SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(AMENDMENT NO. 3)
Filed by the Registrant /X/
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
AEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
[INSERT NAME OF FILER WHEN APPLICABLE]
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/ / $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), 14a-6(i)(2) or Item
22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A
/ / $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-6(i)(3)
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) 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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/X/ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
/ / 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.
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AEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
305 RICHARDSON ROAD
LANSDALE, PENNSYLVANIA 19446
January 24, 1996
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Special Meeting of Shareholders of
AEL Industries, Inc. (the 'Company') to be held on Thursday, February 22, 1996
at 9:00 a.m., local time, at the Company's principal executive offices, 305
Richardson Road, Lansdale, Pennsylvania.
The accompanying Proxy Statement and Notice of Special Meeting is being
furnished to you in connection with a resolicitation of proxies for the Special
Meeting. You previously received a Proxy Statement dated December 28, 1995 and a
white proxy card. Since the mailing on December 28, 1995, the merger transaction
described herein and in the attached Proxy Statement has been modified to reduce
the Merger Price, as defined below, from $28.00 per share to $24.25 per share.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE
ENCLOSED BLUE PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED, U.S. POSTAGE-PREPAID ENVELOPE. ANY
INSTRUCTIONS RECEIVED BY MEANS OF THE WHITE CARD THAT YOU PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED
WILL BE DISREGARDED. THEREFORE, IN ORDER FOR YOUR VOTE TO BE COUNTED AND FOR
YOUR SHARES TO BE REPRESENTED AT THE SPECIAL MEETING FOR QUORUM PURPOSES, YOU
MUST COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE BLUE PROXY CARD.
At the Special Meeting you will be asked to consider and vote upon a
proposal (the 'Proposal') consisting of two items: (1) to approve and adopt the
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the 'Reorganization Agreement') dated as
of October 2, 1995, as amended as of January 10, 1996 (the 'Amendment'), among
the Company, Tracor, Inc. ('Tracor') and Tracor AEL, Inc. ('Tracor Subsidiary'),
the related Plan of Merger and the merger to be effected thereby, and all
related transactions, pursuant to which Tracor Subsidiary will be merged with
and into the Company and the Company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of
Tracor (the 'Merger'); and (2) to ratify, approve and adopt certain related
agreements, each dated as of February 28, 1995, (collectively the 'Related
Agreements') consisting of an Agreement by and among the Company, Dr. Leon
Riebman and Claire E. Riebman (collectively, the 'Riebmans'), a Voting Trust
Agreement by and among the Company, the Riebmans and Francis J. Dunleavy,
Frederick R. Einsidler, Conrad J. Fowler and Leeam Lowin, as voting trustees, a
1995 Agreement between the Company and Dr. Leon Riebman, and a Participation
Rights Agreement between the Company and Dr. Leon Riebman, and the transactions
to be effected thereby (the 'Related Transactions').
Approval and adoption of the Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the votes cast on the Proposal by the holders of the outstanding
Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock of the Company, each class voting
separately. Shareholders will be given the opportunity on the enclosed BLUE
proxy card to vote on the Proposal as a whole under option A or as separate
items with respect to item (1) and item (2) under option B. You should vote
under option A only or under option B only, not both options. If a shareholder
chooses to vote on the Proposal as a whole under option A, the selected
designation ('For,' 'Against' or 'Abstain') will constitute the designation with
respect to both item (1) and item (2) of the Proposal, and any designation made
under option B will be disregarded. If a shareholder chooses to vote on the two
items separately under option B, the designations with respect to item (1) and
item (2) will be tallied in accordance with the votes cast on each item. The
combined designations made by the shareholders voting under option A or option B
will be tabulated separately with respect to item (1) and item (2) of the
Proposal. Common Shares, as defined below, that are represented by properly
executed proxies, unless such proxies shall have previously been properly
revoked, will be voted in accordance with the instructions indicated in such
proxies. If no contrary instructions are indicated, such shares will be voted
FOR approval and adoption of the Proposal and in the discretion of the proxy
holder as to any other matter that may properly come before the Special Meeting.
In the case of a shareholder who has chosen to vote under option B on the
enclosed proxy card, but has failed to vote 'For,' 'Against' or 'Abstain' for
either item (1) or item (2) of the Proposal, the shares will be voted FOR the
respective item for which no designation has been
made. If a majority of the votes cast by the holders of the Class A Common Stock
and Class B Common Stock, each class voting separately, is in favor of both item
(1) and item (2) of the Proposal, the Proposal will be adopted.
THE FAILURE OF THE SHAREHOLDERS TO ADOPT EITHER ITEM (1) OR ITEM (2) OF THE
PROPOSAL WILL BE DEEMED A REJECTION BY THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE PROPOSAL AS A
WHOLE, AND, IN THAT CASE, THE MERGER AND THE RELATED TRANSACTIONS WILL NOT BE
CONSUMMATED. DETAILED INFORMATION CONCERNING THE MERGER AND THE RELATED
TRANSACTIONS IS SET FORTH IN THE ATTACHED PROXY STATEMENT, WHICH YOU ARE URGED
TO READ CAREFULLY.
If the Merger is consummated, the Company will become a wholly owned
subsidiary of Tracor, each share of Class A Common Stock, par value $1.00 per
share, and Class B Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company
(collectively, the 'Common Shares') that is issued and outstanding at the
effective time of the Merger, other than shares held by shareholders who perfect
their statutory dissenters rights, will be canceled and extinguished and
converted automatically into the right to receive an amount, in cash, without
interest, equal to $24.25 per Common Share, as modified by the Amendment (the
'Merger Price'). Also, each holder of an option to purchase Class A Common
Stock, whether or not then exercisable, will be entitled to receive from the
Company an amount in cash, without interest, equal to the excess, if any, of the
Merger Price over the exercise price per share of the option multiplied by the
number of shares of Class A Common Stock subject to the option. Copies of the
Reorganization Agreement and the Plan of Merger and the Amendment are included
as Appendix A to the attached Proxy Statement. Copies of the Related Agreements
are included as Appendix B to the attached Proxy Statement.
THE LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE (THE 'LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE') OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MERGER AND
THE RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE
PROPOSAL. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE LONG RANGE
PLANNING COMMITTEE, HAS RATIFIED AND APPROVED THE MERGER. In reaching its
determination, the Long Range Planning Committee considered, among other things:
(i) the opinion dated January 10, 1996 of Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. ('Dillon
Read'), the Company's financial advisor, as to the fairness, as of that date, to
the shareholders other than the Riebmans from a financial point of view of the
consideration to be received by the shareholders of the Company, other than the
Riebmans, pursuant to the Merger; and (ii) the opinion of Dillon Read dated
February 28, 1995 that, as of that date, it would be reasonable for the Long
Range Planning Committee to conclude that the issuance by the Company of 180,947
contingent shares of Class A Common Stock to the Riebmans pursuant to the
Allocation Agreement (as defined in the attached Proxy Statement) was fair to
the shareholders of the Company, other than the Riebmans, from a financial point
of view. The opinions of Dillon Read are included as Appendix C to the attached
Proxy Statement.
Whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting in person and
regardless of the number of Common Shares you own, you are urged to complete,
sign, date and return the enclosed BLUE proxy card promptly in the accompanying
prepaid envelope. You may, of course, attend the Special Meeting and vote in
person, even if you have previously returned your proxy card.
Sincerely,
John R. Cox, Secretary
THE TRANSACTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE SPECIAL MEETING INVOLVE A MATTER
OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY. ACCORDINGLY,
SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ AND CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE INFORMATION PRESENTED
IN THE ATTACHED PROXY STATEMENT, AND TO COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN
THE ENCLOSED BLUE PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED, U.S. POSTAGE-PREPAID ENVELOPE.
STOCK CERTIFICATES SHOULD NOT BE SENT WITH THE ENCLOSED BLUE PROXY CARD. IF THE
MERGER IS CONSUMMATED, SHAREHOLDERS WILL BE FURNISHED INSTRUCTIONS FOR
EXCHANGING THEIR COMMON SHARES FOR CASH.
AEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
305 RICHARDSON ROAD
LANSDALE, PENNSYLVANIA 19446
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1996
To the Shareholders of AEL Industries, Inc.:
Notice is hereby given that a Special Meeting of Shareholders of AEL
Industries, Inc. (the 'Company'), a Pennsylvania corporation, will be held on
Thursday, February 22, 1996 at 9:00 a.m., local time, at the Company's principal
executive offices, 305 Richardson Road, Lansdale, Pennsylvania, for the
following purposes:
A. To consider and vote upon a proposal (the 'Proposal') consisting of two
items:
(1) To approve and adopt the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the
'Reorganization Agreement') dated as of October 2, 1995, as amended on
January 10, 1996 (the 'Amendment'), among the Company, Tracor, Inc.
('Tracor') and Tracor AEL, Inc. ('Tracor Subsidiary'), the related Plan of
Merger (the 'Plan of Merger') and the merger to be effected thereby (the
'Merger'), and all related transactions, pursuant to which (a) Tracor
Subsidiary will be merged with and into the Company, and the Company will
become a wholly owned subsidiary of Tracor, (b) each share of Class A
Common Stock ('Class A Common Stock'), par value $1.00 per share, and Class
B Common Stock ('Class B Common Stock'), par value $1.00 per share, of the
Company (collectively, the 'Common Shares') that is issued and outstanding
at the effective time of the Merger, other than shares held by shareholders
who perfect their statutory dissenters rights, will be canceled and
extinguished and converted automatically into the right to receive an
amount, in cash, without interest, equal to $24.25 per Common Share, as
modified by the Amendment (the 'Merger Price'), and (c) each holder of an
option to purchase Class A Common Stock ('Options'), whether or not then
exercisable, will be entitled to receive from the Company an amount in
cash, without interest, equal to the excess, if any, of the Merger Price
over the exercise price per share of the Option multiplied by the number of
shares of Class A Common Stock subject to the Option.
(2) To ratify, approve and adopt certain related agreements, each
dated as of February 28, 1995, (collectively, the 'Related Agreements')
consisting of an Agreement (the 'Allocation Agreement') by and among the
Company, Dr. Leon Riebman and Claire E. Riebman (collectively, the
'Riebmans'), a Voting Trust Agreement (the 'Voting Trust Agreement') by and
among the Company, the Riebmans and Francis J. Dunleavy, Frederick R.
Einsidler, Conrad J. Fowler and Leeam Lowin, as voting trustees, a 1995
Agreement (the '1995 Agreement') between the Company and Dr. Leon Riebman,
and a Participation Rights Agreement (the 'Participation Agreement')
between the Company and Dr. Leon Riebman, and the transactions to be
effected thereunder (the 'Related Transactions').
B. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Special
Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof that is incidental to the
Special Meeting.
Approval and adoption of the Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the votes cast on the Proposal by the holders of the outstanding
Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock of the Company, each class voting
separately. Shareholders will be given the opportunity on the enclosed BLUE
proxy card to vote on the Proposal as a whole under option A or as separate
items with respect to item (1) and item (2) under option B. You should vote
under option A only or under option B only, not both options. If a shareholder
chooses to vote on the Proposal as a whole under option A, the selected
designation ('For,' 'Against' or 'Abstain') will constitute the designation with
respect to both item (1) and item (2) of the Proposal, and any designation made
under option B will be disregarded. If a shareholder chooses to vote on the two
items separately under option B, the designations with respect to item (1) and
item (2) will be tallied in accordance with the votes cast on each item. The
combined designations made by the shareholders voting under option A or option B
will be tabulated separately with respect to item (1) and item (2) of the
Proposal. Common Shares that are represented by properly executed proxies,
unless such proxies shall have previously been properly revoked, will be voted
in accordance with the instructions indicated in such proxies. If no contrary
instructions are indicated, such shares will be voted FOR approval and adoption
of the Proposal and in the discretion of the proxy holder as to any other matter
that may properly come before the Special Meeting. In the case of a shareholder
who has chosen to vote under option B on the enclosed proxy card, but has failed
to vote 'For,' 'Against' or 'Abstain' for either item (1) or item (2) of the
Proposal, the shares will be voted FOR the respective item for which no
designation has been made. If a majority of the votes cast by the holders of the
Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, each class voting separately, is
in favor of both item (1) and item (2) of the Proposal, the Proposal will be
adopted.
THE FAILURE OF THE SHAREHOLDERS TO ADOPT EITHER ITEM (1) OR ITEM (2) OF THE
PROPOSAL WILL BE DEEMED A REJECTION BY THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE PROPOSAL AS A
WHOLE, AND, IN THAT CASE, THE MERGER AND THE RELATED TRANSACTIONS WILL NOT BE
CONSUMMATED.
The Merger, the Related Transactions and related matters are more fully
described in the attached Proxy Statement and the Appendices attached thereto.
Copies of the Reorganization Agreement, the Plan of Merger and the Amendment are
included as Appendix A to the attached Proxy Statement. Copies of the Related
Agreements are included as Appendix B to the attached Proxy Statement.
Holders of Common Shares have the right to dissent from the Proposal and
obtain payment for their shares by following the procedures prescribed in
Subchapter 15D of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, which is
attached as Appendix D to, and summarized under 'The Merger -- Dissenters
Appraisal Rights' in, the attached Proxy Statement.
The Long Range Planning Committee and the Board of Directors has fixed the
close of business on Monday, November 27, 1995 as the record date for the
determination of shareholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the
Special Meeting and any adjournment and postponement thereof. Those shareholders
entitled to vote who attend, in person or by proxy, any adjournment or
adjournments of the Special Meeting that have been previously adjourned for one
or more periods aggregating at least 15 days because of an absence of a quorum
of either class, shall constitute a quorum with respect to such class for the
purposes of acting upon the Proposal although they constitute less than a quorum
with respect to such class as fixed by law or in the Articles of Incorporation
or Bylaws of the Company for the originally scheduled date of the Special
Meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
John R. Cox, Secretary
Lansdale, Pennsylvania
January 24, 1996
AEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
305 RICHARDSON ROAD
LANSDALE, PENNSYLVANIA 19446
PROXY STATEMENT
SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1996
This proxy statement (the 'Proxy Statement') is being furnished to the
shareholders of AEL Industries, Inc. (the 'Company'), a Pennsylvania
corporation, in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Long Range
Planning Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the 'Long Range
Planning Committee') and the Board of Directors of the Company for use at a
Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Thursday, February 22, 1996 at
9:00 a.m., local time, at the Company's principal executive offices, 305
Richardson Road, Lansdale, Pennsylvania and at any adjournment or postponement
thereof (the 'Special Meeting').
The purpose of the Special Meeting is to consider and vote upon the
Proposal, as set forth in the accompanying Notice and as more fully described in
this Proxy Statement. See 'The Merger' and 'The Related Transactions.'
Approval and adoption of the Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the votes cast on the Proposal by the holders of the outstanding
Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock of the Company, each class voting
separately. Shareholders will be given the opportunity on the enclosed BLUE
proxy card to vote on the Proposal as a whole under option A or as separate
items with respect to item (1) and item (2) under option B. You should vote
under option A only or under option B only, not both options. If a shareholder
chooses to vote on the Proposal as a whole under option A, the selected
designation ('For,' 'Against' or 'Abstain') will constitute the designation with
respect to both item (1) and item (2) of the Proposal, and any designation made
under option B will be disregarded. If a shareholder chooses to vote on the two
items separately under Option B, the designations with respect to item (1) and
item (2) will be tallied in accordance with the votes cast on each item. The
combined designations made by the shareholders voting under option A or option B
will be tabulated separately with respect to item (1) and item (2) of the
Proposal. Common Shares that are represented by properly executed proxies,
unless such proxies shall have previously been properly revoked, will be voted
in accordance with the instructions indicated in such proxies. If no contrary
instructions are indicated, such shares will be voted FOR approval and adoption
of the Proposal and in the discretion of the proxy holder as to any other matter
that may properly come before the Special Meeting. In the case of a shareholder
who has chosen to vote under option B on the enclosed proxy card, but has failed
to vote 'For,' 'Against' or 'Abstain' for either item (1) or item (2) of the
Proposal, the shares will be voted FOR the respective item for which no
designation has been made. If a majority of the votes cast by the holders of the
Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, each class voting separately, is
in favor of both item (1) and item (2) of the Proposal, the Proposal will be
adopted.
THE FAILURE OF THE SHAREHOLDERS TO ADOPT EITHER ITEM (1) OR ITEM (2) OF THE
PROPOSAL WILL BE DEEMED A REJECTION BY THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE PROPOSAL AS A
WHOLE, AND, IN THAT CASE, THE MERGER AND THE RELATED TRANSACTIONS WILL NOT BE
CONSUMMATED.
The summaries of the portions of the Reorganization Agreement, the Plan of
Merger, the Amendment and the Related Agreements set forth in this Proxy
Statement do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in
their entirety by reference to, the text of the Reorganization Agreement, the
Plan of Merger and the Amendment, which are attached as Appendix A to this Proxy
Statement, and the Related Agreements, which are attached as Appendix B to this
Proxy Statement.
THE LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE PROPOSAL AND
RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE PROPOSAL. THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY, UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE LONG RANGE PLANNING
COMMITTEE, HAS RATIFIED AND APPROVED THE MERGER AND HAS DIRECTED THAT THE
PROPOSAL BE SUBMITTED TO THE COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDERS FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION AND
VOTE AT THE SPECIAL MEETING. SEE 'THE MERGER--RECOMMENDATION OF THE LONG RANGE
PLANNING COMMITTEE, OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR'; AND 'THE MERGER--CONFLICTS OF
INTEREST.'
This Proxy Statement is first being mailed to the Company's shareholders on
or about January 24, 1996.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
---------
SUMMARY.................................................................................................... 3
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................... 13
VOTING AND PROXIES......................................................................................... 14
Record Date; Solicitation of Proxies.................................................................. 14
Vote Required......................................................................................... 14
Stock Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial Owners........................................... 16
THE MERGER................................................................................................. 19
General............................................................................................... 19
Background of the Merger.............................................................................. 19
Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Long Range Planning Committee; Opinion of Financial
Advisor............................................................................................. 23
Conflicts of Interest................................................................................. 28
Effective Time of the Merger.......................................................................... 29
Payment for Common Shares............................................................................. 29
Certain Other Effects of the Merger................................................................... 30
Antitrust Matters..................................................................................... 30
Accounting Treatment.................................................................................. 30
Terms of the Merger................................................................................... 30
Conditions to Consummation of the Merger; Representations and Warranties;
Certain Covenants.................................................................................. 31
Termination; Fees and Expenses; Plans of the Company If the Merger Is Not Consummated................. 33
Amendment to Reorganization Agreement................................................................. 34
Source and Amount of Funds............................................................................ 35
Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger......................................................... 35
Dissenters Appraisal Rights........................................................................... 35
THE RELATED TRANSACTIONS................................................................................... 39
General............................................................................................... 39
Background and Description of the Related Agreements.................................................. 40
Opinion of Financial Advisor Regarding the Contingent Shares.......................................... 44
Advice of Consultant Regarding the Consulting and Non-Competition Agreements.......................... 45
Recommendation of the Long Range Planning Committee................................................... 45
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION..................................................................................... 46
Legal Proceedings..................................................................................... 46
Independent Public Accountants........................................................................ 46
Available Information................................................................................. 46
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference....................................................... 47
OTHER MATTERS.............................................................................................. 47
APPENDICES
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, Plan of Merger and the Amendment................................ A-1
The Related Agreements................................................................................ B-1
Opinions of Dillon, Read & Co. Inc.................................................................... C-1
Subchapter 15D of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law........................................... D-1
2
SUMMARY
The following is a summary of certain information contained elsewhere in
this Proxy Statement. This Summary does not purport to be complete and should be
read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the
more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this Proxy Statement and the
Appendices hereto.
PARTIES TO THE MERGER
AEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
AEL Industries, Inc. (the 'Company'), a Pennsylvania corporation, is a
leading supplier of electronic defense systems, subsystems and related services.
The mailing address of the Company's principal executive offices is 305
Richardson Road, Lansdale, Pennsylvania 19446-1429, and its telephone number is
(215) 822-2929. For more information relating to the business and operations of
the Company, reference is made to the materials that are incorporated by
reference in this Proxy Statement. See 'Additional Information -- Incorporation
of Certain Documents by Reference.'
TRACOR, INC.
Tracor, Inc. ('Tracor'), a Delaware corporation, provides a broad range of
electronic products, systems and services for numerous U.S. government agencies
primarily within the Department of Defense, other governments and commercial
customers. For the calendar year 1994, Tracor reported sales and earnings of
$694,037,000 and $18,547,000, respectively, and for the nine months ended
September 30, 1995, Tracor reported sales and earnings of $657,934,000 and
$20,722,000, respectively. The mailing address of Tracor's principal executive
offices is 6500 Tracor Lane, Austin, Texas 78725-2000, and its telephone number
is (512) 929-2000.
TRACOR AEL, INC.
Tracor AEL, Inc. ('Tracor Subsidiary'), a Delaware corporation, is a wholly
owned subsidiary of Tracor that was formed by Tracor solely for the purpose of
effecting the Merger. The mailing address of Tracor Subsidiary's principal
executive offices is c/o Tracor, Inc., 6500 Tracor Lane, Austin, Texas
78725-2000, and its telephone number is (512) 929-2000.
SPECIAL MEETING
PURPOSES OF THE MEETING; DATE, TIME AND PLACE
The Special Meeting will be held on Thursday, February 22, 1996 at 9:00
a.m., local time, at the Company's principal executive offices, 305 Richardson
Road, Lansdale, Pennsylvania for the following purposes:
A. To consider and vote upon a proposal (the 'Proposal') consisting of
two items:
(1) To approve and adopt the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization
(the 'Reorganization Agreement') dated as of October 2, 1995, as amended
on January 10, 1996 (the 'Amendment'), among the Company, Tracor, and
Tracor Subsidiary, the related Plan of Merger (the 'Plan of Merger') and
the merger to be effected thereby (the 'Merger'), and all related
transactions, pursuant to which (a) Tracor Subsidiary will be merged
with and into the Company, and the Company will become a wholly owned
subsidiary of Tracor, (b) each share of Class A Common Stock ('Class A
Common Stock'), par value $1.00 per share, and Class B Common Stock
('Class B Common Stock'), par value $1.00 per share, of the Company
(collectively, the 'Common Shares') that is issued and outstanding at
the effective time of the Merger, other than shares held by shareholders
who perfect their statutory dissenters rights, will be canceled and
extinguished and converted automatically into the right to receive an
amount, in cash, without interest, equal to $24.25 per Common Share, as
modified by the Amendment (the 'Merger Price'), and (c) each holder of
an option to purchase Class A Common Stock ('Options'), whether or not
then exercisable,
3
will be entitled to receive from the Company an amount in cash, without
interest, equal to the excess, if any, of the Merger Price over the
exercise price per share of the Option multiplied by the number of
shares of Class A Common Stock subject to the Option.
(2) To ratify, approve and adopt certain related agreements, each
dated as of February 28, 1995, (collectively, the 'Related Agreements')
consisting of an Agreement (the 'Allocation Agreement') by and among the
Company, Dr. Leon Riebman and Claire E. Riebman (collectively, the
'Riebmans'), a Voting Trust Agreement (the 'Voting Trust Agreement') by
and among the Company, the Riebmans and Francis J. Dunleavy, Frederick
R. Einsidler, Conrad J. Fowler and Leeam Lowin, as voting trustees, a
1995 Agreement (the '1995 Agreement') between the Company and Dr. Leon
Riebman, and a Participation Rights Agreement (the 'Participation
Agreement') between the Company and Dr. Leon Riebman, and the
transactions to be effected thereunder (the 'Related Transactions').
B. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
Special Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof that is
incidental to the Special Meeting.
Copies of the Reorganization Agreement, the Plan of Merger and the
Amendment are included in this Proxy Statement as Appendix A. See 'The Merger --
General.' Copies of the Related Agreements are included as Appendix B. See 'The
Related Transactions.'
VOTE REQUIRED; RECORD DATE
Approval and adoption of the Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the votes cast on the Proposal by the holders of the outstanding
Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock of the Company, each class voting
separately. Shareholders will be given the opportunity on the enclosed BLUE
proxy card to vote on the Proposal as a whole under option A or as separate
items with respect to item (1) and item (2) under option B. You should vote
under option A only or under option B only, not both options. If a shareholder
chooses to vote on the Proposal as a whole under option A, the selected
designation ('For,' 'Against' or 'Abstain') will constitute the designation with
respect to both item (1) and item (2) of the Proposal, and any designation made
under option B will be disregarded. If a shareholder chooses to vote on the two
items separately under option B the designations with respect to item (1) and
item (2) will be tallied in accordance with the votes cast on each item. The
combined designations made by the shareholders voting under option A or option B
will be tabulated separately with respect to item (1) and item (2) of the
Proposal. Common Shares that are represented by properly executed proxies,
unless such proxies shall have previously been properly revoked, will be voted
in accordance with the instructions indicated in such proxies. If no contrary
instructions are indicated, such shares will be voted FOR approval and adoption
of the Proposal and in the discretion of the proxy holder as to any other matter
that may properly come before the Special Meeting. In the case of a shareholder
who has chosen to vote under option B on the enclosed proxy card, but has failed
to vote 'For,' 'Against' or 'Abstain' for either item (1) or item (2) of the
Proposal, the shares will be voted FOR the respective item for which no
designation has been made. If a majority of the votes cast by the holders of the
Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, each class voting separately, is
in favor of both item (1) and item (2) of the Proposal, the Proposal will be
adopted.
THE FAILURE OF THE SHAREHOLDERS TO ADOPT EITHER ITEM (1) OR ITEM (2) OF THE
PROPOSAL WILL BE DEEMED A REJECTION BY THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE PROPOSAL AS A
WHOLE, AND, IN THAT CASE, THE MERGER AND THE RELATED TRANSACTIONS WILL NOT BE
CONSUMMATED.
The shareholders of the Company previously received a Proxy Statement dated
December 28, 1995 and a white proxy card. Since the mailing on December 28,
1995, the Merger has been modified to reduce the Merger Price from $28.00 per
share to $24.25 per share, and proxies for the Special Meeting, therefore, are
being resolicited.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT SHAREHOLDERS COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN
THE ENCLOSED BLUE PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED, U.S. POSTAGE-PREPAID ENVELOPE. ANY
INSTRUCTION PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED FROM A SHAREHOLDER BY MEANS OF THE WHITE CARD
WILL BE DISREGARDED. THEREFORE, IN ORDER
4
FOR A SHAREHOLDER'S VOTE TO BE COUNTED AND FOR THE SHAREHOLDER'S SHARES TO BE
REPRESENTED AT THE SPECIAL MEETING FOR QUORUM PURPOSES, THE SHAREHOLDER MUST
COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE BLUE PROXY CARD.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on November 27, 1995
(the 'Record Date') are entitled to vote at the Special Meeting or any
adjournment or postponement thereof. As of the Record Date, 3,639,073 shares of
Class A Common Stock, held by approximately 1,400 holders of record, and 407,702
shares of Class B Common Stock, held by approximately 70 holders of record, were
issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. See 'Voting
and Proxies -- Record Date; Solicitation of Proxies.'
As of November 1, 1995, the executive officers and directors of the Company
beneficially owned a total of 1,294,995 shares of Class A Common Stock
(excluding 13,500 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to currently
exercisable stock options beneficially owned by executive officers and directors
of the Company), constituting approximately 35.6% of the outstanding shares of
Class A Common Stock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting, and 310,343 shares
of Class B Common Stock, constituting approximately 76.1% of the outstanding
shares of Class B Common Stock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. Of these
shares, the voting trusts created under the Voting Trust Agreement hold 191,593
shares of Class A Common Stock (including the 180,947 Contingent Shares) and
241,262 shares of Class B Common Stock, which shares will be voted in accordance
with the terms of the Voting Trust Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the
Voting Trust Agreement, the voting trustees will vote the 10,646 shares of Class
A Common Stock and 241,262 shares of Class B Common Stock in favor of the
Proposal and will vote the 180,947 Contingent Shares, as defined herein, of
Class A Common Stock in the same proportion as the votes cast with respect to
the Proposal by the other holders of shares of Class A Common Stock at the
Special Meeting. Inasmuch as the Voting Trust holds 241,262 shares of Class B
Common Stock, or 59.2% of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, it is
expected that the Voting Trust will cast a sufficient number of votes to approve
the Proposal with respect to the Class B Common Stock. Also, three of the voting
trustees, Mr. Dunleavy, Mr. Einsidler and Mr. Lowin, have committed to vote the
Common Shares, other than the Common Shares held in the Voting Trusts, over
which each of them personally has voting power in favor of the Proposal,
provided that the voting trustees have actually voted the Common Shares held in
the Voting Trusts as described above. See 'Voting and Proxies -- Stock Ownership
of Management and Certain Beneficial Owners' and 'The Related Transactions --
Background and Description of the Related Agreements.' See also 'Voting and
Proxies -- Vote Required' and 'The Merger -- Conflicts of Interest.'
THE MERGER
BACKGROUND OF THE MERGER
The following summary of the background of the Merger should be read in
conjunction with the background and chronology set forth under 'The Merger --
Background of the Merger' below.
In January 1994, the Board of Directors of the Company appointed the Long
Range Planning Committee to consider possible strategic alternatives for the
Company in view of recent and significant developments and conditions in the
defense industry. The members of the Long Range Planning Committee, consisting
entirely of independent, non-management directors of the Company, are Francis J.
Dunleavy, Chairman, Frederick R. Einsidler, Conrad J. Fowler and Leeam Lowin.
After careful consideration of the various strategic alternatives for the
Company, including whether the Company should remain independent or pursue a
potential sale or other business combination, the Long Range Planning Committee
determined that the Company should pursue a possible sale of the Company.
In light of Dr. Riebman's role as Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
the Riebmans' voting control of the Company and Dr. Riebman's technical
knowledge of and reputation in the defense contracting industry, the Long Range
Planning Committee determined that the best way to maximize value for all
shareholders in a possible sale of the Company would be to first negotiate with
the Riebmans, with the objective of solidifying Dr. Riebman's prospective
relationship with the Company and eliminating the Riebmans' voting control of
the Company for a period of time sufficient to
5
complete a sale of the Company. The Long Range Planning Committee engaged an
investment banking firm, Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. ('Dillon Read'), and hired
independent legal counsel and a compensation consultant, Towers Perrin, in
October 1994, to serve as the Long Range Planning Committee's advisors in
connection with those matters.
After several months of negotiating by the Long Range Planning Committee
and the Riebmans, on February 28, 1995, the Company, the Long Range Planning
Committee and the Riebmans entered into the Related Agreements. Pursuant to the
Related Agreements, the Riebmans, among other things, temporarily relinquished
voting control of the Company by transferring all of their stock in the Company
into two voting trusts (the 'Voting Trusts') controlled by the members of the
Long Range Planning Committee. In exchange for the Riebmans relinquishing voting
control of the Company for a period of time that the Long Range Planning
Committee believed to be sufficient to complete a sale of the Company and for
the Riebmans' agreeing that the Related Agreements be subject to shareholder
approval and that the holders of the Class A Common Stock be entitled to vote as
a separate class on the sale of the Company and the Related Agreements, the
Company issued to the Riebmans .75 shares of Class A Common Stock for each share
of Class B Common Stock owned by them, which 180,947 shares of Class A Common
Stock (the 'Contingent Shares') were immediately transferred into the Voting
Trusts and are to be returned to the Company without any payment to the Riebmans
if a sale of the Company is not completed during the term of the Voting Trusts.
By entering into the Related Agreements, Dr. Riebman also assured his exclusive
availability to the Company prior to a sale of the Company and to a possible
buyer of the Company after a sale of the Company, including the provision of
consulting services should he retire after a sale of the Company, in exchange
for which the Company agreed to make certain payments to Dr. Riebman, all as
more fully set forth in the Related Agreements. See 'The Related Transactions --
Background and Description of the Related Agreements.' The Allocation Agreement
further provides that the Related Agreements, and the transactions contemplated
thereunder, are subject to ratification by the holders of Class A Common Stock
and Class B Common Stock, each voting as a separate class, at such time as a
sale proposal is submitted to the shareholders, and that the sale proposal and
such ratification must be voted upon as a single proposition.
Pursuant to the Related Agreements, the Long Range Planning Committee
agreed to use all reasonable efforts to pursue a potential sale of the Company.
In connection therewith, between March and June 1995, Dillon Read contacted or
was contacted by approximately 40 potential acquirors of the Company, which
included substantially all of the significant domestic participants in the
defense industry. Over the course of the Spring and Summer, approximately 21
companies entered into confidentiality agreements with the Company and received
additional information concerning the operations and prospects of the Company.
After several weeks of negotiations with potential purchasers, the Long Range
Planning Committee unanimously approved the cash merger proposal of Tracor, and
the Company and Tracor executed the Reorganization Agreement on October 2, 1995.
In the afternoon of January 8, 1996, after meetings held the previous week
between Tracor and the Company in which representatives of the Company reviewed
with Tracor the Company's revenues, contract costs, performance on current
contracts, backlog and product lines, Tracor advised representatives of the Long
Range Planning Committee that it would like to meet to discuss the Merger and
the possibility of a reduction of the Merger Price based on Tracor's assessment
of the Company's deteriorating financial performance, as reviewed during the
previous week's meetings, which it viewed as material and adverse. The Long
Range Planning Committee met late in the afternoon on January 9, 1996 and
reconvened early in the evening on that date to receive reports from its
advisors (who had been holding discussions with representatives of Tracor during
the day and continued to do so that evening) and to consider Tracor's request
for a reduction in the Merger Price. Dillon Read reported to the Long Range
Planning Committee (i) Tracor's conclusions based upon the previous week's
meetings concerning the decline in the Company's current profitability and
backlog and the Company's increasing costs on current contracts and (ii)
Tracor's request to reduce the Merger Price. Dillon Read also reported Tracor's
continued desire to consummate the Merger with minimal delay. Dillon Read orally
advised the Long Range Planning Committee that a proposed Merger Price of $24.25
to be received by the shareholders of the Company, other than the Riebmans,
pursuant to the
6
Merger was fair to the holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common
Stock, other than the Riebmans, from a financial point of view, which opinion
Dillon Read confirmed by a written opinion dated January 10, 1996.
Following the conclusion of the reconvened meeting of the Long Range
Planning Committee that evening, Tracor and the Company, acting through the Long
Range Planning Committee, negotiated the terms and conditions of the Amendment
to the Reorganization Agreement whereby the Merger Price was reduced from $28.00
to $24.25 per share. As part of the Amendment, Tracor also agreed to the
establish January 10, 1996 as a new baseline date for the determination of
material adverse change, if any, in the Company's business, operations or
financial condition through the closing of the Merger and agreed that the
purported class action filed on November 14, 1995 (see 'Additional Information
- - - -- Legal Proceedings') against Dr. & Mrs. Leon Riebman and the Company would not
be a basis for Tracor to terminate or fail to close the Merger. Tracor further
represented in the Amendment that it had no reason to believe that its
financing, as contemplated in its commitment letter from Bankers Trust, would
not be consummated and agreed that it would use all reasonable efforts to extend
the expiration date of that commitment letter to March 31, 1996. Thereafter, the
Company and Tracor executed the Amendment. For a further description of events
leading up to the approval of the Merger Proposal, see 'The Merger -- Background
of the Merger.'
RECOMMENDATION OF THE LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE AND RATIFICATION BY THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY; REASONS FOR THE MERGER
The Long Range Planning Committee, at its meeting held on January 9, 1996,
unanimously approved and adopted the Amendment and directed that the Proposal be
submitted to the shareholders for their approval and adoption. THE LONG RANGE
PLANNING COMMITTEE HAS DETERMINED THAT THE PROPOSAL IS FAIR TO AND IN THE BEST
INTERESTS OF THE COMPANY AND ITS SHAREHOLDERS, OTHER THAN THE RIEBMANS, AND
RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE PROPOSAL. THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE, HAS
RATIFIED AND APPROVED THE MERGER, AS AMENDED, AND HAS DIRECTED THAT THE PROPOSAL
BE SUBMITTED TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION. In
summary, the material factors considered by the Long Range Planning Committee
were, the prospects of the Company in view of recent and significant
developments and consolidations in the defense industry, the $24.25 per share
Merger Price and the opinion of Dillon Read as to the fairness, delivered orally
on January 9, 1996 and by a written opinion dated January 10, 1996, to the
shareholders other than the Riebmans from a financial point of view, of the
consideration to be received pursuant to the Merger by the shareholders other
than the Riebmans. Also, in summary, with respect to the Amendment, the material
factors considered by the Long Range Planning Committee were: (i) there was a
reasonable basis to conclude that the Company's recent and anticipated financial
performance, as reviewed by Tracor during the meetings at the Company held
during the first week of January, might have constituted a material adverse
change in its business, operations or financial condition and that as a result
Tracor might have had a legal right to terminate or refuse to consummate the
Merger under the Reorganization Agreement; (ii) Tracor had expressed its
continued desire to purchase the Company and to close the Merger with minimal
delay or change in schedule; and (iii) Tracor had agreed in the Amendment to
other terms that enhanced the likelihood that Tracor would consummate the Merger
as renegotiated. For a complete discussion of the material factors considered by
the Long Range Planning Committee, see 'The Merger -- Reasons for the Merger;
Recommendation of the Long Range Planning Committee; Opinion of Financial
Advisor;' and 'The Merger -- Conflicts of Interest.'
OPINIONS OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Dillon Read has acted as the Company's financial advisor in connection with
the sale of the Company. Dillon Read has delivered its opinion to the Long Range
Planning Committee orally on January 9, 1996 and by a written opinion dated
January 10, 1996 to the effect that, as of January 10, 1996, the consideration
to be received by the shareholders of the Company, other than the Riebmans,
pursuant to the Merger is fair to the shareholders of the Company, other than
the Riebmans, from a financial point of view. Dillon Read has also delivered its
opinion to the Long Range Planning
7
Committee dated February 28, 1995 that, as of such date, it would be reasonable
for the Long Range Planning Committee to conclude that the issuance by the
Company of 180,947 Contingent Shares to the Riebmans pursuant to the Allocation
Agreement was fair to the shareholders of the Company, other than the Riebmans,
from a financial point of view. The full text of Dillon Read's opinions, dated
January 10, 1996 and February 28, 1995, are included in this Proxy Statement as
Appendix C. Shareholders are urged to read the opinions in their entirety for
the assumptions made, matters considered and limits of the review undertaken by
Dillon Read. Dillon Read's opinions do not constitute a recommendation to any
shareholder of the Company as to how such shareholder should vote such
shareholder's Common Shares. See 'The Merger -- Reasons for the Merger;
Recommendation of the Long Range Planning Committee; Opinion of Financial
Advisor,' and 'The Related Transactions -- Opinion of Financial Advisor
Regarding Contingent Shares.'
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
In considering the recommendation of the Long Range Planning Committee and
the Board of Directors with respect to the Merger, shareholders should be aware
that members of the Company's management and the Board of Directors have certain
interests in connection with the Merger. The Company entered into a change in
control agreement with George King, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of the Company, that entitles Mr. King to receive certain payments in
the event his employment is terminated after a 'change in control,' as
determined under such agreement. If Mr. King's employment were to terminate
under this provision in 1996, the approximate gross amount due would be
$818,000, having a present value of $737,000. See 'The Merger -- Conflicts of
Interest.' Also, the Company has entered into the Related Agreements with the
Riebmans, which entitle them to certain payments as more fully described under
'The Related Transactions -- Background and Description of the Related
Agreements.'
In connection with the closing of the Merger, each holder of Options,
including two executive officers of the Company, whether or not the Options are
then exercisable, will be entitled to receive from the Company an amount in
cash, without interest, equal to the excess, if any, of the Merger Price over
the exercise price per share of the Option multiplied by the number of shares of
Class A Common Stock subject to the Option. Accordingly, the Company will be
obligated to pay Dr. Riebman $85,550 and Mr. King $149,250 in cancellation of
their respective options. See 'The Merger -- Terms of the Merger.'
Tracor has agreed that the Company, as the surviving corporation in the
Merger (the 'Surviving Corporation'), will indemnify the present officers and
directors of the Company from liabilities arising out of acts or omissions
occurring prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, as defined below, and from
all liabilities pertaining to the Reorganization Agreement, the Related
Agreements, and any other agreements related thereto or transactions
contemplated thereby to the fullest extent permitted or required by applicable
law. In connection with this indemnification, Tracor will cause to be
maintained, for a period of five years after the Effective Time, directors' and
officers' liability insurance on terms not materially less favorable than the
insurance maintained by the Company on the date of the Reorganization Agreement.
See 'The Merger -- Conflicts of Interest.'
EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER; PAYMENT FOR COMMON SHARES
The Merger will become effective (the 'Effective Time') upon the filing of
Articles of Merger with the Department of State of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania in accordance with the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of
1988 (the 'BCL') and a Certificate of Merger with the Delaware Department of
Corporations in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law. The
Articles of Merger and the Certificate of Merger will be presented for filing as
soon as practicable after the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions to
consummation of the Merger set forth in Article IV of the Reorganization
Agreement. See 'The Merger -- Conditions to Consummation of the Merger;
Representations and Warranties; Certain Covenants.' Detailed instructions with
regard to the surrender of certificates, together with a letter of transmittal,
will be forwarded to holders of certificates formerly evidencing Common Shares
as promptly as practicable following the Effective Time by Bankers Trust Company
('Bankers Trust' or the 'Paying Agent'). Payment will be made to such former
holders of Common Shares as promptly as practicable following receipt by the
Paying Agent of certificates for their Common Shares and other required
documents. No interest will be paid
8
or accrued on the cash payable upon the surrender of certificates. See 'The
Merger -- Payment for Common Shares.'
CERTAIN OTHER EFFECTS OF THE MERGER
If the Merger is consummated, the Company's shareholders will not have the
opportunity to continue their equity interest in the Company as an independent
entity and therefore will not share in any future earnings and growth of the
Company. Moreover, if the Merger is consummated, public trading of the Class A
Common Stock and Class B Common Stock will cease, the Class A Common Stock will
cease to be listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, and the registration of the Class
A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the 'Exchange Act'), as amended, will be terminated. See 'Additional
Information -- Available Information.'
CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER
The obligations of Tracor and Tracor Subsidiary to consummate the Merger
are subject to the satisfaction, at or before the Effective Time, of certain
conditions, including approval by the Company's shareholders of the Proposal.
See 'The Merger -- Conditions to Consummation of the Merger; Representations and
Warranties; Certain Covenants.'
AMENDMENT TO REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT
The Reorganization Agreement was modified by the Amendment on January 10,
1996 whereby the Merger Price was reduced from $28.00 to $24.25 per share. As
part of the Amendment, Tracor also agreed to establish January 10, 1996 as a new
baseline date for the determination of material adverse change, if any, in the
Company's business, operations or financial condition through the closing of the
Merger and agreed that the purported class action filed on November 14, 1995
(see 'Additional Information -- Legal Proceedings') against Dr. & Mrs. Leon
Riebman and the Company would not be a basis for Tracor to terminate or fail to
close the Merger. Tracor further represented in the Amendment that it had no
reason to believe that its financing, as contemplated in its commitment letter
from Bankers Trust, would not be consummated and agreed that it would use all
reasonable efforts to extend the expiration date of that commitment letter to
March 31, 1996.
TERMINATION; FEES AND EXPENSES
The Reorganization Agreement may be terminated and the Merger abandoned at
any time prior to the Effective Time, before or after the approval of the
Proposal by the shareholders of the Company: (i) by mutual consent of the Long
Range Planning Committee of the Company and the Board of Directors of Tracor and
Tracor Subsidiary; (ii) by the Company or Tracor and Tracor Subsidiary if the
Merger shall not have been consummated on or before April 2, 1996, or such later
date as may be mutually agreed to by the parties; (iii) by the Company or Tracor
and Tracor Subsidiary if any court or governmental agency of competent
jurisdiction shall have issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any other
action restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Merger and such
order, decree, ruling, or other action shall have become final and
nonappealable; (iv) by the Company if Tracor or Tracor Subsidiary shall have
failed to comply in any material respect with any of the covenants or agreements
contained in the Reorganization Agreement to be complied with or performed by it
or them at or prior to the Effective Time and such failure has not been cured
within 30 days after receipt of notice thereof; (v) by the Company if the Long
Range Planning Committee shall have withdrawn, modified in a manner adverse to
Tracor or Tracor Subsidiary, or refrained from making, the Long Range Planning
Committee's recommendation to the Company's shareholders of the Merger in
connection with its approval and recommendation to the shareholders of the
Company of a superior acquisition transaction; (vi) by the Company if it becomes
reasonably certain that Tracor or Tracor Subsidiary will be unable to satisfy
any condition to the Merger as set out in the Reorganization Agreement on or
before April 2, 1996; (vii) by Tracor and Tracor Subsidiary if the Company shall
have failed to comply in any material respect with any of the covenants or
agreements contained in the Reorganization Agreement to be complied with or
performed by the Company at or prior to the Effective Time and such failure has
not been cured within 30 days after receipt of notice thereof; (viii) by Tracor
and Tracor Subsidiary if it becomes reasonably certain that the Company will be
unable to satisfy any condition to the Merger as set out in the Reorganization
Agreement on or before April 2,
9
1996; (ix) by Tracor and Tracor Subsidiary if the Long Range Planning Committee
shall have withdrawn or modified in a manner adverse to Tracor or Tracor
Subsidiary the Long Range Planning Committee's approval or recommendation of the
Merger or shall have refrained from making its recommendation of the Merger to
the Company's shareholders; or (x) by Tracor and Tracor Subsidiary if there
shall have occurred an event which shall have caused a material adverse effect
on the business, operations or financial condition of the Company on a
consolidated basis, or the representations and warranties of the Company
contained in the Reorganization Agreement have been breached or become
inaccurate in a material respect as of the closing date of the Merger.
