UNITED STATES | |||
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION | |||
Washington, D.C. 20549 | |||
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SCHEDULE 14A | |||
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Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of | |||
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Filed by the Registrant x | |||
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o | |||
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Check the appropriate box: | |||
o | Preliminary Proxy Statement | ||
o | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) | ||
o | Definitive Proxy Statement | ||
o | Definitive Additional Materials | ||
x | Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12 | ||
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Glimcher Realty Trust | |||
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) | |||
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) | |||
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Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): | |||
x | No fee required. | ||
o | 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: | |
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| (2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: | |
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| (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): | |
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| (4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: | |
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| (5) | Total fee paid: | |
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o | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. | ||
o | 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: | |
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| (2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: | |
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December 18, 2014
Dear Fellow Shareholder,
We have previously sent to you proxy materials for the special meeting of common shareholders of Glimcher Realty Trust to be held on January 12, 2015.
Glimcher is holding a special meeting of Glimcher shareholders, at which the holders of Glimcher common shares are being asked to consider and vote on (i) a proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, (ii) a non-binding, advisory proposal to approve the compensation that may be paid or become payable to named executive officers of Glimcher in connection with the merger, and (iii) a proposal to adjourn the Glimcher special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, including to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the meeting to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.
The Glimcher board of trustees unanimously approved the merger agreement, declared advisable the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, and unanimously recommends that Glimcher shareholders vote “FOR” the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, “FOR” the proposal to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation that may be paid or become payable to named executive officers of Glimcher in connection with the merger and “FOR” the proposal to adjourn the special meeting.
Your vote is important, no matter how many or how few shares you may own. If you have not already done so, please vote TODAY by telephone, via the Internet, or by signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the envelope provided to ensure that your votes are validly received prior to the special meeting.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Michael P. Glimcher
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
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Reminder |
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You can vote your shares by telephone, or via the Internet. |
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Please follow the easy instructions on the enclosed card. |
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If you have any questions, or need assistance in voting |
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your shares, please call our proxy solicitor, |
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GEORGESON INC. |
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TOLL-FREE, at (888) 666-2580 |
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About Glimcher Realty Trust
Glimcher Realty Trust, a real estate investment trust, is a recognized leader in the ownership, management, acquisition and development of retail properties, including mixed use, open-air and enclosed regional malls as well as outlet centers. Glimcher owns material interests in and manages 26 properties with total gross leasable area totaling approximately 18.4 million square feet.
Glimcher Realty Trust’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GRT.” Glimcher Realty Trust’s Series G, Series H, and Series I preferred shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols “GRTPRG,” “GRTPRH,” and “GRTPRI” respectively. Glimcher Realty Trust is a component of both the Russell 2000® Index, representing small cap stocks, and the Russell 3000® Index, representing the broader market. Glimcher® is a registered trademark of Glimcher Realty Trust.
Forward Looking Statements
This communication contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 which represent the current expectations and beliefs of management of WPG and GRT concerning the proposed transactions, the anticipated consequences and benefits of the transactions and the targeted close date for the transactions, and other future events and their potential effects on WPG and GRT, including, but not limited to, statements relating to anticipated financial and operating results, the companies’ plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, cost savings and other statements, including words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “should,” “may,” and other similar expressions. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of WPG’s and GRT’s management, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of WPG or GRT to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation: the ability to obtain the approval of the merger by GRT’s shareholders; the ability to satisfy the conditions to the transactions on the proposed terms and timeframe; the possibility that the transactions do not close when expected or at all; the ability to finance the transactions; the ability to successfully operate and integrate WPG’s and GRT’s businesses and achieve cost savings; the effect of the announcement of the transactions on the WPG’s or GRT’s relationships with their respective tenants, lenders or other business parties or on their operating results and businesses generally; changes in asset quality and credit risk; ability to sustain revenue and earnings growth; changes in political, economic or market conditions generally and the real estate and capital markets specifically; the impact of increased competition; the availability of capital and financing; tenant or joint venture partner(s) bankruptcies; the failure to increase mall store occupancy and same-mall operating income; risks associated with the acquisition, development, expansion, leasing and management of properties; changes in market rental rates; trends in the retail industry; relationships with anchor tenants; risks relating to joint venture properties; costs of common area maintenance; competitive market forces; the level and volatility of interest rates; the rate of revenue increases as compared to expense increases; the financial stability of tenants within the retail industry; the restrictions in current financing arrangements or the failure to comply with such arrangements; the liquidity of real estate investments; the impact of changes to tax legislation and
WPG’s and GRT’s tax positions; failure to qualify as a real estate investment trust; the failure to refinance debt at favorable terms and conditions; loss of key personnel; material changes in the dividend rates on securities or the ability to pay dividends on common shares or other securities; possible restrictions on the ability to operate or dispose of any partially-owned properties; the failure to achieve earnings/funds from operations targets or estimates; the failure to achieve projected returns or yields on development and investment properties; changes in generally accepted accounting principles or interpretations thereof; terrorist activities and international hostilities; the unfavorable resolution of legal proceedings; the impact of future acquisitions and divestitures; significant costs related to environmental issues; and other risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in WPG’s and GRT’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those described under “Risk Factors” in the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus filed by WPG in connection with the transaction and in WPG’s and GRT’s Current Reports on Form 8-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K. The forward-looking statements in this communication are qualified by these risk factors. Each statement speaks only as of the date of this communication (or any earlier date indicated in this communication) and WPG and GRT undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from current projections. Investors, potential investors and others should give careful consideration to these risks and uncertainties.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed transaction, GRT filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A on December 2, 2014. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPOSED MERGER, INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT WPG, GRT, THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED MATTERS.
A free copy of the Proxy Statement, as well as other filings containing information about WPG and GRT, may be obtained at the SEC’s Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). You will also be able to obtain these documents, free of charge, from WPG by accessing WPG’s website at investors.washingtonprime.com under the heading “Financial Information” and then under “SEC Filings” or from GRT by accessing GRT’s website at investor.glimcher.com under the heading “Financial Information” and then under “SEC Filings.” Copies of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus can also be obtained, free of charge, by directing a request to Washington Prime Group Inc., 7315 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, Attention: Investor Relations, Telephone: 240-630-0021 or to Glimcher Realty Trust, 180 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215, Attention: Investor Relations, Telephone: 614-887-5632.
Participants in Solicitation Relating to the Merger
WPG, GRT and their respective directors or trustees and executive officers and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from GRT’s shareholders in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from GRT’s shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, in GRT is set forth in WPG’s Registration Statement on Form 10-12(b), GRT’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, and GRT’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, dated March 28, 2014, which are filed with the SEC. Additional information regarding the interests of WPG’s or GRT’s directors or trustees and executive officers in the proposed transactions, which may be different than those of GRT’s shareholders generally, will be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents when filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transactions.