloud Drive |
|
| ||
Eden Prairie, Minnesota |
| 55344 | ||
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
| (Zip Code) | ||
(952) 941-9470
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
ý Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 8.01 Other Events
On May 22, 2006, Fargo Electronics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Assa Abloy, Inc., an Oregon corporation (“Parent”), HID Global Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“HID”), and Dakota Acquisition Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of HID, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”). The Merger Agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Subsidiary will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation.
Gary Holland, the Company’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, provided the following statements regarding the Merger to the St. Paul Pioneer Press newspaper on May 23, 2006.
Why is ASSA ABLOY purchasing Fargo Electronics?
“ASSA ABLOY’s HID Global and Fargo Electronics have complementary capabilities in the area of secure identification and access card issuance. Contactless cards and readers for access control are at the core of HID’s business. Fargo is a global leader in the development of secure technologies for identity card issuance systems, including secure card printer/encoders, materials and software. Securing the entire issuance process of identity and access control cards has become an increasingly important element in all security applications. By combining two of the most respected companies with complementary skills and products, the integrity of the whole security chain in the issuance of identity and access credentials is strengthened.”
What does it mean to Fargo customers and employees?
“Fargo is expected continue to operate on a ‘business as usual’ basis as the two companies align to define and implement plans for the future, but we anticipate that Fargo customers and associates will benefit from ASSA ABLOY’s ability to provide financial, distribution, and other growth resources that Fargo would have been challenged to assemble quickly on its own.”
Important Merger Information
In connection with the proposed Merger, the Company will file a proxy statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. Investors are advised to read the proxy statement when it becomes available because it will contain important information about the Merger and the Company. Investors may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement (when available) and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. Free copies of the proxy statement, once available, and the Company’s other filings with the SEC may also be obtained from the Company at www.fargo.com. Free copies of the Company’s filings may be obtained by directing a written request to Fargo Electronics, Inc., 6533 Flying Cloud Drive, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344, Attention: Paul Stephenson.
Participants in the Solicitation
The Company and its directors, executive officers and other members of its management may be deemed to be soliciting proxies from the Company’s stockholders in favor of the Merger. Investors and stockholders may obtain more detailed information regarding the direct and indirect interests of the Company’s executive officers and directors in the Merger by reading the preliminary and definitive proxy statements regarding the Merger, which will be filed with the SEC. These documents will be available free of charge once available at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to the Company as described above.
2
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| FARGO ELECTRONICS, INC. | |
|
| |
|
| |
Dated: May 24, 2006 | By: | /s/ Gary R. Holland |
|
| Gary R. Holland |
|
| Chairman of the Board, President and |
|
| Chief Executive Officer |
3