If (i) the Company terminates the Reorganization Agreement as a result of
the Long Range Planning Committee's having withdrawn, modified in a manner
adverse to Tracor or Tracor Subsidiary, or refrained from making its
recommendation to the Company's shareholders of the Merger in connection with
its approval and recommendation to the Company's shareholders of a superior
acquisition transaction or (ii) Tracor and Tracor Subsidiary terminate the
Reorganization Agreement as a result of the Long Range Planning Committee's
having withdrawn, modified in a manner adverse to Tracor or Tracor Subsidiary,
or refrained from making its recommendation of the Merger to the Company's
shareholders, then the Company shall, within ten business days following the
termination of the Reorganization Agreement, pay Tracor a termination fee
payable in cash of $3,447,600. Except as set forth in the immediately preceding
sentence, and whether or not the Merger is consummated, all costs and expenses
incurred in connection with the Reorganization Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby will be paid by the party incurring such expenses.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The receipt of cash for Common Shares pursuant to the Merger or pursuant to
the exercise of dissenters appraisal rights under Pennsylvania law will be a
taxable transaction to the Company's shareholders for United States federal
income tax purposes and may also be a taxable transaction for state, local,
foreign and other tax purposes. See 'The Merger -- Federal Income Tax
Consequences of the Merger.' SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX
ADVISORS AS TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE MERGER, INCLUDING
THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAXES.
DISSENTERS APPRAISAL RIGHTS
Under Pennsylvania law, shareholders of the Company who file a written
objection prior to the vote on the Proposal and do not vote in favor of approval
and adoption of the Proposal have the right to demand an appraisal of the 'fair
value' of their Common Shares if the required procedures under Subchapter 15D of
the BCL are followed. Appraisal rights will be forfeited if the requirements of
Subchapter 15D are not fully and precisely satisfied. See 'The Merger --
Dissenters Appraisal Rights' and a copy of the text of Subchapter 15D of the BCL
included in this Proxy Statement as Appendix D.
THE RELATED TRANSACTIONS
On February 28, 1995, in order to provide the Company's Board of Directors
with increased flexibility in exploring the possible sale of the Company, the
Company entered into the Related Agreements with the Company's controlling
shareholders, the Riebmans, pursuant to which the Riebmans agreed to transfer
all of their shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock into the
Voting Trusts controlled by the members of the Long Range Planning Committee. In
consideration of the Riebmans' entering into the Related Agreements and
transferring their shares to the Voting Trusts, the Company issued 180,947
Contingent Shares of Class A Common Stock to the Riebmans, which shares were
transferred to the Voting Trusts. At the Merger Price, the Riebmans will be
entitled to receive an aggregate of $4,387,964.75
Also, the Company agreed to make certain other payments to Dr. Riebman in
connection with a sale of the Company that occurs while the Related Agreements
are in effect, which payments supplement certain retirement benefits to which
Dr. Riebman is entitled under his existing employment agreement with the
Company: (i) the Company has agreed to pay Dr. Riebman $500,000 if the sale of
the Company occurs and Dr. Riebman's employment with the Company terminates
thereafter for any
10
reason, voluntary or involuntary; (ii) upon consummation of a sale of the
Company, if Dr. Riebman voluntarily retires from active employment with the
Company, Dr. Riebman will receive an aggregate of up to $675,000 for providing
consulting services, payable in three annual payments, respectively, of $300,000
on the date of his retirement, $225,000 on the first anniversary of such date
and $150,000 on the second anniversary of such date, provided that the Company
shall not be obligated to make any such yearly payment if Dr. Riebman is not
available on the respective payment date to provide consulting services for the
forthcoming year; and (iii) if the aggregate consideration in connection with a
sale of the Company is $60,000,000 or more, as is the case with the Merger, Dr.
Riebman will receive a non-competition payment of $1,900,000. See 'The Related
Transactions -- Background and Description of the Related Agreements.'
MARKET PRICES AND DIVIDENDS
The shares of Class A Common Stock are traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market
under the symbol 'AELNA.' The following table sets forth, for each of the fiscal
quarters of the Company indicated, the high and low sale prices per share of
Class A Common Stock:
HIGH LOW
----- ---------
Fiscal Year Ending February 23, 1996:
First Quarter............................................................... $22 1/2 $15
Second Quarter.............................................................. 28 21 3/4
Third Quarter............................................................... 28 24 3/4
Fourth Quarter (through January 12, 1996)................................... 27 7/8 22 3/4
Fiscal Year Ended February 24, 1995:
First Quarter............................................................... 9 1/4 7 1/2
Second Quarter.............................................................. 10 7
Third Quarter............................................................... 9 1/4 8
Fourth Quarter.............................................................. 16 1/4 8 5/8
Fiscal Year Ended February 25, 1994:
First Quarter............................................................... 7 1/4 5 3/4
Second Quarter.............................................................. 7 1/4 5
Third Quarter............................................................... 8 1/4 6 1/2
Fourth Quarter.............................................................. 10 1/4 7 1/4
On February 17, 1995, the last trading day prior to the first public
announcement of the Company's intention to explore strategic alternatives,
including a possible sale of the Company, the last reported sales price for the
Class A Common Stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market was $12.25 per share. On
September 29, 1995, the last trading day prior to the first public announcement
of the Merger, the last reported sales price per share of Class A Common Stock
was $26.25. Shareholders are urged to obtain current market quotations for the
Class A Common Stock.
The Class B Common Stock trades only sporadically in the over-the-counter
market, which does not constitute an established public trading market. Shares
of Class B Common Stock are convertible into shares of Class A Common Stock at
the election of the holders on a one-for-one basis.
No dividends were paid in fiscal years 1994 or 1995 or the fiscal quarters
ending May 26, 1995 or August 25, 1995, and the Company does not intend to pay
dividends on the Common Shares.
11
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth selected historical financial information of
the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries for each of the five fiscal years
ended February 24, 1995 and the fiscal nine months ended November 24, 1995 and
November 25, 1994. Such information is based upon and should be read in
conjunction with the historical consolidated financial statements and notes
thereto of the Company, which are incorporated by reference in this Proxy
Statement.
NINE MONTHS ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED
------------------------ -----------------------------------------------------
NOV. 24, NOV. 25, FEB. 24, FEB. 25, FEB. 26, FEB. 28, FEB. 22,
1995 1994 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
----------- ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
Sales and service revenues............... $ 86,493 $ 92,424 $ 126,537 $ 123,632 $ 113,132 $ 140,112 $ 144,258
Operating income......................... 1,101 2,993 4,096 3,742 2,143 5,323 6,621
Interest expense......................... (928) (999) (1,334) (1,719) (2,418) (3,272) (3,809)
Investment income........................ 76 210 259 455 843 322 321
Other expense, net of other income....... (333) (323) (493) (167) (318) (644) (425)
Provision for claims settlement.......... -- -- -- -- (2,200) -- --
Gain on redemption of shares in foreign
company................................ -- -- -- -- -- 14,368 --
----------- ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Income (loss) before income taxes and
cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle................... (84) 1,881 2,528 2,311 (1,950) 16,097 2,708
Income tax provision..................... (10) 564 759 694 106 5,641 986
----------- ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Income (loss) before extraordinary credit
and cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle................... (74) 1,317 1,769 1,617 (2,056) 10,456 1,722
Extraordinary credit-benefit of net
operating loss carryforward............ -- -- -- -- -- 1,846 852
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
for income taxes....................... -- -- -- -- 2,540 -- --
----------- ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income (loss)........................ $ (74) $ 1,317 $ 1,769 $ 1,617 $ 484 $ 12,302 $ 2,574
----------- ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Earnings per share:
Income (loss) before extraordinary credit
and cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle................... $ (.02) $ .34 $ .46 $ .43 $ (.52) $ 2.69 $ .44
Extraordinary credit-benefit of net
operating loss carryforward............ -- -- -- -- -- .47 .22
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
for income taxes....................... -- -- -- -- .64 -- --
----------- ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income (loss)........................ $ (.02) $ .34 $ .46 $ .43 $ .12 $ 3.16 $ .66
----------- ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
AS OF AS OF AS OF AS OF AS OF AS OF
NOV. 24, FEB. 24, FEB. 25, FEB. 26, FEB. 28, FEB. 22,
1995 1994 1993 1993 1992 1991
----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital.......................... $ 27,193 $ 29,590 $ 29,241 $ 33,678 $ 42,517 $ 22,425
Total assets............................. 96,018 101,418 109,156 114,646 114,384 118,120
Long-term debt........................... 11,974 15,742 19,599 25,141 32,119 37,603
Shareholders' equity..................... 60,367 60,222 58,065 56,320 56,701 44,393
All fiscal years contain 52 weeks, except fiscal year 1992, which contains
53 weeks.
12
INTRODUCTION
This Proxy Statement is being furnished to the shareholders of the Company
in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Long Range Planning
Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company for use at a Special Meeting
of Shareholders to be held on Thursday, February 22, 1996 at 9:00 a.m., local
time, at the Company's principal executive offices, 305 Richardson Road,
Lansdale, Pennsylvania and at any adjournment or postponement thereof (the
'Special Meeting'). This Proxy Statement, the attached Notice of Special Meeting
and the enclosed form of proxy are first being mailed to shareholders of the
Company entitled to notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting on or about
January 24, 1996.
The purpose of the Special Meeting is to consider and vote upon the
Proposal as set forth in the attached Notice and as more fully described in this
Proxy Statement.
As a result of the Merger, all shareholders of the Company will cease to
have an equity interest in, or possess any rights as shareholders of, the
Company. See 'The Merger -- General.' Copies of the Reorganization Agreement,
the Plan of Merger and the Amendment are included in this Proxy Statement as
Appendix A and copies of the Related Agreements are included in this Proxy
Statement as Appendix B. The summaries of the portions of the Reorganization
Agreement, the Plan of Merger, the Amendment and the Related Agreements set
forth in this Proxy Statement do not purport to be complete and are subject to,
and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, the text of the
Reorganization Agreement, the Plan of Merger, the Amendment and the Related
Agreements.
THE LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE PROPOSAL AND
RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE PROPOSAL. THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE LONG RANGE PLANNING
COMMITTEE, HAS RATIFIED AND ADOPTED THE MERGER AND HAS DIRECTED THAT THE
PROPOSAL BE SUBMITTED FOR CONSIDERATION AND VOTE TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE
COMPANY. SEE 'THE MERGER--CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.'
Approval and adoption of the Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the votes cast on the Proposal by the holders of the outstanding
Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock of the Company, each class voting
separately. Shareholders will be given the opportunity on the enclosed BLUE
proxy card to vote on the Proposal as a whole under option A or as separate
items with respect to item (1) and item (2) under option B. You should vote
under option A only or under option B only, not both options. If a shareholder
chooses to vote on the Proposal as a whole under option A, the selected
designation ('For,' 'Against' or 'Abstain') will constitute the designation with
respect to both item (1) and item (2) of the Proposal, and any designation made
under option B will be disregarded. If a shareholder chooses to vote on the two
items separately under option B the designations with respect to item (1) and
item (2) will be tallied in accordance with the votes cast on each item. The
combined designations made by the shareholders voting under option A or option B
will be tabulated separately with respect to item (1) and item (2) of the
Proposal. If a majority of the votes cast by the holders of the Class A Common
Stock and Class B Common Stock, each class voting separately, is in favor of
both item (1) and item (2) of the Proposal, the Proposal will be adopted.
THE FAILURE OF THE SHAREHOLDERS TO ADOPT EITHER ITEM (1) OR ITEM (2) OF THE
PROPOSAL WILL BE DEEMED A REJECTION BY THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE PROPOSAL AS A
WHOLE, AND, IN THAT CASE, THE MERGER AND THE RELATED TRANSACTIONS WILL NOT BE
CONSUMMATED.
The shareholders of the Company previously received a Proxy Statement dated
December 28, 1995 and a white proxy card. Since the mailing on December 28,
1995, the Merger has been modified to reduce the Merger Price from $28.00 per
share to $24.25 per share, and proxies for the Special Meeting, therefore, are
being resolicited.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT SHAREHOLDERS COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN
THE ENCLOSED BLUE PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED, U. S. POSTAGE-PREPAID ENVELOPE.
ANY INSTRUCTIONS PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED FROM A SHAREHOLDER BY MEANS OF THE WHITE
CARD WILL BE DISREGARDED. THEREFORE, IN ORDER FOR A SHAREHOLDER'S VOTE TO BE
COUNTED AND FOR THE SHAREHOLDER'S SHARES TO BE REPRESENTED AT THE
13
SPECIAL MEETING FOR QUORUM PURPOSES, THE SHAREHOLDER MUST COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN
AND RETURN THE BLUE PROXY CARD.
VOTING AND PROXIES
RECORD DATE; SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
The Board of Directors of the Company has fixed the close of business on
November 27, 1995 as the Record Date for the determination of shareholders
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting. Accordingly, only
holders of Common Shares of record on the books of the Company at the close of
business on the Record Date will be entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. At
the close of business on the Record Date, there were 3,639,073 shares of Class A
Common Stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the Special Meeting
held by approximately 1,400 holders of record and 407,702 shares of Class B
Common Stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the Special Meeting
held by approximately 70 holders of record. Holders of Class A Common Stock and
Class B Common Stock are entitled to one vote at the Special Meeting for each
share of Class A Common Stock and each share of Class B Common Stock held of
record at the Record Date.
In addition to soliciting proxies by mail, officers and employees of the
Company, without receiving additional compensation therefor, may solicit proxies
personally or by telephone, telegram or other forms of wire or facsimile
communication. The Company will bear the cost of the Special Meeting and of
soliciting proxies therefor, including the cost of printing and mailing of this
Proxy Statement and related materials, and the reasonable expenses incurred by
brokerage houses, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries in forwarding proxy
materials to the beneficial owners of Common Shares.
VOTE REQUIRED
The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock
entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, and the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock entitled to vote,
represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum at the Special
Meeting. However, those holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock
entitled to vote who attend, in person or by proxy, any adjournment or
adjournments of the Special Meeting that have been previously adjourned for one
or more periods aggregating at least 15 days because of an absence of a quorum
of either class, shall constitute a quorum with respect to such class for the
purposes of acting upon the Proposal although they constitute less than a quorum
with respect to such class as fixed by law or in the Articles of Incorporation
or Bylaws of the Company for the originally scheduled date of the Special
Meeting.
Provided that a quorum is present at the Special Meeting, the affirmative
vote of (i) a majority of the votes cast by the holders of the outstanding
shares of Class A Common Stock entitled to vote and (ii) a majority of the votes
cast by the holders of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock entitled
to vote, each class voting separately, is required for approval and adoption of
the Proposal.
Approval and adoption of the Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the votes cast on the Proposal by the holders of the outstanding
Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock of the Company, each class voting
separately. Shareholders will be given the opportunity on the enclosed BLUE
proxy card to vote on the Proposal as a whole under option A or as separate
items with respect to item (1) and item (2) under option B. You should vote
under option A only or under option B only, not both options. If a shareholder
chooses to vote on the Proposal as a whole under option A, the selected
designation ('For,' 'Against' or 'Abstain') will constitute the designation with
respect to both item (1) and item (2) of the Proposal, and any designation made
under option B will be disregarded. If a shareholder chooses to vote on the two
items separately under option B, the designations with respect to item (1) and
item (2) will be tallied in accordance with the votes cast on each item. The
combined designations made by the shareholders voting under option A or option B
will be tabulated separately with respect to item (1) and item (2) of the
Proposal. If a majority of the votes cast by the holders of the Class A Common
Stock and Class B Common Stock, each class voting separately, is in favor of
both item (1) and item (2) of the Proposal, the Proposal will be adopted.
14
THE FAILURE OF THE SHAREHOLDERS TO ADOPT EITHER ITEM (1) OR ITEM (2) OF THE
PROPOSAL WILL BE DEEMED A REJECTION BY THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE PROPOSAL AS A
WHOLE, AND, IN THAT CASE, THE MERGER AND THE RELATED TRANSACTIONS WILL NOT BE
CONSUMMATED.
The shareholders of the Company previously received a Proxy Statement dated
December 28, 1995 and a white proxy card. Since the mailing on December 28,
1995, the Merger has been modified to reduce the Merger Price from $28.00 per
share to $24.25 per share, and proxies for the Special Meeting, therefore, are
being resolicited.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT SHAREHOLDERS COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN
THE ENCLOSED BLUE PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED, U. S. POSTAGE-PREPAID ENVELOPE.
ANY INSTRUCTIONS PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED FROM A SHAREHOLDER BY MEANS OF THE WHITE
CARD WILL BE DISREGARDED. THEREFORE, IN ORDER FOR A SHAREHOLDER'S VOTE TO BE
COUNTED AND FOR SHARES TO BE REPRESENTED AT THE SPECIAL MEETING FOR QUORUM
PURPOSES, THE SHAREHOLDER MUST COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE BLUE PROXY
CARD.
Common Shares that are represented by properly executed proxies, unless
such proxies shall have previously been properly revoked, will be voted in
accordance with the instructions indicated in such proxies. If no contrary
instructions are indicated, such shares will be voted FOR approval and adoption
of the Proposal and in the discretion of the proxy holder as to any other matter
that may properly come before the Special Meeting. In the case of a shareholder
who has chosen to vote under option B on the enclosed proxy card, but has failed
to vote 'For,' 'Against' or 'Abstain' for either item (1) or item (2) of the
Proposal, the shares will be voted FOR the respective item for which no
designation has been made. Brokers may not give a proxy to vote without
instructions from beneficial owners when the matter to be voted upon involves a
merger or consolidation. Under the BCL, if a shareholder (including a nominee or
other record owner) either records the fact of abstention or otherwise withholds
authority to vote or fails to vote in person or by proxy, such action would not
be considered a 'vote cast' and would have no effect on the approval of the
Proposal, other than to reduce the number of affirmative votes needed for
approval. Any other matter which may properly come before the Special Meeting at
which a quorum is present for such purpose requires the affirmative vote of the
majority of the votes cast on the matter by the holders of shares of Class B
Common Stock and, to the extent that the matter affects the rights and
privileges of the holders of the Class A Common Stock, by the holders of the
Class A Common Stock, each class voting separately, unless a greater vote is
required by law or the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company. A
shareholder who has given a proxy may revoke it at any time prior to its
exercise at the Special Meeting by delivering a written notice of revocation of
the proxy being revoked, or by submission of a properly executed proxy bearing a
later date than the proxy being revoked, to the Secretary of the Company at 305
Richardson Road, Lansdale, PA 19446, or by voting the Common Shares covered
thereby in person at the Special Meeting.
Shareholders have the right to dissent from the Proposal and, subject to
certain conditions provided under the BCL, to receive payment for the fair value
of their Common Shares. See 'The Merger -- Dissenters Appraisal Rights' and
Appendix D hereto.
As of November 1, 1995, the executive officers and directors of the Company
beneficially owned a total of 1,294,995 outstanding shares of Class A Common
Stock (excluding 13,500 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to currently
exercisable stock options beneficially owned by executive officers and directors
of the Company), constituting approximately 35.6% of the shares of Class A
Common Stock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting (of which Mr. Fowler
beneficially owns 143 shares, or less than 1%, and Mr. Lowin beneficially owns
1,075,000 shares, or approximately 29.6%, of the outstanding shares of Class A
Common Stock) and 310,343 shares of Class B Common Stock, constituting
approximately 76.1% of the shares of Class B Common Stock entitled to vote at
the Special Meeting (of which Mr. Fowler beneficially owns 68,784 shares, or
approximately 16.9% of the outstanding Shares of the Class B Common Stock). Of
the shares held by executive officers and directors of the Company, the Voting
Trusts created under the Voting Trust Agreement hold 191,583 shares of Class A
Common Stock (including the 180,947 Contingent Shares), constituting 5.3% of the
shares of Class A Common Stock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting, and
241,262 shares of Class B Common Stock, constituting approximately 59.2% of the
shares of Class B Common Stock entitled
15
to vote at the Special Meeting. Pursuant to the terms of the Voting Trust
Agreement, 10,646 shares of Class A Common Stock and 241,262 shares of Class B
Common Stock of the Common Shares held in the Voting Trusts will be voted by the
voting trustees in favor of the Proposal and the 180,947 Contingent Shares of
Class A Common Stock will be voted in the same proportion as the votes cast with
respect to the Proposal by the other holders of shares of Class A Common Stock
at the Special Meeting. Inasmuch as the Voting Trust holds 241,262 shares of
Class B Common Stock, or 59.2% of the outstanding shares of Class B Common
Stock, it is expected that the Voting Trust will cast a sufficient number of
votes to approve the Proposal with respect to the Class B Common Stock. Also,
three of the voting trustees, Mr. Dunleavy, Mr. Einsidler and Mr. Lowin, have
committed to vote the Common Shares other than the Common Shares held in the
Voting Trusts over which each of them personally has voting power in favor of
the Proposal, provided that the voting trustees have actually voted the Common
Shares held in the Voting Trusts as described above. See 'Stock Ownership of
Management and Certain Beneficial Owners' and 'The Related Transactions --
Voting Trust Agreement.' In case of any outstanding options that were not
exercised as of the Record Date, the underlying Common Shares cannot be voted at
the Special Meeting. See 'The Merger -- Termination; Fees and Expenses; Plans of
the Company If the Merger Is Not Consummated' and 'The Related Transactions --
Background and Description of the Related Agreements.'
THE TRANSACTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE SPECIAL MEETING INVOLVE MATTERS OF
GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY. ACCORDINGLY, SHAREHOLDERS
ARE URGED TO READ AND CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PROXY
STATEMENT, AND TO COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE ENCLOSED BLUE
PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED PREPAID ENVELOPE. STOCK CERTIFICATES SHOULD NOT BE
SENT WITH THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD. IF THE MERGER IS CONSUMMATED, SHAREHOLDERS
WILL BE FURNISHED INSTRUCTIONS FOR EXCHANGING THEIR COMMON SHARES FOR CASH.
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The Articles of Incorporation of the Company provide that all voting rights
are vested in the Company's Class B Common Stock, except that the Class A Common
Stock, which is non-voting stock, votes as a class on any matter directly
affecting the rights and privileges of such class or otherwise as required by
law. Nevertheless, as provided in the Allocation Agreement, the Long Range
Planning Committee and the Board of Directors are submitting the Proposal for
consideration by the holders of Class A Common Stock and the holders of Class B
Common Stock, each class voting separately. See 'Voting and Proxies.'
The following sets forth certain information as of November 1, 1995 with
respect to shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock beneficially
owned by (i) persons who are known to be beneficial owners of more than 5% of
the outstanding shares of the Class A Common Stock and/or Class B Common Stock,
(ii) each director, (iii) the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and each
executive officer of the Company whose annual salary and bonus exceeded $100,000
for the year ended February 24, 1995 and (iv) all directors and executive
officers as a group:
BENEFICIAL BENEFICIAL
NAME OF 5% BENEFICIAL OWNER, OWNERSHIP(1) OWNERSHIP(1)
DIRECTOR OR EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR OF CLASS A PERCENT OF OF CLASS B PERCENT OF
IDENTITY OF GROUP COMMON STOCK CLASS (2) COMMON STOCK CLASS (2)
- - - --------------------------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ -------------
Leeam Lowin............................................ 1,075,700(3) 29.6% 0 0
21 Fox Run Lane
Greenwich, CT 06831
Dr. Leon Riebman(4).................................... 199,093(4) 5.5% 241,262(4) 59.2%
305 Richardson Road
Lansdale, PA 19446-1429
Raymond S. Markowitz(5)................................ 12,113 * 24,963 6.1%
16
BENEFICIAL BENEFICIAL
NAME OF 5% BENEFICIAL OWNER, OWNERSHIP(1) OWNERSHIP(1)
DIRECTOR OR EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR OF CLASS A PERCENT OF OF CLASS B PERCENT OF
IDENTITY OF GROUP COMMON STOCK CLASS (2) COMMON STOCK CLASS (2)
- - - --------------------------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ -------------
305 Richardson Road
Lansdale, PA 19446-1429
Francis J. Dunleavy.................................... 0 0 0 0
Frederick D. Einsidler................................. 627 * 0 0
Conrad J. Fowler....................................... 143(6) * 68,784 16.9%
Lloyd W. Moffit........................................ 400 * 0 0
Robert Riebman......................................... 185,447(7) 5.1% 0
George King............................................ 14,532(8) * 297(8) *
All directors and executive officers
as a group (8)......................................... 1,294,995 35.6% 310,343 76.1%
- - - ------------------
*less than 1%.
(1) The securities 'beneficially owned' are determined in accordance with the
definitions of 'beneficial ownership' as set forth in the releases of the
Securities and Exchange Commission applicable as of the date hereof, and,
accordingly, may include securities owned by or for, among others, spouses
and/or minor children of the individual and other relatives who have the
same home as such individual as well as other securities as to which the
individual has or shares voting or investment power or has the right to
acquire under outstanding Options within 60 days after November 1, 1995.
Beneficial ownership may be disclaimed as to certain of the securities.
(2) Each share of Class B Common Stock is convertible, at the option of the
holder, into one share of Class A Common Stock. The share amounts set forth
in these columns do not reflect the additional shares of Class A Common
Stock acquirable upon conversion of Class B Common Stock.
(3) Mr. Lowin has sole voting and investment power with respect to 583,000
shares of Class A Common Stock and shared investment power with respect to
475,700 shares of Class A Common Stock. The sole voting power with respect
to these 475,700 shares of Class A Common Stock rests with other persons.
The sole voting and investment power of 17,000 shares of Class A Common
Stock belongs to Mr. Lowin's wife.
(4) Of these shares, 10,646 shares of Class A Common Stock, 180,947 Contingent
Shares of Class A Common Stock and 241,262 shares of Class B Common Stock
have been deposited in the Voting Trusts established under the Voting Trust
Agreement. The voting trustees are Francis J. Dunleavy, Frederick R.
Einsidler, Conrad J. Fowler and Leeam Lowin, the four independent directors
who comprise the Long Range Planning Committee. The address of the Voting
Trusts is 305 Richardson Road, Lansdale, PA 19446-1429. The voting trustees
are required to vote the shares held in the respective Voting Trusts in
connection with a qualifying business combination, such as the Proposal, as
follows: (i) the 180,947 Contingent Shares will be voted in the same
proportion as the votes cast with respect to the Proposal by the other
holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and (ii) the other shares of Class
A Common Stock and the shares of Class B Common Stock held in the Voting
Trusts will be voted in favor of the Proposal in accordance with the
recommendation of the Long Range Planning Committee. For a description of
the other voting rights of the voting trustees and the duration of the
Voting Trust Agreement, see 'The Related Transactions -- Background and
Description of the Related Agreements.' The remaining 7,500 shares of Class
A Common Stock consist of shares purchasable upon exercise of outstanding
Options held by Dr. Riebman exercisable within 60 days after November 1,
1995, which are required to be deposited into the Voting Trust if the
Options are exercised.
17
(5) Mr. Markowitz is a Vice President of the Company, but is not deemed an
executive officer of the Company. Mr. Markowitz shares voting and investment
power with respect to 19,659 shares of Class B Common Stock and 9,663 shares
of Class A Common Stock, and has sole voting and investment power with
respect to the remaining shares. The shares of Class A Common Stock include
1,450 shares in the form of Options exercisable within 60 days after
November 1, 1995.
(6) The sole voting and investment power of the shares of Class A Common Stock
belongs to Mr. Fowler's wife, who also has sole voting and investment power
with respect to 29,789 shares of Class B Common Stock. Mr. Fowler has sole
voting and investment power as to the remaining shares of Class B Common
Stock.
(7) Robert Riebman has sole voting and investment power with respect to 4,500
shares of Class A Common Stock. He has an indirect ownership interest in
180,947 shares of Class A Common Stock as a trust beneficiary, which shares
are currently held in one of the Voting Trusts established under the Voting
Trust Agreement dated February 28, 1995. See note (4) above.
(8) Mr. King and his wife share voting and investment power with respect to
8,532 shares of Class A Common Stock and 297 shares Class B Common Stock.
The remaining shares are in the form of Options exercisable within 60 days
after November 1, 1995 and are held solely by Mr. King.
18
THE MERGER
GENERAL
The following information with respect to the Merger is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the full text of the Reorganization Agreement, the Plan
of Merger and the Amendment, copies of which are included in this Proxy
Statement as Appendix A. The Reorganization Agreement and the Amendment set
forth the terms and conditions upon which the Merger is to be effected. If the
Proposal is approved and adopted at the Special Meeting by the holders of the
Class A Common Stock and the holders of the Class B Common Stock and all other
conditions to the obligations of the parties thereto are satisfied or waived,
the Merger will be consummated. At the Effective Time, Tracor Subsidiary will
merge with and into the Company. The Company will be the Surviving Corporation
in the Merger and will thereby become a wholly owned subsidiary of Tracor.
Pursuant to the Merger, each Common Share that is issued and outstanding at the
Effective Time, other than Common Shares held by shareholders who perfect their
statutory dissenters rights, will be canceled and extinguished and converted
automatically into the right to receive the Merger Price of $24.25 per share.
Upon consummation of the Merger, holders of Common Shares will possess no
further interest in, or rights as shareholders of, the Company. Also,
immediately prior to the Effective Time, each holder of Options, whether or not
then exercisable, will be entitled to receive from the Company an amount in
cash, without interest, equal to the excess, if any, of the Merger Price over
the exercise price per share of the Option multiplied by the number of shares of
Class A Common Stock subject to the Option.
BACKGROUND OF THE MERGER
In January 1994, the Board of Directors of the Company appointed a special
committee known as the Long Range Planning Committee and consisting entirely of
independent, non-management directors of the Company. The members of the Long
Range Planning Committee are Francis J. Dunleavy, Chairman, Frederick R.
Einsidler, Conrad J. Fowler and Leeam Lowin. After careful consideration of the
various strategic alternatives available to the Company, including whether to
pursue a possible sale of the Company or whether the Company should remain
independent, the Long Range Planning Committee determined that the Company
should pursue a possible sale of the Company. The principal factors motivating
the Long Range Planning Committee's decision were the perceived need to consider
the strategic alternatives for the Company in view of recent and significant
developments and consolidations in the domestic defense industry, including
whether the Company should remain independent, and if the Company were to remain
independent, the possible need to search for a new chief operating officer of
the Company. After considering such factors, the Long Range Planning Committee
concluded that a sale of the Company was the best way to maximize shareholder
value.
In light of Dr. Riebman's role as Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
the Riebmans' voting control of the Company and Dr. Riebman's technical
knowledge of and reputation in the defense contracting industry, the Long Range
Planning Committee determined that the best way to maximize value for all
shareholders in a possible sale of the Company would be to first negotiate an
arrangement with the Riebmans, with the objective of solidifying Dr. Riebman's
prospective relationship with the Company and eliminating the Riebmans' voting
control of the Company for a period of time sufficient to complete a sale of the
Company. Taking into account the practical difficulties of consummating a sale
of the Company on terms that might not have been acceptable to the Riebmans as
controlling shareholders, the Long Range Planning Committee determined that the
temporary elimination of the Riebmans' voting control of the Company would
provide the Long Range Planning Committee with increased flexibility in
exploring a potential sale of the Company and would enable the Long Range
Planning Committee to facilitate an offer to purchase the Company that would
involve the payment of the same price and terms to all holders of Class A Common
Stock and Class B Common Stock of the Company. In connection therewith, the Long
Range Planning Committee determined that, prior to proceeding with a potential
sale of the Company, the Committee would pursue: (i) the negotiation of an
arrangement with the Riebmans concerning their voting control of the Company in
anticipation of a possible sale of the Company; and (ii) the negotiation of an
arrangement with Dr. Riebman regarding his future relationship with the Company
that would assure his exclusive availability to the Company prior to a sale of
the Company and to a possible buyer of the Company following the acquisition.
19
The Long Range Planning Committee determined to engage an investment
banking firm, independent legal counsel and a compensation consultant to serve
as its advisors in connection with these matters. In October 1994, the Long
Range Planning Committee engaged as its financial advisor Dillon Read, an
internationally recognized investment banking firm engaged in, among other
things, the evaluation of businesses and their securities. Also in October 1994,
the Long Range Planning Committee selected Towers Perrin, a nationally
recognized employee benefits consulting firm, to advise it on matters relating
to compensation and also retained independent legal counsel.
Between the period of October 1994 through February 1995, the Long Range
Planning Committee, acting through its investment banker and counsel, negotiated
with the Riebmans and their counsel regarding Dr. Riebman's future relationship
with the Company as well as the relinquishment by the Riebmans of their voting
control of the Company in connection with a possible sale of the Company. The
Riebmans were willing to temporarily relinquish their voting control of the
Company, and Dr. Riebman was willing to solidify his prospective relationship
with the Company, if the Long Range Planning Committee would agree to use all
reasonable efforts to sell the Company and the Company provided certain
inducements to the Riebmans. The Long Range Planning Committee met on twelve
occasions between October 1994 and February 1995 to review the status of the
negotiations and to provide instructions to its investment banker and counsel
concerning financial and legal arrangements with Dr. Riebman that might be
acceptable to the Long Range Planning Committee. Dillon Read reviewed with the
Long Range Planning Committee the terms of various shareholder agreements
reached with respect to other companies with ownership structures in certain
respects comparable to that of the Company. With this background information,
the Long Range Planning Committee, assisted by its legal and financial advisors,
completed negotiations with the Riebmans and their advisors which resulted in
the execution of the Related Agreements including the Allocation Agreement,
whereby the Company issued to the Riebmans .75 shares of Class A Common Stock
for each share of Class B Common Stock owned by them. A description of the
opinion delivered to the Long Range Planning Committee by Dillon Read is set
forth herein under 'The Related Transactions -- Opinion of Financial Advisor
Regarding the Contingent Shares.'
As a result of the negotiations among the Long Range Planning Committee and
the Riebmans, on February 28, 1995, the Company, the Riebmans and the members of
the Long Range Planning Committee in their capacity as voting trustees entered
into the Related Agreements.
Pursuant to the Related Agreements, the Riebmans, among other things,
temporarily relinquished voting control of the Company by transferring all of
their stock in the Company into Voting Trusts controlled by the Long Range
Planning Committee. In exchange for the Riebmans' relinquishing voting control
of the Company for a period of time that the Long Range Planning Committee
believed to be sufficient to complete a sale of the Company and for the
Riebmans' agreeing that the Related Agreements would be subject to shareholder
approval and that the holders of the Class A Common Stock would be entitled to
vote as a separate class on the sale of the Company and the Related Agreements,
the Company issued to the Riebmans .75 shares of Class A Common Stock for each
share of Class B Common Stock owned by them, which 180,947 Contingent Shares
were immediately transferred into the Voting Trusts and are to be returned to
the Company without any payment to the Riebmans if a sale of the Company is not
completed during the term of the Voting Trusts. By entering into the Related
Agreements, Dr. Riebman also assured, effective as of February 28, 1995, his
exclusive availability to the Company prior to completion of a sale of the
Company and to a possible buyer of the Company after completion of a sale of the
Company, including the mandatory provision of consulting services should he
retire after completion of a sale of the Company, in exchange for which the
Company agreed to make certain payments to Dr. Riebman, all as more fully set
forth in the Related Agreements. See 'The Related Transactions -- Background and
Description of the Related Agreements.' The Related Agreements further provide
that they, and the transactions contemplated thereunder, are subject to
ratification by the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock,
each voting as a separate class, at such time as a sale proposal is submitted to
the shareholders, and that the sale proposal and such ratification must be voted
upon as a single proposition.
In connection with the Related Agreements, Dillon Read delivered its
opinion dated February 28, 1995 that, as of such date, it would be reasonable
for the Long Range Planning Committee to conclude that the issuance of the
180,947 Contingent Shares of Class A Common Stock to the Riebmans
20
pursuant to the Allocation Agreement was fair, from a financial point of view,
to the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, other than the
Riebmans. See 'The Related Transactions -- Opinion of Financial Advisor
Regarding the Contingent Shares.'
In addition, Towers Perrin advised the Long Range Planning Committee that
it was clearly prudent and consistent with prevailing practices of companies
with retiring founding executives for the Company to enter into consulting and
non-competition arrangements with Dr. Riebman similar in nature to the 1995
Agreement and the Participation Rights Agreement, particularly in light of Dr.
Riebman's technical knowledge of the defense electronics business, as well as
his technical reputation in the defense contracting industry and his business
relationships with the key decision-makers of the Company's largest customers.
See 'The Related Transactions -- Advice of Consultant Regarding Consulting and
Non-Competition Agreements.'
As described above, pursuant to the Related Agreements, the Long Range
Planning Committee agreed to use all reasonable efforts to pursue a potential
sale of the Company. In connection therewith, between March and June 1995,
Dillon Read contacted or was contacted by approximately 40 potential acquirors
of all or part of the Company, which included substantially all of the
significant participants in the domestic defense industry. Based upon the advice
of Dillon Read that the Company would, in all probability, be able to generate a
higher price to shareholders if sold as a whole rather than division by
division, the Long Range Planning Committee determined that initially it would
pursue only those entities interested in acquiring the Company as a whole.
Over the course of the next two months, Dillon Read conducted preliminary
discussions with approximately 24 potential purchasers of the Company. Of these
24 entities, 21 requested additional information about the Company and entered
into confidentiality agreements with the Company in order to receive and review
confidential information concerning the Company. After execution of the
confidentiality agreements, these entities were provided copies of a memorandum
containing certain confidential information concerning the Company and its
operations.
Commencing in late July 1995, Dillon Read communicated with those entities
that continued to have an active and bona fide interest in purchasing the
Company, one of which was Tracor, concerning the bidding process, including the
request that these bids should reflect a price per share in cash and any
material contingencies which might accompany a bid. In addition, the interested
parties received a draft of an agreement and plan of reorganization, which had
been prepared by counsel to the Long Range Planning Committee.
At its meeting on August 31, 1995, the Long Range Planning Committee, based
upon the advice of Dillon Read, determined to establish a deadline of September
13, 1995, for the submission of final bids to acquire the Company. The Long
Range Planning Committee decided, however, that in the meantime it would
continue to be receptive to inquiries from any interested parties.
Over the course of the next several weeks, the Long Range Planning
Committee reviewed the bids it received with its advisors, and the bidders
performed additional due diligence with respect to the Company, which included
further consultation with senior management of the Company as well as
discussions with certain attorneys retained by the Company for specific legal
matters. In addition, Dillon Read and counsel to the Long Range Planning
Committee contacted representatives of each of the bidders to further clarify
certain aspects of each of the bids and to negotiate with respect to elements of
each bid, primarily relating to financing or other conditions to the bidder's
obligation to complete the purchase and certain proposed purchase price
adjustments. The bid received from Tracor was the highest price received by the
Long Range Planning Committee in the bidding process.
As of the close of business on September 29, 1995, the Long Range Planning
Committee decided to pursue exclusive negotiations with Tracor. On the evening
of October 1, 1995, following negotiations throughout the weekend of September
30 and October 1, 1995 between the Long Range Planning Committee and its
advisors and Tracor and its representatives relating primarily to legal terms
and conditions of a definitive merger agreement, including representations and
warranties, covenants and closing conditions of the Company and Tracor,
respectively, the Long Range Planning Committee met to evaluate the Tracor
proposal, which had been modified as a result of negotiations. At that meeting,
Dillon Read advised the Long Range Planning Committee that, as of October 1,
1995, the consideration to be received by the shareholders of the Company, other
than the Riebmans, pursuant to
21
the Merger was fair to the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common
Stock, other than the Riebmans, from a financial point of view. Dillon Read
indicated that in reaching this decision it had, among other things, reviewed
certain business and financial information provided to it by the Company and
considered the financial terms of certain recent mergers and acquisition
transactions. Counsel to the Long Range Planning Committee reviewed the terms of
the draft agreement submitted by Tracor, as modified in the negotiations.
Because the Tracor proposal was conditional on the receipt of financing, counsel
and Dillon Read also reviewed with the Long Range Planning Committee the
commitment letter that Tracor had received from Bankers Trust.
The Long Range Planning Committee reconvened on the morning of October 2,
1995 and unanimously approved the Tracor proposal. Immediately thereafter, the
Company and Tracor executed the Reorganization Agreement.
During the third week of December 1995, Tracor scheduled a meeting with the
Company for the latter part of the first week of January 1996 for the purpose of
reviewing and evaluating the Company's current and anticipated financial
performance. The scheduling of the meeting followed the Company's mid-December
release of results of operations for the quarter ended November 24, 1995
reporting a loss of $1.1 million on revenue of $24.5 million as compared to
earnings of $627,000 on revenue of $30.9 million for the third quarter of the
prior fiscal year and earnings of $327,000 on revenue of $28.9 million for the
second quarter of the current fiscal year ended August 25, 1995. The Company's
backlog at November 24, 1995 was $79 million as compared to $106.6 million at
February 24, 1995. At the scheduled meetings, which occurred January 3 through
January 5, 1996, the Company reviewed with Tracor the Company's revenues,
contract costs, performance on current contracts, backlog and product lines.
In the afternoon of January 8, 1996, Tracor advised representatives of the
Long Range Planning Committee that it would like to meet to discuss the Merger
and the possibility of a reduction of the Merger Price based on Tracor's
assessment of the Company's deteriorating financial performance, as reviewed
during the previous week's meetings, which it viewed as material and adverse.
The Long Range Planning Committee met late in the afternoon on January 9, 1996
and reconvened early in the evening on that date to receive reports from its
advisors (who had been holding discussions with representatives of Tracor during
the day and continued to do so that evening) and to consider Tracor's request
for a reduction in the Merger Price. Dillon Read reported to the Long Range
Planning Committee (i) Tracor's conclusions based upon the previous week's
meetings concerning the decline in the Company's current profitability and
backlog and the Company's increasing costs on current contracts and (ii)
Tracor's request to reduce the Merger Price. Dillon Read also reported Tracor's
continued desire to consummate the Merger with minimal delay. Dillon Read orally
advised the Long Range Planning Committee that a proposed Merger Price of $24.25
to be received by the shareholders of the Company, other than the Riebmans,
pursuant to the Merger was fair to the holders of the Class A Common Stock and
Class B Common Stock, other than the Riebmans, from a financial point of view,
which opinion Dillon Read confirmed in writing as of January 10, 1996.
Following the conclusion of the reconvened meeting of the Long Range
Planning Committee that evening, Tracor and the Company, acting through the Long
Range Planning Committee, negotiated the terms and conditions of the Amendment
to the Reorganization Agreement, whereby the Merger Price was reduced from
$28.00 to $24.25 per share. As part of the Amendment, Tracor also agreed to
establish January 10, 1996 as a new baseline date for the determination of
material adverse change, if any, in the Company's business, operations or
financial condition through the closing of the Merger and agreed that the
purported class action filed on November 14, 1995 see 'Additional Information --
Legal Proceedings') against Dr. & Mrs. Leon Riebman and the Company would not be
a basis for Tracor to terminate or fail to close the Merger. Tracor further
represented in the Amendment that it had no reason to believe that its
financing, as contemplated in its commitment letter from Bankers Trust, would
not be consummated and agreed that it would use all reasonable efforts to extend
the expiration date of that commitment letter to March 31, 1996. Thereafter, the
Company and Tracor executed the Amendment.
22
REASONS FOR THE MERGER; RECOMMENDATION OF THE LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE;
OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Long Range Planning Committee
At its reconvened meeting on January 9, 1996, the Long Range Planning
Committee determined that the Merger, as amended, is fair to, and in the best
interests of, the Company and its shareholders. Therefore, the Long Range
Planning Committee approved the Merger. The Long Range Planning Committee
unanimously recommends that the Company's shareholders VOTE FOR approval and
adoption of the Proposal. The Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the
Long Range Planning Committee, has ratified and approved the Merger. See
'Conflicts of Interest.'
The determination of the Long Range Planning Committee to approve the
Merger, as amended, was based upon consideration of a number of factors. The
following list includes all material factors considered by the Long Range
Planning Committee:
(1) Alternatives to the Merger were considered, including prospects
for the Company resulting from the continued operation of the Company as an
independent publicly owned entity in view of recent and significant
developments and consolidations in the defense industry, weighed against
the risks associated with such alternatives, including current industry,
economic and market conditions, and it was determined that the Merger
provided the best result for the Company's shareholders;
(2) An active and extensive auction process had been conducted during
the period from March 1995 through October 2, 1995, culminating in Tracor's
$28.00 per share offer, which was the highest bid received;
(3) There was a reasonable basis to conclude that the Company's recent
and anticipated financial performance, as reviewed by Tracor during the
meetings at the Company held during the first week of January 1996, might
have constituted a material adverse change in its business, operations or
financial condition and that as a result Tracor might have had a legal
right to terminate or refuse to consummate the Merger under the
Reorganization Agreement;
(4) Tracor had expressed its continued desire to purchase the Company
and to close the Merger with minimal delay or change in schedule;
(5) The $24.25 per share Merger Price, as amended, represents a
substantial premium over the closing price of $12.25 per share on February
17, 1995, the last full trading day prior to the first public announcement
of the Company's intention to explore strategic alternatives, including a
possible sale of the Company;
(6) Other bidders for the Company would likely have taken into
account, as had Tracor, the Company's recent and anticipated financial
performance in making a bid;
(7) The Reorganization Agreement, as amended, continues to allow the
Long Range Planning Committee, in the exercise of its fiduciary duties, to
consider and accept an unsolicited proposal to purchase the Company which
the Long Range Planning Committee believes is more favorable to the Company
and its shareholders than the revised Tracor transaction;
(8) Tracor agreed in the Amendment to other terms that enhanced the
likelihood that Tracor would consummate the Merger as renegotiated.
(9) Dillon Read delivered its opinion orally to the Long Range
Planning Committee at its reconvened meeting held on January 9, 1996, which
was confirmed by a written opinion dated January 10, 1996, as to the
fairness, from a financial point of view, to the shareholders other than
the Riebmans, of the consideration to be received pursuant to the Merger,
as amended, by the shareholders other than the Riebmans. See 'Opinion of
Financial Advisor' below.
The Long Range Planning Committee recognizes that if the Merger is
consummated, the Company's shareholders will not have the opportunity to
continue their equity interest in any future growth of the Company as an
independent entity. See 'Certain Other Effects of the Merger.'
However, the Long Range Planning Committee placed special consideration on
the fact that the Merger Price represents a substantial premium over the price
at which the Class A Common Stock had been trading prior to the first public
announcement of the Company's intention to explore strategic
23
alternatives, including a possible sale of the Company. The foregoing discussion
of the information and factors considered by the Long Range Planning Committee
is not meant to be exhaustive but is believed to include the material factors
considered by the Long Range Planning Committee. The Long Range Planning
Committee did not quantify or attach any specific weight to the various factors
that it considered in reaching its determination that the Reorganization
Agreement, as amended, and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the
Merger, are advisable and in the best interests of the shareholders of the
Company. In reaching its determination, the Long Range Planning Committee took
the various factors into account collectively and the Long Range Planning
Committee did not perform a factor-by-factor analysis.
Opinion of Financial Advisor
On October 1, 1995, the Long Range Planning Committee received Dillon
Read's oral opinion, subsequently confirmed by a written opinion dated October
1, 1995, that, as of the date of such opinion the consideration to be received
by the shareholders of the Company other than the Riebmans pursuant to the
Merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to such shareholders, other
than the Riebmans. On January 9, 1996, as a result of the decrease in the Merger
Price from $28.00 per share to $24.25 per share, the Long Range Planning
Committee received Dillon Read's opinion, subsequently confirmed by a written
opinion dated January 10, 1996, that, as of the date of such opinion, the
consideration to be received by the shareholders of the Company other than the
Riebmans pursuant to the Merger, as amended, was fair, from a financial point of
view, to such shareholders, other than the Riebmans.
The full text of Dillon Read's written opinion dated January 10, 1996 is
attached as Appendix C hereto and should be read in its entirety for a
description of the procedures followed, matters considered, assumptions made and
methods employed by Dillon Read in arriving at its opinion.
In arriving at its opinion, Dillon Read (i) reviewed the Reorganization
Agreement, as amended, (ii) reviewed certain business and financial information
relating to the Company and its subsidiaries, including certain financial
projections, estimates and analyses provided to Dillon Read by the Company,
(iii) reviewed and discussed the businesses and prospects of the Company and its
subsidiaries with representatives of the Company, (iv) analyzed certain publicly
available information, including financial information, relating to publicly
held companies in businesses Dillon Read considered similar to those of the
Company, (v) considered the trading history of the Company's Class A Common
Stock prior to the announcement by the Company on February 20, 1995 concerning
its possible sale, (vi) considered the financial terms of certain recent merger
and acquisition transactions involving companies that Dillon Read believed to be
generally comparable to the Company and (vii) considered the Voting Trust
Agreement, pursuant to which the Riebmans transferred to the voting trustees the
right to vote the Common Shares beneficially owned by the Riebmans on any
transaction recommended by the Long Range Planning Committee.
In connection with its review, Dillon Read did not independently verify the
foregoing information and relied upon its being complete and accurate in all
material respects. Dillon Read has not made or reviewed any independent
evaluations or appraisals of any assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise)
of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, nor was it furnished with any such
evaluation or appraisal that has not been publicly disclosed. With respect to
the projections, estimates and analyses provided to Dillon Read by the Company,
Dillon Read assumed, at the Company's direction, that such information was
reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates
and judgments of the management of the Company as to future financial
performance. Further, Dillon Read's opinion is based on economic, monetary and
market conditions existing on the date thereof and the information made
available to them through such date. The latest twelve-month data used in Dillon
Read's analyses, as described herein, refers to information publicly available
as of the date of Dillon Read's opinion. With respect to the Company, the latest
twelve-month data refers to publicly available information through November 24,
1995.
Dillon Read's financial analysis of the Company examined, among other
things, the Company's net sales, earnings and profit margins for the last five
fiscal years. The financial analysis showed that the Company's net sales
decreased from $144.3 million in fiscal 1991 to $126.5 million in fiscal 1995.
The Company's operating income decreased from $6.6 million in fiscal 1991 to
$4.1 million in fiscal 1995. The Company's income before cumulative effect of
change in accounting principle increased from $1.7 million in fiscal 1991 to
$1.8 million in fiscal 1995. The Company's operating profit margin
24
decreased from 4.5% in fiscal 1991 to 3.2% in fiscal 1995. The Company's net
profit margin (excluding the cumulative effect of the change in accounting
principle) increased from 1.2% in fiscal 1991 to 1.4% in fiscal 1995.
The amount of consideration to be paid to the shareholders of the Company
pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement was determined through arm's length
negotiations between the Company and Tracor and followed an active auction
process. The Company did not place any limitations upon Dillon Read regarding
the procedures to be followed or the factors to be considered in rendering its
opinion.
Dillon Read's opinion does not constitute a recommendation regarding
whether or not it is advisable for shareholders of the Company to vote in favor
of the Proposal.
In connection with rendering its opinion, Dillon Read considered a variety
of valuation methods. The material valuation methods used are summarized below.
COMPARABLE COMPANY ANALYSIS. Using publicly available information, Dillon
Read analyzed, based upon market trading values, multiples of certain financial
criteria (such as net income, projected net income, earnings before interest and
taxes, earnings before depreciation, amortization, interest and taxes, revenues
and book value) used to value three groups of other companies, which, in Dillon
Read's judgment, were generally comparable to the Company for the purpose of
this analysis. The first comparable company analysis was comprised of five
public defense prime contractors and included General Dynamics Corporation,
Litton Industries, Inc., Lockheed Martin Corporation, McDonnell Douglas
Corporation and Northrop Grumman Corporation. The second comparable company
analysis was comprised of three public defense electronics companies and
included Hughes Electronics corporation, Loral Corporation and Raytheon Company.
The third comparable company analysis was comprised of four public small
capitalization companies with defense related businesses and included Alliant
Techsystems Inc., Esco Electronics Corporation, Tracor and Watkins-Johnson
Company.
The range, median and mean for market capitalization as a multiple of each
of the indicated statistics for the first group of comparable companies were as
follows: (a) latest twelve months net income -- 11.7x to 15.8x, with a median of
15.4x and a mean of 14.7x; (b) estimated calendar 1995 earnings -- 11.3x to
15.7x, with a median 15.2x and a mean of 14.5x; (c) estimated calendar 1996
earnings -- 10.9x to 15.0x, with a median of 13.8x and a mean of 13.5x; and (d)
book value -- 2.0x to 2.9x, with a median of 2.6x and a mean of 2.6x. The range,
median and mean for adjusted market capitalization (defined as market
capitalization plus the book value of debt and preferred stock less cash and
cash equivalents) as a multiple of each of the indicated statistics for the
first group of comparable companies were as follows: (a) latest twelve months
revenues -- 0.6x to 1.0x, with a median of 0.8x and a mean of 0.8x; (b) latest
twelve months earnings before depreciation, amortization, interest and taxes --
5.3x to 8.4x, with a median of 6.9x and a mean of 7.1x; and (c) latest twelve
months earnings before interest and taxes -- 7.7x to 10.2x, with a median of
9.2x and a mean of 9.2x.
The range, median and mean for market capitalization as a multiple of each
of the indicated statistics for the second group of comparable companies were as
follows: (a) latest twelve months net income -- 12.5x to 18.8x, with a median of
14.5x and a mean of 15.3x (b) estimated calendar 1995 earnings -- 14.0x to
17.5x, with a median 14.4x and a mean of 15.3x; (c) estimated calendar 1996
earnings -- 13.0x to 20.3x, with a median of 16.3x and a mean of 16.5x; and (d)
book value -- 2.3x to 4.1x, with a median of 2.7x and a mean of 3.0x. The range,
median and mean for adjusted market capitalization as a multiple of each of the
indicated statistics for the second group of comparable companies were as
follows: (a) latest twelve months revenues -- 1.2x to 1.3x, with a median of
1.3x and a mean of 1.3x; (b) latest twelve months earnings before depreciation,
amortization, interest and taxes -- 8.9x to 9.4x, with a median of 9.0x and a
mean of 9.1x; and (c) latest twelve months earnings before interest and taxes --
10.9x to 12.7x, with a median of 11.7x and a mean of 11.8x.
The range, median and mean for market capitalization as a multiple of each
of the indicated statistics for the third group of comparable companies were as
follows: (a) latest twelve months net income -- 8.2x to 11.1x, with a median of
9.6x and mean of 9.6x; (b) estimated calendar 1995 earnings -- 11.2x to 12.8x,
with a median of 12.0x and a mean of 12.0x; (c) estimated calendar 1996 earnings
- - - -- 9.2x to 11.6x, with a median of 11.2x and a mean of 10.6x; and (d) book value
- - - -- 0.6x to 4.8x, with a median of 1.7x and a mean of 2.2x. The adjusted market
capitalization as a multiple of
25
each of the indicated statistics for the third group of comparable companies
were as follows: (a) latest twelve months revenues -- 0.4x to 1.0x, with a
median of 0.6x and a mean of 0.6x; (b) latest twelve months earnings before
depreciation, amortization, interest and taxes -- 4.1x to 8.3x, with a median of
6.3x and a mean of 6.2x; and (c) latest twelve months earnings before interest
and taxes -- 5.4x to 7.8x, with a median of 6.3x and a mean of 6.2x.
The Company's multiples based upon the Merger Price of $24.25 per share,
were as follows: (a) latest twelve months net income -- 242.5x; (b) net income
for calendar year 1995 (based on the Company's estimates) -- 37.4x; (c) net
income for calendar year 1996 (based on the Company's estimates) -- 24.3x; (d)
book value -- 1.6x; (e) latest twelve months revenues -- 1.0x; (f) latest twelve
months earnings before depreciation, amortization, interest and taxes -- 13.1x;
and (g) latest twelve months earnings before interest and taxes -- 52.8x. Dillon
Read believes that these multiples supported Dillon Read's view that the
consideration to be received in the Merger by the shareholders of the Company is
fair, from a financial point of view, to such shareholders, because taken as a
whole the ratios described above were within the range of, or exceeded, selected
comparable company multiples.
COMPARABLE MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS. Using publicly available information,
Dillon Read analyzed, based upon the purchase price of the common equity of the
acquired companies and total transaction values, multiples of certain financial
criteria (such as net income, projected net income, earnings before interest and
taxes, earnings before depreciation, interest and taxes, revenues and book
value) used to value certain mergers and acquisitions of companies which, in
Dillon Read's judgment, were generally comparable to the Merger for the purposes
of this analysis.
The merger and acquisition transactions which were analyzed included
thirteen transactions completed or pending in the defense industry. The
acquisitions reviewed by Dillon Read, in reverse chronological order of
announcement date included: (a) the pending acquisition of Loral Corporation by
Lockheed Martin Corporation, (b) the pending acquisition of Westinghouse
Electric Corporation's defense business by Northrop Grumman Corporation, (c) the
pending acquisition of Magnavox Electronic Systems Corporation by Hughes
Electronics Corporation, (d) the acquisition of E-Systems, Inc. by Raytheon
Company, (e) the acquisition of Unisys Defense Businesses by Loral Corporation,
(f) the acquisition of Lockheed Corporation by Martin Marietta Corporation, (g)
the acquisition of Grumman Corporation by Northrop Corporation, (h) the
acquisition of IBM Federal Systems by Loral Corporation, (i) the acquisition of
General Dynamic's Tactical Aircraft Business by Lockheed Corporation, (j) the
acquisition of General Electric's Aerospace Business by Martin Marietta
Corporation, (k) the acquisition of LTV Missile Division by Loral Corporation,
(l) the acquisition of LTV's Aircraft Division by Vought Aircraft Company and
(m) the acquisition of General Dynamics Missile Business by Hughes Aircraft
Corporation.
The range, median and mean for the transaction value (defined as purchase
price of equity plus the book value of debt less cash and cash equivalents) as a
multiple of each of the indicated statistics for the above transactions were as
follows: (a) latest twelve months sales -- 0.2x to 1.4x, with a median of 0.6x
and a mean of 0.7x; (b) latest twelve months earnings before depreciation,
amortization, interest and taxes -- 2.9x to 10.1x, with a median of 5.6x and
mean of 6.1x; (c) latest twelve months earnings before interest and taxes --
5.2x to 13.3x, with a median of 7.8x and mean of 8.4x; and (d) net assets --
1.3x to 4.6x, with a median of 2.8x and mean of 2.8x.
The Company's multiples based upon the consideration to be received by the
shareholders in connection with the Merger were as follows: (a) sales for latest
twelve months -- 1.0x; (b) latest twelve months earnings before depreciation,
amortization, interest and taxes -- 13.3x; (c) latest twelve months earnings
before interest and taxes -- 53.6x; and (d) net assets 1.5x. Dillon Read
believes that these multiples in the aggregate supported Dillon Read's view that
the consideration to be received in the Merger by the shareholders of the
Company is fair, from a financial point of view, to such shareholders, because
the ratios described above were within the range of, or exceeded, selected
multiples.
DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW ANALYSIS. Dillon Read performed a discounted cash flow
valuation of the Company using a set of projections based upon forecasts
provided by the Company's management. Utilizing these projections for the
Company, Dillon Read calculated the theoretical unlevered discounted cash flow
value for the Company by adding together the present value of (i) the projected
26
stream of unlevered free cash flows through fiscal year 2004 and (ii) the
projected value of the Company at the end of fiscal year 2004 (the 'Terminal
Value').
Based on the financial forecast of the Company's management for the
Company's future cash flows through 1999 and estimates of future cash flows from
2000 to 2004 and Terminal Value multiples of estimates of earnings before
interest and taxes in 2004 (which were based upon estimates by the Company's
management of the Company's earnings before interest and taxes in 2000 ranging
from 7.5x to 8.5x, and discount rates ranging from 11.0% to 12.0%), Dillon Read
analyzed the present value of the Company's estimated future cash flows. Such
analysis indicated that assuming the above Terminal Value multiples ranging from
7.5x to 8.5x (as indicated by the comparable company and comparable mergers
analyses) and discount rates ranging from 11.0% to 12.0%, the net after-tax
present value of the Company's future cash flows ranged from $13.96 to $16.73
per share of Common Shares. Dillon Read believes that the discounted cash flow
analysis supported Dillon Read's opinion that the consideration to be received
in the Merger by the Company's shareholders is fair, from a financial point of
view, to such shareholders, because the consideration exceeds the range of
present values of the Company's future cash flows.
TRADING HISTORY OF THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK. Dillon Read analyzed the price
history of the Class A Common Stock during 1986 through 1995. The trading
history of the Class A Common Stock was examined to evaluate the fairness of the
Merger Price for the Common Shares in light of historical trading levels. This
analysis showed that over the period examined, the Class A Common Stock traded
as high as $28.00 per share (September 1995) and as low as $4.125 per share
(December 1990/January 1991). Dillon Read believes that the Company's trading
history of the Class A Common Stock supported Dillon Read's view that the
consideration to be received in the Merger by shareholders of the Company is
fair, from a financial point of view, to such shareholders, because the
consideration to be received represented premiums to historical trading levels
prior to the February 20, 1995 announcement concerning the possible sale of the
Company.
Dillon Read believes that its analyses must be considered as a whole and
that selecting portions of its analyses and other factors considered by it,
without considering all factors and analyses, could create a misleading view of
the process underlying its opinion. Dillon Read did not quantify the effect of
any one factor upon its opinion. Dillon Read made numerous assumptions with
respect to industry performance, general business and economic conditions and
other matters, many of which are beyond the Company's and Dillon Read's control.
Any estimates contained in Dillon Read's analyses are not necessarily indicative
of actual values, which may be significantly more or less favorable than as set
forth therein. Estimates of the financial value of companies do not purport to
be appraisals or necessarily reflect the prices at which companies actually may
be sold. Because such estimates inherently are subject to uncertainty neither
the Company, Tracor, Dillon Read nor any other person assumes responsibility for
their accuracy.
Dillon Read is an internationally recognized investment banking firm with
substantial experience in transactions similar to the Merger. As a part of its
investment banking business, Dillon Read is continually engaged in the valuation
of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions.
Dillon Read has acted as financial advisor to the Company in connection
with the Merger. At the request of the Company, Dillon Read acted as agent in
soliciting bids for the purchase of the Company. Dillon Read previously rendered
an opinion to the Board of Directors of the Company and to the Long Range
Planning Committee dated February 28, 1995 to the effect that it would be
reasonable for the Long Range Planning Committee to conclude that the Contingent
Shares to be issued by the Company to the Riebmans pursuant to an agreement
between the Company and the Riebmans was fair to the shareholders of the
Company, other than the Riebmans, from a financial point of view. Dillon Read's
February 28, 1995 letter excluded from its consideration any other agreement or
arrangement into which the Company and the Riebmans then or subsequently entered
into including, but not limited to, the Voting Trust Agreement, the 1995
Agreement and the Participation Rights Agreement.
For the services performed in connection with the Merger and in connection
with rendering its opinion dated February 28, 1995, Dillon Read has to date
received fees of $400,000, and expects to receive an additional fee of
approximately $1,100,000 upon the closing, if any, of the Merger.
27
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
In considering the recommendation of the Long Range Planning Committee and
the Board of Directors with respect to the Merger, shareholders should be aware
that members of the Company's management and the Board of Directors have certain
interests in connection with the Merger.
Change in Control Agreement. George King, Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of the Company, has entered into a change in control
agreement with the Company, pursuant to which Mr. King will be entitled to
payments in the event of his termination of employment within 24 months after
the occurrence of a change in control, other than in the event of his death or
complete and permanent disability, or his voluntary resignation except for good
reason. Under this agreement, a 'change in control' is deemed to occur if (i)
the Riebmans own (a) less than 50% of the outstanding shares of Class B Common
Stock or (b) if no shares of Class B Common Stock are outstanding, less than 15%
of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and another person owns more
than 15% of the outstanding Class A Common Stock, and (ii) Dr. Riebman ceases to
hold the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Voluntary
termination of Mr. King's employment for 'good reason' would be deemed to occur
if his base salary, responsibilities or duties are reduced (and any such
reduction in salary is not part of a general reduction of senior executive base
salary levels), provided that Mr. King gives at least one-month prior written
notice of his intent to terminate employment for such reason.
Assuming that, following the Merger and during the relevant contract
period, Mr. King's employment is terminated in such manner that he is entitled
to full payment under the change in control agreement, Mr. King will be entitled
to 36 consecutive monthly payments in the aggregate amount of approximately
three times Mr. King's average annual salary, bonus and other taxable income
from the Company for the last five years of his employment, reduced by amounts
paid during such 36 months under Mr. King's supplemental benefits agreement with
the Company and the present value of all other amounts paid under any other
agreement, including property transferred, which are contingent upon a change in
control. The benefit does not expire and will be paid to his surviving spouse in
the event of his death during the payment period. If Mr. King's employment were
to terminate under this provision in 1996, the approximate gross amount due
would be $818,000, having a present value of $737,000. Mr. King's right to
future payments under the agreement will terminate if Mr. King fails to comply
with his agreement (i) not to disclose confidential information relating to the
Company or (ii) for the period during which payments are to be made under the
agreement, not to induce or attempt to induce, directly or indirectly, any
person employed by the Company (including any employee, consultant or agent of
the Company) to leave such employment or relationship with the Company.
Stock Options. Immediately prior to the Effective Time, each holder of
Options, whether or not then exercisable, will be entitled to receive from the
Company an amount in cash, without interest, equal to the excess, if any, of the
Merger Price over the exercise price per share of the Option multiplied by the
number of shares of Class A Common Stock subject to the Option. Accordingly, the
Company will be obligated to pay Dr. Riebman $85,550 and Mr. King $149,250 in
cancellation of their respective Options. Once the Merger is approved by the
Company's shareholders, the cancellation of the Options will be accounted for as
an expense of the Company in any financial statements issued by the Company.
Indemnification Under the Reorganization Agreement. Pursuant to the
Reorganization Agreement, Tracor has agreed that after the Effective Time the
Surviving Corporation in the Merger will indemnify and hold harmless each person
who is, or has been prior to the date of the Reorganization Agreement or who
becomes prior to the Effective Time, an officer or director of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries (the 'Indemnified Parties') against (i) all losses,
claims, damages, costs, expenses (including without limitation, counsel fees and
expenses), settlement payments or liabilities arising out of or in connection
with any claim, demand, action, suit, proceeding or investigation based in whole
or in part on, or arising in whole or in part out of, the fact that such person
is or was an officer or director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries,
whether or not pertaining to any matter existing or occurring at or prior to the
Effective Time and whether or not asserted or claimed prior to or at or after
the Effective Time ('Indemnified Liabilities') and (ii) all Indemnified
Liabilities based in whole or in part on, or arising in whole or in part out of,
or pertaining to the
28
Reorganization Agreement, the Related Agreements, any other agreement related to
the Reorganization Agreement, the Related Agreements or the transactions
contemplated by the Reorganization Agreement or any such other agreements, in
each case to the fullest extent required or permitted under applicable law or
under the Surviving Corporation's Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws or any
indemnification agreements in effect on the date of the Reorganization
Agreement. Tracor has agreed that the Surviving Corporation's Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws shall not be amended in a manner that adversely affects
the rights of any Indemnified Party thereunder or under the Reorganization
Agreement, unless otherwise required by applicable law. Tracor has agreed that
to the extent available on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Surviving
Corporation, the Surviving Corporation will maintain, for not less than five
years after the Effective Time, directors' and officers' liability insurance
covering each Indemnified Party on terms not materially less favorable than the
insurance maintained in effect by the Company on the date of the Reorganization
Agreement. Furthermore, Tracor has guaranteed the payment and performance of the
Surviving Corporation's obligations under the indemnification provisions of the
Reorganization Agreement.
The Related Agreements. If the Proposal is approved by the shareholders of
the Company and if the Merger is consummated, the Riebmans will receive the
Merger Price with respect to all shares transferred by them to the Voting
Trusts, including the Contingent Shares, and Dr. Riebman will receive the
noncompetition payment of $1,900,000 pursuant to the Participation Rights
Agreement, as described below. If Dr. Riebman's employment with the Company
terminates for any reason, voluntary or involuntary, after the Effective Time of
the Merger, he will receive the $500,000 change-in-control payment. Furthermore,
if he voluntarily retires after the Effective Time of the Merger, Dr. Riebman
will receive consulting fees of an aggregate of up to $675,000 payable in three
annual payments, respectively, of $300,000 on the date of his retirement,
$225,000 on the first anniversary of such date and $150,000 on the second
anniversary of such date, provided that the Company is not obligated to make any
such yearly payment if Dr. Riebman is not available on the respective payment
date to provide consulting services for the forthcoming year. These payments
supplement certain retirement benefits to which Dr. Riebman is entitled under
his existing employment agreement with the Company. For a more complete
discussion of the Related Transactions, see 'The Related Transactions.'
EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER
The Effective Time of the Merger will occur upon the filing of Articles of
Merger with the Department of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in
accordance with the BCL and a Certificate of Merger with the Delaware Department
of Corporations in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law. The
Articles of Merger and the Certificate of Merger are expected to be presented
for filing as soon as practicable after the approval and adoption of the
Proposal by the Company's shareholders at the Special Meeting and upon
satisfaction or waiver of all other conditions to consummation of the Merger.
See 'Conditions to Consummation of the Merger; Representations and Warranties;
Certain Covenants.'
PAYMENT FOR COMMON SHARES
As a result of the Merger, holders of certificates formerly representing
Common Shares will cease to have any equity interest in the Company. After
consummation of the Merger, all certificates formerly evidencing Common Shares
(other than Common Shares held in the treasury of the Company or Common Shares
in respect of which dissenters appraisal rights have been properly exercised)
will be required to be surrendered to the Paying Agent in order to receive the
Merger Price to which holders thereof will be entitled as a result of the
Merger. No interest will be paid or accrued on the cash payable upon the
surrender of such certificates. Detailed instructions with regard to the
surrender of certificates, together with a letter of transmittal, will be
forwarded to former holders of Common Shares by the Paying Agent as promptly as
practicable following the Effective Time. HOLDERS OF COMMON SHARES SHOULD NOT
SUBMIT THEIR CERTIFICATES TO THE PAYING AGENT UNTIL THEY HAVE RECEIVED SUCH
MATERIALS. Upon surrender of stock certificates and other required documents to
the Paying Agent, the Paying Agent will distribute by bank check the Merger
Price for each share represented by such stock certificates to the holder
thereof. See 'The Merger -- Terms of the Merger.' If payment in respect of
canceled Common Shares is to be made to a person other than the person in whose
name a surrendered certificate or instrument is registered, it shall be a
condition to such payment that the certificate or instrument so surrendered
shall be properly endorsed or shall be otherwise in proper form
29
for transfer and that the person requesting such payment shall have paid any
transfer and other taxes required by reason of such payment in a name other than
that of the registered holder of the certificate or instrument surrendered or
shall have established to the satisfaction of the Surviving Corporation or the
Paying Agent that such tax either has been paid or is not payable.
SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD NOT SEND ANY STOCK CERTIFICATES AT THIS TIME.
CERTAIN OTHER EFFECTS OF THE MERGER
If the Merger is consummated, the Company's shareholders will not have an
opportunity to continue their equity interest in the Company as an independent
entity and therefore will not share in future earnings and growth of the
Company.
If the Merger is consummated, public trading of shares of Class A Common
Stock and Class B Common Stock will cease, the Class A Common Stock will cease
to be listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market and the registration of the Class A
Common Stock and Class B Common Stock under the Exchange Act will be terminated.
See 'Additional Information -- Available Information' for information concerning
the effect of the Merger on the Surviving Corporation's obligation to file
periodic reports and other information with the Commission.
For information concerning the income tax consequences of the Merger, see
'Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger.'
ANTITRUST MATTERS
The Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and
the rules and regulations thereunder (the 'HSR Act') provide that certain
acquisition transactions (including the Merger) may not be consummated unless
certain information has been furnished to the Antitrust Division of the
Department of Justice ('Department of Justice') and the Federal Trade Commission
(the 'FTC') and certain waiting period requirements have been satisfied. The
required information was supplied by the Company and by Tracor on November 2,
1995, and the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act expired on December 2,
1995. At any time before or after the consummation of the Merger, the Department
of Justice, the FTC or some other person could seek to enjoin or rescind the
Merger on antitrust grounds. See 'Conditions to Consummation of the Merger;
Representations and Warranties; Certain Covenants.'
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
The Merger will be accounted for by Tracor as a 'purchase' for accounting
and financial reporting purposes.
TERMS OF THE MERGER
General. The Company has agreed in the Reorganization Agreement, as
amended, to submit the Proposal to its shareholders for approval and adoption at
a meeting to be held as soon as practicable in accordance with the BCL and the
Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and, in connection therewith,
prepare and file a proxy statement and cause the proxy statement to be mailed to
the Company's shareholders as soon as practicable. If the Proposal is approved
and adopted by the shareholders and the other conditions contained in the
Reorganization Agreement are satisfied or waived, Tracor Subsidiary will be
merged with and into the Company. Upon the filing of Articles of Merger, or at
such later time as specified in such filing, each Common Share that is issued
and outstanding at the Effective Time, other than shares held by shareholders
who perfect their statutory dissenters rights, will be canceled and extinguished
and converted automatically into the right to receive an amount, in cash,
without interest, equal to the Merger Price. Also, immediately prior to the
Effective Time, each holder of Options, whether or not then exercisable, will be
entitled to receive from the Company an amount in cash, without interest, equal
to the excess, if any, of the Merger Price over the exercise price per share of
the Option multiplied by the number of shares of Class A Common Stock subject to
the Option. The obligations of the Company and Tracor to effect the Merger are
subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions set forth in the Reorganization
Agreement, as amended, including the approval and adoption of the Proposal by
the shareholders of the Company. See 'The Merger -- Conditions to Consummation
of the Merger; Representations and Warranties; Certain Covenants.'
30
The terms of the Merger are set forth in the Reorganization Agreement, the
Plan of Merger and the Amendment which are attached as Appendix A to this Proxy
Statement, and the description of the Merger contained herein is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the Reorganization Agreement, the Plan of Merger
and the Amendment. Shareholders are urged to review the Reorganization
Agreement, the Plan of Merger and the Amendment carefully. As used in this
portion of the Proxy Statement, the term 'Reorganization Agreement' shall refer
to the Reorganization Agreement as modified by the Amendment. See 'Amendment to
Reorganization Agreement' below.
Amendments. The Reorganization Agreement may be amended at any time before
or after shareholder approval by written agreement of Tracor, Tracor Subsidiary
and the Company, except that after approval of the Merger by the shareholders of
the Company, no amendment may be made, without the further approval of the
shareholders of the Company, which either decreases the amount of cash to which
the shareholders of the Company are entitled pursuant to the Reorganization
Agreement or otherwise materially adversely affects the shareholders of the
Company.
CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER; REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES;
CERTAIN COVENANTS
Conditions to Consummation of the Merger. Under the Reorganization
Agreement, the obligations of the Company, Tracor and Tracor Subsidiary to
effect the Merger are subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Effective
Time, of certain conditions or the waiver thereof. Among such conditions are
that (i) the Proposal shall have been approved and adopted by (a) a majority of
the votes cast by the holders of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock
entitled to vote at the Special Meeting and (b) a majority of the votes cast by
the holders of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock entitled to vote
at the Special Meeting; (ii) no order, decree, ruling or other action of a court
or governmental agency of competent jurisdiction, restraining, enjoining or
otherwise prohibiting the Merger shall be in effect; (iii) the waiting periods
under the HSR Act shall have terminated or early termination thereof shall have
been granted or all approvals required in connection therewith, if any, shall
have been obtained; and (iv) there shall not be in force any order, decree,
statute, rule or regulation, nor shall there be on file any complaint by a
governmental agency seeking an order or decree, and neither the Company nor
Tracor shall have received written notice from any governmental agency that it
has determined to institute any suit or proceeding seeking an order or decree,
in each case, that would, as a result of the Merger, require any divestiture by
Tracor of a significant portion of its business, taken as a whole, or any
divestiture of the Company of a significant portion of the business of the
Company.
Under the Reorganization Agreement, the obligations of Tracor and Tracor
Subsidiary to effect the Merger are also subject to each of the following
conditions: (i) the aggregate number of Dissenting Shares (as defined in the
Plan of Merger) shall not exceed 5% of the outstanding Common Shares; (ii) the
representations and warranties of the Company contained in the Reorganization
Agreement shall be accurate in all material respects at and as of the closing
date (except to the extent that such representation and warranty speaks as of
another date) and no material adverse change shall have occurred to the
business, financial condition, property or prospects of the Company taken as a
whole since January 10, 1996; (iii) the Company shall have complied in all
material respects with the covenants that the Company agreed to undertake in the
Reorganization Agreement (iv) Tracor shall not have been informed by a member of
senior management or a senior official of any of certain customers of the
Company that such customer intends to terminate or modify in any material
respect its existing contractual relationship with the Company after the
Effective Time of the Merger solely as a result of the consummation of the
Merger and the aggregate of all such terminations or modifications are
reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company and (v)
Tracor shall have obtained the debt financing in accordance with the terms of
the commitment letter issued by Bankers Trust. See 'Source and Amount of Funds.'
Under the Reorganization Agreement, the obligations of the Company to
effect the Merger are also subject to each of the following conditions: (i) the
representations and warranties of Tracor and Tracor Subsidiary contained in the
Reorganization Agreement shall be accurate in all material respects at and as of
the closing date (except to the extent that such representation and warranty
speaks as of another date); (ii) Tracor and Tracor Subsidiary shall have
complied in all material respects with the covenants that Tracor and Tracor
Subsidiary agreed to undertake in the Reorganization Agreement and
31
(iii) on the date on which this Proxy Statement is mailed to the Company's
shareholders, the Company shall have received an opinion of Dillon Read (or
other nationally recognized investment banking firm), dated as of the date of
such mailing and acceptable to the Long Range Planning Committee to the effect
that the Merger Price is fair from a financial point of view to the Company's
shareholders, other than the Riebmans, and on the date of the Special Meeting
and at the Effective Time, such opinion shall not have been withdrawn or
modified in a manner not acceptable to the Long Range Planning Committee.
Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the
Company and of Tracor and Tracor Subsidiary contained in the Reorganization
Agreement include various representations and warranties typical in such
agreements and are included in Sections 2.1 and 2.2, respectively, of the
Reorganization Agreement, a copy of which is included in this Proxy Statement as
Appendix A.
Certain Covenants. The Company, Tracor and Tracor Subsidiary covenanted to
certain matters in the Reorganization Agreement including, among others, the
following:
Conduct of Business by the Company Pending the Merger. The
Reorganization Agreement provides that between the date of the
Reorganization Agreement and the Effective Time, unless Tracor shall
otherwise agree in writing or except as otherwise expressly contemplated by
the Reorganization Agreement, (i) the Company shall use its reasonable best
efforts to maintain its relationships with its suppliers and customers and,
if and as requested by Tracor, (a) the Company shall make reasonable
arrangements as reasonably requested by Tracor for representatives of
Tracor to meet with customers and suppliers of the Company and (b) the
Company shall schedule, and the management of the Company shall participate
in, meetings of the representatives of Tracor with employees of the
Company; (ii) the Company shall not make any new commitments for capital
expenditures in excess of $100,000 individually or $500,000 in the
aggregate, except for expenditures for maintenance of capital assets in the
ordinary course of its business consistent with past practice; (iii) the
Company shall conduct its business only in the ordinary course consistent
with past practice; (iv) the Company shall maintain all of the assets used
or useful to the business of the Company in good repair, order and
condition, maintain in full force and effect all material franchises,
licenses, permits, consents, approvals, rights, waivers and other
authorizations, governmental or otherwise, currently in effect and maintain
in full force all policies of insurance or satisfactory substitute
insurance policies, in each case consistent with its past practice; and (v)
the Company shall not grant any additional options, warrants or similar
rights.
The Company also agreed under the Reorganization Agreement that,
without the written consent of Tracor, neither the Company nor its
subsidiaries will: (i) issue, sell, pledge, dispose of or encumber any
material assets other than in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practices; (ii) amend or propose to amend its Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws; (iii) split, combine or reclassify any outstanding
shares of capital stock, pay any dividend in stock, property or otherwise
or redeem, purchase, acquire or offer to acquire any shares of capital
stock; (iv) issue, sell, pledge or dispose of any securities; (v) acquire
(by merger, consolidation or acquisition of stock or assets) any
corporation, partnership or other business organization or division
thereof; (vi) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue debt
securities, except in the ordinary course of its business consistent with
past practice under existing credit facilities; (vii) enter into any new
material contract, modify any existing material contract in any material
respect except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practices or terminate, assign, waive or relinquish any material contract
rights or amend any material rights or claims not in the ordinary course of
its business consistent with past practices; (viii) dissolve or liquidate;
(ix) grant any increase in salary or other compensation of its employees,
except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;
(x) enter into any employment agreement or any material transaction with
any officer or other executive employee; (xi) institute any new severance
or termination pay or pay practices; (xii) hire any new employees except
for employees having an annualized salary of less than $100,000 who are
terminable at will; (xiii) adopt or amend, except as may be required by
applicable law or regulation, any employee benefit or retirement plan; or
(xiv) mortgage, pledge or otherwise subject to any encumbrance any of its
material assets.
32
Inquiries and Negotiations. Pursuant to, and except as otherwise
provided in, the Reorganization Agreement, the Company agreed on the date
of the Reorganization Agreement, immediately to cease any existing
discussions or negotiations with any parties in respect of the acquisition
of all or any substantial part of the business of the Company (an
'Acquisition Transaction'). The Company agreed in the Reorganization
Agreement that it would not, and would not permit its officers, employees,
representatives or agents to (i) solicit or initiate discussions or
negotiations with, or provide any nonpublic information to, any person
other than Tracor or its affiliates concerning an Acquisition Transaction,
or (ii) otherwise solicit or initiate any inquiries or the submission of
any proposal contemplating an Acquisition Transaction. The Company also
agreed in the Reorganization Agreement to communicate promptly to Tracor
the terms, including the identity of the person making such proposal, of
any inquiry or proposal that it may receive in respect of an Acquisition
Transaction. The Reorganization Agreement permits the Company, if the Long
Range Planning Committee is advised by counsel that the failure to so act
could involve a breach of fiduciary duty on the part of the Long Range
Planning Committee, to do any of the following: (i) engage in discussions
or negotiations with, and provide nonpublic information to, a person which
has initiated discussions or negotiations or made an unsolicited inquiry or
proposal, concerning an Acquisition Transaction, (ii) withdraw, modify or
refrain from making its recommendation to shareholders of the Company of
the Merger as contemplated by the Reorganization Agreement and (iii) accept
an offer for an Acquisition Transaction which the Long Range Planning
Committee believes is more favorable to the Company or to its shareholders
than the Merger contemplated by the Reorganization Agreement and recommend
such Acquisition Transaction to the Company's shareholders.
Company Stock Options. The Company agreed in the Reorganization
Agreement to grant no additional options, warrants or similar rights. Under
the Plan of Merger, immediately prior to the Effective Time, each holder of
Options, whether or not then exercisable, will be entitled to receive from
the Company an amount in cash, without interest, equal to the excess, if
any, of the Merger Price over the exercise price per share of the Option
multiplied by the number of shares of Class A Common Stock subject to the
Option. See 'The Merger -- Conflicts of Interest.'
TERMINATION; FEES AND EXPENSES; PLANS OF THE COMPANY IF THE MERGER IS NOT
CONSUMMATED
Termination. The Reorganization Agreement may be terminated and the Merger
abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, before or after the approval
by the shareholders of the Company: (i) by mutual consent of the Long Range
Planning Committee of the Company and the Board of Directors of Tracor and
Tracor Subsidiary; (ii) by the Company or Tracor and Tracor Subsidiary if the
Merger shall not have been consummated on or before April 2, 1996, or such later
date as may be mutually agreed to by the parties; (iii) by the Company or Tracor
and Tracor Subsidiary if any court or governmental agency of competent
jurisdiction shall have issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any other
action restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Merger and such
order, decree, ruling, or other action shall have become final and
nonappealable; (iv) by the Company if Tracor or Tracor Subsidiary shall have
failed to comply in any material respect with any of the covenants or agreements
contained in the Reorganization Agreement to be complied with or performed by it
or them prior to the Effective Time and such failure has not been cured within
30 days after receipt of notice thereof; (v) by the Company if the Long Range
Planning Committee shall have withdrawn, modified in a manner adverse to Tracor
or Tracor Subsidiary, or refrained from making, the Long Range Planning
Committee's recommendation to the Company's shareholders of the Merger in
connection with its approval and recommendation to the shareholders of the
Company of a superior Acquisition Transaction; (vi) by the Company if it becomes
reasonably certain that Tracor or Tracor Subsidiary will be unable to satisfy
any condition to the Merger as set out in the Reorganization Agreement on or
before April 2, 1996; (vii) by Tracor and Tracor Subsidiary if the Company shall
have failed to comply in any material respect with any of the covenants or
agreements contained in the Reorganization Agreement to be complied with or
performed by the Company prior to the Effective Time, and such failure has not
been cured within 30 days after receipt of notice thereof; (viii) by Tracor and
Tracor Subsidiary if it becomes reasonably certain that the Company will be
unable to satisfy any condition to the Merger as set forth in the Reorganization
Agreement on or before April 2, 1996; (ix) by Tracor and Tracor Subsidiary if
the Long Range Planning Committee shall have withdrawn or modified in a manner
adverse to Tracor or Tracor Subsidiary its approval or recommendation of the
Merger or shall
33
have refrained from making its recommendation of the Merger to the Company's
shareholders; or (x) by Tracor and Tracor Subsidiary if there shall have
occurred an event which shall have caused a material adverse effect on the
business, operations or financial condition of the Company on a consolidated
basis, or the representations and warranties of the Company contained in the
Reorganization Agreement have been breached or become inaccurate in a material
respect as of the closing date of the Merger.
Termination Fees. If (i) the Company terminates the Reorganization
Agreement as a result of the Long Range Planning Committee's having withdrawn,
modified in a manner adverse to Tracor or Tracor Subsidiary, or refrained from
making, its recommendation to the Company's shareholders of the Merger in
connection with its approval and recommendation to the Company's shareholders of
a superior Acquisition Transaction or (ii) Tracor and Tracor Subsidiary
terminate the Reorganization Agreement as a result of the Long Range Planning
Committee's having withdrawn, modified in a manner adverse to Tracor or Tracor
Subsidiary, or refrained from making its recommendation of the Merger to the
Company's shareholders, then the Company shall, within ten business days
following the termination of the Reorganization Agreement, pay Tracor a
termination fee payable in cash of $3,447,600. Except as set forth in the
immediately preceding sentence, and whether or not the Merger is consummated,
all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Reorganization Agreement
and the transactions contemplated thereby will be paid by the party incurring
such expenses.
Plans of the Company If the Merger Is Not Consummated. If the shareholders
fail to adopt the Proposal, the Merger and the Related Transactions will not be
consummated. In the event the Proposal is not adopted by the shareholders of the
Company, the Reorganization Agreement and the Related Agreements will terminate,
and it is not known whether a sale of the Company would occur in the foreseeable
future.
AMENDMENT TO REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT
The Reorganization Agreement was modified by the Amendment on January 10,
1996 whereby the Merger Price was reduced from $28.00 to $24.25 per share. As
part of the Amendment, Tracor also agreed to establish January 10, 1996 as a new
baseline date for the determination of material adverse change, if any, in the
Company's business, operations or financial condition through the closing of the
Merger and agreed that the purported class action filed on November 14, 1995
(see 'Additional Information -- Legal Proceedings') against Dr. & Mrs. Leon
Riebman and the Company would not be a basis for Tracor to terminate or fail to
close the Merger. Tracor further represented in the Amendment that it had no
reason to believe that its financing, as contemplated in its commitment letter
from Bankers Trust, would not be consummated and agreed that it would use all
reasonable efforts to extend the expiration date of that commitment letter to
March 31, 1996.
SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS
Tracor will require approximately $100 million to pay the Merger Price for
all of the outstanding Common Shares of the Company and to pay for the
cancellation of all outstanding Options. Tracor has received a commitment letter
from Bankers Trust to provide the financing necessary for Tracor to complete the
Merger and to pay a portion of the aggregate Merger Price. Tracor has undertaken
in the Reorganization Agreement to use all reasonable effects to consummate this
financing and not to terminate or amend the committment letter in any material
respect without the written consent of the Company.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER
THE DISCUSSION SET FORTH BELOW PRESENTS ALL MATERIAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX
CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY. THIS DISCUSSION
AS IT RELATES TO A PARTICULAR SHAREHOLDER MAY VARY DEPENDING UPON SUCH
SHAREHOLDER'S PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR EXAMPLE, THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION
MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO A SHAREHOLDER WHO ACQUIRED COMMON SHARES PURSUANT TO
THE EXERCISE OF STOCK OPTIONS OR OTHERWISE AS COMPENSATION. EACH SHAREHOLDER IS
URGED TO CONSULT SUCH SHAREHOLDER'S OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE
PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO SUCH SHAREHOLDER OF THE MERGER OR THE EXERCISE OF
DISSENTERS APPRAISAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF STATE,
LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAXES.
34
Exchange of Common Shares pursuant to the Merger (and the receipt of cash
in respect of the exercise of dissenters appraisal rights) will be taxable
transactions for federal income tax purposes under the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, and may also be taxable transactions under applicable state,
local and other tax laws. For federal income tax purposes, each holder of Common
Shares whose shares are exchanged in the Merger will generally recognize gain or
loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash received by such
shareholder in the Merger and such shareholder's tax basis in such shares. Gain
or loss recognized will be treated as a long-term capital gain or loss if the
Common Shares are held as capital assets and if the Common Shares exchanged have
a holding period of more than one year at the Effective Time.
If a noncorporate shareholder recognizes a capital loss in connection with
the sale of Common Shares, the shareholder may offset such capital loss against
any other capital gains realized by such shareholder in the taxable year and
against up to $3,000 of such shareholder's ordinary income (for individuals
filing joint returns). Any excess loss may be carried forward indefinitely. A
corporate shareholder may use a capital loss recognized in connection with the
Merger to offset any capital gains realized by it in the same taxable year but
not to offset ordinary income. Any unused capital loss of a corporation may
generally be carried back to its three preceding taxable years and then, to the
extent unused, forward for five succeeding taxable years, in each case to offset
capital gains, if any.
DISSENTERS APPRAISAL RIGHTS
For purposes of this section, the term 'Company' will be deemed to also
refer to the Surviving Corporation with respect to actions taken after the
Effective Time.
Pursuant to the Plan of Merger and the BCL, the owners of Common Shares
will have dissenters rights in connection with the Merger under Sections 1571
through 1580 of Subchapter 15D of the BCL (hereinafter 'Subchapter 15D'), a copy
of which is included in this Proxy Statement as Appendix D, and may object to
the Proposal and demand in writing that the Company pay the fair value of their
Common Shares.
If any holders of Common Shares properly exercise dissenters rights of
appraisal in connection with the Merger under Subchapter 15D of the BCL (a
'Dissenting Shareholder'), any shares held by such holders will not be converted
into the right to receive the Merger Price, but instead will be converted into
the right to receive the fair value of such shares pursuant to Subchapter 15D of
the BCL. THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY OF THE PROVISIONS OF SUBCHAPTER 15D IS NOT
INTENDED TO BE A COMPLETE STATEMENT OF SUCH PROVISIONS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE FULL TEXT OF SUBCHAPTER 15D, A COPY OF WHICH (AS
WELL AS A COPY OF SECTION 1930 OF THE BCL) IS ATTACHED TO THIS PROXY STATEMENT
AS APPENDIX D AND INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE. The Company will not give
any notice of the following requirements other than as described in this Proxy
Statement and as required by the BCL.
General. Any holder of Common Shares who has duly demanded the payment of
the fair value of his or her shares under Subchapter 15D will not, after the
Effective Time, be a shareholder of the Company for any purpose or be entitled
to the payment of dividends or other distributions on any such Common Shares;
moreover, the Common Shares of any Dissenting Shareholder will be converted into
the right to receive either (i) the fair value of such Common Shares, determined
in accordance with Subchapter 15D, or (ii) the right to receive the Merger
Price, if any Dissenting Shareholder effectively withdraws his or her demand for
appraisal rights.
SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY SHOULD NOTE THAT, UNLESS ALL THE REQUIRED
PROCEDURES FOR CLAIMING DISSENTERS RIGHTS ARE FOLLOWED WITH PARTICULARITY,
DISSENTERS RIGHTS WILL BE LOST. VOTING AGAINST THE MERGER, WHETHER IN PERSON OR
BY PROXY, IS NOT SUFFICIENT NOTICE TO PERFECT DISSENTERS RIGHTS.
Filing Notice of Intention to Demand Fair Value. Before any shareholder
vote is taken on the Proposal, a Dissenting Shareholder must deliver to the
Company a written notice of his or her intention to demand fair value of the
Common Shares if the Merger is effected. Such written notice may be sent to the
Secretary of the Company at the Company's address set forth on Page 1 of this
Proxy Statement. Neither the return of a proxy by the Dissenting Shareholder
with instructions to vote the Common
35
Shares represented thereby against the Proposal nor a vote against the Proposal
or an abstention from voting on the Proposal is sufficient to satisfy the
requirement of delivering a written notice to the Company. In addition, the
Dissenting Shareholder must not effect any change in the beneficial ownership of
the Common Shares from the date of filing the notice with the Company through
the Effective Time, and the Dissenting Shareholder must not vote the Common
Shares for which payment of fair value is sought in favor of the Proposal. The
submission of a signed blank proxy will serve to waive appraisal rights if not
revoked, but a failure to vote, a vote against or an abstention from voting on
the Proposal will not waive such rights. Proper revocation of a signed blank
proxy or a signed proxy instructing a vote for adoption and approval of the
Proposal will also preserve dissenters rights under the BCL. Failure by a
Dissenting Shareholder to comply with any of the foregoing will result in such
Dissenting Shareholders forfeiting any right to payment of the fair value of
such Dissenting Shareholders Common Shares.
Record and Beneficial Owners. A record holder of Common Shares may assert
dissenters rights as to fewer than all the Common Shares of the same class or
series registered in his or her name only if the holder dissents with respect to
all the Common Shares beneficially owned by any one person and discloses the
name and address of the person or persons on whose behalf he or she dissents. A
beneficial owner of Common Shares who is not the record holder may assert
dissenters rights with respect to Common Shares held on his or her behalf if
such Dissenting Shareholder submits to the Company the written consent of the
record holder not later than the time of assertion of dissenters rights. The
beneficial owner may not dissent with respect to less than all the Common Shares
of the same class or series he or she owns, whether or not such Common Shares
are registered in the beneficial owner's name.
Notice to Demand Payment. If the Merger is approved by the requisite vote
at the Special Meeting, the Company shall mail to all Dissenting Shareholders
who gave due notice of their intention to demand payment of fair value and who
refrained from voting in favor of the Merger a notice stating where and when a
demand for payment must be sent, and stock certificates representing the Common
Shares held by the Dissenting Shareholder must be deposited to obtain payment.
The notice shall be accompanied by a copy of Subchapter 15D of the BCL and
include a form for demanding payment, which form shall have a request for
certification of the date that beneficial ownership of the Common Shares was
acquired by the Dissenting Shareholder or the person on whose behalf the
Dissenting Shareholder dissents. The time set for the receipt of a demand and
the Dissenting Shareholder's stock certificates shall not be less than 30 days
from the mailing of the notice. Failure by a Dissenting Shareholder to timely
demand payment and deposit the stock certificates pursuant to such notice will
cause such Dissenting Shareholder to lose all right to receive payment of the
fair value of his or her Common Shares. All mailings to the Company are at the
risk of the dissenter. However, the Company recommends that the Notice of
Intention to Dissent, the Demand Form and the holder's stock certificates be
sent by certified mail. If the Merger has not been effected within 60 days after
the date set for demanding payment and depositing stock certificates, the
Company shall return any stock certificates that have been deposited. The
Company, however, may at any later time send a new notice regarding demand for
payment and deposit of stock certificates with like effect.
Payment of Fair Value of Common Shares. Promptly after the Effective Time,
or upon timely receipt of demand for payment if the Merger has already been
effected, the Company shall either remit to Dissenting Shareholders who have
made demand and deposited their Certificates the amount the Company estimates to
be the fair value of the Common Shares or give written notice that no remittance
will be made under Section 1577 of the BCL. Such remittance or notice shall be
accompanied by:
(i) the Company's closing balance sheet and statement of income for a
fiscal year ending not more than 16 months prior to the date of remittance
or notice, together with the latest available interim financial statements;
(ii) a statement of the Company's estimate of the fair value of the
Common Shares; and
(iii) a notice of the right of a Dissenting Shareholder to demand
payment or supplemental payment, as the case may be, accompanied by a copy
of Subchapter 15D of the BCL.
If the Company does not remit the amount of its estimate of the fair value of
the Common Shares, it will return all stock certificates that have been
deposited and may make a notation thereon that a demand for payment has been
made. If shares carrying such notation are thereafter transferred, each
36
new stock certificate issued therefor will bear a similar notation, together
with the name of the original dissenting holder or owner of such shares. A
transferee of such shares will not acquire by such transfer any rights in the
Company other than those which the original dissenter had after making demand
for payment of their fair value.
Estimate by Dissenting Shareholder of Fair Value of Common Shares. If a
Dissenting Shareholder believes that the amount estimated or paid by the Company
for his or her Common Shares is less than their fair value, the Dissenting
Shareholder may send to the Company his or her own estimate of the fair value,
which shall be deemed a demand for payment of the amount of the deficiency. If
the Dissenting Shareholder does not file his or her own estimate of the fair
value within 30 days after mailing such remittance or notice by the Company, the
Dissenting Shareholder will be entitled to no more than the amount estimated in
the notice or remitted by the Company.
Valuation Proceedings. Within 60 days after the latest of (i) the
Effective Time, (ii) timely receipt of any demands for payment, or (iii) timely
receipt of any Dissenting Shareholder estimates of fair value, if any demands
for payment remain unsettled, the Company may file in court an application for
relief requesting that the fair value of the Common Shares be determined by the
court. Each Dissenting Shareholder whose demands have not been settled will be
made a party to the proceeding and will be entitled to recover the amount by
which the fair value of such Dissenting Shareholder's Common Shares is found to
exceed the amount, if any, previously remitted. Such Dissenting Shareholder will
also be entitled to interest on such amount from the Effective Time until the
date of payment. There is no assurance, however, that the Company will file such
an application. If the Company fails to file an application within the 60-day
period, any Dissenting Shareholder who has not settled his or her claim may do
so in the Company's name within 30 days after the expiration of the 60-day
period. If no Dissenting Shareholder files an application within such 30-day
period, each Dissenting Shareholder who has not settled his or her claim will be
paid no more than the Company's estimate of the fair value of the Common Shares
and may bring an action to recover any amount not previously remitted.
Costs and Expenses of Valuation Proceedings. The costs and expenses of any
valuation proceeding, including the reasonable compensation and expenses of any
appraiser appointed by the court, will be determined by the court and assessed
against the Company, except that any part of such costs and expenses may be
assessed as the court deems appropriate against all or some of the Dissenting
Shareholders whose action in demanding supplemental payment is found by the
court to be dilatory, obdurate, arbitrary, vexatious or in bad faith. The court
may also assess the fees and expenses of counsel and experts for any or all of
the Dissenting Shareholders against the Company if it fails to comply
substantially with Subchapter 15D or acts in a dilatory, obdurate, arbitrary or
vexatious manner or in bad faith. The court can also assess any such fees or
expenses incurred by the Company against any Dissenting Shareholder if such
Dissenting Shareholder is found to have acted in a dilatory, obdurate, arbitrary
or vexatious manner or in bad faith. If the court finds that the services of
counsel for any Dissenting Shareholder were of substantial benefit to the other
Dissenting Shareholders and should not be assessed against the Company, it may
award to such counsel reasonable fees to be paid out of the amounts awarded to
the Dissenting Shareholders who were benefited.
Under the BCL, a shareholder of the Company has no right to obtain, in the
absence of fraud or fundamental unfairness, an injunction against the Merger,
nor any right to valuation and payment of the fair value of the holder's shares
because of the Merger, except to the extent provided by the dissenters rights
provisions of Subchapter 15D. The BCL also provides that absent fraud or
fundamental unfairness, the rights and remedies provided by Subchapter 15D are
exclusive.
The foregoing description of the rights of dissenters under Subchapter 15D
should be read in conjunction with Appendix D to this Proxy Statement, and is
qualified in its entirety by the provisions of Subchapter 15D.
37
THE RELATED TRANSACTIONS
GENERAL
In light of Dr. Riebman's role as Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
the fact that the Riebmans retained voting control of the Company and Dr.
Riebman's technical knowledge of the defense electronics business, his technical
reputation in the defense contracting industry and his business relationships
with key decision makers of the Company's largest customers, the Long Range
Planning Committee determined that the best way to maximize value for all
shareholders in a possible sale of the Company would be to first negotiate an
arrangement with the Riebmans, with the objective of solidifying Dr. Riebman's
prospective relationship with the Company and eliminating the Riebmans' voting
control of the Company for a period of time sufficient to complete a sale of the
Company. Taking into account the practical difficulties of consummating a sale
of the Company on terms that might not be acceptable to the Riebmans as
controlling shareholders, the Long Range Planning Committee determined that the
temporary elimination of the Riebmans' voting control of the Company would
provide the Long Range Planning Committee with increased flexibility in
exploring a potential sale of the Company and would enable the Long Range
Planning Committee to facilitate an offer to purchase the Company that would
involve the payment of the same price and terms to all holders of Class A Common
Stock and Class B Common Stock of the Company. In connection therewith, the Long
Range Planning Committee determined that, prior to proceeding with a potential
sale of the Company, the Committee would pursue: (i) the negotiation of an
arrangement with the Riebmans concerning their voting control of the Company in
anticipation of a possible sale of the Company; and (ii) the negotiation of an
arrangement with Dr. Riebman regarding his future relationship with the Company
that would assure his exclusive availability to the Company prior to a sale of
the Company and to a possible buyer of the Company.
On February 28, 1995, in order to provide the Company's Board of Directors
with increased flexibility in exploring the possible sale of the Company, the
Company entered into the Related Agreements with the Company's controlling
shareholders, the Riebmans, pursuant to which the Riebmans agreed to transfer
all of their shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock into the
Voting Trusts controlled by the members of the Long Range Planning Committee. In
exchange for the Riebmans' relinquishing voting control of the Company for a
period of time that the Long Range Planning Committee believed to be sufficient
to complete a sale of the Company and for the Riebmans' agreeing that the
Related Agreements would be subject to shareholder approval and that the holders
of the Class A Common Stock would be entitled to vote as a separate class on the
sale of the Company and the Related Agreements, the Company issued 180,947
Contingent Shares of Class A Common Stock to the Riebmans, which shares were
transferred to the Voting Trusts. See 'The Merger -- Background of the Merger.'
Also, as more fully described under 'Background and Description of the
Related Agreements' below, the Company agreed to make certain other payments to
Dr. Riebman in connection with a sale of the Company that occurs while the
Voting Trusts are in effect, which payments supplement certain retirement
benefits to which Dr. Riebman is entitled under his existing employment
agreement with the Company: (i) the Company has agreed to make a
change-in-control payment to Dr. Riebman of $500,000 if the sale of the Company
occurs and Dr. Riebman's employment with the Company terminates thereafter for
any reason, voluntary or involuntary; (ii) upon consummation of a sale of the
Company, if Dr. Riebman voluntarily retires from active employment with the
Company, Dr. Riebman will receive an aggregate of up to $675,000 for consulting
services, payable in three annual payments, respectively, of $300,000 on the
date of his retirement, $225,000 on the first anniversary of such date and
$150,000 on the second anniversary of such date, provided that the Company shall
not be obligated to make any such yearly payment if Dr. Riebman is not available
on the respective payment date to provide consulting services for the
forthcoming year; and (iii) if the aggregate consideration in connection with a
sale of the Company is $60,000,000 or more, as is the case with the Merger, Dr.
Riebman will receive a noncompetition payment of $1,900,000.
39
BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED AGREEMENTS
The Related Agreements consist of the following agreements:
1. The Allocation Agreement dated as of February 28, 1995 by and among
the Riebmans and the Company.
2. The Voting Trust Agreement dated as of February 28, 1995 by and
among the Company, the Riebmans and the voting trustees.
3. The 1995 Agreement dated as of February 28, 1995 by and between the
Company and Dr. Riebman.
4. The Participation Rights Agreement dated as of February 28, 1995 by
and between the Company and Dr. Riebman.
The Related Agreements are summarized below. However, such summaries are
qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Related
Agreements attached to Appendix B to this Proxy Statement. For a description of
the reasons considered by the Long Range Planning Committee in negotiating and
causing the Company to enter into the Related Agreements, see 'The Merger --
Background of the Merger.'
The Allocation Agreement. As more particularly described in the Allocation
Agreement, the Board of Directors of the Company had previously appointed the
Long Range Planning Committee for the purpose of considering strategic
alternatives for the Company in view of recent and significant developments and
consolidations in the defense industry. After assessing certain factors, the
Long Range Planning Committee decided, because of its belief that it could
thereby perform its duty to realize for the shareholders of the Company the best
value reasonably available, to pursue the following course of action: (i) the
negotiation of an arrangement with Dr. Riebman and Claire E. Riebman whereby
they would transfer their voting control of the Company to the voting trustees
under the Voting Trusts for a period of time expected to be sufficient to
complete a sale of the Company, and (ii) the negotiation of an arrangement with
Dr. Riebman regarding his future relationship with the Company. The Allocation
Agreement, the Voting Trust Agreement, the 1995 Agreement and the Participation
Rights Agreement embody the results of these negotiations.
Under the Allocation Agreement, in exchange for (i) the Riebmans'
relinquishing voting control of the Company for a period of time that the Long
Range Planning Committee believed to be sufficient to complete a sale of the
Company, and (ii) the Riebmans' agreeing that the Related Transactions would be
subject to shareholder approval and that the holders of the Class A Common Stock
would be entitled to vote as a separate class on the sale of the Company and the
Related Agreements, the Company issued 180,947 Contingent Shares of Class A
Common Stock to the Riebmans, which represent .75 shares of Class A Common Stock
for each share of Class B Common Stock beneficially owned by the Riebmans
immediately prior to such issuance. At the Merger Price, the Riebmans will be
entitled to receive an aggregate of $4,387,964.75 for the Contingent Shares upon
consummation of the Merger.
Under the terms of the Allocation Agreement, the Long Range Planning
Committee committed in good faith to use all reasonable efforts to arrange for a
sale of the Company, but it did not have any obligation to do so unless it were
to deem the terms thereof to be in the best interests of the Company and its
shareholders. The Long Range Planning Committee has the right, in the exercise
of its fiduciary duty, to withdraw its recommendation of a proposal relating to
the sale of the Company.
All actions by the Company contemplated by the Allocation Agreement, the
Voting Trust Agreement and the 1995 Agreement shall be taken on its behalf
exclusively by the Long Range Planning Committee, which has the full authority
of the Board of Directors of the Company for such purpose. All actions of the
Long Range Planning Committee require the approval of a majority of the members
of the Long Range Planning Committee, unless there exist at any time fewer than
three members of the Long Range Planning Committee, in which case all actions at
such time shall require the unanimous approval of the members of the Long Range
Planning Committee.
40
As provided in the Allocation Agreement, the intent of the Long Range
Planning Committee was that all holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B
Common Stock will be offered the same consideration and other terms in a sale of
the Company. The Long Range Planning Committee engaged an investment banking
firm, an employee benefits consultant and independent legal counsel in
connection with these matters.
The Allocation Agreement has an initial term of nine months commencing
February 28, 1995 and can be extended, at the option of the Company, for up to
two additional periods of three months each, upon payment by the Company to the
Riebmans of $100,000 for the first renewal term and $300,000 for the second
renewal term. Such payments shall be credited against, and reduce to that
extent, the consulting payments provided for in the 1995 Agreement, as described
below. In addition, if the Company enters into an agreement to sell the Company
at any time during the initial term, the first renewal term or the second
renewal term, but shareholder approval of the proposal has not yet been
obtained, the initial term, the first renewal term or the second renewal term,
as the case may be, will be automatically extended, if it would have otherwise
expired, until the earlier of (i) the consummation of such sale of the Company
or (ii) the termination of such agreement for the sale of the Company pursuant
to its terms. However, if such termination occurs in connection with a
recommendation by the Long Range Planning Committee, in the exercise of its
fiduciary duty, of an alternative agreement which contemplates a sale of the
Company, the alternative agreement, if entered into by the Company during the
initial term, the first renewal term or the second renewal term and provided
that the payments, if any, by the Company described in the first sentence of
this paragraph have been made in a timely manner, will replace the terminated
agreement for the sale of the Company for purposes of the aforementioned
automatic extension.
The Allocation Agreement may be terminated at the option of the Riebmans if
(i) the voting trustees materially breach the Voting Trust Agreement or (ii) the
Company materially breaches the Allocation Agreement or the 1995 Agreement. The
Allocation Agreement may be terminated at the option of the Company if (i) the
Riebmans materially breach the Voting Trust Agreement, (ii) the Riebmans
materially breach the Allocation Agreement or (iii) Dr. Riebman materially
breaches the 1995 Agreement.
Unless the Allocation Agreement has previously expired or terminated, it
will terminate upon the earlier to occur of the following events: (i)
immediately prior to the closing of the sale of the Company for which approval
of the Company's shareholders has been obtained, (ii) immediately following the
conclusion of a meeting of shareholders at which shareholder approval of such
proposal has been sought but not obtained, or (iii) November 28, 1996.
The Company has agreed to make a payment to Dr. Riebman in the amount of
$500,000 if (i) a sale of the Company occurs and (ii) Dr. Riebman's employment
with the Company terminates thereafter for any reason, voluntarily or
involuntarily.
The Company has agreed to reimburse the Riebmans for the reasonable fees
and disbursements (not to exceed $75,000) of their counsel incurred in
connection with the negotiation of the Allocation Agreement. In addition, as
more particularly described in the Allocation Agreement, the Company has agreed
to pay the reasonable counsel fees and disbursements incurred by the Riebmans
(as parties to the Allocation Agreement), the members of the Long Range Planning
Committee, the voting trustees, any director or officer of the Company, or any
of them in defense of any pending or threatened action, suit or proceedings
whether by or in the right of the Company or otherwise, involving the Allocation
Agreement or any exhibit thereto, subject to the Company's receipt of an
undertaking by such person or persons to repay the amount so advanced if it is
ultimately determined by a court that such payment was not proper in the
circumstances.
In connection with the execution and delivery of the Allocation Agreement
and the Voting Trust Agreement, the Company's Bylaws were amended so as to
effectuate the purposes of the Allocation Agreement and the Voting Trust
Agreement.
The Voting Trust Agreement. Pursuant to the Voting Trust Agreement, the
Riebmans transferred to the voting trustees to be maintained in the respective
Voting Trusts (i) shares of Class A Common Stock owned by the Riebmans
immediately prior to entering into the Allocation Agreement (10,646
41
shares of Class A Common Stock), (ii) the Contingent Shares (180,947 shares of
Class A Common Stock) and (iii) the shares of Class B Common Stock owned by the
Riebmans immediately prior to entering into the Allocation Agreement (241,262
shares of Class B Common Stock) in exchange for voting trust certificates
representing the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock so
transferred. The shares of Class A Common Stock so transferred to the voting
trustees are held in the 'Class A Voting Trust' and the shares of Class B Common
Stock so transferred to the voting trustees are held in the 'Class B Voting
Trust.'
The sole purpose of the Voting Trust Agreement is to enable the voting
trustees (i) to vote the shares of Class A Common Stock and the shares of Class
B Common Stock transferred to the respective Voting Trusts in favor of a
proposal for the sale of the Company and (ii) to vote for the election of
directors of the Company, all in accordance with the terms and provisions of the
Voting Trust Agreement.
In connection with a proposal for the sale of the Company, the voting
trustees are required to vote (i) the Contingent Shares in the same proportion
as the votes cast with respect to the proposal by the other holders of shares of
Class A Common Stock and (ii) the other shares of Class A Common Stock and the
shares of Class B Common Stock in favor of any proposal recommended by the Long
Range Planning Committee.
With respect to any action by shareholders of the Company other than in
connection with the election of directors or a proposal for the sale of the
Company, the voting trustees are required to vote the shares of Class A Common
Stock, other than the Contingent Shares, and the shares of Class B Common Stock
as directed in writing by the Riebmans. Except as provided in the Voting Trust
Agreement, in voting shares deposited under the Voting Trust Agreement, the
voting trustees shall act by majority vote, unless at any time there exists
fewer than three voting trustees, in which event all acts of the voting trustees
shall require the unanimous vote of the voting trustees.
In the election of directors of the Company, the voting trustees are
required to (i) vote for the election of two persons nominated by Dr. Riebman or
his personal representatives, (ii) vote for the reelection of incumbent
directors of the Company unless one or more of them determines not to seek
reelection, resigns or dies, (iii) consult with Dr. Riebman and Claire E.
Riebman prior to voting for the election of any other person as a director of
the Company, and (iv) assure that at all times a majority of the directors of
the Company are 'independent directors,' as defined in the Voting Trust
Agreement.
During the term of the Voting Trust Agreement, if a voting trustee ceases
to be a member of the Long Range Planning Committee for any reason whatsoever,
such voting trustee thereupon shall cease to be a voting trustee under the
Voting Trust Agreement. Upon appointment of a substitute member or members to
the Long Range Planning Committee, such member or members shall thereupon become
a voting trustee or trustees under the Voting Trust Agreement.
During the term of the Voting Trust Agreement, without the prior written
consent of the Company and the voting trustees, Dr. Riebman and Claire E.
Riebman are not permitted to transfer any interest in Class A Common Stock or
Class B Common Stock owned by them or any beneficial interests evidenced by
voting trust certificates, except that (i) the executors of the estate of either
of them may succeed to such interests and will be bound by the Voting Trust
Agreement, and (ii) either of them may make donative transfers of such interests
to and among themselves or to their issue so long as the donees agree to be
bound by the Voting Trust Agreement. During the term of the Voting Trust
Agreement, the Riebmans have agreed not to acquire any additional shares of
Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock except in connection with (i) the
exercise of options existing on February 28, 1995 or (ii) beneficial ownership
of shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock issued in connection
with stock dividends or stock distributions. Any such newly acquired shares
shall be deposited into the respective Voting Trust.
The term of the Voting Trust Agreement is coextensive with the term of the
Allocation Agreement. Upon termination of the Voting Trust Agreement the
certificates representing the shares of Class A Common Stock, other than the
Contingent Shares, and the shares of Class B Common Stock will be returned to
the holder(s) of the voting trust certificates representing those shares. Upon
the earliest to occur of the following events, certificates representing the
Contingent Shares, together with
42
any cash dividends or stock distributions received on the Contingent Shares,
will be delivered by the voting trustees to the following person or persons:
(a) Immediately prior to the sale of the Company, in which event such
delivery will be made to the holder(s) of the voting trust certificates
representing the Contingent Shares in proportion to their respective
holdings;
(b) The expiration or termination of the Allocation Agreement for any
reason other than as contemplated by clause (a) above, in which event such
delivery will be made to the Company which will thereupon cancel the
Contingent Shares without payment of any consideration therefor;
(c) The receipt by the voting trustees of joint written instructions
from the Riebmans and the Company in which event such delivery will be made
to the person or persons designated in such instruction; or
(d) The receipt by the voting trustees of a certified copy of a final
non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction providing for the
disposition of the Contingent Shares, in which event such delivery will be
made to the person or persons designated in such order.
The 1995 Agreement. Pursuant to the 1995 Agreement, Dr. Riebman has agreed
(i) that he will not voluntarily retire from active employment with the Company
prior to the expiration or termination of the Allocation Agreement and (ii) that
he will provide consulting services to the Company for a period of three years
(up to 130 days per year) commencing with the date on which he voluntarily
retires from active employment with the Company (the 'Consulting Commencement
Date'). In addition, the 1995 Agreement contains a supplementary provision which
improves the Company's rights with respect to the protection of proprietary
information, intellectual property and restrictions on competition.
In consideration for his provision of consulting services to the Company,
Dr. Riebman will be entitled to specified fringe benefits and will receive
$675,000 payable as follows: (i) $300,000 on the Consulting Commencement Date,
(ii) $225,000 on the first anniversary of the Consulting Commencement Date, and
(iii) $150,000 on the second anniversary of the Consulting Commencement Date.
Payment of any of the aforementioned amounts is conditioned upon certificates
representing the Contingent Shares being delivered to the holders of the voting
trust certificates representing the Contingent Shares. Further, the Company will
have no obligation to make any such payment unless Dr. Riebman is available on
the payment date to provide consulting services for the forthcoming year. In
addition, any payments made by the Company pursuant to the Agreement for the
First Renewal Term and the Second Renewal Term will be credited against, and
reduce to that extent, such payments. If the Allocation Agreement expires or
terminates for a reason other than the sale of the Company, the 1995 Agreement
will terminate and be of no further force and effect.
Participation Rights Agreement. In consideration for agreeing to the
supplement in the 1995 Agreement which improves the Company's rights with
respect to the protection of proprietary information, intellectual property and
restrictions on competition by Dr. Riebman, the Company has granted to Dr.
Riebman or his heirs the right to participate in the proceeds of the sale of the
Company. If the 'aggregate consideration' in connection with a sale of the
Company is equal to or greater than $60,000,000, the payment under the
Participation Rights Agreement will be $1,900,000. If the aggregate
consideration in connection with a sale of the Company is less than $60,000,000,
the non-competition payment will be an amount equal to the product of
$1,900,000, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of
such aggregate consideration and the denominator of which is $60,000,000. The
Company's obligation to make this payment is conditioned on the sale of the
Company during the term of the Related Agreements.
The Related Agreements also supplement Dr. Riebman's existing employment
and retirement agreement with the Company. Under this employment agreement, Dr.
Riebman is entitled to receive, for ten years, annual retirement payments that
are generally equal to 50% of his average salary and bonus during his last three
years of full-time employment (adjusted for changes in the cost of living),
reduced by the $41,032 annuity value of the vested benefits paid to Dr. Riebman
pursuant to the
43
termination of the Company's pension plan. As of February 24, 1995, Dr.
Riebman's accrued retirement benefits under this employment agreement totaled
$1,335,000.
OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR REGARDING THE CONTINGENT SHARES
In connection with the execution of the Related Agreements on February 28,
1995 the Long Range Planning Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company
received a letter that, as of such date, in Dillon Read's opinion it would be
reasonable for the Long Range Planning Committee to conclude that the
consideration to be paid by the Company to the Riebmans in the form of the
Contingent Shares was fair to the Company's shareholders, other than the
Riebmans, from a financial point of view. The full text of Dillon Read's letter
is attached as Appendix C to this Proxy Statement and should be read in its
entirety for a description of the procedures followed, matters considered,
assumptions made and methods employed by Dillon Read.
In connection with rendering its opinion, Dillon Read, using publicly
available information, analyzed acquisitions involving companies with multiple
classes of capital stock and premiums offered for voting control of publicly
traded companies. Dillon Read also analyzed the return on equity to the
Company's shareholders over the last ten years and the impact of the issuance of
the Contingent Shares on the consideration to be received by the Company's
shareholders other than the Riebmans. Dillon Read believes that these analyses
supported Dillon Read's view that the consideration to be paid by the Company to
the Riebmans in the form of the Contingent Shares was fair to the Company's
shareholders, other than the Riebmans, from a financial point of view. The
Company did not place any limitations upon Dillon Read regarding the procedures
to be followed or the factors to be considered in rendering its opinion.
Dillon Read examined the price paid for voting control in acquisition
transactions by comparing the premiums paid in transactions in which voting
control was acquired with transactions involving a controlling shareholder in
which the remaining interest was acquired. Dillon Read analyzed premiums paid in
more than 800 acquisitions since 1990 in which voting control was acquired and
found the average premium paid over the target stock price five business days
before the date of announcement of the transaction to be 50.5%. Dillon Read
analyzed premiums paid in more than 80 transactions since 1990 involving a
controlling shareholder in which the remaining interest was acquired and found
the average premium paid over the target stock price five business days before
the date of announcement of the transaction to be 33.3%. Dillon Read believes
that the difference between these premiums represents the difference between
acquisitions including voting control and acquisitions excluding voting control
and equals 17.2%, which corresponds to 11.4% of the total transaction value. The
premium to be paid the Riebmans based upon an exchange ratio of 0.75 Contingent
Shares for each share of Class B Common Stock owned by the Riebmans is 4.2% of
the total transaction value.
Also, Dillon Read identified eight transactions in the previous ten years
involving publicly traded companies with multiple classes of stock where a
premium was paid to the high vote shares. These included Resorts International
Inc., Bergen Brunswig, Dickenson Mines Ltd., Sikes Corporation, Mile High Kennel
Club, Tele-Communications, Liberty Media and Fischer & Porter Company. The
premiums paid in these transactions measured as a percent of the total
transaction value ranged from 1.0% to 24.3% of the total transaction value with
an average of the eight transactions of 8.0%. The premium to be paid to the
Riebmans based upon an exchange ratio of 0.75 Contingent Shares for each share
of Class B Common Stock owned by the Riebmans is 4.2% of the total transaction
value.
Dillon Read's letter excluded from its consideration any other agreement or
arrangement into which the Company and the Riebmans then or subsequently entered
including, but not limited to, the Voting Trust Agreement, the 1995 Agreement
and the Participation Rights Agreement. It should also be noted that the letter
was not delivered in contemplation of the Merger or any other specific
transaction but instead addressed the reasonableness of the Long Range Planning
Committee's conclusion in light of the then existing circumstances. Dillon
Read's letter does not constitute a recommendation regarding whether or not it
is advisable for shareholders to ratify any particular action previously
undertaken by anyone, including the Long Range Planning Committee, or the
specific payments to be made to the Riebmans.
44
For more information regarding Dillon Read's advice with respect to the
Merger and its engagement by the Company see 'The Merger -- Background of the
Merger' and 'The Merger -- Opinion of Financial Advisor.'
ADVICE OF CONSULTANT REGARDING CONSULTING AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENTS
In October 1994, the Long Range Planning Committee selected Towers Perrin,
a nationally recognized employee benefits consulting firm, to advise it on
matters relating to compensation. Prior to this engagement, there had been no
material relationship between Towers Perrin and the Company or any of its
affiliates.
At a meeting in October 1994, an executive compensation consultant of
Towers Perrin interviewed members of the Long Range Planning Committee to gain
an understanding of Dr. Riebman's formal and informal role in the business
dealings of the Company, including his executive responsibilities, his role in
technology development, marketing, sales, customer relations and his reputation
in the industry. The purpose of the meeting was to assist Towers Perrin in
assessing the competitive strategic value of Dr. Riebman to the Company and,
equally as important, to assist Towers Perrin in assessing Dr. Riebman's
potential impact on the Company's value if he were to terminate his association
with the Company and join a direct competitor.
Over the course of the next two months, Towers Perrin surveyed publicly
available documents through an electronic data base, such as public-company
documents filed with the Commission, legal cases and media coverage for
situations involving the departure of a company's founding executive. The firm
also conducted a confidential survey of its own executive compensation
consultants nationwide with regard to the nature and size of consulting and
non-compete arrangements in situations in which a founding executive departs
from a company and the factors that influenced the size and nature of those
arrangements.
Towers Perrin advised the Long Range Planning Committee that the practice
of executing a consulting/non-compete arrangement with a departing founding
executive was clearly prudent and consistent with prevailing practices in
similar situations and that the aggregate size of the consulting/non-compete
arrangement to be offered to Dr. Riebman was not unreasonable given his
technical knowledge of the defense electronics business, as well as his
technical reputation in the defense contracting industry and his business
relationships with key decision-makers of the Company's largest customers.
Towers Perrin also advised the Long Range Planning Committee that an
aggregate fee of $3,000,000 for the Company to pay to Dr. Riebman in exchange
for a covenant not to compete undertaking by him and a three-year consulting
agreement with him would not be unreasonable and would be within the range of
payments with which it was familiar in comparable circumstances involving
someone of Dr. Riebman's age who was also a founder and a technical leader of
the business and maintained key customer relationships. Towers Perrin further
advised the Long Range Planning Committee that it concurred with the allocation
of $675,000 to the consulting portion of this arrangement, payable over a
three-year period, and the allocation of $1,900,000 to the covenant not to
compete portion of this arrangement, payable in a lump sum upon retirement.
Towers Perrin also advised the Long Range Planning Committee that the structure
of the $1,900,000 payment in the form of participation rights which would be
payable only upon the sale of the Company during the term of the Related
Agreements was reasonable and consistent with other covenants not to compete
with which it was familiar involving founders and technical leaders of other
companies.
Towers Perrin's advisory services to the Long Range Planning Committee do
not constitute a recommendation regarding whether or not it is advisable for
shareholders of the Company to vote in favor of the Proposal.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE
The Long Range Planning Committee recommends that the shareholders VOTE FOR
the Proposal. The Long Range Planning Committee determined that the best way to
maximize value for all shareholders in a possible sale of Company would be to
first negotiate an arrangement with the
45
Riebmans, with the objective of solidifying Dr. Riebman's prospective
relationship with the Company and eliminating the Riebmans' voting control of
the Company for a period of time sufficient to complete a sale of the Company.
Based upon such determination and the opinions of its investment advisor and
compensation advisor, the Long Range Planning Committee recommended that the
Company enter into the Related Agreements and believes that the Related
Agreements and the Merger are in the best interests of the Company and its
shareholders. See 'Conflicts of Interest.'
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On November 14, 1995, a complaint was filed in the Court of Common Pleas of
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, against Dr. Leon Riebman, Claire Riebman and
the Company. The complaint is asserted as a class action brought on behalf of
all shareholders of the Company other than the defendants, the officers and
directors of the Company and relatives of or entities controlled by such
persons. The complaint alleges that the individual defendants, as controlling
shareholders, breached certain fiduciary duties allegedly owed to the plaintiffs
by entering into the Allocation Agreement whereby the individual defendants were
issued the 180,947 Contingent Shares. The complaint also alleges that the
Company aided and abetted the alleged breach of fiduciary duty of the individual
defendants. Plaintiff seeks to enjoin the defendants from consummating the
transactions under the Allocation Agreement, have the Allocation Agreement
declared null and void, and be awarded compensatory damages as well as costs and
reasonable attorneys' and experts' fees. The defendants have filed preliminary
objections, a motion to require the plaintiffs to post a statutory bond and a
motion for expedited treatment with the court.
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
A representative of Ernst & Young LLP, independent accountants and auditors
of the Company's financial statements, is expected to be present at the Special
Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if such representative so
desires and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange
Act, and in accordance therewith files periodic reports, proxy statements and
other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
'Commission'). Such reports, proxy statements and other information can be
inspected at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at
Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and
at the Regional Offices of the Commission at the Northwestern Atrium Center,
Suite 1400, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661; and Suite 1300,
Seven World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048. In addition, copies of such
materials may also be obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference
Section of the Commission at its principal office at Room 1024, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Such reports, proxy statements and other
information also may be inspected at the office of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20006.
After the Effective Time, the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock
will no longer be publicly traded and the Class A Common Stock will cease to be
listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Moreover, the Surviving Corporation of the
Merger will be relieved of the obligation to file informational reports under
the Exchange Act, such as proxy statements, and its officers, directors and more
than 10% shareholders will be relieved of the reporting requirements under, and
the 'short-swing' profit recapture provisions of, Section 16 of the Exchange
Act.
46
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission are
incorporated herein by reference:
1. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 24, 1995;
2. Report on Form 8-K dated as of February 28, 1995;
3. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 26, 1995;
4. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 25,
1995;
5. Report on Form 8-K dated as of October 2, 1995;
6. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 24,
1995; and
7. Report on Form 8-K dated as of January 10, 1996.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Proxy Statement to the extent that a statement contained
herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this Proxy Statement.
These documents (without exhibits, unless such exhibits are specifically
incorporated by reference into the information that this Proxy Statement
incorporates by reference herein) are available without charge to each person,
including each beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this Proxy Statement is
delivered, upon written or oral request of such person and by first class mail
or other equally prompt means within one business day of receipt of request.
Requests should be directed to AEL Industries, Inc., 305 Richardson Road,
Lansdale, Pennsylvania; telephone number: (215) 822-2929; attention: Secretary.
The Company is mailing with this Proxy Statement a copy of the Company's
Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended February 24, 1995 and the Company's
Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended November 24, 1995.
OTHER MATTERS
Neither the Long Range Planning Committee nor the Board of Directors of the
Company intends to bring any other matters before the Special Meeting and does
not know of any other matters that may be brought before the Special Meeting by
others. If any other matter should come before the Special Meeting, the persons
named in the enclosed proxy will have discretionary authority to vote the Common
Shares thereby represented in accordance with their best judgment.
47
APPENDIX A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
BY AND AMONG
AEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
TRACOR, INC.
AND
TRACOR AEL, INC.
OCTOBER 2, 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I PLAN OF REORGANIZATION............................................................. A-1
1.1 The Merger......................................................................... A-1
1.2 Conversion and Cancellation of Securities.......................................... A-1
1.3 Timing............................................................................. A-2
ARTICLE II REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES..................................................... A-2
2.1 Representations and Warranties by AEL.............................................. A-2
2.2 Representations and Warranties by Buyer and Sub.................................... A-17
ARTICLE III ADDITIONAL COVENANTS............................................................... A-19
3.1 Shareholder Approval............................................................... A-19
3.2 Conduct of AEL's Business.......................................................... A-19
3.3 AEL Stock Options.................................................................. A-20
3.4 HSR Act............................................................................ A-21
3.5 Other Actions...................................................................... A-21
3.6 Inquiries and Negotiations......................................................... A-21
3.7 Notification of Certain Matters.................................................... A-21
3.8 Access to Information.............................................................. A-21
3.9 Public Announcements............................................................... A-22
3.10 Indemnification; Director's and Officer's Liability Insurance...................... A-22
3.11 Employee Benefit Plan.............................................................. A-23
3.12 Update Information................................................................. A-23
3.13 Dissenting Shareholders............................................................ A-24
3.14 Commitment Letter.................................................................. A-24
ARTICLE IV CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER........................................................... A-24
4.1 Conditions to the Merger Relating to Buyer and Sub................................. A-24
4.2 Conditions to the Merger Relating to AEL........................................... A-25
ARTICLE V TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT........................................................ A-26
5.1 Termination by Mutual Consent...................................................... A-26
5.2 Termination by AEL or Buyer and Sub................................................ A-26
5.3 Termination by AEL................................................................. A-27
5.4 Termination by Buyer and Sub....................................................... A-27
5.5 Effect of Termination.............................................................. A-27
5.6 Amendment.......................................................................... A-27
5.7 Waiver............................................................................. A-27
ARTICLE VI MISCELLANEOUS...................................................................... A-28
6.1 Notices............................................................................ A-28
6.2 Counterparts....................................................................... A-28
6.3 Headings........................................................................... A-28
6.4 No Survival of Representations or Warranties....................................... A-29
6.5 Entire Agreement................................................................... A-29
6.6 Cooperation........................................................................ A-29
6.7 No Rights To Third Parties......................................................... A-29
6.8 No Assignment...................................................................... A-29
6.9 Governing Law...................................................................... A-29
6.10 Consent to Jurisdiction............................................................ A-29
ARTICLE VII CERTAIN DEFINITIONS................................................................ A-29
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION, dated as of October 2, 1995
('Agreement'), by and among AEL INDUSTRIES, INC., a Pennsylvania corporation
('AEL'), TRACOR, INC., a Delaware corporation ('Buyer'), and TRACOR AEL, INC., a
Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Buyer ('Sub').
BACKGROUND
The respective boards of directors of Buyer and Sub and the Long Range
Planning Committee of the Board of Directors of AEL (the 'Long Range Planning
Committee') have each approved the acquisition of AEL by Buyer through a merger
of Sub with and into AEL (Sub and AEL are sometimes hereinafter referred to as
the 'Constituent Corporations') in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement and the Plan of Merger set forth as Exhibit A hereto (the 'Plan of
Merger'), in which the outstanding shares of AEL Class A Common Stock, par value
$1.00 ('Class A Stock'), and AEL Class B Common Stock, par value $1.00 ('Class B
Stock'), (Class A Stock and Class B Stock collectively the 'AEL Common Stock')
will be converted into the right to receive cash, without interest, in the
amount of $28.00 (the 'Merger Price') per share.
AEL has entered into certain other agreements each dated as of February 28,
1995 (collectively the 'Other Agreements') consisting of an Agreement (the
'Allocation Agreement') by and among AEL, Dr. Leon Riebman and Claire E. Riebman
(collectively the 'Riebmans'); a Voting Trust Agreement by and among AEL, the
Riebmans and Messrs. Francis J. Dunleavy, Frederick R. Einsidler, Conrad J.
Fowler and Leeam Lowin, as voting trustees; a 1995 Agreement between AEL and Dr.
Leon Riebman; and a Participation Rights Agreement between AEL and Dr. Leon
Riebman.
For federal income tax purposes, all parties intend that the Merger (as
hereinafter defined in Section 1.1) shall be treated as a taxable purchase by
Buyer of all outstanding capital stock (and options to purchase capital stock)
of AEL.
NOW, THEREFORE, in order to set forth the terms and conditions of the
Merger and the method of effecting the same, AEL, Buyer and Sub, each intending
to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows.
ARTICLE I
PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
1.1 The Merger. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at
the Effective Time (as hereinafter defined in Section 1.3), Sub shall be merged
with and into AEL pursuant to this Agreement and the Plan of Merger and the
separate corporate existence of Sub shall thereupon cease (the 'Merger'). Buyer
shall cause Sub to perform its obligations under the Plan of Merger. AEL shall
be the surviving corporation in the Merger (sometimes hereinafter referred to as
the 'Surviving Corporation') and shall continue to be governed by the
Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended (the 'BCL') and other
laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and all its rights, privileges,
powers, immunities, purposes and franchises shall continue unaffected by the
Merger. The Merger shall have the effects specified in the Delaware General
Corporation Law (the 'DGCL') and the BCL.
1.2 Conversion and Cancellation of Securities. At the Effective Time, by
virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Buyer, Sub, AEL or
any holder of any shares of capital stock of either Constituent Corporation, the
shares of capital stock of each of the Constituent Corporations shall be
converted, and the Merger Price shall be payable, as and to the extent set forth
in the Plan of Merger. The aggregate cash amount payable for all outstanding
shares of AEL Common Stock and the Cashed Options (as defined in the Plan of
Merger) as a result of the Merger is herein referred to as the 'Merger
Consideration.'
A-1
1.3 Timing.
(a) Shareholder Approval. AEL shall submit: (1) this Agreement, the Plan
of Merger and the Merger (collectively the 'Merger Transaction') and (2) the
Other Agreements to its shareholders for ratification, approval and adoption at
a meeting ('Shareholders Meeting') to be held as soon as practicable. The Other
Agreements and the Merger Transaction shall be submitted to the AEL shareholders
for ratification, approval and adoption as a single proposition (the
'Proposal'). In connection with the Shareholders Meeting, AEL shall take all
steps as shall be necessary for the prompt preparation and filing by AEL of a
proxy statement (the 'Proxy Statement'), as contemplated by Rules 14a-1 et. seq.
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the 'Exchange Act') with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') and shall cause the Proxy
Statement to be mailed to the holders of shares of AEL Common Stock as soon as
practicable. The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders
of shares of Class A Stock and by the holders of shares of Class B Stock, each
voting as a separate class, shall be required for the ratification, approval and
adoption of the Proposal at the Shareholders Meeting by the shareholders of AEL
('Shareholder Approval').
(b) The Closing. If Shareholder Approval is obtained, and subject to the
provisions of this Agreement, a closing (the 'Closing') shall be held on (i) the
later of (A) the second business day following the Shareholders Meeting and (B)
the first business day on which the last of the conditions set forth in Article
IV to be fulfilled prior to the Closing is fulfilled or waived or (ii) such
other date as the parties hereto may agree (the 'Closing Date'), at 10:00 A.M.
(local time) at the offices of Duane, Morris & Heckscher, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, or at such other time or place as the parties hereto may agree.
(c) Effective Time. If all the conditions to the Merger set forth in
Article IV shall have been fulfilled or waived in accordance herewith and this
Agreement shall not have been terminated as provided in Article V, the parties
hereto shall cause Articles of Merger meeting the requirements of Section 1926
of the BCL to be properly filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania in accordance with the provisions of the BCL, and a Certificate of
Merger meeting the requirements of Section 252 of the DGCL to be properly filed
in accordance with the provisions of the DGCL on the Closing Date. The Merger
shall become effective at the time of the filing of the Articles of Merger with
the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (provided that the
Certificate of Merger shall have previously been filed in accordance with the
DGCL) or at such later time which the parties hereto shall have agreed upon and
designated in such filings as the effective time of the Merger (the 'Effective
Time'). As a result of the Merger, the Surviving Corporation shall become a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Buyer at the Effective Time.
ARTICLE II
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
2.1 Representations and Warranties by AEL. AEL represents and warrants to
Buyer and Buyer Sub as follows:
(a) Organization and Qualification. AEL and each of the AEL
Subsidiaries (as hereinafter defined) is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
incorporation and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own or
lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now
conducted. AEL and the AEL Subsidiaries taken as a whole are collectively
called the 'AEL Group'. AEL and each AEL Subsidiary is duly qualified as a
foreign corporation to do business, and is in good standing, in each
jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership or
leasing of its properties makes such qualification necessary, except for
such jurisdictions where the failure to so qualify would not have a
Material Adverse Effect. For the purposes of this Agreement, a 'Material
Adverse Effect' means a material adverse effect on the business, operations
or financial condition of the AEL Group. Schedule 2.1(a) hereto lists all
corporations in which AEL has the voting
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power to elect a majority of the board of directors. Schedule 2.1(a) hereto
contains a listing and summary description of any partnership or joint
venture in which AEL has an interest. AEL has furnished or made available
to Buyer accurate and complete copies of the Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws of AEL and each of the AEL Subsidiaries.
(b) Capitalization. The authorized capital stock of AEL consists of
(i) 20,000,000 shares of Class A Stock of which 3,629,707 shares are issued
and outstanding, including 180,947 Contingent Shares (as defined in the
Allocation Agreement); (ii) 440,000 shares of Class B Stock of which
407,927 shares are issued and outstanding; and (iii) 200,000 shares of
Preferred Stock, par value $1.00, none of which are issued and outstanding.
All of such issued and outstanding shares of AEL Common Stock were validly
issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. The outstanding shares of
capital stock of each AEL Subsidiary that is a corporation have been duly
authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. Except
as set forth on Schedule 2.1(b), (A) each AEL Subsidiary is wholly-owned of
record and beneficially by AEL or another wholly-owned Subsidiary of AEL,
and (B) the ownership interests of AEL in each such Subsidiary are owned of
record and beneficially by AEL (or another Subsidiary of AEL), free and
clear of any security interest, pledge, hypothecation, lien or other
encumbrance of any kind. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(b) or in any
of the schedules to this Agreement, there are no outstanding options,
warrants, rights or other securities exercisable or exchangeable for any
capital stock or other securities of AEL or any AEL Subsidiary, any other
commitments or agreements providing for the issuance of additional shares,
the sale of treasury shares, or for the repurchase or redemption of shares
of AEL or any AEL Subsidiary capital stock, or any agreements of any kind
which may obligate AEL or any AEL Subsidiary to issue, purchase, register
for sale, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its securities or other equity
interests.
(c) Authority Relative to Agreement. AEL has all requisite corporate
power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and, subject only
to Shareholder Approval, the requisite approval to perform its obligations
hereunder and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. This
Agreement has been approved by the Long Range Planning Committee. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement by AEL and the consummation by AEL
of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by the
Long Range Planning Committee and, except for Shareholder Approval, no
other corporate proceedings on the part of AEL are necessary to authorize
the Merger Transaction. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
by AEL and, subject only to Shareholder Approval, this Agreement
constitutes a valid and binding obligation of AEL enforceable against AEL
in accordance with its terms.
(d) Lack of Conflict With Other Agreements. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement by AEL and the consummation by AEL of the Merger
Transaction will not (i) conflict with any provision of the Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws, as amended, of AEL or the AEL Subsidiaries or (ii)
except for the Credit Facilities (as hereinafter defined in Section
2.1(o)(1)) result in any violation of or default under, or permit the
acceleration of any obligation under, any mortgage, indenture, lease,
agreement or other instrument, permit concession, grant, franchise,
license, judgment, order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or
regulation applicable to AEL or the AEL Subsidiaries, which violation,
default or acceleration would (i) have a Material Adverse Effect on the
ability of AEL to enter into and perform its obligations under this
Agreement, or (ii) have a Material Adverse Effect.
(e) Consents. No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or
registration, declaration or filing with, any Federal, state, local or
foreign governmental or regulatory authority is required to be obtained or
made by AEL or the AEL Subsidiaries in connection with the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by AEL or the consummation by AEL of the Merger
Transaction, except for (i) filings pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange
Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder, (ii)
the filing of a premerger notification and the expiration or early
termination of the waiting period required by the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (the 'HSR Act') and (iii) the filing of
Articles of Merger with the
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Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a Certificate of Merger
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
(f) SEC Filings. AEL has made available to Buyer and Sub accurate and
complete copies of each report, schedule, registration statement and
definitive proxy statement filed by AEL with the SEC with respect to all
fiscal years since (and including) February 22, 1991 (together referred to
as the 'SEC Filings'). As of their respective dates, the SEC Filings (i)
were prepared in all material respects in accordance with the applicable
requirements of the Exchange Act, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the 'Securities Act'), and the rules and regulations thereunder, (ii) did
not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading, except, in the case of any SEC Filing, any statement
or omission therein which has been corrected or otherwise disclosed or
updated in a subsequent SEC Filing. The financial statements of AEL
included in the SEC Filings have been prepared in accordance with United
States generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent
basis ('GAAP') (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto)
and fairly present the financial position of AEL as at the dates thereof
and the results of its operations and changes in financial position for the
periods then ended, subject, in the case of unaudited interim financial
statements, to the omission of footnote information and to normal year-end
audit adjustments.
(g) Undisclosed Liabilities. Except as disclosed in the SEC Filings
or in this Agreement or any Schedule hereto:
(i) The AEL Group does not have any material liabilities or
obligations (whether absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated,
or due or to become due) of a type normally reflected on a balance sheet
prepared in accordance with GAAP except for liabilities and obligations
(A) reflected or reserved for on the balance sheet of AEL as of February
24, 1995 (the 'Balance Sheet Date'), or (B) that have arisen since the
Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary course of the operation of the
business and consistent with the past practice of the AEL Group (and
which are disclosed on Schedule 2.1(g) hereto).
(ii) Set forth on Schedule 2.1(g) is the current Reasonable Best
Estimate (as hereinafter defined) of AEL of all program cost reserves of
AEL and the AEL Subsidiaries with respect to the Material Contracts
listed on Schedule 2.1(o) pursuant to which AEL or any of the AEL
Subsidiaries is required to perform services, deliver products or both.
'Reasonable Best Estimate' means an estimate as to which there is a
reasonable basis and in no event shall it be construed as a guarantee or
other assurance of a future result.
(h) Events Subsequent to Balance Sheet Date. Except as disclosed on
Schedule 2.1(h), since the date of the Balance Sheet Date, (i) there has
not been any Material Adverse Effect, or any event, condition or
contingency that is, in the reasonable judgment of senior management of
AEL, likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect, other than any changes
in the prospects of the business of AEL or any of the AEL Subsidiaries
which result from developments affecting the defense industry generally,
(ii) neither AEL nor any of the AEL Subsidiaries has (A) sold, transferred,
leased, pledged or mortgaged any material assets, properties or rights,
except in the ordinary course of operations of their respective businesses,
consistent with past practices, (B) made any change in any method of
accounting, or (C) made any capital expenditures or commitments for capital
expenditures which exceed $100,000 in any case or $500,000 in the
aggregate.
(i) Proxy Statement. None of the information included in the Proxy
Statement (as amended or supplemented) will, at the time the Proxy
Statement is mailed or at the time of the meeting of AEL shareholders to
which the Proxy Statement relates, contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading, except that no representation or warranty is made
with respect to information relating to Buyer or Sub supplied by Buyer or
Sub
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for inclusion in the Proxy Statement. The Proxy Statement will comply in
all material respects, as to form and substance, with the requirements of
the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC
thereunder.
(j) Litigation and Proceedings. Except as set forth on Schedule
2.1(j), and the other schedules attached hereto, there are no lawsuits,
actions, suits, claims or other proceedings at law or in equity, or to the
knowledge of AEL, investigations (including, without limitation,
investigations by any government involving any Governmental Contract
wherein a claim for improper charges was made), before or by any court or
governmental authority or instrumentality or before any arbitrator pending
or, to the knowledge of AEL, threatened, against AEL or any AEL Subsidiary
in which the relief sought includes damages in excess of $100,000 in any
individual case or $500,000 in the aggregate or that seeks injunctive
relief. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(j) and to the knowledge of AEL,
there are no investigations (including, without limitation, investigations
by any governmental body or agent involving any Government Contract wherein
a claim for improper charges was made) involving, directly or indirectly,
AEL or any AEL Subsidiary. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(j), there is
no unsatisfied judgment, order or decree or any outstanding injunction
binding upon AEL or any of the AEL Subsidiaries.
(k) Employee Benefit Plans.
(i) Definitions. The following terms, when used in this Section
2.1(k), shall have the following meanings. Any of these terms may,
unless the context otherwise requires, be used in the singular or the
plural depending on the reference.
(A) Benefit Arrangement. 'Benefit Arrangement' shall mean any
employment, consulting, severance or other similar contract,
arrangement or policy and each plan, arrangement (written or oral),
program, agreement or commitment providing for insurance coverage
(including without limitation any self-insured arrangements),
workers' compensation, disability benefits, supplemental
unemployment benefits, vacation benefits, retirement benefits, life,
health, disability or accident benefits (including without
limitation any 'voluntary employees' beneficiary association' as
defined in Section 501(c)(9) of the Code providing for the same or
other benefits) or for deferred compensation, profit-sharing
bonuses, stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights,
stock purchases or other forms of incentive compensation or post-
retirement insurance, compensation or benefits which (1) is not a
Welfare Plan, Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan, (2) is entered
into, maintained, contributed to or required to be contributed to,
as the case may be, by AEL or any ERISA Affiliate, and (C) covers
any employee or former employee of AEL or any ERISA Affiliate (with
respect to their relationship with any such entity).
(B) Employee Plans. 'Employee Plans' shall mean all Benefit
Arrangements, Multiemployer Plans, Pension Plans and Welfare Plans.
(C) ERISA. 'ERISA' shall mean the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended.
(D) ERISA Affiliate. 'ERISA Affiliate' shall mean any entity
which is (or at any relevant time was) a member of a 'controlled
group of corporations' with, under 'common control' with, or a
member of an 'affiliated service group' with AEL as defined in
Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.
(E) Multiemployer Plan. 'Multiemployer Plan' shall mean any
'multiemployer plan,' as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, (1)
which AEL or any ERISA Affiliate maintains, administers, contributes
to or is required to contribute to and (2) which covers any employee
or former employee of AEL or any ERISA Affiliate (with respect to
their relationship with such entities).
(F) PBGC. 'PBGC' shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation.
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(G) Pension Plan. 'Pension Plan' shall mean any 'employee
pension benefit plan' as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA (other
than a Multiemployer Plan) (1) which AEL or any ERISA Affiliate
maintains, administers, contributes to or is required to contribute
to and (2) which covers any employee or former employee of AEL or
any ERISA Affiliate (with respect to their relationship with such
entities).
(H) Welfare Plan. 'Welfare Plan' shall mean any 'employee
welfare benefit plan' as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA, (1) which
AEL or any ERISA Affiliate maintains, administers, contributes to or
is required to contribute to, and (2) which covers any employee or
former employee of AEL or any ERISA Affiliate (with respect to their
relationship with such entities).
(ii) Disclosure; Delivery of Copies of Relevant Documents and Other
Information. Schedule 2.1(k) contains a complete list of Employee
Plans, true and correct copies of which have been previously furnished
or made available to Buyer.
(iii) Representations. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.1(k), AEL
represents and warrants as follows:
(A) Pension Plans.
(1) No 'accumulated funding deficiency' (for which an
excise tax is due or would be due in the absence of a waiver)
as defined in Section 412 of the Code or as defined in Section
302(a)(2) of ERISA, whichever may apply, has been incurred with
respect to any Pension Plan with respect to any plan year,
whether or not waived. Neither AEL nor any ERISA Affiliate has
failed to pay when due any 'required installment,' within the
meaning of Section 412(m) of the Code and Section 302(e) of
ERISA, whichever may apply, with respect to any Pension Plan.
Neither AEL nor any ERISA Affiliate is subject to any lien
imposed under Section 412(n) of the Code or Section 302(f) or
4068 of ERISA, whichever may apply, with respect to any Pension
Plan. All 'benefit liabilities' within the meaning of Section
4001(a)(16) of ERISA, are fully funded as of the Closing Date
with respect to each Pension Plan on a termination basis with
an assumed interest rate of 6%.
(2) Neither AEL nor any ERISA Affiliate is required to
provide security to a Pension Plan under Section 401(a)(29) of
the Code.
(3) Except as otherwise disclosed in Schedule 2.1(k), each
Pension Plan and each related trust agreement, annuity contract
or other funding instrument is qualified and tax exempt under
the provisions of the Code Sections 401(a) and 501(a), and each
has been so determined by the Internal Revenue Service, or
application for such determination has been made and is
currently pending.
(4) Each Pension Plan, related trust agreement, annuity
contract or other funding instrument is in material compliance
with its terms and, both as to form and in operation, with the
requirements prescribed by any and all statutes, orders, rules
and regulations which are applicable to such Pension Plan,
including without limitation ERISA and the Code.
(5) AEL or an ERISA Affiliate has paid all premiums (and
interest charges and penalties for late payment, if applicable)
due to the PBGC with respect to each Pension Plan which is
covered by Title IV of ERISA for each plan year thereof for
which such premiums are required. Neither AEL nor any ERISA
Affiliate has engaged in, or is a successor or parent
corporation to an entity that has engaged in, a transaction
which is described in Section 4069 of ERISA. There has been no
unreported 'reportable event' (as defined in Section 4043(b) of
ERISA and the PBGC regulations under such Section) requiring
notice to the PBGC with respect to any Pension Plan. No filing
has been made by AEL or any ERISA Affiliate with
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the PBGC, and no proceeding has been commenced by the PBGC, to
terminate any Pension Plan. No condition exists and no event
has occurred that could constitute grounds for the termination
of any Pension Plan by the PBGC, or which could reasonably be
expected to result in liability of AEL or any ERISA Affiliate
to the PBGC with respect to any Pension Plan, other than
liabilities for premium payments. Neither AEL nor any ERISA
Affiliate has, at any time, (1) ceased operations at a facility
so as to become subject to the provisions of Section 4062(e) of
ERISA, (2) withdrawn as a substantial employer so as to become
subject to the provisions of Section 4063 of ERISA, or (3)
ceased making contributions on or before the Closing Date to
any Pension Plan subject to Section 4064(a) of ERISA to which
AEL or any ERISA Affiliate made contributions during the six
years prior to the Closing Date.
(B) Multiemployer Plans. There are no Multiemployer Plans, and
neither AEL nor any ERISA Affiliate has ever maintained, contributed
to, or participated or agreed to participate in any Multiemployer
Plan.
(C) Welfare Plans.
(1) Each Welfare Plan is in material compliance with its
terms and, both as to form and operation, with the requirements
prescribed by any and all statutes, orders, rules and
regulations which are applicable to such Welfare Plan,
including without limitation ERISA and the Code.
(2) An estimate of the liabilities of AEL and any of its
ERISA Affiliates for providing retiree life and medical
benefits coverage to active and retired employees of AEL and
any of its ERISA Affiliates has been made and is reflected on
the appropriate balance sheet and books and records according
to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 106. AEL or
any of the AEL Subsidiaries has the right to modify and to
terminate Welfare Plans, including the right to modify or
terminate Welfare Plans that provide coverage or benefits for
both retired and active employees or their beneficiaries.
(3) Each Welfare Plan which is a 'group health plan,' as
defined in Section 607(1) of ERISA, has been operated in
material compliance with provisions of Part 6 of Title I,
Subtitle B of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code at all times.
(D) Benefit Arrangements. Each Benefit Arrangement is in
material compliance with its terms and with the requirements
prescribed by any and all statutes, orders, rules and regulations
which are applicable to such Benefit Arrangement, including without
limitation the Code.
(E) Fiduciary Duties and Prohibited Transactions. Neither AEL
nor any of the AEL Subsidiaries has any liability with respect to
any transaction in violation of Sections 404 or 406 of ERISA or any
'prohibited transaction,' as defined in Section 4975(c)(1) of the
Code, for which no exemption exists under Section 408 of ERISA or
Section 4975(c)(2) or (d) of the Code to which any Welfare Plan or
Pension Plan is subject. To the knowledge of AEL, neither AEL nor
any of its ERISA Affiliates has participated in a violation of Part
4 of Title I, Subtitle B of ERISA by any plan fiduciary of any
Welfare Plan or Pension Plan and has no unpaid civil penalty under
Section 502(1) of ERISA.
(F) Litigation. There is no material action, order, writ,
injunction, judgment or decree outstanding or claim, suit,
litigation, proceeding, arbitral action, governmental audit or
investigation relating to or seeking benefits under any Employee
Plan that is pending, or, to the knowledge of AEL, threatened or
anticipated against AEL or any ERISA Affiliate other than routine
claims for benefits.
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(G) Unpaid Contributions. Neither AEL nor any ERISA Affiliate
has any liability for unpaid contributions with respect to any
Employee Plan. AEL and all ERISA Affiliates have made all required
contributions under each Employee Plan for all periods through and
including the Closing Date or proper accruals have been made and are
reflected on the appropriate balance sheet and books and records.
(H) Copies of Documentation. AEL has delivered pursuant to
this Agreement a true and complete set of copies of (a) all Employee
Plans and related trust agreements, annuity contracts or other
funding instruments as in effect immediately prior to the Closing
Date, together with all amendments thereto which shall become
effective at a later date; (b) the latest Internal Revenue Service
determination letter obtained with respect to any such Employee Plan
qualified or exempt under Section 401 or 501 of the Code; (c) Forms
5500 and certified financial statements for the most recently
completed three fiscal years for each Employee Plan required to file
such form, together with the most recent actuarial report, if any,
prepared by the Employee's Plan's enrolled actuary; (d) all summary
plan descriptions for each Employee Plan required to prepare, file
and distribute summary plan descriptions; (e) all summaries
furnished or made available to employees, officers and directors of
AEL and its ERISA Affiliates of all incentive compensation, other
plans and fringe benefits for which a summary plan description is
not required; (f) current registration statements on Form S-8 and
amendments thereto with respect to any Employee Plan; and (g) the
notifications to employees of their rights under Section 4980B of
the Code.
(l) Brokers. Except for the arrangement regarding Dillon, Read & Co.
Inc. heretofore disclosed to Buyer, no broker, finder or investment banker
is entitled to any brokerage, finder's or other fee or commission in
connection with the Merger Transaction based upon arrangements made by or
on behalf of AEL.
(m) Environmental Matters.
(1) Environmental Definitions.
(A) Environment. 'Environment' means soil, land, land surface
or subsurface strata, surface waters (including navigable waters and
ocean waters), groundwaters, drinking water supply, stream
sediments, ambient air and any other environmental medium;
(B) Environmental, Health and Safety
Liabilities. 'Environmental, Health and Safety Liabilities' means
any loss, cost, expense, claim, demand, liability, obligation or
other responsibility of whatever kind or otherwise, based upon
Environmental Law relating to:
(1) any environmental, health or safety matters or
conditions (including, but not limited to, on-site or off-site
contamination, occupational safety and health, and regulation
of chemical substances or products);
(2) fines, penalties, judgments, awards, settlements,
legal or administrative proceedings, damages, losses, claims,
demands and response, remedial or inspection costs and expenses
arising under Environmental Law;
(3) financial responsibility under Environmental Law for
cleanup costs or corrective action, including for any removal,
remedial or other response actions, and for any natural
resource damages;
(4) any other compliance, corrective or remedial measures
required under Environmental Law.
The terms 'removal', 'remedial' and 'response' action shall include
the types of activities covered by the United States Comprehensive
Environmental Response,
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Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 9601 et seq., as
amended ('CERCLA');
(C) Environmental Law. 'Environmental Law' means any provision
of past or present federal, state, local or any other legally
enforceable governmental law, directive, statute, ordinance, rule,
regulation or standard, common law or any judgment, order, writ,
notice, decree, permit, license, approval, consent or injunction,
relating to any environmental, health or safety matters or
conditions, Hazardous Materials (hereinafter defined), pollution or
protection of the Environment, including, but not limited to, on-
site or off-site contamination, occupational safety and health and
regulation of chemical substances or products, emissions,
discharges, releases or threatened release of pollutants,
contaminants, chemicals, or industrial, toxic, radioactive or
Hazardous Materials or wastes into the Environment, or otherwise
relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use,
treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous
Materials, pollutants, contaminants, chemicals, or industrial,
toxic, radioactive or hazardous substances or wastes;
(D) Facilities. 'Facilities' means any real property,
leaseholds or other interests owned by AEL or any AEL Subsidiary
and/or any buildings, plants, structures or equipment of AEL or any
AEL Subsidiary;
(E) Hazardous Materials. 'Hazardous Materials' means and
includes, but shall not be limited to, any (i) 'hazardous
substance', 'pollutant' or 'contaminant' (as defined in Section
101(14), (33) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. SectionSection9601(14), (33) or
the regulations designated pursuant to Section 102 of CERCLA, 42
U.S.C. Section9602 and found at 40 C.F.R. Part 302), including any
element, compound, mixture, solution, or substance which is
designated pursuant to Section 102 of CERCLA; (ii) all substances
which are designated pursuant to Section 311(b)(2)(A) of the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. SectionSection1251,
1321(b)(2)(A), as amended ('FWPCA'); (iii) any hazardous waste
having the characteristics which are identified under or listed
pursuant to Section 3001 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act, 42 U.S.C. SectionSection6901, 6921, as amended ('RCRA'); (iv)
any substance containing petroleum, as that term is defined in
Section 9001(8) of RCRA, 42 U.S.C. Section991(8) or 40 C.F.R. Part
280; (v) any toxic pollutant which is listed under Section 307(a) of
the FWPCA, 33 U.S.C. Section1317(a); (vi) any hazardous air
pollutant which is listed under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act, 42
U.S.C. SectionSection7401, 7412, as amended; (vii) any imminently
hazardous chemical substance or mixture with respect to which action
has been or may be taken pursuant to Section 7 of the Toxic
Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. SectionSection2601, 2602, as
amended; (ix) waste oil and other petroleum products; (x) any
asbestos, asbestos containing material or urea formaldehyde or
material which contains it; or (xi) any other toxic materials,
contaminants or hazardous substances or wastes pursuant to any
Environmental Law;
(F) Release. 'Release' means any releasing, spilling, leaking,
pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting,
escaping, leaching, disposing or dumping into the Environment;
(G) Threat of Release. 'Threat of Release' means a substantial
likelihood of a Release which, to the best of AEL's knowledge, might
require action in order to prevent or mitigate damage to the
Environment that might result from such Release;
(2) Compliance with Environmental Laws.
(A) Except as set forth in Schedule 2.1(m) hereto, to the
knowledge of AEL (i) each of the AEL Group is, and at all times
during the ten-year period prior to the date hereof has been, in
material compliance with all Environmental Laws applicable to
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them, where any failure to so be in compliance, or during the
ten-year period prior to the date hereof to have so been in
compliance, would have a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) neither
AEL nor any of the AEL Subsidiaries has received, during the
five-year period prior to the date hereof, any written order or
notice from any federal, state, or local governmental agency
administering or enforcing any Environmental Law, of any violation
or failure to comply with any such Environmental Law, or of any
alleged, actual, or potential obligation to undertake or bear the
cost of any Environmental, Health and Safety Liabilities with
respect to any of the Facilities or any other property now owned or
previously owned or leased by the AEL Group or to which Hazardous
Materials generated by the AEL Group may have been transported;
(B) Set forth in Schedule 2.1(m) are all the consents,
licenses, permits, approvals, and certificates relating to
Environmental Laws held by the AEL Group on the date hereof, which,
in the reasonable judgment of senior management of AEL, constitute
all of the consents, licenses, permits, approvals, and certificates
required, including those required under Environmental Laws, for the
AEL Group to lawfully own, operate, use, and maintain their assets
and to conduct their businesses. Except as set forth in Schedule
2.1(m), to the knowledge of AEL, AEL and the AEL Subsidiaries have,
at all times prior to Closing, maintained their assets and conducted
their businesses in compliance in all material respects with the
terms of all such consents, licenses, permits, approvals, and
certificates, and all required filings and all required applications
with respect to and for renewal thereof have been timely made and
filed. All such consents, licenses, permits, approvals, and
certificates are in full force and effect and there are no
proceedings pending or, to the best knowledge of AEL, threatened
that seek the revocation, cancellation, suspension, or adverse
modification thereof;
(C) Except as set forth in Schedule 2.1(m), to the knowledge of
AEL neither AEL, nor any AEL Subsidiary (nor any other Person for
whose conduct they are responsible), has any material Environmental,
Health and Safety Liabilities with respect to the Facilities or any
other properties and assets (real, personal and mixed, tangible and
intangible) in which any member of the AEL Group has or had an
interest;
(D) Except as set forth in Schedule 2.1(m), to the knowledge of
AEL neither AEL, nor any AEL Subsidiary, nor any other Person for
whose conduct they are responsible, has generated, manufactured,
refined, transported, treated, stored, handled, disposed,
transferred, produced, imported, used or processed any toxic or
Hazardous Materials except in compliance in all material respects
with all applicable Environmental Laws;
(E) Except as set forth in Schedule 2.1(m), to the knowledge of
AEL neither AEL nor any AEL Subsidiary, nor any other Person for
whose conduct they are responsible, has received any notice of any
material violation of any Environmental Law, or any notice of any
material potential Environmental, Health and Safety Liabilities with
respect to the Facilities or, to the best of AEL's knowledge, with
respect to any other properties and assets (real, personal and
mixed, tangible and intangible) in which AEL, or any AEL Subsidiary,
has or had an interest, or with respect to any other property or
facility where toxic or Hazardous Materials generated, manufactured,
refined, transferred, imported, used or processed by AEL, or any AEL
Subsidiary, or any other Person for whose conduct they are
responsible, have been transported, treated, stored, handled,
disposed, transferred, recycled or received;
(F) Except as set forth in Schedule 2.1(m), to the knowledge of
AEL, there has been no illegal or reportable Release or Threat of
Release, of any toxic or Hazardous Materials at or from the
Facilities. Neither AEL, nor any AEL Subsidiary, nor any other
Person for whose conduct any of them is responsible, has received
any notice of any illegal or reportable release or threat of release
of any toxic or hazardous materials at any other locations where any
toxic or Hazardous Materials generated, manufactured,
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refined, transferred, produced, imported, used or processed from or
by the Facilities, or from or by any other properties and assets
(real, personal and mixed, tangible and intangible) in which AEL or
any AEL Subsidiary has or had an interest, have been transported,
treated, stored, handled, disposed, transferred, recycled or
received, whether by AEL, any AEL Subsidiary or by any other Person
for whose conduct they are responsible;
(G) Except as listed in Schedule 2.1(m) hereto, to the
knowledge of AEL there are no Liens or any other restrictions of any
nature whatsoever, resulting from any Environmental, Health or
Safety Liabilities or arising under or pursuant to any Environmental
Law, with respect to or affecting any of the Facilities or any other
properties and assets (real, personal and mixed, tangible and
intangible) in which the AEL Group, or any them, has an interest.
(n) Real Property. Schedule 2.1(n) lists (i) all Owned Real Property
and (ii) the address of all real property now used or occupied by AEL and
the AEL Subsidiaries and the name of the record owner thereof. AEL or one
of the AEL Subsidiaries has good and marketable fee simple title to all
Owned Real Property, subject only to any (i) Permitted Liens, (ii) Liens
constituting a lease, sublease or occupancy agreement that gives any third
party any right to occupy any portion of the Owned Real Property and (iii)
Liens reflected on any survey or in any title report delivered to Buyer
prior to the date of this Agreement. AEL has delivered or made available to
Buyer correct and complete copies of the leases and subleases for the real
property listed on Schedule 2.1(n) which is leased by AEL or any of the AEL
Subsidiaries. Each such lease and sublease is in full force and effect and
gives the lessee or sublessee thereunder the right to use and occupy the
demised premises thereunder for the uses set forth therein. Neither AEL or
any of the AEL Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of AEL, the other party
or parties thereto, is in breach of any term of any such lease or sublease,
except where any such breach would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(o) Material Contracts.
(1) Schedule 2.1(o) hereto lists all Material Contracts to which
AEL or any AEL Subsidiary is a party. 'Contracts' means any bids,
quotations, proposals, contracts (including, without limitation,
Government Contracts), agreements, subcontracts, work authorizations,
leases, memoranda of understanding and purchase orders. For purposes of
this Agreement, the term 'Material Contract' means any Contract
providing for (i) AEL or any of the AEL Subsidiaries to refrain from
engaging in conduct which is competitive with the business of the other
party to the contract in any way, (ii) the license to or from any third
party of any intellectual property rights that are material to the
operation of the business of AEL, (iii) the repayment of money borrowed
from a third party (hereinafter referred to as the 'Credit Facilities'),
(iv) the sale by AEL or any of the AEL Subsidiaries of goods and
services pursuant to any individual contract in an amount greater than
One Million ($1,000,000) Dollars, (v) the purchase by AEL or any of the
AEL Subsidiaries of goods and services pursuant to any individual
contract which AEL reasonably expects will account for at least five (5)
percent of its payments to suppliers during 1995, (vi) the partnership
or joint venture contracts referred to in Schedule 2.1(a) hereto, (vii)
each collective bargaining agreement or other Contract to or with any
labor union or other employee representative of a group of employees
relating to wages, hours, and other conditions of employment, (viii) any
other Contract (however named) in addition to those shown on Schedule
2.1(a) involving a sharing of profits, losses, costs, or liabilities of
AEL or any of the AEL Subsidiaries with any other Person, (ix) each
Contract requiring capital expenditures after the date hereof in an
amount in excess of $100,000, (x) each Contract providing for payments
to or by any Person or entity based on sales, purchases or profits,
other than direct payments for goods, (xi) each power of attorney which
is currently effective and outstanding, (xii) each written warranty,
guaranty or other similar undertaking with respect to contractual
performance extended by AEL or any of the AEL Subsidiaries other than in
the ordinary course of business, (xiii) any
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other Contract which, in the reasonable judgment of senior management of
AEL, is material to the business or operations of the AEL Group, and
(xiv) each legally binding amendment, supplement, and modification in
respect of any of the foregoing.
(2) AEL has made available to Buyer an accurate and complete copy
of each Material Contract except as noted on Schedule 2.1(o) hereto and
those Material Contracts which have heretofore been filed as exhibits to
the SEC Filings. Each Material Contract is on terms which AEL believes
are commercially prudent taken as a whole and, with respect to items
(iv) and (v) of this Section 2.1(o)(1), was contracted in all material
respects in accordance with AEL's internal contracting and bidding
procedures.
(3) Except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(o), all the Contracts
listed pursuant to paragraph (1) hereof (A) are in full force and
effect, (B) represent the legal, valid and binding obligations of AEL or
the AEL Subsidiary party thereto and are enforceable against AEL or such
AEL Subsidiary in accordance with their terms, and (C) to the knowledge
of AEL, represent the legal, valid and binding obligations of the other
parties thereto and are enforceable against such parties in accordance
with their terms. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(o), to the
knowledge of AEL no condition exists or event has occurred which, with
notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default under any
such Contract by AEL or any AEL Subsidiary party thereto or any other
party thereto or the basis for force majeure or the claim of excusable
delay or nonperformance under any such Contract except where the
occurrence of such event or existence of any such condition individually
or in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(4) Except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(o), there are no
renegotiations of, or, to the knowledge of AEL, attempts to renegotiate,
or outstanding rights to renegotiate, any material amounts paid or
payable to AEL or any of the AEL Subsidiaries under current or completed
Contracts, with any Person or entity having the contractual or statutory
right to demand or require such renegotiation. Neither AEL nor any of
the AEL Subsidiaries has received any written demand for such
renegotiation in respect of any such Contract. Except as set forth on
Schedule 2.1(o), no customer or government contract officer has asserted
that any material adjustments are required to the terms of any
Contracts.
(5) Except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(o), no consent of any party
to any such Contract is required in connection with the Merger, except
where the failure to obtain such consent would not have a Material
Adverse Effect.
(p) Government Contracts; Backlog.
(1) Except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(p) or on any other Schedule
to this Agreement, neither AEL nor any of the AEL Subsidiaries has
received notice of any claim, suit or investigation asserting or
alleging the commission of criminal acts or bribery, or other violation
of applicable law (either civil or criminal), by either AEL or any of
the AEL Subsidiaries with respect to any Contract between AEL or any of
the AEL Subsidiaries and the United States Government or a department or
agency thereof (a 'Government Contract'). Neither AEL nor any of the AEL
Subsidiaries has been debarred or suspended from participation in the
award of contracts with the United States government or any agency or
department thereof (it being understood that debarment and suspension
does not include ineligibility to bid for certain contracts due to
generally applicable bidding requirements). Except as set forth on
Schedule 2.1(p), neither AEL nor any AEL Subsidiary has received written
notice of any kind from the U.S. government or any agency or department
thereof alleging any violation, or notifying AEL or any AEL Subsidiary
of any investigation of a possible violation, of any applicable law,
rule, or regulation of AEL or any of the AEL Subsidiaries or any act for
which AEL or any of the AEL Subsidiaries could be debarred or suspended
from contracting with any agency of any government, or prohibiting or
seeking to prohibit AEL or any of the AEL Subsidiaries from conducting,
or restricting or seeking to restrict AEL's or any of the AEL
Subsidiaries' ability to conduct, all or any part of its
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business or operations or from contracting with any government. No
payment has been made by AEL or any of the AEL Subsidiaries, or, to the
best knowledge of AEL, by any Person acting on its or their behalf, to
any Person in connection with any Government Contract in violation of
applicable procurement laws or regulations or in violation of (or
requiring disclosure pursuant to) the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Except as set forth in Schedule 2.1(p), the cost accounting and
procurement systems maintained by AEL and the AEL Subsidiaries with
respect to Government Contracts are in compliance in all material
respects with all applicable United States laws and regulations.
(2) Schedule 2.1(p) identifies the current Reasonable Best Estimate
of AEL of the 'cost to complete' of each Material Contract pursuant to
which AEL or any of the AEL Subsidiaries is required to perform services
or deliver products and AEL's current Reasonable Best Estimate of the
aggregate amount of payments to be received under each such Contract.
Except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(p), none of such Contracts has
accrued or, in the reasonable judgment of AEL's senior management, is
expected by AEL to result in any losses.
(q) Intellectual Property.
(1) Schedule 2.1(q) lists each material patent, registered and
unregistered trademark, service mark, trade dress, logo, trade name,
copyright, mask work, and registration or application for any of the
foregoing (the foregoing, together with all material know-how, trade
secrets, confidential information, software, technical information,
process technology, plans, drawings, and blue prints, being hereinafter
collectively referred to as the 'Intellectual Property'), owned by AEL
or any of its Subsidiaries.
(2) The Contracts listed on Schedule 2.1(o) include all license or
sublicense agreements with respect to any Intellectual Property to which
AEL or any of the AEL Subsidiaries is a party and which is material to
the business and operations of the AEL Group as presently being
conducted.
(3) Except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(q):
(A) AEL or one or more of the AEL Subsidiaries has good title
to each item of Intellectual Property owned by it, free and clear of
any Lien other than Permitted Liens;
(B) AEL and its Subsidiaries own or have the right to use
pursuant to license, sublicense, agreement or permission all items
of Intellectual Property used in the operation of the business of
AEL and its Subsidiaries, as presently conducted.
(C) AEL and the AEL Subsidiaries' use of the Intellectual
Property and other trade rights, trade secrets, designs, plans,
specifications and other proprietary rights, whether or not
registered ('Proprietary Rights'), is not to the knowledge of AEL
infringing upon or otherwise violating the Proprietary Rights of any
third party in or to such rights;
(D) no claims have been asserted by any Person against AEL or
any of the AEL Subsidiaries with respect to the use of any
Intellectual Property or Proprietary Rights used by AEL or any of
the AEL Subsidiaries challenging or questioning the validity or
effectiveness of such use or any such right, license or agreement;
(E) to the knowledge of AEL no Person has a right to a royalty
or similar payment, or has any other rights, in respect of any
Intellectual Property or Proprietary Rights; and
(F) neither AEL nor the AEL Subsidiaries, or to the knowledge
of AEL, the other party or parties thereto, is in breach of any
license or sublicense with respect to any item of Intellectual
Property, except where any such breach would not have a Material
Adverse Effect.
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(r) Labor Relations.
(1) The Contracts listed on Schedule 2.1(r) include all collective
bargaining agreements to which either AEL or any of the AEL Subsidiaries
is a party. The Contracts listed on Schedule 2.1(r) also include all
written employment or severance agreements to which either AEL or any of
its Subsidiaries is a party with respect to any employee or former
employee whose compensation or benefits during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1994 exceeded $75,000 and which may not be terminated at
will, or by giving notice of 30 days or less, without cost or penalty.
AEL has made available to Buyer true, correct and complete copies of
each such Contract, as amended to date. Neither AEL nor any of the AEL
Subsidiaries party thereto nor, to the knowledge of AEL, the other party
or parties thereto, is in breach of any term of any such Contract.
(2) Except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(r):
(A) AEL and the AEL Subsidiaries have complied with the
applicable laws relating to the employment of labor, including,
without limitation, those relating to wages, hours, unfair labor
practices, discrimination and immigration, except where such
instances of noncompliance would not have a Material Adverse Effect;
(B) neither AEL nor any of the AEL Subsidiaries has engaged in
any unfair labor practice and there are no complaints against AEL or
any of the AEL Subsidiaries pending before the National Labor
Relations Board or any similar state or local labor agency by or on
behalf of any employee of AEL or any of the AEL Subsidiaries;
(C) there are no representation questions, arbitration
proceedings, labor strikes, slow downs or stoppages, grievances or
other labor disputes pending or, to the knowledge of AEL, threatened
with respect to the employees of AEL or any of the AEL Subsidiaries;
(D) other than as set forth on Schedule 2.1(r), neither AEL nor
any of the AEL Subsidiaries has entered into any severance or
similar arrangement in respect of any present employee of AEL or any
of its Subsidiaries, that will result in any obligation (absolute or
contingent) of Buyer, AEL or any of the AEL Subsidiaries to make any
payment to any present employee of AEL or any of the AEL
Subsidiaries following termination of employment;
(E) AEL and the AEL Subsidiaries have complied in all respects
with all laws, rules and regulations relating to employment, equal
employment opportunity, nondiscrimination, immigration, wages,
hours, benefits, collective bargaining, the payment of social
security and similar taxes, occupational safety and health and plant
closings (hereinafter collectively referred to as the 'Employment
Laws'), except where such instances of noncompliance would not have
a Material Adverse Effect.
(3) Neither AEL nor any of the AEL Subsidiaries is liable for the
payment of taxes, fines, penalties or other amounts, however designated,
for failure to comply with any of the Employment Laws.
(s) Legal Compliance. Except with respect to (1) matters set forth on
Schedule 2.1(s), (2) compliance with Environmental Laws (as to which
certain representations and warranties are made pursuant to Section
2.1(m)), (3) compliance with laws applicable to Government Contracts (as to
which certain representations and warranties are made pursuant to Section
2.1(p)), and (4) compliance with Employment Laws (as to which certain
representations and warranties are made pursuant to Section 2.1(r)), AEL
and the AEL Subsidiaries are in compliance with all laws (including rules
and regulations thereunder) of federal, state, local and foreign
governments (and all agencies thereof) applicable thereto, except where
such instances of noncompliance would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(t) Taxes. Except as otherwise disclosed in Schedule 2.1(t):
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(1) All federal, state, local, and foreign tax returns of AEL and
the AEL Subsidiaries and each consolidated or affiliated group which AEL
and the AEL Subsidiaries have been a part ('Tax Returns'), including
those Tax Returns relating to income, employment, franchise, property,
sales and use, and excise taxes, and any other taxes due from and/or
withheld by or required to be withheld by AEL and the AEL Subsidiaries
(collectively, 'Taxes') have been duly and timely filed and are correct
and complete in all material respects.
(2) All Taxes or estimates thereof that are due have been timely
paid.
(3) None of the Tax Returns has been audited or is being audited by
any taxing authority.
(4) No assessment, audit or other proceeding by any taxing
authority, court, or other governmental or regulatory authority is
proposed, pending, or, to the knowledge of AEL, threatened with respect
to the Taxes or Tax Returns of AEL or the AEL Subsidiaries.
(5) There are no outstanding agreements, waivers, or arrangements
extending the statutory period of limitations applicable to any claim
for or the period for the collection or assessment of Taxes due for any
taxable period.
(6) No consent to the application of Section 341(f)(2) of the Code
(or any predecessor thereof) has been made or filed by or with respect
to any of AEL or the AEL Subsidiaries or any of their assets and
properties.
(7) None of the assets and properties of AEL or the AEL
Subsidiaries is an asset or property that Buyer or any of its Affiliates
is or will be required to treat as being (i) owned by any other Person
pursuant to the provisions of Section 168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1954 as amended, and in effect immediately before the enactment
of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, or (ii) tax-exempt use property within
the meaning of Section 168(h)(1) of the Code.
(8) No closing agreement pursuant to Section 7121 of the Code (or
any predecessor provision) or any similar provision of any state, local,
or foreign law has been entered into by or with respect to AEL or any of
the AEL Subsidiaries or any assets thereof.
(9) All positions taken on federal Tax Returns that could give rise
to a penalty for substantial understatement pursuant to Section 6662 of
the Code have been disclosed on such Tax Returns or there is or was
substantial authority for such treatment.
(10) Neither AEL nor any of the AEL Subsidiaries has made any
payments, is obligated to make any payments, or is a party to any
agreement that under certain circumstances could obligate it to make any
payments that will not be deductible under Section 280G of the Code or
under Section 162(m) of the Code.
(11) None of AEL or any of the AEL Subsidiaries is a party to, is
bound by, or has any obligation under any tax sharing agreement or
similar agreement and no such agreement shall be entered into or amended
by AEL or the AEL Subsidiaries prior to the Closing. None of AEL nor any
of the AEL Subsidiaries has any liability for the Taxes of any Person
(other than any of AEL and the AEL Subsidiaries) under Treasury
Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local,
or foreign law), as a transferee or successor, by contract, or
otherwise.
(12) No 'excess loss account'or 'deferred intercompany gain' (as
such terms are described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502) exists
for, between or with respect to AEL or any of the AEL Subsidiaries.
(13) Except as disclosed on Schedule 2.1(a), neither AEL nor any of
the AEL Subsidiaries is a partner in any partnership.
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(14) Except as disclosed on federal tax returns, neither AEL nor
any of the AEL Subsidiaries has made any tax elections under Sections
108, 168, 338, 441, 472, 1017, 1033 or 4977 of the Code, or Treasury
Regulation 1.1502.
(15) Neither AEL nor any of the AEL Subsidiaries has agreed to or
is required to make any adjustment pursuant to Section 481(a) of the
Code by reason of any change in any accounting method. Neither AEL nor
any of the AEL Subsidiaries has an application pending with any taxing
authority requesting permission for a change in any accounting method.
(16) Neither AEL nor any of the AEL Subsidiaries is a foreign
person within the meaning of Section 1445(b) of the Code.
(17) The unpaid Taxes of AEL and the AEL Subsidiaries did not, as
of the most recent fiscal month end, exceed the reserve for tax
liability (rather than any reserve for deferred Taxes established to
reflect the liability pursuant to FAS 109) set forth on the face of the
balance sheet for the same month and do not exceed that reserve as
adjusted for the passage of time through the Closing Date.
(u) Licenses, Permits and Authorizations. Schedule 2.1(u) contains a
list of all material licenses, franchises and other permits of or with any
governmental, regulatory or administrative authority, whether foreign,
federal, state or local, which are held by AEL or any of the AEL
Subsidiaries. All such licenses, franchises and other permits are in full
force and effect and there are no proceedings pending or, to the knowledge
of AEL, threatened that seek the revocation, cancellation, suspension or
adverse modification thereof. Such licenses, approvals, consents,
franchises and permits constitute, in the reasonable judgment of senior
management of AEL, all of the material licenses, approvals, consents,
franchises and permits necessary to permit AEL and the AEL Subsidiaries to
own, operate, use and maintain their assets in the manner in which they are
now operated and maintained and to conduct the business of AEL and the AEL
Subsidiaries as currently conducted. All required filings with respect to
such licenses, approvals, consents, franchises, and permits have been
timely made and all required applications for renewal thereof have been
timely filed except as to instances wherein the failure to so timely file
would not have a material adverse effect.
(v) Books and Records. The books of account, minute books, and stock
record books of AEL and the AEL Subsidiaries, all of which have been made
available to Buyer, are complete and correct in all material respects and
have been maintained in accordance with ordinary business practices,
including, but not limited to, the maintenance of a reasonable system of
internal controls. The minute books of AEL and the AEL Subsidiaries contain
records of all meetings held of, and corporate action taken by, the
shareholders and the Board of Directors of AEL and the AEL Subsidiaries,
and no meetings of such shareholders or any such Board of Directors has
been held at which any significant action was taken for which minutes have
not been prepared and are not contained in such minute books. At the
Closing, all of those books and records will be in the possession of AEL
and the AEL Subsidiaries.
(w) Insurance.
(1) Schedule 2.1(w) contains a summary description of all policies
of property, fire and casualty, product liability, workers'
compensation, and all other forms of insurance held by AEL or any of the
AEL Subsidiaries. True, correct and complete copies of such insurance
policies have been made available to Buyer.
(2) All policies described in paragraph (1) hereof (A) are valid,
outstanding, and enforceable policies, (B) provide adequate insurance
coverage for the assets and the operations of AEL and the AEL
Subsidiaries for all material risks normally insured against by a Person
or entity carrying on the same business as AEL and the AEL Subsidiaries,
and (C) will not terminate, or lapse by reason of, the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
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(3) Neither AEL or any of the AEL Subsidiaries has received (A) any
notice of cancellation of any policy described in paragraph (1) hereof
or refusal of coverage thereunder (B) any notice that any issuer of such
policy has filed for protection under applicable bankruptcy laws or is
otherwise in the process of liquidating or has been liquidated, or (C)
any other notice that such polices are no longer in full force or effect
or that the issuer of any such policy is no longer willing or able to
perform its obligations thereunder.
(x) Takeover Laws. AEL has taken the requisite corporate action to
render the following provisions of Chapter 25 of the BCL inapplicable to
AEL: (a) Subchapter E. -- Control Transactions; (b) Subchapter F. --
Business Combinations; (c) Subchapter G. -- Control Share Acquisitions; (d)
Subchapter H. -- Disgorgement by Certain Controlling Shareholders Following
Attempts to Acquire Control; (e) Subchapter I. -- Severance Compensation
for Employees Terminated Following Certain Control Share Acquisitions; and
(f) Subchapter J. -- Business Combination Transactions -- Labor Contracts.
2.2 Representations and Warranties by Buyer and Sub. Buyer and Sub each
represent and warrant to AEL as follows:
(a) Organization and Qualification; Etc. Each of Buyer and Sub is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and has all requisite corporate
power and authority to own or lease and operate its properties and to carry
on its business as it is now being conducted. Buyer owns beneficially and
of record all the issued and outstanding capital stock of Sub.
(b) Authority Relative to Agreements. Each of Buyer and Sub has all
requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to
perform its obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement by Buyer and Sub and the consummation by Buyer and Sub of the
Merger Transaction have been duly authorized by the Boards of Directors of
Buyer and Sub and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Buyer or
Sub are necessary to authorize the Merger Transaction. This Agreement has
been duly executed and delivered by Buyer or Sub and this Agreement
constitutes a valid and binding obligation of Buyer or Sub, as the case may
be, enforceable against Buyer and Sub in accordance with its terms.
(c) Lack of Conflicts with Other Agreements. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement by Buyer and Sub and the consummation by Buyer
and Sub of the Merger Transaction will not (i) conflict with any provision
of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of Buyer or Sub or (ii) result
in any violation of or default under, or permit the acceleration of any
obligation under, any mortgage, indenture, lease, agreement or other
instrument, permit, concession, grant, franchise, license, judgment, order,
decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to Buyer or
Sub, which violation, default or acceleration would have a material adverse
effect on the business, operations or financial condition of Buyer or Sub.
(d) Consents. No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or
registration, declaration or filing with, any Federal, state, local or
foreign governmental or regulatory authority is required to be made or
obtained by Buyer or Sub in connection with the execution and delivery of
this Agreement by Buyer or Sub or the consummation by Buyer or Sub of the
Merger Transaction, except for (i) the filing of a premerger notification
and the expiration or early termination of the waiting period required by
the HSR Act and (ii) the filing of Articles of Merger with the Secretary of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a Certificate of Merger with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
(e) Proxy Statement and Other Information. None of the information
relating to Buyer or Sub which is supplied by Buyer or Sub for inclusion in
the Proxy Statement (as such information is amended or supplemented) will,
at the time the Proxy Statement is mailed or at the time of the meeting of
the AEL shareholders to which the Proxy Statement relates, contain any
untrue
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statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary
to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading.
(f) Brokers. No broker, finder, or investment banker is entitled to
any brokerage, finder's or other fee or commission in connection with the
Merger Transaction based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Buyer or
Sub.
(g) Eligibility. Buyer and Buyer Sub each satisfy the eligibility
requirements for a facility security clearance as set forth on the National
Industrial Security Program Operating Manual promulgated by the Department
of Defense (including without limitation Sections 1 and 3 of Chapter 2
thereof) at the level currently held by AEL.
(h) Financing. Buyer has funds available (including those to be
provided to it pursuant to the Commitment Letter [as hereinafter defined in
Section 4.1(n)] which are sufficient to pay the Merger Consideration and to
pay all other amounts owing by AEL or Sub in connection with the Merger
Transaction. Buyer will, from time to time prior to the Closing at the
reasonable request of AEL, provide to AEL substantiation of the status of
the financing arrangements contemplated in the Commitment Letter.
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ARTICLE III
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS
3.1 Shareholder Approval.
(a) As soon as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement,
AEL shall take all action necessary in accordance with the Exchange Act, the BCL
and its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws to call a meeting (the 'Meeting')
of its shareholders to seek Shareholder Approval and for such other purposes as
may be appropriate. The Long Range Planning Committee shall, subject to its
fiduciary duties, recommend without qualification that AEL's shareholders vote
for the Proposal. The Long Range Planning Committee shall, subject to its
fiduciary duties, solicit shareholder proxies with the intention of obtaining
Shareholder Approval.
(b) Promptly following the date of this Agreement, AEL shall prepare and
file with the SEC under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated by the SEC thereunder, a preliminary draft of the Proxy Statement.
AEL, Buyer and Sub shall cooperate fully with each other in the preparation and
filing of the Proxy Statement and any amendments and supplements thereto. The
Proxy Statement shall not be filed, and no amendment or supplement thereto shall
be made by AEL, without Buyer's and Sub's prior approval which shall not be
unreasonably delayed or withheld. AEL will use reasonable efforts to seek prompt
review of the Proxy Statement by the SEC. As soon as reasonably practicable
following the date of this Agreement, AEL shall cause to be mailed a definitive
Proxy Statement to its shareholders promptly following completion of any review
by, or in the absence of such review, the termination of any applicable waiting
period of, the SEC.
3.2 Conduct of AEL's Business.
(a) AEL agrees that, from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time,
unless Buyer shall otherwise agree in writing or as otherwise expressly
contemplated by this Agreement, AEL shall conduct its business and shall cause
the AEL Subsidiaries to conduct their respective businesses only in the ordinary
course consistent with past practice and shall use all reasonable efforts to
preserve their business organizations, maintain their rights and franchises,
keep available the services of their officers and employees, and preserve their
relationships with customers, suppliers and others having material business
dealings with them. Specifically, and without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, neither AEL nor any of the AEL Subsidiaries shall, without the
written consent of Buyer:
(i) directly or indirectly do any of the following: (A) issue, sell,
pledge, dispose of or encumber any material assets other than in the
ordinary course of its business consistent with past practice, (B) amend or
propose to amend its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, (C) split,
combine or reclassify any outstanding shares of its capital stock, or
declare, set aside or pay any dividend in stock, property or otherwise with
respect to such shares, (D) redeem, purchase, acquire or offer to acquire
any shares of its capital stock or (E) enter into any agreement with
respect to any of the matters set forth in this Section 3.2(a);
(ii) (A), except in connection with the exercise of any AEL Stock
Options (as defined in the Plan of Merger) or the conversion of any shares
of Class B Stock, issue, sell, pledge or dispose of, or agree to issue,
sell, pledge or dispose of, any additional shares of, or securities
convertible or exchangeable for, or any options, warrants or rights of any
kind to acquire any shares of, its capital stock of any class or other
property or assets whether pursuant to any rights agreement, stock plan or
otherwise, (B) acquire (by merger, consolidation or acquisition of stock or
assets) any corporation, partnership or other business organization or
division thereof, (C) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue
any debt securities, except in the ordinary course of its business
consistent with past practice under the Credit Facilities, (D) enter into
any new Material Contract or modify any existing Material Contract in any
material respect except in the ordinary course of its business consistent
with past practice, (E) terminate, modify, assign, waive, release or
relinquish any material contract rights or amend any material rights or
claims not in the ordinary course of its business consistent with past
practice or except as expressly provided herein, or (F) dissolve or
liquidate;
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(iii) grant any increase in the salary or other compensation of its
employees or grant any bonus to any employee, except in the ordinary course
of its business consistent with past practice;
(iv) enter into any employment agreement or make any loan to or enter
into any material transaction of any other nature with any officer or other
executive employee;
(v) take any action to institute any new severance or termination pay
practices with respect to any directors, officers or employees or to
increase the benefits payable under its severance or termination pay
practices;
(vi) hire any new employees except for employees having an annualized
salary of less than $100,000 who are terminable at will;
(vii) adopt or amend, in any respect, except as may be required by
applicable law or regulation, any bonus, profit sharing, compensation,
stock option, restricted stock, pension, retirement, deferred compensation,
employment or other employee benefit plan, agreement, trust, fund, or
arrangement for the benefit or welfare of any directors, officers or
employees, except in the ordinary course of its business consistent with
past practice;
(viii) mortgage, pledge or otherwise subject to any lien, security
interest, encumbrance or charge of any nature, any of its material assets,
or become committed so to do, or permit or suffer any of such material
assets to become subject to any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest,
encumbrance or charge of any nature other than liens for current taxes not
yet due and payable, or become committed to do so;
(ix) make any new commitments for capital expenditures in excess of
$100,000 individually or $500,000 in the aggregate, except for expenditures
for maintenance of capital assets in the ordinary course of its business
consistent with past practice.
(b) Unless otherwise consented to in writing by Buyer, from the Date of
this Agreement until the Effective Time, AEL shall, and shall cause each of the
AEL Subsidiaries to:
(i) use all reasonable efforts to maintain its relationships with its
suppliers and customers and, if and as requested by Buyer, (A) make
reasonable arrangements as reasonably requested by Buyer for
representatives of Buyer to meet with customers and suppliers of AEL and
the AEL Subsidiaries (if Buyer shall give AEL reasonable notice of such
meetings), and (B) schedule, and the senior management of AEL and the AEL
Subsidiaries shall participate in, meetings of representatives of Buyer
with employees of AEL and the AEL Subsidiaries;
(ii) maintain all of the assets used or useful to the business of AEL
and the AEL Subsidiaries in good repair, order and condition, maintain in
full force and effect all material franchises, licenses, permits, consents,
approvals, rights, waivers and other authorizations, governmental or
otherwise, currently in effect and maintain in full force all policies of
insurance or satisfactory substitute insurance policies insuring against
the risks, damages and losses covered by the insurance policies currently
in force, in each case consistent with its past practice; and
(iii) otherwise conduct its business in the ordinary course consistent
with past practice.
3.3 AEL Stock Options. Schedule 3.3 attached hereto describes all AEL
Stock Options which will be exercisable as of the Effective Time ('Exercisable
Options') and all AEL Stock Options which will not be exercisable as of the
Effective Time ('Nonexercisable Options'). All options to purchase AEL Stock,
including both the Exercisable Options and the Non-Exercisable Options, are
herein referred to collectively as the 'AEL Stock Options.' AEL shall make
adjustments to the AEL Stock Options as are permitted by the plans relating
thereto to provide that immediately prior to the Effective Time, each holder of
AEL Stock Options shall be entitled to receive from AEL, and each of the AEL
Stock Options shall be cancelled in exchange for, a payment by AEL to the holder
of an amount equal to the difference between the Merger Price and the per share
exercise price (the 'Spread') of such AEL Stock Options multiplied by the number
of shares subject to such AEL Stock Options (such options are called the 'Cashed
Options'). The funds required to make such payments
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shall be made available to AEL by Buyer on the Closing Date. Appropriate
arrangements shall be made for reduction of the amount to be paid to each holder
of Cashed Options for any applicable withholding taxes or other amounts required
by law to be paid or withheld, either through reducing the amount paid to, or
obtaining a cash payment from, such holder.
3.4 HSR Act. Buyer, Sub and AEL, to the extent required shall as soon as
practicable, file Notification and Report Forms under the HSR Act with the
Federal Trade Commission ('FTC') and the Antitrust Division of the Department of
Justice (the 'Antitrust Division') and shall respond as promptly as practicable
to all inquiries received from the FTC or the Antitrust Division for additional
information or documentation, and shall use reasonable efforts to resolve, as
soon as practicable, any questions which may be raised by the FTC or the
Antitrust Division.
3.5 Other Actions. Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided,
each of the parties hereby agrees to use reasonable efforts to take, or cause to
be taken, all action and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary,
proper or advisable to consummate and make effective as promptly as practicable
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including without limitation
using reasonable efforts to obtain all necessary waivers, consents and approvals
and to effect all necessary registrations and filings, including without
limitation filings required under the Exchange Act.
3.6 Inquiries and Negotiations. AEL shall immediately cease any existing
discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted prior to the date of this
Agreement in respect of the acquisition of all or substantially all the business
of AEL, whether by sale of assets or shares of capital stock of AEL, or by
merger, consolidation, or similar transaction (collectively, an 'Acquisition
Transaction'). AEL shall not, and shall not permit its officers, employees,
representatives or agents to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit or initiate
discussions or negotiations with, or provide any nonpublic information to, any
person other than Buyer or its affiliates concerning an Acquisition Transaction,
or (ii) otherwise solicit or initiate inquiries or the submission of any
proposal contemplating an Acquisition Transaction. AEL shall promptly
communicate to Buyer the terms, including the identity of the person making such
proposal, of any inquiry or proposal which it may receive in respect of an
Acquisition Transaction. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed
to prohibit the Long Range Planning Committee from any or all of the following,
if the Long Range Planning Committee is advised by legal counsel that the
failure to so act could involve a breach of fiduciary duty on the part of the
Long Range Planning Committee: (a) engaging in discussions or negotiations with,
and providing nonpublic information to, any person other than Buyer or its
affiliates which has initiated discussions or negotiations, or made an
unsolicited inquiry or proposal, concerning an Acquisition Transaction, (b)
withdrawing, modifying or refraining from making its recommendation to the AEL
shareholders of the Merger Transaction, and (c) accepting an offer for an
Acquisition Transaction which the Long Range Planning Committee believes is more
favorable to AEL or to its shareholders than the Merger Transaction ('Superior
Transaction') and recommending the Superior Transaction to the AEL shareholders.
3.7 Notification of Certain Matters. AEL shall give prompt notice to Buyer
and Sub, and Buyer and Sub shall give prompt notice to AEL, of (i) the
occurrence, or failure to occur, of any event which such party believes would
likely cause any of its representations or warranties contained in this
Agreement to be untrue or inaccurate in any material respect at any time from
the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time and (ii) material failure of
AEL, any Buyer or Sub, as the case may be, or any officer, director, employee or
agent thereof, to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to
be complied with or satisfied by it hereunder.
3.8 Access to Information.
(a) AEL shall cause its officers, directors and employees to, and
shall use reasonable efforts to cause its representatives and agents
(including without limitation its attorneys and accountants) to afford,
from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, the officers,
employees and agents of Buyer and Sub and to their respective legal and
financial advisors, lenders, financing sources, and their respective legal
advisors and representatives, so long as such Persons agree to maintain the
confidentiality of such information in accordance with this Agreement,
complete
A-21
access at all reasonable times to its officers, employees, agents,
properties, books, records, and work papers, and shall furnish Buyer and
Sub all financial, operating and other data and information as Buyer or
Sub, through its officers, employees or agents, may reasonably request,
except to the extent the foregoing are protected by the attorney-client
privilege or constitute attorney work product.
(b) Except for any governmental filings required in order to complete
the transactions contemplated herein, and except as Buyer and AEL may agree
in writing, each party hereto shall keep all Evaluation Materials
(hereinafter defined) confidential, and, except as required by applicable
law, no party shall disclose any Evaluation Materials or any information
contained therein to any Person; provided, however, that any such
information may be disclosed by any party hereto (i) to its legal and
financial advisors, lenders, financing sources and their respective legal
advisors and representatives, so long as such Persons agree to maintain the
confidentiality of such information in accordance with this Section 3.8,
and (ii) to those of such party's directors, officers, employees, agents
and representatives who need to know such information for the purposes of
evaluating the transactions contemplated hereby (it being understood that
such directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives shall be
informed by such party of the confidential nature of such information and
shall be directed by such party, and shall each agree to treat such
information confidentially in accordance with this Section 3.8). Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the
transactions contemplated hereby are not consummated, neither party hereto
nor its directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives shall use
any of the Evaluation Materials made available to it by another party
hereto for any purpose. The foregoing restrictions shall not apply to any
disclosure by Buyer after the Closing of any information disclosed by AEL
or the AEL Subsidiaries.
(c) In the event that any party hereto or any of its representatives
receives a request or is required (by applicable law, regulation or legal
process) to disclose all or any part of the information contained in the
Evaluation Materials, such party or its representatives, as the case may
be, shall (i) promptly notify the disclosing party of the existence, terms
and circumstances surrounding such a request, (ii) consult with the
disclosing party on the advisability of taking legally available steps to
resist or narrow such request, and (iii) assist the disclosing party in
seeking a protective order or other appropriate remedy. In the event that
such protective order or other remedy is not obtained or that the
disclosing party waives compliance with the provisions hereof, (i) such
party or its representatives, as the case may be, may disclose only that
portion of the Evaluation Materials which such party is advised by opinion
of legal counsel is legally required to be disclosed and shall exercise
reasonable efforts to assist the disclosing party in obtaining assurance
that confidential treatment will be accorded such and (ii) such party shall
not be liable for such disclosure unless disclosure to any such tribunal
was caused by or resulted from a previous disclosure by such party or its
representatives not permitted by this Section 3.8.
(d) If this Agreement is terminated, the parties hereto shall comply
with the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement.
3.9 Public Announcements. Except to the extent otherwise required by
applicable law, neither AEL, Buyer nor Sub shall make, issue or release any oral
or written public announcement or statement concerning, or acknowledgment of the
existence of, or reveal the terms, conditions or status of, the Merger
Transaction or make any other communication to its shareholders or the investing
public, directly or indirectly (including without limitation press releases and
statements to securities analysts), without first making a good faith attempt to
obtain the prior approval of, or concurrence in, the contents of such
announcement, acknowledgment or statement by the other of them, which approval
or concurrence shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
3.10 Indemnification; Director's and Officer's Liability Insurance. After
the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall continue to be obligated to
indemnify and hold harmless (and shall also advance expenses as incurred to the
fullest extent permitted under applicable law to) each person who is now, or has
been prior to the date hereof or who becomes prior to the Effective Time, an
officer
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or director of AEL or any of the AEL Subsidiaries (the 'Indemnified Officers and
Directors') against (i) all losses, claims, damages, costs, expenses (including
without limitation counsel fees and expenses), settlement payments or
liabilities arising out of or in connection with any claim, demand, action,
suit, proceeding or investigation based in whole or in part on, or arising in
whole or in part out of, the fact that such person is or was an officer or
director of AEL or any of the AEL Subsidiaries whether or not pertaining to any
matter existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time and whether or
not asserted or claimed prior to or at or after the Effective Time ('Indemnified
Liabilities') and (ii) all Indemnified Liabilities based in whole or in part on,
or arising in whole or in part out of, or pertaining to this Agreement, the
Other Agreements or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, in each
case to the fullest extent required or permitted under applicable law or under
the Surviving Corporation's Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws or any
indemnification agreements in effect on the date hereof (to the extent
consistent with applicable law) (the 'Existing D&O Indemnification Provisions').
The Existing D&O Indemnification Provisions shall survive the Merger and shall
continue in full force and effect after the Effective Time. Any determination
required to be made with respect to whether an Indemnified Officer's or
Director's conduct complies with the standards set forth under applicable law or
the Surviving Corporation's Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws shall be made in
good faith by the Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation. The parties
hereto intend, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, that the
indemnification provided for in this Section 3.10 shall apply without limitation
to negligent acts or omissions by an Indemnified Officer or Director. The
Surviving Corporation's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws shall not be
rescinded or amended in a manner that adversely affects the rights of any
Indemnified Officer or Director thereunder or under this Section 3.10 unless
otherwise required by applicable law. To the extent available on terms
reasonably satisfactory to the Surviving Corporation, the Surviving Corporation
shall maintain, for not less than five years after the Effective Time,
director's and officer's liability insurance covering each Indemnified Officer
or Director on terms not materially less favorable than the insurance maintained
in effect by AEL on the date hereof as to terms of coverage (including without
limitation types of claims, time period of claims, exclusions and persons
covered), amounts and deductibles (but in no event shall the coverage be greater
at any time than that being maintained for the benefit of the officers and
directors of AEL prior to the Effective Time). Buyer hereby guarantees the
payment and performance of the Surviving Corporation's obligations in this
Section 3.10. Each Indemnified Officer and Director is intended to be a third
party beneficiary of this Section 3.10 and may specifically enforce its terms.
This Section 3.10 shall not limit or otherwise adversely affect any rights any
Indemnified Officer and Director may have under any agreement with AEL or under
AEL's Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws.
3.11 Employee Benefit Plan. Neither AEL, nor any AEL Subsidiary, nor any
Welfare Plan or Pension Plan, nor any trust created thereunder, will engage in
any 'prohibited transaction' (as such term is defined in Section 406 of ERISA),
and neither AEL nor any AEL Subsidiary will (a) terminate any Pension Plan in a
manner that results in the imposition of a lien on any property of AEL or any
AEL Subsidiary pursuant to Section 4068 of ERISA, or (b) take any action that
adversely affects the qualification of any Employee Plan or its compliance with
the applicable requirements of ERISA or the Code or results in a 'reportable
event' (as such term is defined in Section 4043(b) of ERISA).
3.12 Update Information. Not less than 5 business days before the date
scheduled for Closing, AEL and Buyer shall correct and supplement in writing any
information furnished on Schedules that, to the knowledge of AEL or Buyer,
respectively, is incorrect or incomplete in any material respect, and shall
promptly furnish such corrected and supplemented information to the other, so
that such information shall be correct and complete in all material respects to
the knowledge of such party at the time such updated information is so provided.
Thereafter, prior to the Closing, AEL and Buyer shall each notify the other in
writing of any changes or supplements to the updated information needed, to the
knowledge of AEL or Buyer, respectively, to make such information correct and
complete to the knowledge of such party as of the Closing. It is agreed that the
furnishing of such corrected and supplemental information, in and of itself,
shall not create any presumption that such information constitutes or evidences
the existence of a material change or any breach or violation by AEL or Buyer of
any provision of this Agreement, it being understood that any determination as
to whether such a
A-23
breach or violation exists shall be made on the basis of any and all relevant
information, which may include information as is so furnished under this Section
3.12.
3.13 Dissenting Shareholders. AEL shall give Buyer (a) prompt notice of
any demands received from Dissenting Shareholders, if any, for payment of the
fair value for their shares of capital stock and (b) the opportunity to
participate in all negotiations and proceedings with respect to any such
demands.
3.14 Commitment Letter. Buyer shall use all reasonable efforts to
consummate the financing contemplated in the Commitment Letter including without
limitation those which are appropriate to enforce the performance by Bankers
Trust Company of its obligations thereunder. Buyer shall not terminate or amend
the Commitment Letter in any material respect without the prior written consent
of AEL, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.
ARTICLE IV
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
4.1 Conditions to the Merger Relating to Buyer and Sub. The obligation of
Buyer and Sub to effect the Merger is subject to the satisfaction, prior to the
Effective Time, of each of the following conditions unless waived by Buyer and
Sub:
(a) Shareholder Approval and Dissenters Rights. Shareholder Approval
shall have been obtained by the requisite vote of the holders of Class A
Stock and Class B Stock, each voting as a class as contemplated in Section
1.3(a) hereof. The aggregate number of Dissenting Shares (as defined in the
Plan of Merger) shall not exceed 5% of the outstanding shares of AEL Common
Stock.
(b) No Injunction. No order, decree, ruling or other action of a
court or governmental agency of competent jurisdiction, restraining,
enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Merger Transaction, shall be in
effect.
(c) HSR Act. The waiting periods under the HSR Act shall have been
terminated or early termination thereof shall have been granted, or all
approvals required in connection therewith, if any, shall have been
obtained.
(d) Accuracy of Representations and Warranties; Compliance With
Covenants; and Absence of Material Adverse Change. The representations and
warranties of AEL herein shall be accurate in all material respects at and
as of the Closing Date (except to the extent that such representation and
warranty speaks as of another date); AEL shall have complied in all
material respects with the covenants it has agreed herein to undertake; and
no material adverse change shall have occurred to the business, operations
or financial condition of AEL since February 24, 1995.
(e) AEL shall have delivered to Buyer a certificate signed by an
officer of AEL, dated the Closing, certifying that, to the best of the
knowledge of such officer, the conditions specified in Section 4.1 as they
relate to AEL, have been fulfilled.
(f) There shall not be in force any order, decree, statute, rule or
regulation, nor shall there be on file any complaint by a governmental
agency seeking an order or decree, and Buyer shall not have received
written notice from any governmental agency that it has determined to
institute any suit or proceeding seeking an order or decree, in each case,
that would, as a result of the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, require (i) any divestiture by Buyer or any
Significant Subsidiary of Buyer of a significant portion of the business of
Buyer or such Significant Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, or (ii) any divestiture by AEL or any Significant Subsidiary of AEL
of a significant portion of the business of AEL or such Significant
Subsidiary.
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(g) Any consent required for the consummation of the Merger under any
agreement, contract or license described in a schedule hereto or for the
continued enjoyment by AEL and the AEL Subsidiaries of the benefits of any
agreement, contract or license described in a schedule hereto after the
Merger shall have been obtained, except where the failure to obtain such
consent would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(h) Buyer shall have received an opinion, dated as of the Closing
Date, from counsel to AEL, substantially in the form of Exhibit C.
(i) Mr. Leeam Lowin shall have executed and delivered to Buyer, not
later than the close of business on October 6, 1995, an agreement in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit E.
(j) Buyer shall not have been informed by a member of senior
management or a senior official of any of the customers of AEL and/or the
AEL Subsidiaries identified on Schedule 4.1(j) that such customer intends
to terminate or modify in any material respect its existing contractual
relationship with AEL and/or the AEL Subsidiaries after the Effective Time
of the Merger solely as a result of the consummation of the Merger
Transactions contemplated hereby and the aggregate of all such terminations
or modifications are reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Buyer shall notify AEL, in writing, as soon as practicable upon receiving
any such customer notification. AEL shall have a period of not less than
ten business days in which to (a) verify to its reasonable satisfaction the
accuracy of such notification, and (b) address the matter with a view to
resolving any concerns which form the basis for such notification so that
the customer shall withdraw the notification.
(k) AEL shall have delivered all assignments, consents, approvals and
other documents, certificates and instruments as Buyer may reasonably
request for the purpose of (A) enabling its counsel to provide the opinion
required under this Agreement, (B) evidencing the accuracy and completeness
of any of the representations, warranties or statements, the performance of
any covenants or agreements of AEL or the compliance by AEL with any of the
conditions, all as contained or referred to in this Agreement, or (C)
effectuating or confirming the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby.
(l) Buyer shall have obtained debt financing in accordance with the
terms of the Commitment Letter attached hereto as Schedule 4.1(l) issued by
Bankers Trust Company to Buyer.
(m) Buyer shall have received possession of all corporate, accounting,
business and tax records of AEL and the AEL Subsidiaries.
(n) The form and substance of all actions, proceedings, instruments
and documents required to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall be satisfactory in all reasonable and customary respects to
Buyer and its counsel.
4.2 Conditions to the Merger Relating to AEL. The obligation of AEL to
effect the Merger is subject to the satisfaction prior to the Effective Time of
each of the following conditions unless waived by AEL:
(a) Shareholder Approval. Shareholder Approval shall have been
obtained by the requisite vote of the holders of Class A Stock and Class B
Stock, each voting as a class, as contemplated in Section 1.3(a) hereof.
(b) No Injunction. No order, decree, ruling or other action of a
court of competent jurisdiction, restraining, enjoining or otherwise
prohibiting the Merger Transaction, shall be in effect.
(c) HSR Act. The waiting period under the HSR Act shall have been
terminated or early termination thereof shall have been granted, or all
approvals required in connection therewith, if any, shall have been
obtained.
A-25
(d) Accuracy of Representations and Warranties and Compliance With
Covenants. The representations and warranties of Buyer and Sub herein
shall be accurate in all material respects at and as of the Closing Date
(except to the extent that such representation and warranty speaks as of
another date) and Buyer and Sub shall have complied in all material
respects with the covenants each of them has agreed herein to undertake.
(e) Fairness Opinion. On the date on which the Proxy Statement is
mailed to the AEL shareholders, AEL shall have received an opinion
('Fairness Opinion') of Dillon, Read & Co., Inc. (or other nationally
recognized investment banking firm) dated the date of such mailing and
acceptable to the Long Range Planning Committee to the effect that the
Merger Price is fair from a financial point of view to the AEL
shareholders, and on the date of the Shareholders Meeting and at the
Effective Time, such opinion shall not have been withdrawn or modified in a
manner which is not acceptable to the Long Range Planning Committee.
(f) Buyer shall have delivered to AEL a certificate signed by an
officer of Buyer, dated the Closing, certifying that, to the knowledge of
such officer, the conditions specified in Section 4.2 as they relate to
Buyer have been fulfilled.
(g) AEL shall have received an opinion, dated as of the Closing Date,
from Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C., counsel to Buyer, substantially in
the form of Exhibit B.
(h) The form and substance of all actions, proceedings, instruments
and documents required to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall be satisfactory in all reasonable and customary respects to
AEL and its counsel.
(i) There shall not be in force any order, decree, statute, rule or
regulation, nor shall there be on file any complaint by a governmental
agency seeking an order or decree, and AEL shall not have received written
notice from any governmental agency that it has determined to institute any
suit or proceeding seeking an order or decree, in each case, that would, as
a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby,
require (i) any divestiture by Buyer or any Significant Subsidiary of Buyer
of a significant portion of the business of Buyer or such Significant
Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) any divestiture
by AEL or any Significant Subsidiary of AEL of a significant portion of the
business of AEL or such Significant Subsidiary.
(j) Buyer shall have delivered all assignments, consents, approvals
and other documents, certificates and instruments as AEL may reasonably
request for the purpose of (A) enabling its counsel to provide the opinion
required under this Agreement, (B) evidencing the accuracy and completeness
of any of the representations, warranties or statements, the performance of
any covenants or agreements of Buyer or the compliance by Buyer with any of
the conditions, all as contained or referred to in this Agreement, or (C)
effectuating or confirming the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE V
TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT
5.1 Termination by Mutual Consent. This Agreement may be terminated and
the Merger Transaction may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time,
before or after Shareholder Approval shall have been obtained, by the mutual
consent of AEL (by action of the Long Range Planning Committee), Buyer and Sub
(by action of the respective Boards of Directors of Buyer and Sub).
5.2 Termination by AEL or Buyer and Sub. This Agreement may be terminated
and the Merger Transaction may be abandoned by either AEL (by action of the Long
Range Planning Committee) or Buyer and Sub (by action of the respective Boards
of Directors of Buyer and Sub) if (a) the Merger shall not have been consummated
on or before six months after the date hereof, or such later date as may be
mutually agreed to by the parties hereto (but only if the party seeking to
terminate this
A-26
Agreement is not otherwise in breach in any material respect of any of its
obligations hereunder) or (b) any court or governmental agency of competent
jurisdiction shall have issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any other
action restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Merger Transaction
and such order, decree, ruling, or other action shall have become final and
nonappealable.
5.3 Termination by AEL. This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger
Transaction may be abandoned by AEL (by action of the Long Range Planning
Committee) if (a) Buyer or Sub shall have failed to comply in any material
respect with any of the covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement to
be complied with or performed by it or them at or prior to the Effective Time
and such failure has not been cured within 30 days after receipt of notice
thereof, (b) the Long Range Planning Committee shall have withdrawn, modified in
a manner adverse to Buyer or Sub, or refrained from making, its recommendation
to the AEL shareholders of the Merger Transaction in connection with its
approval and recommendation to the AEL shareholders of a Superior Transaction,
or (c) it becomes reasonably certain that Buyer or Sub will be unable to satisfy
any condition to the Merger Transaction as set forth in Section 4.2 on or before
six months after the date hereof.
5.4 Termination by Buyer and Sub. This Agreement may be terminated and the
Merger Transaction may be abandoned by Buyer and Sub (by action of the
respective Boards of Directors of Buyer and Sub) if (a) AEL shall have failed to
comply in any material respect with any of the covenants or agreements contained
in this Agreement to be complied with or performed by it at or prior to the
Effective Time and such failure has not been cured within 30 days after receipt
of notice thereof, (b) it becomes reasonably certain that AEL will be unable to
satisfy any condition to the Merger Transaction as set forth in Section 4.1 on
or before six months after the date hereof, (c) the Long Range Planning
Committee shall have withdrawn, modified in a manner adverse to Buyer or Sub, or
refrained from making its recommendation of the Merger Transaction to the AEL
shareholders, or (d) there shall have occurred an event which shall have caused
a Material Adverse Effect, or the representations and warranties of AEL have
been breached or become inaccurate in a material respect as of the Closing.
5.5 Effect of Termination. Except as provided in Section 3.8(b) hereof
with respect to information obtained in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby, in the event of the termination of this Agreement and the
abandonment of the Merger Transaction, this Agreement shall thereafter become
void and have no effect, and no party thereto shall have any liability to any
other party hereto or its shareholders or directors or officers in respect
thereof, and each party shall be responsible for its own expenses, except that
nothing herein shall relieve any party from liability for any willful breach
thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that AEL terminates this
Agreement pursuant to clause (b) in Section 5.3 hereof, or Buyer and Sub
terminate this Agreement pursuant to clause (c) of Section 5.4 hereof, then AEL
shall, within ten business days following the termination of this Agreement, pay
Buyer a termination fee payable in cash of $3,447,600. Except as provided in the
immediately preceding sentence, and whether or not the Merger is consummated,
all costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such
expenses.
5.6 Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument
in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto; except that after
Shareholder Approval shall have been obtained, no amendment may be made which
decreases the amount of cash to which the shareholders of AEL are entitled
pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise materially adversely affects the
shareholders of AEL without the further approval of a majority of the votes cast
by the holders of Class A Stock and Class B Stock, each voting as a class, at a
shareholders meeting duly convened for this purpose.
5.7 Waiver. Any time prior to the Effective Time, any party hereto may (a)
in the case of the Buyer or Sub, extend the time for the performance of any of
the obligations or other acts of AEL or, subject to the provisions contained in
Section 5.6 hereof, waive compliance with any of the agreements of AEL or with
any conditions to the respective obligations of Buyer or Sub, or (b) in the case
of AEL, extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other
acts of Buyer or Sub, or waive
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compliance with any conditions to its own obligations. Any agreement on the part
of a party hereto to any such extension or waiver shall be valid if set forth in
an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party by a duly authorized
officer.
ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS
6.1 Notices. All notices and other communications among the parties shall
be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when (i) delivered in
person, or (ii) five days after posting in the United States mail having been
sent registered or certified mail return receipt requested, or (iii) delivered
by telecopy and promptly confirmed by delivery in person or post as aforesaid in
each case, with postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
(a) If to Buyer or Sub, to:
Tracor, Inc.
6500 Tracor Lane
Austin, Texas 78725-2000
Attention: Russell E. Painton, Esq.
Telecopy No.: (512) 929-2257
with a copy to:
Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C.
5400 Renaissance Tower
1201 Elm Street
Dallas, Texas 75270
Attention: Darrel A. Rice, Esq.
Telecopy No.: (214) 745-5390
(b) If to AEL, to:
AEL Industries, Inc.
c/o Long Range Planning Committee
of the Board of Directors
Francis J. Dunleavy, Chairman
305 Richardson Road
Lansdale, PA 19446
Facsimile No. 215-822-6056
with a copy to:
Duane, Morris & Heckscher
4200 One Liberty Place
Philadelphia, PA 19103-7396
Attention: Vincent F. Garrity, Jr., Esq.
Facsimile No. 215-979-1020
or such other address as shall be furnished available in writing by any party to
the others prior to the giving of the applicable notice or communication.
6.2 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
6.3 Headings. The headings herein are for convenience or reference only,
do not constitute a part of this Agreement, and shall not be deemed to limit or
affect any of the provisions of this Agreement.
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6.4 No Survival of Representations or Warranties. None of the
representations or warranties included or provided for herein or in any schedule
or certificate or other document delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall
survive after the Effective Time.
6.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, which includes the Exhibits and
Schedules hereto, constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties, with
respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.
6.6 Cooperation. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
each of the parties hereto shall use its reasonable efforts to take, or cause to
be taken, such action, to execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and
delivered, such governmental notifications and additional documents and
instruments and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or
advisable under the provisions of this Agreement and under applicable law to
consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
6.7 No Rights To Third Parties. Nothing in this Agreement express or
implied is intended to confer upon any other person, other than the Indemnified
Parties, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.
6.8 No Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assigned, by operation of
law or otherwise.
6.9 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed in all respects,
including without limitation its validity, interpretation and effect, by the law
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania applicable to contracts made and to be
performed therein.
6.10 Consent to Jurisdiction. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and
unconditionally (a) agrees that any suit, action or other legal proceeding
('Suit') arising out of this Agreement may be brought and adjudicated in the
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, or, if
such court will not accept jurisdiction, in any court of competent civil
jurisdiction sitting in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, (b) submits to the
non-exclusive jurisdiction of any such court for the purposes of any such Suit
and (c) waives and agrees not to assert by way of motion, as a defense or
otherwise in any such Suit, any claim that is not subject to the jurisdiction of
the above courts, that such Suit is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the
venue of such Suit is improper. Each of the parties hereto also irrevocably and
unconditionally consents to the service of any process, pleadings, notices or
other papers in a manner permitted by the notice provisions of Section 6.1
hereof.
ARTICLE VII
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
'Acquisition Transaction' has the meaning specified in Section 3.6.
'AEL' has the meaning specified in the Preamble hereto.
'AEL Common Stock' has the meaning specified in 'Background' on page 1
of this Agreement.
'AEL Group' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(a).
'AEL Stock Options' has the meaning specified in Section 3.3.
'AEL Subsidiaries' means a corporation or other entity of which 50% or
more of the voting power of the equity securities or equity interests is
owned, directly or indirectly, by AEL.
'AEL Welfare Plan' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(k).
'Affiliate' means, with respect to any specified Person, any Person
that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under
common control with, such specified Person, through one or more
intermediaries or otherwise.
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'Agreement' has the meaning specified in the Preamble hereto.
'Allocation Agreement' has the meaning specified in 'Background' on
page 1 of this Agreement.
'Balance Sheet Date' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(g).
'BCL' has the meaning specified in Section 1.1.
'Benefit Arrangement' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(k).
'Buyer' has the meaning specified in the Preamble hereto.
'Cashed Options' has the meaning specified in the Plan of Merger.
'CERCLA' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(m).
'Class A Stock' has the meaning specified in 'Background' on page 1
hereof.
'Class B Stock' has the meaning specified in 'Background' on page 1
hereof.
'Closing' has the meaning specified in Section 1.3.
'Closing Date' has the meaning specified in Section 1.3.
'Commitment Letter' means the commitment from Bankers Trust Company to
Buyer, in the form of Schedule 4.1(l) attached hereto, to provide financing
to Buyer for payment of a portion of the Merger Consideration.
'Code' means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
'Confidentiality Agreement' means the letter agreement, dated May 12,
1995, between Buyer and AEL, in the Form attached hereto as Exhibit D.
'Contracts' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(o).
'Credit Facilities' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(o).
'DGCL' has the meaning specified in Section 1.1.
'Effective Time' has the meaning specified in Section 1.3.
'Employee Plans' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(k).
'Employment Laws' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(r).
'Environment' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(m).
'Environmental, Health and Safety Liabilities' has the meaning
specified in Section 2.1(m).
'Environmental Laws' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(m).
'ERISA' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(k).
'ERISA Affiliate' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(k).
'Evaluation Materials' means this Agreement (together with the
Schedules and Exhibits hereto) and, as to any party hereto, means all other
non-public information furnished or made available to such party by the
other parties hereto (the 'disclosing party') in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby relating to the disclosing party or the
disclosing party's Affiliates, whether furnished or made available orally
or in writing (whatever the form or data storage medium) or gathered by
inspection and regardless of whether specifically identified as
'confidential,' together with analyses, compilations, studies or other
documents prepared by any party, or by such party's agents, representatives
(including attorneys, accountants and financial advisors) or employees,
which contain or otherwise reflect such information, provided that the term
Evaluation Materials shall not include information that (i) is or becomes
generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure in
violation of the terms hereof or the
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Confidentiality Agreement, (ii) was or becomes available to a party hereto
on a non-confidential basis from a source other than any other party hereto
or their representatives and affiliates, provided that such source is not
prohibited from disclosing such information by a contractual, legal or
fiduciary obligation to any party hereto or any of their respective
representatives, or (iii) has been or is independently developed by the
party to which such information was furnished or made available and not
derived from the Evaluation Materials.
'Exchange Act' has the meaning specified in Section 1.3.
'Exercisable Options' has the meaning specified in Section 3.3.
'Existing D&O Indemnification Provisions' has the meaning specified in
Section 3.10.
'Facilities' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(m).
'Fairness Opinion' has the meaning specified in Section 4.2.
'FWPCA' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(m).
'GAAP' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(f).
'Government Contract' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(p).
'Hazardous Materials' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(m).
'HSR Act' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(e).
'Indemnified Liabilities' has the meaning specified in Section 3.10.
'Indemnified Officers and Directors' has the meaning specified in
Section 3.10.
'Intellectual Property' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(q).
'Knowledge' means the actual knowledge of senior management of AEL,
Buyer and Sub, respectively, after due inquiry.
'Liens' means any mortgages, deeds of trust, pledges, hypothecations,
encumbrances, security interests, or liens of any kind.
'Long Range Planning Committee' means the Long Range Planning
Committee of the Board of Directors of AEL, Francis J. Dunleavy, Chairman.
'Material Adverse Effect' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(a).
'Material Contracts' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(o).
'Merger' has the meaning specified in Section 1.1.
'Merger Consideration' has the meaning specified in Section 1.2.
'Merger Price' has the meaning specified in 'Background' on page 1 of
this Agreement.
'Merger Transaction' has the meaning specified in Section 1.3.
'Multiemployer Plan' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(k).
'Non-Exercisable Options' has the meaning specified in Section 3.3.
'Optionholder' means a holder of AEL Stock Options, including all
Exercisable Options and Unexercisable Options.
'Other Agreements' has the meaning specified in 'Background' on page 1
of this Agreement.
'Owned Real Property' means all real property owned by AEL or any of
the AEL Subsidiaries.
'PBGC' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(k).
A-31
'Pension Plan' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(k).
'Permitted Liens' means (i) mechanics, materialmen's and similar Liens
with respect to any amounts not yet due and payable or which are being
contested in good faith through appropriate proceedings, (ii) Liens for
Taxes not yet due and payable or which are being contested in good faith
through appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves have been
established in accordance with GAAP, (iii) Liens on goods in transit
incurred pursuant to documentary letters of credit, (iv) Liens securing
rental payments under capital lease agreements, (v) Liens arising in favor
of the United States Government as a result of progress payment clauses
contained in any Contract, (vi) encumbrances and restrictions on real
property that do not materially interfere with the present uses of such
real property and (vii) other Liens imposed by law arising in the ordinary
course of business and not incurred in connection with the borrowing of
money and which do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value
of the encumbered property or materially impair the use thereof or which
are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, which
proceedings have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the
property or assets subject to such Lien during the pendency of such
proceeding.
'Person' means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint
venture, joint stock company, governmental agency or instrumentality or
other entity of any kind.
'Plan of Merger' has the meaning specified in 'Background' on page 1
of this Agreement.
'Proposal' has the meaning specified in Section 1.3.
'Proprietary Rights' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(q).
'Proxy Statement' has the meaning specified in Section 1.3.
'RCRA' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(m).
'Reasonable Best Estimate' has the meaning specified in Section
2.1(g)(ii).
'Release' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(m).
'Riebmans' has the meaning specified in 'Background' on page 1 of this
Agreement.
'SEC' has the meaning specified in Section 1.3.
'SEC Filings' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(f).
'Shareholder Approval' has the meaning specified in Section 1.3.
'Shareholders Meeting' has the meaning specified in Section 1.3.
'Significant Subsidiary' means, with respect to any Person, any
Subsidiary of that Person that is a 'significant subsidiary' of such Person
within the meaning of Regulation S-X of the SEC.
'Spread' has the meaning specified in Section 3.3.
'Stockholder' means any holder of record of shares of AEL Common Stock
immediately prior to the Effective Time.
'Sub' has the meaning specified in the Preamble hereto.
'Superior Transaction' has the meaning specified in Section 3.6.
'Surviving Corporation' has the meaning specified in Section 1.1.
'Taxes' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(t).
'Tax Returns' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(t).
'Threat of Release' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(m).
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'Unexercisable Options' has the meaning specified in Section 3.3.
'Welfare Plan' has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(k).
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed as of the date first above written.
AEL INDUSTRIES INC.
By: /s/__Leon Riebman_________________
Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer
TRACOR, INC.
By: /s/__James B. Skaggs__________
President
TRACOR AEL, INC.
By: /s/__James B. Skaggs__________
President
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PLAN OF MERGER
MERGING
TRACOR AEL, INC.
(A DELAWARE CORPORATION)
WITH AND INTO
AEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
(A PENNSYLVANIA CORPORATION)
BACKGROUND
AEL Industries, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation ('AEL'), Tracor, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ('Buyer') and Tracor AEL, Inc., a Delaware corporation and
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Buyer ('Sub'), are parties to an Agreement and Plan
of Reorganization, dated as of October 2, 1995 (the 'Merger Agreement'),
providing for the merger (the 'Merger') of Sub with and into AEL upon the terms
and conditions set forth in this Plan of Merger and pursuant to the Delaware
General Corporation Law ('DGCL') and the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law
of 1988 (the 'BCL'). AEL and Sub are sometimes herein collectively referred to
as the 'Constituent Corporations.' Terms used but not defined herein shall have
the meaning ascribed thereto in the Merger Agreement.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Merger. The Constituent Corporations shall effect the Merger upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Plan of Merger.
(a) The Merger. At the Effective Time (as hereinafter defined), Sub
shall be merged with and into AEL pursuant to this Plan of Merger, the
separate corporate existence of Sub shall cease (except as it may be
continued by operation of law) and AEL shall continue as the surviving
corporation under the corporate name set forth in Annex 1 (referred to in
paragraph 2 of the Plan of Merger) all upon the terms and subject to the
conditions provided for in this Plan of Merger and pursuant to the BCL.
AEL, as it exists from and after the Effective Time, is sometimes
hereinafter referred to as the 'Surviving Corporation.'
(b) Effect of the Merger. The Merger shall have the effect provided
in the DGCL and BCL; including, without limitation, that all the property,
real, personal and mixed, and franchises of each of the Constituent
Corporations, and all debts due on whatever account to either of them,
including subscriptions for shares and other choses in action belonging to
either of them, shall be deemed to be transferred to and vested in the
Surviving Corporation without further action; and title to any real estate,
or any interest therein, vested in either of the Constituent Corporations
shall not revert or be in any way impaired by reason of the Merger; and the
Surviving Corporation shall thenceforth be responsible for all the
liabilities of each of the Constituent Corporations; but liens upon the
property of the Constituent Corporations shall not be impaired by the
Merger and any claim existing or action or proceeding pending by or against
either of the Constituent Corporations may be prosecuted to judgment as if
the Merger had not taken place or the Surviving Corporation may be
proceeded against or substituted in its place.
(c) Consummation of the Merger. On the Closing Date, a Certificate of
Merger meeting the requirements of Section 252 of the DGCL, and Articles of
Merger (containing this Plan of Merger) meeting the requirements of Section
1926 of the BCL shall be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware and the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
respectively, in accordance with the provisions of the DGCL and the BCL,
and the Merger shall become effective upon such filings or at such later
time as may be specified in such filings as the effective time of the
Merger (the 'Effective Time').
2. Articles of Incorporation; Bylaws; Directors and Officers. At the
Effective Time, the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation shall
be amended and restated in their entirety in the manner set forth in Annex 1
attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. The Bylaws of
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the Surviving Corporation from and after the Effective Time shall be the Bylaws
of Sub as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, continuing until
thereafter amended in accordance with their terms and the Articles of
Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation and as provided by the BCL. The
initial directors of the Surviving Corporation shall be the directors of Sub
immediately prior to the Effective Time, in each case until their successors are
elected and qualified, and the initial officers of the Surviving Corporation
shall be the officers of AEL immediately prior to the Effective Time, in each
case until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
3. Conversion and Cancellation of Securities. At the Effective Time, by
virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Buyer, Sub, AEL or
any holder of any shares of capital stock of either Constituent Corporation:
(a) Sub Common Stock. Each outstanding share of Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per share, of Sub shall be converted into one share of common
stock, $1.00 par value per share, of the Surviving Corporation.
(b) Cancellation of AEL Treasury Stock. Each share of AEL Common
Stock that may be held in the treasury of AEL shall be cancelled and
retired and no capital stock of the Surviving Corporation, cash or other
consideration shall be paid or delivered in exchange therefor.
(c) Conversion of AEL Common Stock. Except for any Dissenting Shares
(as hereinafter defined), each remaining outstanding share of AEL Common
Stock shall be converted into the right to receive cash, without interest,
in the amount of $28.00 (the 'Merger Price') per share.
(d) Disposition of Stock Options. Immediately prior to the Effective
Time, the holder of each option to purchase shares of AEL Common Stock
(individually, an 'AEL Stock Option' and collectively, the 'AEL Stock
Options') issued pursuant to AEL's Nonqualified Stock Option Plan (amended
and restated as of May 15, 1991), Incentive Stock Option Plan (effective
January 1, 1992) or an agreement dated May 16, 1988 between AEL and George
King, its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(collectively, the 'AEL Stock Option Plans'), shall be entitled,
immediately prior to the Effective Time, to receive from AEL an amount
equal to the excess, if any, of the Merger Price over the exercise price of
the AEL Stock Option ('the Spread') multiplied by the number of shares of
AEL Common Stock subject to the AEL Stock Option (such options are called
the 'Cashed Options'). The funds required to make such payments shall be
made available to AEL by Buyer on the Closing Date. Appropriate
arrangements shall be made for reduction of the amount to be paid to each
holder of Cashed Options for any applicable withholding taxes or other
amounts required by law to be paid or withheld, either through reducing the
amount paid to, or by obtaining a cash payment from, such holder.
(e) Dissenting Shares. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, shares of AEL Common Stock that are issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time and that are held by AEL
shareholders who, immediately prior to the Effective Time, have the status
of a 'Dissenter' (as defined in Section 1572 of the BCL) ('Dissenting
Shares'), shall not be converted into the right to receive the Merger Price
unless, after the Effective Time, (a) any further action required to be
taken by any such AEL shareholders so as to maintain such status as a
Dissenter shall not have been taken in a timely manner or (b) a court of
competent jurisdiction shall determine that any such AEL shareholder is not
entitled to the rights set forth in SectionSection 1571 through 1580 of the
BCL, in either of which events the shares of AEL Common Stock held by any
such AEL shareholder shall thereupon be deemed to have been converted into
the right to receive the Merger Price, as of the Effective Time, without
any interest thereon. AEL shall give Sub prompt notice of any written
assertion of dissenters rights received by AEL and, prior to the Effective
Time, Sub shall have the right to participate in all negotiations with
respect thereto. Prior to the Effective Time, AEL shall not, except with
the prior written approval of Sub, which shall not be unreasonably withheld
or delayed, make any payment with respect to, or settle or offer to settle,
any such written assertion of dissenters rights. From and after the
Effective Time, no stockholder of AEL who made a written assertion of
dissenters rights shall
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be entitled to vote such holder's shares of AEL Common Stock for any
purpose or to receive payment of dividends or other distributions with
respect to such holder's shares (except dividends and other distributions
payable to shareholders of record at a date which is prior to the Effective
Time).
(f) No Convertible Securities. At the Effective Time, there shall not
be any securities, rights, warrants, options or other instruments
originally issued by AEL which, after consummation of the Merger, would be
convertible into or exercisable for securities of the Surviving
Corporation.
4. Merger Payment Procedure.
(a) Merger Paying Agent. Sub and AEL agree that a bank or trust
company reasonably acceptable to Buyer and AEL shall be designated by Sub
as the paying agent for the Merger (the 'Merger Paying Agent'). Buyer shall
cause Sub to deposit with the Merger Paying Agent on the Closing Date such
funds as are required for the conversion of shares of AEL Common Stock or
Cashed Options into the right to receive the Merger Price or the Spread, as
the case may be, pursuant to Section 3 hereof (the 'Payment Fund').
(b) Payment Procedure. As soon as practicable after the Effective
Time, the Surviving Corporation shall cause the Merger Paying Agent to
distribute to holders of (i) AEL Common Stock so converted or (ii) Cashed
Options, upon surrender to the Merger Paying Agent of one or more
certificates, respectively, representing shares of AEL Common Stock or
Cashed Options for cancellation and a properly completed letter of
transmittal, a bank check for the cash being paid in respect to the
aggregate number of shares of AEL Common Stock or Cashed Options previously
represented by the certificates so surrendered. If for any reason
(including without limitation losses), the Payment Fund is inadequate to
pay the amounts to which the holders of shares of AEL Common Stock or the
Cashed Options shall be entitled under Section 3(c) or Section 3(d) hereof,
Buyer shall be liable for the payment thereof. In no event shall the holder
of any surrendered certificates for shares of AEL Common Stock or Cashed
Options be entitled to receive interest on any of the funds to be received
in the Merger. If a check is to be sent to a person other than the person
in whose name the certificates for shares of AEL Common Stock or Cashed
Options surrendered for conversion or exchange are registered, it shall be
a condition of the payment that the certificate or Cashed Option so
surrendered shall be properly endorsed and the signatures thereon properly
guaranteed and otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the person
requesting such payment shall pay to the Merger Paying Agent any transfer
or other taxes required by reason of the delivery of such check to a person
other than the registered holder of the certificate surrendered, or shall
establish to the satisfaction of the Merger Paying Agent that such tax has
been paid or is not applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the
Merger Paying Agent nor either party to this Plan of Merger shall be liable
to a holder of shares of AEL Common Stock or Cashed Option for any amount
paid to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property,
escheat or similar laws.
(c) No Further Ownership Rights. The cash paid, issued and
distributed upon the surrender of certificates representing shares of AEL
Common Stock or Cashed Option in accordance with the terms of this Plan of
Merger shall be deemed to have been paid in full satisfaction of all rights
pertaining to such shares of AEL Common Stock or Cashed Options.
(d) Return of Payment Funds. Any cash delivered or made available to
the Merger Paying Agent pursuant to this Section 4, and not exchanged
pursuant to this Section 4 for certificates representing shares of AEL
Common Stock or Cashed Options within six months after the Effective Time,
shall be returned by the Merger Paying Agent to the Surviving Corporation
which shall thereafter act as paying agent subject to the rights of holders
of unsurrendered certificates representing shares of AEL Common Stock or
Cashed Options hereunder.
(e) Closing of Stock Transfer Books. At the Effective Time, the stock
transfer books of AEL shall be closed and no transfer of shares of AEL
Common Stock shall thereafter be made.
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5. Termination. This Plan of Merger may be terminated at any time on or
before the Effective Time by agreement of the Long Range Planning Committee of
the Board of Directors of AEL and the Board of Directors of Sub. This Plan of
Merger shall be automatically terminated if AEL, Buyer or Sub validly terminates
the Merger Agreement.
6. Amendment. This Plan of Merger may not be amended except by an
instrument in writing signed on behalf of AEL and Sub; except that after
Shareholder Approval shall have been obtained, no amendment may be made which
decreases the amount of cash to which either the shareholders of AEL or the
holders of AEL Stock Options are entitled pursuant to this Plan of Merger or
otherwise materially adversely affects the shareholders of AEL without the
further approval of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of Class A Stock
and Class B Stock, each voting as a class, at a shareholders meeting duly
convened for this purpose.
7. Waiver. Any time prior to the Effective Time, (a) Sub may extend the
time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of AEL or,
subject to the provisions contained in Section 6 hereof, waive compliance with
any of the agreements of AEL or with any conditions to its own obligations or
(b) AEL may extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or
other act of Sub or, subject to the provisions contained in Section 6 hereof,
waive compliance with any conditions to its own obligations. Any agreement for
any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in any instrument
in writing signed on behalf of the party granting the extension or waiver by a
duly authorized officer.
8. Further Assurances. If at any time the Surviving Corporation, its
successors or assigns, shall consider or be advised that any further assignments
or assurances in law or any other acts are necessary or desirable to (a) vest,
perfect or confirm, of record or otherwise, in the Surviving Corporation its
rights, title or interest in, to or under any of the rights, properties or
assets of the Constituent Corporations acquired or to be acquired by the
Surviving Corporation as a result of, or in connection with, the Merger, or (b)
otherwise carry out the purposes of this Plan of Merger, each Constituent
Corporation and its proper officers and directors shall be deemed to have
granted to the Surviving Corporation an irrevocable power of attorney to execute
and deliver all such proper deeds, assignments and assurances in law and to do
all acts necessary or proper to vest, perfect or confirm title to and possession
of such rights, properties or assets in the Surviving Corporation and otherwise
to carry out the purposes of this Plan; and the proper officers and directors of
the Surviving Corporation are fully authorized in the name of each Constituent
Corporation or otherwise to take any and all such action.
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AMENDMENT DATED AS OF JANUARY 10, 1996
TO
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
DATED AS OF OCTOBER 2, 1995
AMONG
AEL INDUSTRIES, INC., TRACOR, INC. AND TRACOR AEL, INC.
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Amendment (the 'Amendment') dated as of January 10, 1996 to the Agreement
and Plan of Merger (the 'Agreement') dated as of October 2, 1995 among AEL
Industries, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation ('AEL'), Tracor, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ('Buyer') and Tracor AEL, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Buyer ('Sub').
BACKGROUND
AEL, Buyer and Sub have entered into the Agreement which they intend to
amend by this Amendment. The Agreement and the Amendment are collectively
referred to as the 'Amended Agreement.'
The renegotiated price provided for herein reflects information furnished
by AEL to Buyer and Sub prior to the date hereof.
NOW, THEREFORE, AEL, Buyer and Sub, each intending to be legally bound
hereby, agree as follows:
Section 1. Definitions
All terms defined in the Agreement and in the Plan of Merger (attached as
Exhibit A to the Agreement) shall have the same meanings when used herein,
except where (i) otherwise specified herein or (ii) the context clearly requires
otherwise.
Section 2. Amended Merger Price
The 'Merger Price' is amended so as to be $24.25 per share.
Section 3. Amended Plan of Merger
The Plan of Merger is amended so as to conform to the amendments made
herein to the Agreement and is defined as the 'Amended Plan of Merger.'
Section 4. Amended Merger Transaction
The 'Merger Transaction' is amended so as to consist of the Amended
Agreement, the Amended Plan of Merger and the Merger.
Section 5. Amendment Concerning Material Adverse Effect
'Material Adverse Effect' shall in no event consist of or include any
effect on the business, operations or financial condition of the AEL Group which
arises out of any information furnished to Buyer by AEL prior to the date
hereof.
Section 6. Amendment Concerning Material Adverse Change
A determination of 'Material Adverse Change' pursuant to Section 4.1(d) of
the Agreement shall not take into account the effect on the business, operations
or financial condition of AEL since February 24, 1995 of any information
furnished to Buyer by AEL prior to the date hereof.
Section 7. Amendment Concerning Accuracy of Representations and Warranties
A determination of whether the representations and warranties of AEL in the
Agreement shall be accurate in all material respects at and as of the Closing
Date (except to the extent that such representation and warranty speaks as of
another date) pursuant to Section 4.1(d) of the Agreement shall not take into
account any information furnished to Buyer by AEL prior to the date hereof.
Section 8. Amendment Concerning Termination by Buyer and Sub
A determination of whether (i) there shall have occurred an event which
shall have caused a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) the representations and
warranties of AEL have been breached or become inaccurate in a material respect
as of the Closing (each pursuant to Section 5.4(d) of the Agreement) shall not
take into account any information furnished to Buyer by AEL prior to the date
hereof.
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Section 9. Haftel Litigation
Buyer and Sub acknowledge that they have been advised by AEL of the pending
litigation captioned as Judith Haftel v. Dr. Leon Riebman, Claire Riebman and
AEL Industries, Inc., #95-21600, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Court of Common
Pleas ('Haftel Litigation'). Buyer and Sub waive compliance with the conditions
to their respective obligations set forth in Section 4.1(d) of the Agreement as
they relate to the Haftel Litigation.
Section 10. Commitment Letter
Buyer and Sub have no reason to believe that the financing contemplated in
the Commitment Letter will not be consummated. Buyer and Sub shall use all
reasonable efforts to obtain from Bankers Trust Company an extension to March
31, 1996 of the current expiration date of the Commitment Letter and shall
promptly provide substantiation thereof to AEL.
Section 11. Full Force and Effect
The Agreement, as amended hereby, is ratified, confirmed and continued in
full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Amendment to be
executed as of the date first above written.
AEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
By: ________/s_/__LEON RIEBMAN________
Title: Chief Executive Officer
TRACOR, INC.
By: _______/s_/__JAMES B. SKAGGS______
Title: President
TRACOR AEL, INC.
By: _______/s_/__JAMES B. SKAGGS______
Title: President
A-40
APPENDIX B
AGREEMENT
This Agreement is made as of the 28th day of February, 1995 by and among
AEL Industries, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation ('Company') and Dr. Leon
Riebman and Claire E. Riebman (collectively the 'Riebmans').
BACKGROUND:
A. The Board of Directors ('Board') of the Company has appointed a
committee of the Board known as the Long Range Planning Committee ('LRPC') for
the purpose of considering strategic alternatives for the Company in view of
recent and significant developments and consolidations in the defense industry.
Among other possibilities, the LRPC considered whether the Company should remain
independent. That alternative may entail a search for a new Chief Executive
Officer. The LRPC also took into account the right of the Riebmans either to
transfer their Company stock to family members or to sell only their Company
stock to a person who may not wish to purchase the Company stock held by other
shareholders. The LRPC also addressed the practical difficulties of consummating
a sale of the Company on terms which may not be acceptable to the Riebmans as
controlling shareholders.
B. After assessing the implications of maintaining the Company's
independence and these other factors, the LRPC decided, because of its belief
that it could thereby perform its duty to realize for the shareholders of the
Company ('Shareholders') the best value reasonably available, to pursue the
following course of action: (i) the negotiation of an arrangement with the
Riebmans concerning their voting control of the Company in anticipation of a
possible sale of the Company and (ii) the negotiation of an arrangement with Dr.
Riebman regarding his future relationship with the Company.
C. A sale of the Company may be effected by a 'Business Combination' which
shall mean (i) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company
in one transaction or a series of related transactions; (ii) the acquisition by
a person or group of persons acting in concert of the beneficial ownership of
more than eighty percent of the issued and outstanding shares of 'Class A Stock'
and 'Class B Stock' (each as herein defined); (iii) a merger or consolidation of
the Company with another entity; or (iv) any transaction having like effect. An
agreement providing for a Business Combination is referred to as a 'Business
Combination Agreement'.
D. The LRPC has engaged an investment banking firm, an employee benefits
consultant and independent legal counsel to serve as its advisors in connection
with these matters.
E. The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 20,000,000
shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $1.00 ('Class A Stock') of which
3,358,211 shares are issued and outstanding; 440,000 shares of Class B Common
Stock, par value $1.00 ('Class B Stock') of which 434,717 shares are issued and
outstanding; and 200,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $1.00, none of
which are issued and outstanding.
F. The holders of Class B Stock have the exclusive voting power with
respect to matters submitted to the Shareholders except as to any matter
directly affecting the rights and privileges of Class A Stock or as otherwise
required by law.
G. Since the Riebmans collectively own (as tenants by the entireties with
right of survivorship) approximately 55% of the total voting power of Class B
Stock, they possess effective voting control of the Company. The Shareholders
other than the Riebmans are called the 'Public Shareholders'.
H. The LRPC believes that a Business Combination will be facilitated and
value maximized for the Shareholders if (i) voting control of the Company is
transferred to the 'Voting Trustees' (as hereinafter defined) for the term of
this Agreement and (ii) a predetermined allocation between the Riebmans and the
Public Shareholders of the consideration paid in a Business Combination is
agreed to by the LRPC with the Riebmans at this time by the issuance to the
Riebmans of .75 shares of Class A Stock for each share of Class B Stock owned by
them.
I. The LRPC believes that, in order to accomplish this goal, it is in the
best interests of the Company and the Public Shareholders for the Company to
agree to issue to the Riebmans additional
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shares of Class A Stock in exchange for the transfer by the Riebmans of their
voting control of the Company to the Voting Trustees for a period of time
expected to be sufficient to complete a 'Qualifying Business Combination' (as
herein defined); provided, however, that such additional shares be held by the
Voting Trustees and be returned to the Company for cancellation if a Qualifying
Business Combination is not consummated as provided herein. It is the intent of
the LRPC that all holders of Class A Stock and Class B Stock will be offered the
same consideration and other terms for each share in connection with a
Qualifying Business Combination.
J. Dr. Leon Riebman and the Company have entered into an Employment and
Retirement Agreement dated January 8, 1982, as amended on November 14, 1991
(collectively the '1982 Agreement') pursuant to which, among other things, Dr.
Riebman may, but is not required to, provide consulting services to the Company.
K. The LRPC believes that the Company's interests will be substantially
enhanced by Dr. Riebman and the Company entering into an agreement which will
(a) assure Dr. Leon Riebman's availability exclusively to the Company in the
future, and (b) substantially improve the Company's rights with respect to the
protection of proprietary information, intellectual property and restrictions on
competition.
L. The purpose of this Agreement is to set forth the terms and conditions
of the arrangements which the LRPC, acting for the Company, has negotiated with
(i) the Riebmans with respect to their voting control of the Company to the
extent set forth in the 'VT Agreement' (as herein defined) and a predetermined
allocation between the Riebmans and the Public Shareholders of the proceeds of a
possible Qualifying Business Combination; and (ii) Dr. Leon Riebman concerning
his future relationship with the Company.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth above and the
covenants of the parties included herein, and intending to be legally bound
hereby, the Company and the Riebmans agree as follows:
I. TERM
(a) The initial term of this Agreement ('Initial Term') shall be nine (9)
months from the date hereof subject to extension, renewal, or termination as
follows:
(1) This Agreement shall be renewable for three additional months
beyond the Initial Term ('First Renewal Term') (i) if written notice to
this effect is given by the Company to the Riebmans not less than five days
prior to the expiration of the Initial Term and (ii) not later than the
last day of the Initial Term a payment is made by the Company to the
Riebmans of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) which shall be credited
against, and reduce to that extent, the 'Consulting Payments' (as herein
defined) as contemplated in Section V(b) hereof in the chronological order
thereof.
(2) This Agreement shall be renewable for an additional three months
beyond the First Renewal Term ('Second Renewal Term') (i) if written notice
to this effect is given by the Company to the Riebmans not less than five
days prior to the expiration of the First Renewal Term and (ii) not later
than the last day of the First Renewal Term a payment is made by the
Company to the Riebmans of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) which
shall be credited against, and reduce to that extent, the Consulting
Payments as contemplated in Section V(b) hereof in the chronological order
thereof.
(3) If a Business Combination Agreement which contemplates a
Qualifying Business Combination recommended by the LRPC has been executed
by the Company at any time during the Initial Term, First Renewal Term or
Second Renewal Term but 'Shareholder Approval' of the 'Proposal' (as each
such term is herein defined) has not yet been obtained, the Initial Term,
First Renewal Term or Second Renewal Term, as the case may be, shall
automatically be extended, if it would have otherwise expired, until the
earlier of (i) the consummation of the Qualifying Business Combination
contemplated in such Business Combination Agreement ('Closing') or (ii) the
termination of such Business Combination Agreement pursuant to the terms
thereof unless such termination occurs in connection with a recommendation
by the LRPC,
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in the exercise of its fiduciary duty, of an alternative Business
Combination Agreement which contemplates a Qualifying Business Combination,
in which event such alternative Business Combination Agreement shall be
deemed to be a 'Business Combination Agreement' for purposes of this
Section I(a)(3). Any such automatic extension shall be subject to the
provisions of Section I(a)(4) and I(a)(7) hereof.
(4) If (i) the Initial Term or First Renewal Term has been
automatically extended under Section I(a)(3) hereof and (ii) the Business
Combination Agreement referred to therein has been terminated pursuant to
the terms thereof, the Company shall have the right to renew this Agreement
for one or two successive three month periods, as the case may be,
commencing as of the expiration of the Initial Term or the First Renewal
Term, as the case may be, as contemplated in Section I(a) (l) or Section
I(a)(2), as appropriate, by giving the notice provided therein within
fifteen (15) business days after the termination of such Business
Combination Agreement and by making the requisite payment within three (3)
business days thereafter which payment shall be deemed timely for purposes
of Section I(a)(1) or Section I(a)(2), as appropriate. The exercise by the
Company of its rights under this Section I(a)(4) as it relates to the First
Renewal Term shall not abrogate the Company's rights under Section I(a)(2).
(5) This Agreement may be terminated at the option of the Riebmans if
(i) the 'Voting Trustees' (as herein defined) materially breach the 'VT
Agreement' (as herein defined) and such breach is not cured within thirty
days of their receipt of a written notice to this effect from the Riebmans,
except in the event of a material breach by the Voting Trustees of
Paragraph 5, 6, 11 (first sentence) or 11(a) of the VT Agreement in which
case this Agreement may be terminated immediately by written notice to this
effect by the Riebmans or (ii) the Company materially breaches this
Agreement or the 1995 Agreement (as herein defined) and such breach is not
cured within thirty days of its receipt of a written notice to this effect
from the Riebmans, except in the event of a material breach by the Company
of Section IX(c) of this Agreement in which case this Agreement may be
terminated immediately by written notice to this effect by the Riebmans.
(6) This Agreement may be terminated at the option of the Company if
(i) the Riebmans materially breach the 'VT Agreement' (as herein defined)
and such breach is not cured within thirty days of their receipt of a
written notice to this effect from the Company, except in the event of a
material breach by the Riebmans of Paragraph 6 or 10 of the VT Agreement in
which case this Agreement may be terminated immediately by written notice
to this effect by the Company or (ii) the Riebmans materially breach this
Agreement or Dr. Leon Riebman materially breaches the 1995 Agreement and
such breach is not cured within thirty days of their receipt of a written
notice to this effect from the Company.
(7) Unless this Agreement shall have previously expired or terminated,
this Agreement shall terminate upon the earliest to occur of the following
events: (i) immediately prior to the Closing under a Business Combination
Agreement not inconsistent in any material respect with the terms of this
Agreement which has been recommended by the LRPC and pursuant to which an
opinion acceptable to the LRPC is issued to the Company by a nationally
recognized investment banking firm with respect to the fairness, from a
financial point of view, to the Shareholders of the consideration offered
to them under such Business Combination Agreement ('Qualifying Business
Combination') and which Qualifying Business Combination has been included
in the Proposal as to which Shareholder Approval has been obtained; (ii)
immediately following the conclusion of a meeting of Shareholders at which
Shareholder Approval has been sought but not obtained of such Proposal; or
(iii) November 28, 1996.
(b) 'Proposal' shall mean a single proposition submitted to the
Shareholders consisting of: (1) ratification of this Agreement, the 'VT
Agreement', the 'Participation Rights Agreement' and the '1995 Agreement' (as
each term is herein defined) and (2) approval of a Qualifying Business
Combination.
(c) 'Shareholder Approval' shall mean the approval and adoption of the
Proposal by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast respectively
by: (1) the holders of shares of Class A Stock and (2) the holders of shares of
Class B Stock, each voting as a class.
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(d) The withdrawal by the LRPC, in the exercise of its fiduciary duty, of
its recommendation of a Business Combination Agreement, shall not, in and of
itself, result in the reduction of the time period comprehended by the Initial
Term, First Renewal Term, Second Renewal Term or any extension thereof.
II. VOTING TRUST AGREEMENT
(a) Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Company, the
Riebmans, and Messrs. Francis J. Dunleavy, Frederick R. Einsidler, Conrad J.
Fowler and Leeam Lowin, as voting trustees ('Voting Trustees'), have executed a
Voting Trust Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A ('VT Agreement')
pursuant to which two separate trusts ('A' and 'B') have been created. Certain
provisions of the VT Agreement are summarized as follows for convenience only.
The provisions of the VT Agreement shall exclusively govern the interpretation
thereof.
(b) The Riebmans have transferred to the Voting Trustees for allocation to
the A and B Trusts all of the shares of Class A Stock and Class B Stock (and
stock powers duly endorsed in favor of the Voting Trustees) owned by the
Riebmans prior to the execution of this Agreement (the 'Riebman Shares') and the
Contingent Shares (and stock powers duly endorsed in favor of the Voting
Trustees) so that the Voting Trustees possess voting power with respect to the
Riebman Shares and the Contingent Shares, subject to the limitations stated in
the VT Agreement.
(c) The Voting Trustees have agreed to perform their duties in good faith,
in a manner each reasonably believes to be in the best interest of the Company
and the Shareholders and with such care including reasonable inquiry, skill and
diligence as a person with ordinary prudence would use under similar
circumstances.
(d) The term of the VT Agreement shall be coextensive with the term of this
Agreement.
(e) In no event shall the Voting Trustees vote (which shall include action
by written consent) the Riebman Shares or the Contingent Shares in a manner
which is not consistent with the effectuation of the purpose of the VT Agreement
as described in Paragraph B of the Background thereof.
(f) The Voting Trustees shall vote for the election of two (2) persons
nominated by Dr. Riebman or his personal representatives as directors of the
Company. The Voting Trustees shall vote for the reelection as directors of the
incumbent directors of the Company unless one or more of them determines not to
seek re-election, resigns or dies. The Voting Trustees shall consult with the
Riebmans prior to voting for the election of any other person as a director of
the Company. The Voting Trustees shall assure that at all times a majority of
the directors of the Company shall be 'Independent Directors' (which term shall
for the purposes of this Agreement and the VT Agreement mean a person who (i) is
not an employee of or consultant to the Company; (ii) is not related by blood or
marriage to either of the Riebmans; and (iii) in the reasonable determination of
the LRPC, does not have a financial or other material relationship with either
of the Riebmans which might influence the objectivity of his or her judgment as
it relates to the best interests of the Company and the Shareholders). The
Riebmans in their capacity as directors of the Company shall take such action as
is appropriate to give effect to the foregoing sentence.
(g) Upon the termination of the VT Agreement, the Riebman shares shall be
delivered to the holder(s) of the Voting Trust Certificates issued with respect
to the Riebman Shares.
(h) The VT Agreement may not be amended or rescinded without the written
consent of the Company, the Riebmans and a majority of the Voting Trustees
unless there are at any time less than three Voting Trustees in which case all
actions at such time shall require the unanimous approval of the Voting
Trustees.
(i) 'Voting Trustees' shall include their respective successors.
B-4
III. CONTINGENT ISSUANCE OF SHARES OF CLASS A STOCK
(a) The Company has issued .75 shares of Class A Stock ('Contingent
Shares') to the Riebmans for each share of Class B Stock owned by them and the
Riebmans have concurrently transferred the Contingent Shares (and stock powers
duly endorsed in favor of the Voting Trustees) to the Voting Trustees who shall
hold them in the A Trust under the VT Agreement as otherwise in accordance with
the terms thereof.
(b) The VT Agreement provides, with respect to the Contingent Shares, among
other things, that:
(1) The Contingent Shares shall be held by the Voting Trustees until
the earlier of the following:
(i) Immediately prior to the Closing under a Qualifying Business
Combination included in the Proposal as to which Shareholder Approval
has been obtained, in which event the Contingent Shares shall be
delivered to the holder(s) of the voting trust certificate(s) issued
with respect to the Contingent Shares, or
(ii) The expiration or termination of this Agreement for a reason
other than as contemplated in SectionIII(b)(1)(i) hereof, in which event
the Contingent Shares shall be delivered to the Company which shall
thereupon cancel them without the payment of any consideration therefor.
(2) The Contingent Shares shall be voted by the Voting Trustees in
connection with the Proposal in the same proportion as the votes cast with
respect to the Proposal by the other holders of shares of Class A Stock.
(c) On the date hereof, Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. has issued an opinion to
the LRPC and the Board with respect to the fairness, from a financial point of
view, to the Public Shareholders of the issuance of the Contingent Shares
pursuant to this Agreement.
IV. UNDERTAKINGS BY THE RIEBMANS AND DR. RIEBMAN
(a) During the Initial Term, First Renewal Term, Second Renewal Term or any
extension thereof, without the prior written consent of the Company, the
Riebmans agree that they will not transfer or agree to transfer any interest in:
(i) the Riebman Shares or (ii) their respective beneficial interests evidenced
by voting trust certificates under the VT Agreement; provided that the
executor(s) of the estates of either of the Riebmans may succeed to such
interests and shall be bound by this Agreement and the VT Agreement; and
provided further that the Riebmans may make donative transfers of such interests
to and among themselves or to their issue so long as the donee(s) thereof
agree(s) in writing to be bound by this Agreement and the VT Agreement.
(b) During the Initial Term, First Renewal Term, Second Renewal Term or any
extension thereof, the Riebmans agree that neither of them will acquire any
additional shares of Class A Stock or Class B Stock except in connection with:
(i) the exercise of options existing on the date hereof or (ii) the beneficial
ownership of shares of Class A Stock or Class B Stock issued in respect of stock
dividends or stock distributions hereafter declared.
(c) At such times as requested by the LRPC, Dr. Riebman shall consult and
cooperate with the LRPC in connection with its efforts to arrange for a
Qualifying Business Combination.
V. 1995 AGREEMENT
(a) Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Company and Dr.
Leon Riebman have executed a 1995 Agreement ('1995 Agreement') in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit B. Certain provisions of the 1995 Agreement are
summarized as follows for convenience only. The provisions of the 1995 Agreement
shall exclusively govern the interpretation thereof.
(b) The Company shall not be obligated to make the 'Participation Payment'
or the 'Consulting Payments' (as therein defined) contemplated under Sections
8.F. and 4 of the 1995 Agreement unless the Contingent Shares shall have been
delivered by the Voting Trustees to the holder(s) of the voting
B-5
trust certificates issued with respect to the Contingent Shares pursuant to
Paragraph 11(a) of the VT Agreement.
(c) The Participation Payment contemplated in the 1995 Agreement shall be
in consideration of various noncompetition and other undertakings made by Dr.
Leon Riebman on the date hereof for the benefit of the Company in Section V of
the 1995 Agreement.
(d) Dr. Leon Riebman has on this date hereof agreed to hold himself
available to the Company, whenever requested by the Company, to provide
consulting services ('Consulting Services') for a three year period commencing
upon the date ('Consulting Commencement Date') on which Dr. Riebman voluntarily
retires from active employment with the Company, which shall in no event occur
prior to the date on which this Agreement expires, as and to the extent
requested by the Company in consideration of the payment (collectively the
'Consulting Payments' and individually a 'Consulting Payment') by the Company of
Six Hundred Seventy-five Thousand Dollars ($675,000) as follows:
1. Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) payable on the Consulting
Commencement Date.
2. Two Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($225,000) payable on the
first anniversary of the Consulting Commencement Date.
3. One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000) payable on the second
anniversary of the Consulting Commencement Date.
The Company shall not be obligated to make any of the Consulting Payments
unless certificates representing the Contingent Shares shall have been delivered
by the Voting Trustees to the holder(s) of the voting trust certificates
representing the Contingent Shares pursuant to Paragraph 11(a) of the VT
Agreement; provided that this provision shall not reduce or otherwise affect the
Company's obligations under Section I(a)(1), I(a)(2) or I(a)(4).
If on the date such payment is otherwise due, Dr. Riebman will not be
available to provide Consulting Services for the forthcoming year, the Company
shall have no obligation to make any additional Consulting Payments.
Any payment(s) made by the Company pursuant to Sections I(a)(1), I(a)(2) or
I(a)(4) hereof shall be credited against, and reduce to that extent, Consulting
Payments in chronological order thereof.
(e) The 1995 Agreement may not be amended or rescinded without the written
consent of Dr. Riebman and the Company.
VI. CHANGE IN CONTROL PAYMENT
The Corporation shall make a payment ('Change in Control Payment') to Dr.
Leon Riebman in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) if (i)
Closing occurs under a Qualifying Business Combination included within the
Proposal as to which Shareholder Approval has been obtained; and (ii) Dr.
Riebman's employment with the Company terminates thereafter for any reason,
voluntary or involuntary.
VII. BUSINESS COMBINATION
The LRPC shall in good faith use all reasonable efforts to arrange for a
Qualifying Business Combination but it shall not have any obligation to do so
unless it deems the terms thereof to be in the best interests of the Company and
the Shareholders. The LRPC shall have the right, in the exercise of its
fiduciary duty, to withdraw its recommendation of a Business Combination
Agreement. The Closing of a Qualifying Business Combination shall not occur
within six months of the date hereof unless the Riebmans are advised in writing
by their counsel that the sale by them of the Contingent Shares at such time
will not expose them to liability under Section 16(b) of the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934.
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VIII. ADVANCING COUNSEL FEES
(a) Subject to the condition set forth in the following sentence, the
Company shall pay the reasonable counsel fees and disbursements incurred by the
Riebmans as parties to this Agreement, the members of the LRPC, the Voting
Trustees, any director or officer of the Company, or any of them in the defense
of any pending or threatened action, suit or proceedings whether by or in the
right of the Company or otherwise, involving this Agreement or any Exhibit
hereto (collectively 'Proceeding') in advance of the final disposition of the
Proceeding. The foregoing obligation of the Company is conditioned upon its
prior receipt of an undertaking by such person or persons to repay the amount so
advanced if it is ultimately determined by a court that such payment was not
proper in the circumstances.
(b) Except as provided in the following sentence, the Company shall have
the right to engage one law firm ('Primary Counsel') to represent the Riebmans
as parties to this Agreement, the members of the LRPC, the Voting Trustees, any
director or officer of the Company, or any of them in connection with any
Proceeding. The Company shall pay (and advance subject to the provisions of
Section VIII(a) hereof) the reasonable fees and disbursements of separate
counsel who may be selected by the Riebmans (and reasonably acceptable to the
Company) to represent them in any Proceeding but only upon the following
condition: the Primary Counsel shall advise the Company in writing that it is
such Primary Counsel's opinion that the retention of separate counsel for the
Riebmans is appropriate because (i) the representation of the Riebmans and the
other persons described above by one law firm would involve a conflict of
interest or (ii) there are separate and additional defenses available to the
Riebmans which are not available to the other persons described above. The
Company shall have the right to determine the reasonableness of such separate
counsel's fees and disbursements. The Company shall have the right to assume and
control the defense of any Proceeding, including the engagement of Primary
Counsel subject, however, to the terms of the second sentence of this Section
VIII(b).
(c) The foregoing undertakings by the Company shall not inure to the
benefit of any party or parties other than the Riebmans, the members of the
LRPC, the Voting Trustees or any director or officer of the Company, or any of
them, and their heirs and personal representatives.
IX. AMENDMENT OR RECISION; COMPANY ACTIONS
EXCLUSIVELY BY LRPC; COMPANY COVENANTS; BYLAW AMENDMENTS
(a) This Agreement may not be amended or rescinded without the written
consent of the Riebmans and the Company.
(b) All actions by the Company contemplated by this Agreement, the VT
Agreement and the 1995 Agreement shall be taken on its behalf exclusively by the
LRPC which shall have the full authority of the Board for the purposes hereof
and thereof. All actions of the LRPC shall require the approval of a majority of
the members of the LRPC; provided, however, if at any time there exist less than
three (3) members of the LRPC, all actions at such time shall require the
unanimous approval of the members of the LRPC. The foregoing shall not excuse
the performance by the Company of any obligations which it has undertaken to
perform hereunder all of which obligations having been approved by the LRPC, no
further approval being required.
(c) The Company agrees not to issue, or authorize the issuance of, any
additional shares of Class B Stock, any options for Class B Stock, or securities
exchangeable for or convertible into Class B Stock, during the Initial Term,
First Renewal Term, Second Renewal Term, or any extension thereof. The Company
further agrees not to change, or authorize the change of, the voting rights
relating to the Company's capital stock during the Initial Term, the First
Renewal Term, Second Renewal Term or any extension thereof. It is the intention
of this Section IX(c) that if this Agreement expires or terminates for a reason
other than the Closing of a Qualifying Business Combination included within the
Proposal as to which Shareholder Approval has been obtained, the voting power of
the Riebmans with respect to the Company shall be restored to no less than what
such voting power would have been (i.e. voting control of the Company) had this
Agreement and the VT Agreement not been entered into.
(d) The Board shall: (i) maintain the LRPC in existence during the Initial
Term, First Renewal Term, Second Renewal Term or any extension thereof; (ii) not
change the present composition of the
B-7
LRPC except upon the request of the LRPC; and (iii) cause any successor member
of the LRPC to be a person who the LRPC considers to be an Independent Director.
(e) The Bylaws of the Company have been amended on the date hereof so as to
effectuate the purposes of this Agreement and the VT Agreement.
X. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
(a) The Company represents and warrants to the Riebmans as follows:
(1) The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(2) The authorized and issued and outstanding capital stock of the
Company is as set forth in the recitals hereof. All of the issued and
outstanding shares of the capital stock are duly authorized, validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
(3) All corporate actions on the part of the Company, including,
without limitation, the approval of this Agreement, the VT Agreement, the
Participation Rights Agreement and the 1995 Agreement by the LRPC and the
approval thereof by the requisite vote of the Board (the Riebmans having
abstained from voting thereon) necessary for the execution and delivery by
the Company of this Agreement, the VT Agreement, the Participation Rights
Agreement and the 1995 Agreement and the performance by the Company of its
obligations hereunder and thereunder, have been duly taken.
(4) This Agreement, the VT Agreement, the Participation Rights
Agreement and the 1995 Agreement each constitutes a valid and binding
obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance
with the terms of each.
(5) The Contingent Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued
and are fully paid and nonassessable.
(b) The Riebmans severally represent and warrant to the Company as follows:
(1) Each of them is sui juris and of full capacity to make and perform
his or her obligations under this Agreement. The execution, delivery and
performance by each of them of this Agreement will not violate or
constitute a breach of or default under any instrument to which either of
them is a party.
(2) This Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of each
of them enforceable in accordance with its terms.
(3) The Riebmans beneficially own the Riebman Shares.
(4) The Riebmans have good, valid and indefeasible title to the
Riebman Shares, free and clear of all security interests, liens,
encumbrances, options, calls, pledges, trusts, voting trusts and other
agreements, covenants or restrictions.
(5) Each of them is acquiring the Contingent Shares solely for their
own account and in connection with a sale thereof pursuant to a Qualifying
Business Combination as contemplated herein and not with a view to the
distribution thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933. Each
of them acknowledges that the Contingent Shares will not have been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or under any applicable state
securities law and may not be transferred (assuming the consent required in
Section IV(a) hereof has been given) unless they are subsequently so
registered or an exemption from such registration is available.
(6) Each of them acknowledges that each voting trust certificate
evidencing a beneficial interest under the VT Agreement will bear a legend
as provided therein restricting transferability thereof.
B-8
XI. NOTICES
All communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be sent to each party as follows:
To the Company:
AEL Industries, Inc.
305 Richardson Road
Lansdale, PA 19446
Attention: John R. Cox, Esquire
General Counsel
Fax 215-822-6056
With copies to:
Mr. Francis J. Dunleavy
560 Morris Road, Box 208
Blue Bell, PA 19422
Fax 215-643-9275
Frederick R. Einsidler
99 South Park Avenue, Apt. 109
Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Fax 516-536-6505
Conrad J. Fowler
826 North Fairway Road
Glenside, PA 19038
Fax 215-887-3293
Leeam Lowin
21 Fox Run Lane
Greenwich, CT 06831
Fax 203-661-6258
and
Vincent F. Garrity, Jr., Esquire
Duane, Morris & Heckscher
One Liberty Place
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Fax 215-979-1020
To the Riebmans
Dr. & Mrs. Leon Riebman
1380 Barrowdale Road
Rydal, PA 19046
Fax 215-885-2238
(telephone first)
With a copy to:
Abraham H. Frumkin, Esquire
Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott
1700 Market Street, Suite 3232
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Fax 215-575-6015
or to such other address as such party may hereafter specify in writing, and
shall be deemed given on the earlier of (a) physical delivery, (b) if given by
facsimile transmission, when such facsimile is transmitted to the telephone
number specified in this Agreement and telephone confirmation of receipt thereof
is received (c) three days after mailing by prepaid first class mail and (d) one
day after transmittal by prepaid overnight courier.
B-9
XII. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) Equitable Relief. In the event of a breach or threatened breach of any
provision in this Agreement, in addition to any and all other legal and
equitable remedies which may be available, any party hereto may specifically
enforce the terms of this Agreement and may obtain temporary or permanent
injunctive relief without the necessity of proving actual damage by reason of
any such breach or threatened breach.
(b) Survival of Representations and Warranties; Section VIII Obligations
All representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and the
obligations of the Company set forth in Section VIII hereof shall survive the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
(c) Binding Effect
This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the
Company and its successors and the Riebmans and their respective heirs and
personal representatives.
(d) Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in
accordance with the internal law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without
giving effect to conflicts of laws.
(e) Counsel Fees
The Company agrees to reimburse the Riebmans for the reasonable fees and
disbursements (but not in excess of Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars) of their
counsel incurred in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement.
(f) Entire Agreement
This Agreement (including the VT Agreement, the 1995 Agreement, and the
Participation Rights Agreement) supersedes any prior negotiations and
understandings and constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with
regard to its subject matter. The recitals contained in the Background of this
Agreement are an integral part of this Agreement.
(g) Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts each of which shall
be deemed an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and
the same document.
[ REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK ]
B-10
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed, or caused to be
executed, this Agreement as of the date first mentioned above.
AEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
By: __/s/ GEORGE KING_________________
__/s/ DR. LEON RIEBMAN____________
Dr. Leon Riebman
__/s/ CLAIRE E. RIEBMAN___________
Claire E. Riebman
B-11
1995 AGREEMENT
This 1995 AGREEMENT ('1995 Agreement') is made as of the 28th day of
February, 1995 by and between AEL Industries, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation
('Corporation') and Dr. Leon Riebman ('Riebman').
BACKGROUND
A. This is the 1995 Agreement referred to in Section V of an agreement
dated the date hereof by and among the Corporation and Dr. Leon Riebman and
Claire E. Riebman (the 'Agreement').
B. The Corporation and Riebman have entered into an Employment and
Retirement Agreement, dated January 8, 1982, as amended on November 14, 1991
(collectively, '1982 Agreement').
C. The Corporation's rights will be substantially enhanced if Riebman and
the Corporation enter into this 1995 Agreement which will (a) assure Riebman's
availability exclusively to the Corporation in the future and (b) substantially
improve the Corporation's rights with respect to the protection of proprietary
information, intellectual property and restrictions on competition, all as
hereinafter more particularly set forth. The purpose of this 1995 Agreement is
to set forth the terms and conditions thereof.
NOW THEREFORE, intending to be legally bound hereby, the Corporation and
Riebman agree as follows:
I. Definitions. All terms defined in the 1982 Agreement or the Agreement
shall have the same meaning when used herein and capitalized unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise.
II. Effective Date. This 1995 Agreement shall become effective on the
date hereof and shall supplement the 1982 Agreement to the extent provided
herein.
III. Limitation on Voluntary Retirement. Notwithstanding the provisions of
the 1982 Agreement, Riebman agrees that he shall not voluntarily retire from
active employment prior to the date of expiration or termination of the
Agreement.
IV. Consultancy. As contemplated in Section 4B of the 1982 Agreement, the
Corporation and Riebman agree as follows:
4. Consultancy. For a period of three (3) years commencing upon the
date on which Riebman voluntarily retires from active employment with the
Corporation (which shall in no event occur prior to the date on which the
Agreement expires or terminates) ('Consulting Commencement Date') Riebman
shall provide to the Corporation, for up to 130 days per year, at the
Corporation's request, such consulting services ('Consulting Services')
which are not inconsistent with the position held by Riebman prior to the
date hereof as shall be required by the Corporation in its sole reasonable
discretion, which Consulting Services shall include, without limitation,
developing and continuing to cultivate relationships in the Corporation's
industry for the benefit of the Corporation. As consideration therefor, the
Corporation shall make payments (collectively the 'Consulting Payments' and
individually a 'Consulting Payment') to Riebman in the amount of Six
Hundred Seventy-five Thousand Dollars ($675,000) as follows:
(1) On the Consulting Commencement Date, a payment of Three Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($300,000);
(2) On the first anniversary of the Consulting Commencement Date, a
payment of Two Hundred Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($225,000);
and
(3) On the second anniversary of the Consulting Commencement Date, a
payment of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000).
The Corporation shall not be obligated to make any of the Consulting
Payments unless the certificates representing the Contingent Shares shall have
been delivered by the Voting Trustees to the
B-12
holder(s) of the voting trust certificates representing the Contingent Shares
pursuant to Paragraph 11(a) of the VT Agreement.
The Corporation shall have no obligation to make any additional Consulting
Payments if on the date any such payment is otherwise due Riebman will not be
available to provide Consulting Services for the forthcoming year. Any
payment(s) made by the Company pursuant to Sections I(a)(1), I(a)(2) or I(a)(4)
of the Agreement shall be credited against, and reduce to that extent, the
Consulting Payments in chronological order thereof.
For the period during which Riebman is performing the Consulting Services,
Riebman shall (i) be entitled to the Fringe Benefits provided in Section 3C of
the 1982 Agreement, provided Riebman shall not be entitled to any vacation; and
(ii) observe the covenants set forth in Section 8 of the 1982 Agreement, as
supplemented and restated by Section V of this 1995 Agreement.
V. Proprietary Information and Non-Competition. Section 8 of the 1982
Agreement is hereby supplemented and restated in its entirety as follows:
'8. Proprietary Information and Non-Competition.
A. Proprietary Information.
(1) Disclosure; Confidentiality Agreements. Riebman covenants
and agrees that he will not, during the Employment Period or at any
time thereafter, except with the express written consent of the
Corporation, directly or indirectly disclose, furnish, communicate
or divulge to any Person, or use for the benefit of any Person,
other than the Corporation, any confidential knowledge or
information with respect to the conduct or details of the
Corporation's business, including, without limitation, all
manufacturing processes, technology, patents, copyrights,
inventions, proprietary information, computer software, computer
hardware designs, formulae, trade secrets, know-how, equipment,
methods of operation, financial condition, prices, fees, costs,
designs, marketing methods, forms, statistics, suppliers, customer
lists, business methods, financial and cost data and secret
processes (collectively, the 'Proprietary Information'). Riebman
further agrees to be bound by the provisions of any confidentiality
or similar agreement with any customer or supplier of the
Corporation to which Riebman is a party or to which the Corporation
is a party and as to which Riebman has knowledge of the terms and
conditions thereof on the date hereof, as employee, consultant,
officer, director or otherwise.
(2) Technical Data; Assignment of Rights Promptly upon
termination of his relationship with the Corporation, as employee,
consultant, officer, director or otherwise, for any reason
whatsoever, Riebman agrees to return to the Corporation any and all
technical data, drawings, memoranda, customer lists, notes, computer
programs and listings thereof, books of accounts, specifications,
price lists and any other papers and items embodying Proprietary
Information which are in Riebman's possession or control, all of
which materials shall be the property of the Corporation. Riebman
further agrees to assign, transfer and convey to the Corporation any
patents, trademarks or other intellectual property rights obtained
by Riebman at any time in the future and which in any respect relate
to the business of the Corporation and are developed or derived by
him as a result of his relationship with the Corporation as
employee, consultant, officer, director or otherwise.
B. Non-Competition. Riebman covenants and agrees that for so long
as he shall have any relationship with the Corporation as employee,
consultant, officer, director or otherwise, and for a period of five (5)
years following the termination of such relationship for any reason
whatsoever ('Non-Competition Period'), Riebman shall not, without the
express written consent of the Corporation, directly or indirectly
B-13
(1) establish, engage, participate or invest in or assist
(whether as owner, part-owner, shareholder, partner, director,
officer, trustee, employee, agent, shareholder, partner or
consultant or in any other capacity) any business organization which
(a) is in competition with the Corporation in any
geographic area in which the Corporation conducts its business
or sells its products or in which the Corporation, to the
knowledge of Riebman, plans to conduct its business or sell its
products;
(b) solicits or accepts, or intends to solicit or accept,
the business of any person or entity
(i) which was a customer or supplier of the
Corporation at any time within five (5) years
prior to the termination of Riebman's
relationship with the Corporation, or
(ii) which was engaged in significant discussions
with the Corporation or had received a proposal
from the Corporation with a view toward
establishing a customer or supplier relationship
at any time within two (2) years prior to the
termination of Riebman's relationship with the
Corporation, or
(iii) with which Riebman shall have had significant
contact on behalf of the Corporation and which
was, at the time of such contact, a customer or
supplier of the Corporation;
(2) divert or attempt to divert any business from the
Corporation by influencing or attempting to influence any customer
or prospective customer of the Corporation;
(3) hire, as employee, consultant, agent or otherwise, or
solicit the participation in any business activity (as owner,
part-owner, shareholder, partner, director, officer, trustee,
employee, agent or consultant or in any other capacity) of, any
person who was an employee, consultant or officer of the Corporation
at any time within two (2) years preceding the date of the
termination of Riebman's relationship with the Corporation.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8(B), Riebman may make
passive investments in a competitive enterprise the shares of ownership of which
are publicly traded if Riebman's investment constitutes less than 5% of the
equitable ownership of such enterprise.
C. Remedies.
(1) Equitable Relief. Riebman recognizes and acknowledges
that the Corporation's damages from any breach of the provisions of
this Section 8 may be difficult to measure and that the
Corporation's legal remedy for any such breach may accordingly be
inadequate. Riebman agrees that upon any actual or threatened
violation of the provisions of this Agreement, in addition to any
other rights and remedies which the Corporation may have at law or
in equity, an order, either temporary or permanent, may be entered
by any court of competent jurisdiction in an action brought by the
Corporation for the purpose of enjoining Riebman and his partners,
agents, servants, employers and employees from violating any of the
provisions of this Section 8. The existence of any claim or cause of
action which Riebman may have against the Corporation or any other
Person (other than a claim for the Corporation's breach of this
Agreement for failure to make payments hereunder) shall not
constitute a defense or bar to the enforcement of such covenants. If
the Corporation is obliged to resort to the courts for the
enforcement of any of the covenants or agreements contained in this
Section 8, or if such covenants or agreements are otherwise the
subject of litigation between the parties, then the term of such
covenants and agreements shall be extended for a period of time
equal to the period of such breach, such extension commencing on the
later of (a) the date of a final court order (without further right
of appeal) enforcing
B-14
such covenant or agreement, and (b) the last date on which the
covenants and agreements would be enforceable without such an
extension.
(2) Monetary Relief. In the event of any breach by Riebman of
any of the covenants or agreements contained in this Section 8, the
Corporation shall (in addition to its other rights and remedies)
have the right to suspend any or all of the payments otherwise due
to Riebman under this Agreement for the period of the breach (with
no obligation to pay such suspended payments after the period of the
breach) and in the event of a material breach, to permanently
terminate any or all such payments; any suspension or permanent
termination of the payments shall not relieve Riebman of his
obligations under this Section 8 or other sections of this
Agreement.
The suspension or permanent termination of payments otherwise
due to Riebman under this Agreement shall not preclude an award of
equitable relief nor shall it be construed as liquidated damages.
Riebman recognizes and acknowledges that the damages which may be
suffered by the Corporation and recovered by it for a violation by
Riebman of this Section 8 may exceed the amount set forth in
Subparagraph F.
D. Invalidity or Unenforceability. If any portion of the covenants
or agreements contained in this Section 8, or the application thereof,
is construed to be invalid or unenforceable, then the other portions of
such covenant(s) or agreement(s) or the application thereof shall not be
affected and shall be given full force and effect without regard to the
invalid or unenforceable portions to the fullest extent possible. If any
covenant or agreement in this Section 8 is held to be unenforceable
because of the area covered, the duration thereof, or the scope thereof,
then the court making such determination shall have the power to reduce
the area and/or duration and/or limit the scope thereof, and the
covenant or agreement shall then be enforceable in its reduced form.
E. Definition of Corporation. For purposes of this Section 8, the
term 'Corporation' shall include Corporation and all direct and indirect
subsidiaries and affiliates of Corporation.
F. Proprietary Information and Noncompetition Payment;
Participation Rights Agreement. The Corporation and Riebman have
entered into a 'Participation Rights Agreement' on the date hereof in
the form of Exhibit C to the Agreement which provides that in
consideration of Riebman's agreement to comply with the provisions of
this Section 8, the Corporation shall, subject to the conditions set
forth therein, make a 'Participation Payment' (as defined therein).
VI. Amendment; Rescission; Actions by the Corporation.
a. No amendment or rescission of this 1995 Agreement shall be
effective unless set forth in writing, signed by Riebman and the
Corporation and approved by the Long Range Planning Committee ('LRPC') o
the Board of Directors of the Corporation as provided in Section VI b.
hereof.
b. All actions by the Corporation contemplated by this 1995 Agreement
shall be taken by and require the approval of a majority of the members of
the LRPC; provided, however, if at any time there exist less than three
members of the LRPC, all such actions shall require the unanimous approval
of the members of the LRPC. The foregoing shall not excuse the performance
by the Corporation of any obligations which it has undertaken to perform
hereunder all of which obligations having been approved by the LRPC, no
further approval being required.
VII. Representations and Warranties. Riebman hereby represents and
warrants to the Corporation as follows:
a. He is sui juris and of full capacity to make and perform his
obligations under this 1995 Agreement.
B-15
b. The execution, delivery and performance by Riebman of this 1995
Agreement will not violate or constitute a breach of or default under any
instrument to which he is party or pursuant to which he is bound.
c. This 1995 Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of
Riebman enforceable in accordance with its terms.
d. To his knowledge, there are no breaches or violations of any
condition, covenant or provision of the 1982 Agreement, no event of default
has occurred under the 1982 Agreement, and no event has occurred which,
with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both, would constitute
an event of default under the 1982 Agreement.
e. To his knowledge, there exist no defenses or offsets to the rights
of the Corporation under the 1982 Agreement.
VIII. Termination
If the Agreement expires or terminates for a reason other than the Closing
of a Qualifying Business Combination included within a Proposal as to which
Shareholder Approval has been obtained, this 1995 Agreement shall terminate and
shall be of no further force and effect.
IX. Notices
All communications provided for in this 1995 Agreement shall be in writing
and shall be sent to each party as follows:
To The Corporation:
AEL Industries, Inc.
305 Richardson Road
Lansdale, PA 19446
Attention: John R. Cox, Esquire
General Counsel
Fax 215-822-6056
With copies to:
Francis J. Dunleavy
560 Morris Road, Box 208
Blue Bell, PA 19422
Fax 215-643-9275
B-16
Frederick R. Einsidler
99 South Park Avenue, Apt. 109
Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Fax 516-536-6505
Conrad J. Fowler
826 North Fairway Road
Glenside, PA 19038
Fax 215-887-3293
Leeam Lowin
21 Fox Run Lane
Greenwich, CT 06831
Fax 203-661-6258
and
Vincent F. Garrity, Jr., Esquire
Duane, Morris & Heckscher
One Liberty Place
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Fax 215-979-1020
To Riebman
Dr. Leon Riebman
1380 Barrowdale Road
Rydal, PA 19046
Fax 215-885-2238 (telephone first)
With a copy to:
B-17
Abraham H. Frumkin, Esquire
Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott
1700 Market Street
Suite 3232
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Fax 215-575-6015
or to such other address as such party may hereafter specify in writing, and
shall be deemed given on the earlier of (a) physical delivery, (b) if given by
facsimile transmission, when such facsimile is transmitted to the telephone
number specified in this Agreement and telephone confirmation of receipt thereof
is received, (c) three days after mailing by prepaid first class mail and (d)
one day after transmittal by prepaid overnight courier.
X. Miscellaneous
a. Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations
and warranties contained in this 1995 Agreement shall survive the execution
and delivery of this 1995 Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
b. Binding Effect. This 1995 Agreement shall be binding upon, and
inure to the benefit of, the Corporation and its successors and the
Riebmans and their heirs and personal representatives.
c. Governing Law. This 1995 Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed and enforced in accordance with, the internal law of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without giving effect to conflicts of laws.
d. Entire Agreement. This 1995 Agreement and the 1982 Agreement taken
together supersede any prior negotiations and understandings and constitute
the entire agreement between the parties with regard to its subject matter.
e. The 1982 Agreement, with the enhancements in favor of the
Corporation provided by this 1995 Agreement, remains in full force and
effect.
f. Counterparts. This 1995 Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
taken together shall constitute one and the same document.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
B-18
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed or caused to be
executed this Agreement as of the date first mentioned above.
AEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
By: /s/_GEORGE KING___________________
Name: George King
Title: Vice President
/s/_DR. LEON RIEBMAN_______________
Dr. Leon Riebman
B-19
PARTICIPATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This PARTICIPATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT ('Participation Agreement') is made as
of the 28th day of February, 1995 by and between AEL Industries, Inc., a
Pennsylvania corporation ('Corporation') and Dr. Leon Riebman ('Dr. Riebman').
BACKGROUND
A. This is the Participation Rights Agreement referred to in a certain 1995
Agreement ('1995 Agreement') dated the date hereof between the Corporation and
Dr. Riebman.
B. The purpose of this Participation Agreement is to set forth the terms
and conditions upon which, in consideration for Dr. Riebman's agreement to
comply with the provisions of Section 8 of the 1982 Agreement, as supplemented
and restated by Section V of the 1995 Agreement, the receipt and sufficiency of
such consideration being hereby acknowledged; the Corporation, upon the
occurrence of a Qualifying Business Combination, will make a cash payment to Dr.
Riebman, in the amount and at the time determined pursuant to this Participation
Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE, intending to be legally bound hereby, the Corporation and
Dr. Riebman agree as follows:
1. Definitions. Terms capitalized but not defined herein shall have
the meanings ascribed to them in the 1982 Agreement (as defined in the 1995
Agreement) or in the Agreement (as defined in the 1995 Agreement) unless
the context otherwise requires.
2. Grant of Participation Rights. The Corporation hereby grants to Dr.
Riebman the right to participate in the proceeds of a Qualifying Business
Combination, such participation right to be paid in cash by the Corporation
to Dr. Riebman in accordance with the provisions hereof ('Participation
Payment').
3. Amount of Participation Payment. The amount of the Participation
Payment shall be the 'Calculated Amount' (as defined hereinbelow). The
Calculated Amount shall be determined as follows:
(i) If the 'Aggregate Consideration' (as defined hereinbelow) in
connection with a Qualifying Business Combination is equal to or greater
than $60,000,000 the Calculated Amount shall be equal to $1,900,000; or
(ii) If the Aggregate Consideration in connection with a Qualifying
Business Combination is less than $60,000,000, the Calculated Amount
shall be equal to the product of (x) $1,900,000, multiplied by (y), a
fraction, the numerator of which is equal to the amount of the Aggregate
Consideration in connection with a Business Combination and the
denominator of which is $60,000,000;
(iii) The 'Aggregate Consideration' shall be equal to the aggregate
of (A) the amount of any cash and (B) the fair market value of any
property, paid by a buyer as consideration to the Corporation and/or the
shareholders of the Corporation in connection with a Qualifying Business
Combination measured as of the closing date ('Closing Date') of the
Qualifying Business Combination. For the purposes of determining the
amount of the Aggregate Consideration: (1) the amount of any
consideration to be paid following the Closing Date shall be discounted
to the Closing Date at a discount rate of six percent (6%) per annum;
(2) the fair market value of any common stock or other securities
received shall mean, with respect to each such share or unit one of the
following determined in the order of priority set forth below: the
weighted average of the closing prices for such share or unit sold on
all securities exchanges on which such share or unit may at the time be
listed for a period of twenty (20) consecutive trading days prior to the
Closing Date or, if there have been no sales on such exchanges on such
days, the weighted average of the highest bid and lowest asked prices on
all such exchanges at the end of each such days or, if such stock or
units are not so
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listed, the average of the representative bid and asked prices quoted on
the NASDAQ system as of 4:00 p.m. New York City time on each of such
days, or if such stock or units are not quoted on the NASDAQ system, the
average of the highest bid and lowest asked prices on such days in the
domestic over-the-counter market as reported by the National Quotation
Bureau, Incorporated, or any similar successor organization, or, if not
so quoted, the value as determined in good faith by the Board of the
Corporation in consultation with Dr. Riebman and (3) the fair market
value of any consideration to be paid in property other than common
stock or securities shall be as determined in good faith by the Board of
the Corporation in consultation with Dr. Riebman. Notwithstanding any of
the foregoing, for purposes of this Section 3(iii), the Aggregate
Consideration shall be reduced by cash paid or to be paid to the
Corporation as the exercise price for stock options exercised in
connection with a Qualifying Business Combination.
4. Corporation's Obligation to Make the Participation Payment. The
Corporation's obligation to make the Participation Payment shall only arise
and be payable upon the delivery by the Voting Trustees of the certificates
representing the Contingent Shares to the holder(s) of the Voting Trust
Certificate(s) issued with respect to the Contingent Shares pursuant to
Paragraph 11(a) of the VT Agreement, and upon such delivery the
Participation Payment shall be made on the later of (a) the date of such
delivery or (b) August 28, 1995. The aforementioned delivery is the only
condition to the Corporation's obligation to make the Participation
Payment.
5. Amendment; Rescission; Actions by the Corporation. No amendment or
rescission of this Participation Agreement shall be effective unless set
forth in a writing signed by Dr. Riebman and the Corporation. Such
amendment or recission by the Corporation shall require the approval of a
majority of the members of the LRPC; provided, however, if at any time
there exist less than three members of the LRPC, all such actions shall
require the unanimous approval of the members of the LRPC. The foregoing
shall not excuse the performance by the Corporation of any obligations
which it has undertaken to perform hereunder.
6. Representations and Warranties. Dr. Riebman hereby represents and
warrants to the Corporation as follows:
a. He is sui juris and of full capacity to make and perform his
obligations under this Participation Agreement.
b. The execution, delivery and performance by Dr. Riebman of this
Participation Agreement will not violate or constitute a breach of or
default under any instrument to which he is party or pursuant to which
he is bound.
c. This Participation Agreement constitutes a valid and binding
obligation of Dr. Riebman enforceable in accordance with its terms.
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7. Notices.
All communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be sent to each party as follows:
To The Corporation:
AEL Industries, Inc.
305 Richardson Road
Lansdale, PA 19446
Attention: John R. Cox, Esquire
General Counsel
Fax 215-822-6056
With copies to:
Mr. Francis J. Dunleavy
560 Morris Road, Box 208
Blue Bell, PA 19422
Fax 215-643-9275
Frederick R. Einsidler
99 South Park Avenue, Apt. 109
Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Fax 516-536-6505
Conrad J. Fowler
826 North Fairway Road
Glenside, PA 19038
Fax 215-887-3293
Leeam Lowin
21 Fox Run Lane
Greenwich, CT 06831
Fax 203-661-6258
and
Vincent F. Garrity, Jr., Esquire
Duane, Morris & Heckscher
One Liberty Place
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Fax 215-979-1020
To Riebman:
Dr. Leon Riebman
1380 Barrowdale Road
Rydal, PA 19046
Fax 215-885-2238 (telephone first)
With a copy to:
Abraham H. Frumkin, Esquire
Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott
1700 Market Street
Suite 3232
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Fax 215-575-6015
or to such other address as such party may hereafter specify in writing, and
shall be deemed given on the earlier of (a) physical delivery, (b) if given by
facsimile transmission, when such facsimile is transmitted to the telephone
number specified in this Agreement and telephone confirmation of receipt
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thereof is received, (c) three days after mailing by prepaid first class mail
and (d) one day after transmittal by prepaid overnight courier.
8. Miscellaneous.
a. Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations
and warranties contained in this Participation Agreement shall survive
the execution and delivery of this Participation Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
b. Binding Effect. This Participation Agreement shall be binding
upon, and inure to the benefit of, the Corporation and its successors
and Dr. Riebman and his heirs and personal representatives.
c. Governing Law. This Participation Agreement shall be governed
by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the internal law of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without giving effect to conflicts of
laws.
d. Entire Agreement. This Participation Agreement supersedes any
prior negotiations and understandings and constitutes the entire
agreement between the parties with regard to its subject matter.
e. Counterparts. This Participation Agreement may be executed in
several counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original, but all
of which taken together shall constitute one and the same document.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed or caused to be
executed this Agreement as of the date first mentioned above.
AEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
By:__/s/ GEORGE KING________________
Name: George King
Title: Vice President
__/s/ DR. LEON RIEBMAN___________
Dr. Leon Riebman
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APPENDIX C
Dillon, Read & Co. Inc.
535 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
212-906-7000
January 10, 1996
The Long Range Planning Committee of the Board of Directors
and The Board of Directors
AEL Industries, Inc.
305 Richardson Road
Lansdale, Pennsylvania 19446
Dear Sirs:
You have requested our opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point
of view, of the per share consideration to be received by the holders (the
'Shareholders') of Class A common stock and of Class B common stock, each with
par value $1.00 per share ('Common Stock') of AEL Industries, Inc. ('AEL') other
than Dr. Leon Riebman and Mrs. Claire E. Riebman (collectively, the 'Riebmans')
in connection with the proposed acquisition (the 'Acquisition') of AEL by Tracor
AEL, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tracor, Inc. ('Tracor').
The terms of the acquisition are set forth in the Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization by and among Tracor, AEL and Tracor AEL, Inc. dated October 1,
1995, as amended on January 10, 1996 (the 'Agreement'). In the event the
Acquisition is consummated, each issued and outstanding share of Common Stock
shall be converted into the right to receive cash, without interest, in the
amount of $24.25 net to the seller upon and subject to the terms and conditions
set forth in the Agreement, including the approval by a majority of the votes
cast by the holders of the Class A and Class B shares, each being voted as a
separate class.
Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. has acted as financial advisor to AEL in connection
with the Acquisition. At the request of AEL, we acted as agent in soliciting
bids for the purchase of AEL. Dillon Read has previously rendered an opinion to
the Board of Directors of AEL (the 'Board') and to the Long Range Planning
Committee of the Board (the 'LRPC') dated February 28, 1995 to the effect that
it would be reasonable for the LRPC to conclude that certain contingent shares
to be issued by AEL to the Riebmans pursuant to an agreement between AEL and the
Riebmans was fair to AEL's shareholders, other than the Riebmans, from a
financial point of view. For the services it performed in connection with the
Acquisition and in connection with rendering its opinion dated February 28,
1995, Dillon Read has to date received fees of $400,000, and expects to receive
an additional fee upon closing, if any, of the Acquisition.
In arriving at our opinion we have reviewed the Agreement and certain
business and financial information relating to AEL and its subsidiaries,
including certain financial projections, estimates and analyses provided to us
by AEL, and have reviewed and discussed the businesses and prospects of AEL and
its subsidiaries with representatives of AEL and have compared that information
to similar data for other publicly-held companies in businesses similar to that
of AEL. We have also considered the trading history of AEL's Class A common
stock prior to the announcement by AEL on February 20, 1995 concerning its
possible sale.
In arriving at our opinion, we have also considered the financial terms of
certain other mergers and acquisitions which we believe to be generally
comparable to the Acquisition and have considered
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such other information, financial studies and analyses, and financial, economic
and market criteria as we deemed relevant. We have also considered the voting
trust agreement, pursuant to which the Riebmans transferred to the voting
trustees the right to vote the Common Stock beneficially owned by the Riebmans
on any transaction recommended by the LRPC.
In connection with our review, we have not independently verified any of
the foregoing information and have relied on its being complete and accurate in
all material respects. We have not made an independent evaluation or appraisal
of any assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of AEL or any of its
subsidiaries, nor have we been furnished with any such evaluation or appraisal
that has not been publicly disclosed. With respect to the financial projections,
estimates and analyses provided to us by AEL, we have assumed, at your
direction, that such information was reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the
best currently available estimates and judgments of management of AEL as to its
future financial performance. Our opinion is based on economic, monetary and
market conditions existing on the date hereof and the information made available
to us through the date hereof.
In rendering this opinion, we are not making any recommendation regarding
whether or not it is advisable for Shareholders to vote in favor of the
Acquisition.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion, as of the
date hereof, that the consideration to be received by the Shareholders other
than the Riebmans pursuant to the Acquisition is fair, from a financial point of
view, to the Shareholders other than the Riebmans.
Very truly yours,
Dillon, Read & Co. Inc.
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Dillon, Read & Co. Inc.
535 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
212-906-7000
February 28, 1995
The Long Range Planning Committee of the Board of Directors
and The Board of Directors
AEL Industries, Inc.
305 Richardson Road
Lansdale, Pennsylvania 19446
Dear Sirs:
We understand that AEL Industries, Inc. (the 'Company') intends to enter
into (A) a voting trust agreement (the 'Voting Trust Agreement') by and among
(i) the Company, (ii) Dr. Leon Riebman and Claire E. Riebman (collectively, the
'Riebmans') and (iii) Francis J. Dunleavy, Frederick R. Einsidler, Conrad J.
Fowler and Leeam Lowin, as voting trustees (collectively, the 'Voting Trustees')
and (B) an agreement between the Company and the Riebmans (the 'Agreement'). We
understand that (i) the holders of the Company's Class B common stock, par value
$1.00 ('Class B Stock'), have the exclusive voting power with respect to most
matters, including the election of directors and the approval of business
combinations, and (ii) the Riebmans own 241,262 shares of Class B Stock,
approximately 55% of the outstanding Class B shares (the 'Riebman Class B
Shares'), with the result that the Riebmans possess effective voting control of
the Company. The Agreement provides, among other things, for the Company to
issue to the Riebmans to be immediately thereafter transferred to the Voting
Trustees and to be returned to the Riebmans only upon the sale of the Company
and certain other conditions, an incremental 0.75 shares of Class A common
stock, par value $1.00 per share for each Riebman Class B Share (the 'Contingent
Shares') in exchange for the transfer by the Riebmans of the 'Riebman Shares'
(as defined in the Agreement) to the Voting Trustees for a period of time
expected to be sufficient to complete a sale of the Company and the agreement of
the Riebmans to accept the same per share consideration as the other Company
shareholders.
You have asked for our opinion as to the reasonableness of your conclusion
that the Contingent Shares to be issued by the Company to the Riebmans pursuant
to the Agreement is fair to the Company's shareholders, other than the Riebmans,
from a financial point of view. Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. has acted as financial
advisor to the Company in connection with the Agreement and the Voting Trust
Agreement and has been retained to attempt to arrange the sale of the Company in
the event the Voting Trust Agreement is executed.
In arriving at our opinion we have reviewed certain publicly available
financial and stock market data of the Company, the Agreement, the Voting Trust
Agreement and other information and analyses that have been furnished to us by
the Company. We have also (i) considered the effect of the Contingent Shares on
the consideration to be received by the Company's shareholders assuming various
purchase prices for the Company, (ii) compared the premiums paid in acquisitions
of publicly-traded companies by a shareholder that had pre-existing voting
control of the publicly-traded company with the premiums paid by acquirors that
did not have voting control, and (iii) reviewed certain other transactions
involving companies with classes of stock with disparate voting rights. In
addition, we have conducted such other financial studies, analyses and
investigations and considered such other information as we deemed relevant.
In connection with our review, we have not assumed any responsibility for
independent verification of any of the foregoing information and have, with your
consent, relied on its being
C-3
complete and accurate in all material respects. We have not been requested to
make, and have not made, an independent evaluation or appraisal of any of the
assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of the Company nor have we been
furnished with any such appraisals. Further, our opinion is based on economic,
monetary and market conditions existing on the date hereof.
In delivering this opinion, we are rendering an opinion related to the
reasonableness of the your conclusion concerning the Contingent Shares to be
issued by the Company pursuant to the Agreement, and not (i) any other
consideration which the Company agrees to pay to the Riebmans nor (ii) as to the
particular value of the Company or the value of a Class A or Class B share.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that it would be
reasonable for the Company's Long Range Planning Committee to conclude that the
Contingent Shares to be issued by the Company to the Riebmans pursuant to the
Agreement is fair to the Company's shareholders, other than the Riebmans, from a
financial point of view.
Our opinion is necessarily based upon conditions as they exist and can be
evaluated on the date hereof and the information made available to us through
the date hereof. This opinion has been provided to you at your request and
solely for your own purposes and it has been provided to you upon our express
understanding with you that this opinion will not be provided, in whole or in
part, to any other person nor may it be referred to in whole or in part without
our express prior written consent.
Very truly yours,
Dillon, Read & Co. Inc.
C-4
APPENDIX D
DISSENTERS RIGHTS PROVISIONS OF THE
PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS CORPORATION LAW
Section 1930. Dissenters rights.
(a) General rule. If any shareholder of a domestic business corporation
that is to be a party to a merger or consolidation pursuant to a plan of merger
or consolidation objects to the plan of merger or consolidation and complies
with the provisions of Subchapter D of Chapter 15 (relating to dissenters
rights), the shareholder shall be entitled to the rights and remedies of
dissenting shareholders therein provided, if any. See also section 1906(c)
(relating to dissenters rights upon special treatment).
(b) Plans adopted by directors only. Except as otherwise provided pursuant
to section 1571(c) (relating to grant of optional dissenters rights), Subchapter
D of Chapter 15 shall not apply to any of the shares of a corporation that is a
party to a merger or consolidation pursuant to section 1924(1)(i) (relating to
adoption by board of directors).
(c) Cross references. See sections 1571(b) (relating to exceptions) and
1904 (relating to de facto transaction doctrine abolished).
SUBCHAPTER D
DISSENTERS RIGHTS
Section 1571. Application and effect of subchapter.
(a) General rule. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), any
shareholder of a business corporation shall have the right to dissent from, and
to obtain payment of the fair value of his shares in the event of, any corporate
action, or to otherwise obtain fair value for his shares, where this part
expressly provides that a shareholder shall have the rights and remedies
provided in this subchapter. See:
Section 1906(c) (relating to dissenters rights upon special treatment).
Section 1930 (relating to dissenters rights).
Section 1931(d) (relating to dissenters rights in share exchanges).
Section 1932(c) (relating to dissenters rights in asset transfers).
Section 1952(d) (relating to dissenters rights in division).
Section 1962(c) (relating to dissenters rights in conversion).
D-1
Section 2104(b) (relating to procedure).
Section 2324 (relating to corporation option where a restriction on transfer of a security
is held invalid).
Section 2325(b) (relating to minimum vote requirement).
Section 2704(c) (relating to dissenters rights upon election).
Section 2705(d) (relating to dissenters rights upon renewal of election).
Section 2907(a) (relating to proceedings to terminate breach of qualifying conditions).
Section 7104(b)(3) (relating to procedure).
(b) Exceptions.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2), the holders of the
shares of any class or series of shares that, at the record date fixed to
determine the shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting
at which a plan specified in any of section 1930, 1931(d), 1932(c) or
1952(d) is to be voted on, are either:
(i) listed on a national securities exchange; or
(ii) held of record by more than 2,000 shareholders;
shall not have the right to obtain payment of the fair value of any such shares
under this subchapter.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to and dissenters rights shall be
available without regard to the exception provided in that paragraph in the
case of:
(i) Shares converted by a plan if the shares are not converted
solely into shares of the acquiring, surviving, new or other corporation
or solely into such shares and money in lieu of fractional shares.
(ii) Shares of any preferred or special class unless the articles,
the plan or the terms of the transaction entitle all shareholders of the
class to vote thereon and require for the adoption of the plan or the
effectuation of the transaction the affirmative vote of a majority of
the votes cast by all shareholders of the class.
(iii) Shares entitled to dissenters rights under section 1906(c)
(relating to dissenters rights upon special treatment).
(3) The shareholders of a corporation that acquires by purchase,
lease, exchange or other disposition all or substantially all of the
shares, property or assets of another corporation by the issuance of
shares, obligations or otherwise, with or without assuming the liabilities
of the other
D-2
corporation and with or without the intervention of another corporation or
other person, shall not be entitled to the rights and remedies of
dissenting shareholders provided in this subchapter regardless of the fact,
if it be the case, that the acquisition was accomplished by the issuance of
voting shares of the corporation to be outstanding immediately after the
acquisition sufficient to elect a majority or more of the directors of the
corporation.
(c) Grant of optional dissenters rights. The bylaws or a resolution of the
board of directors may direct that all or a part of the shareholders shall have
dissenters rights in connection with any corporate action or other transaction
that would otherwise not entitle such shareholders to dissenters rights.
(d) Notice of dissenters rights. Unless otherwise provided by statute, if
a proposed corporate action that would give rise to dissenters rights under this
subpart is submitted to a vote at a meeting of shareholders, there shall be
included in or enclosed with the notice of meeting:
(1) A statement of the proposed action and a statement that the
shareholders have a right to dissent and obtain payment of the fair value
of their shares by complying with the terms of this subchapter; and
(2) A copy of this subchapter.
(e) Other statutes. The procedures of this subchapter shall also be
applicable to any transaction described in any statute other than this part that
makes reference to this subchapter for the purpose of granting dissenters
rights.
(f) Certain provisions of articles ineffective. This subchapter may not be
relaxed by any provision of the articles.
(g) Cross references. See sections 1105 (relating to restriction on
equitable relief), 1904 (relating to de facto transaction doctrine abolished)
and 2512 (relating to dissenters rights procedure).
Section 1572. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter shall have the
meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise:
'Corporation.' The issuer of the shares held or owned by the
dissenter before the corporate action or the successor by merger,
consolidation, division, conversion or otherwise of that issuer. A plan of
division may designate which of the resulting corporations is the successor
corporation for the purposes of this subchapter. The successor corporation
in a division shall have the sole responsibility for payments to dissenters
and other liabilities under this subchapter except as otherwise provided in
the plan of division.
'Dissenter.' A shareholder or beneficial owner who is entitled to and
does assert dissenters rights under this subchapter and who has performed
every act required up to the time involved for the assertion of those
rights.
'Fair value.' The fair value of shares immediately before the
effectuation of the corporate action to which the dissenter objects taking
into account all relevant factors, but excluding any appreciation or
depreciation in anticipation of the corporate action.
'Interest.' Interest from the effective date of the corporate action
until the date of payment at such rate as is fair and equitable under all
the circumstances, taking into account all relevant factors including the
average rate currently paid by the corporation on its principal bank loans.
Section 1573. Record and beneficial holders and owners.
(a) Record holders of shares. A record holder of shares of a business
corporation may assert dissenters rights as to fewer than all of the shares
registered in his name only if he dissents with respect to all the shares of the
same class or series beneficially owned by any one person and discloses the name
and address of the person or persons on whose behalf he dissents. In that event,
his rights shall be
D-3
determined as if the shares as to which he has dissented and his other shares
were registered in the names of different shareholders.
(b) Beneficial owners of shares. A beneficial owner of shares of a
business corporation who is not the record holder may assert dissenters rights
with respect to shares held on his behalf and shall be treated as a dissenting
shareholder under the terms of this subchapter if he submits to the corporation
not later than the time of the assertion of dissenters rights a written consent
of the record holder. A beneficial owner may not dissent with respect to some
but less than all shares of the same class or series owned by the owner, whether
or not the shares so owned by him are registered in his name.
Section 1574. Notice of intention to dissent.
If the proposed corporate action is submitted to a vote at a meeting of
shareholders of a business corporation, any person who wishes to dissent and
obtain payment of the fair value of his shares must file with the corporation,
prior to the vote, a written notice of intention to demand that he be paid the
fair value for his shares if the proposed action is effectuated, must effect no
change in the beneficial ownership of his shares from the date of such filing
continuously through the effective date of the proposed action and must refrain
from voting his shares in approval of such action. A dissenter who fails in any
respect shall not acquire any right to payment of the fair value of his shares
under this subchapter. Neither a proxy nor a vote against the proposed corporate
action shall constitute the written notice required by this section.
Section 1575. Notice to demand payment.
(a) General rule. If the proposed corporate action is approved by the
required vote at a meeting of shareholders of a business corporation, the
corporation shall mail a further notice to all dissenters who gave due notice of
intention to demand payment of the fair value of their shares and who refrained
from voting in favor of the proposed action. If the proposed corporate action is
to be taken without a vote of shareholders, the corporation shall send to all
shareholders who are entitled to dissent and demand payment of the fair value of
their shares a notice of the adoption of the plan or other corporate action. In
either case, the notice shall:
(1) State where and when a demand for payment must be sent and
certificates for certificated shares must be deposited in order to obtain
payment.
(2) Inform holders of uncertificated shares to what extent transfer of
shares will be restricted from the time that demand for payment is
received.
(3) Supply a form for demanding payment that includes a request for
certification of the date on which the shareholder, or the person on whose
behalf the shareholder dissents, acquired beneficial ownership of the
shares.
(4) Be accompanied by a copy of this subchapter.
(b) Time for receipt of demand for payment. The time set for receipt of
the demand and deposit of certificated shares shall be not less than 30 days
from the mailing of the notice.
Section 1576. Failure to comply with notice to demand payment, etc.
(a) Effect of failure of shareholder to act. A shareholder who fails to
timely demand payment, or fails (in the case of certificated shares) to timely
deposit certificates, as required by a notice pursuant to section 1575 (relating
to notice to demand payment) shall not have any right under this subchapter to
receive payment of the fair value of his shares.
(b) Restriction on uncertificated shares. If the shares are not
represented by certificates, the business corporation may restrict their
transfer from the time of receipt of demand for payment until effectuation of
the proposed corporate action or the release of restrictions under the terms of
section 1577(a) (relating to failure to effectuate corporate action).
(c) Rights retained by shareholder. The dissenter shall retain all other
rights of a shareholder until those rights are modified by effectuation of the
proposed corporate action.
D-4
Section 1577. Release of restrictions or payment for shares.
(a) Failure to effectuate corporate action. Within 60 days after the date
set for demanding payment and depositing certificates, if the business
corporation has not effectuated the proposed corporate action, it shall return
any certificates that have been deposited and release uncertificated shares from
any transfer restrictions imposed by reason of the demand for payment.
(b) Renewal of notice to demand payment. When uncertificated shares have
been released from transfer restrictions and deposited certificates have been
returned, the corporation may at any later time send a new notice conforming to
the requirements of section 1575 (relating to notice to demand payment), with
like effect.
(c) Payment of fair value of shares. Promptly after effectuation of the
proposed corporate action, or upon timely receipt of demand for payment if the
corporate action has already been effectuated, the corporation shall either
remit to dissenters who have made demand and (if their shares are certificated)
have deposited their certificates the amount that the corporation estimates to
be the fair value of the shares, or give written notice that no remittance under
this section will be made. The remittance or notice shall be accompanied by:
(1) The closing balance sheet and statement of income of the issuer of
the shares held or owned by the dissenter for a fiscal year ending not more
than 16 months before the date of remittance or notice together with the
latest available interim financial statements.
(2) A statement of the corporation s estimate of the fair market value
of the shares.
(3) A notice of the right of the dissenter to demand payment or
supplemental payment, as the case may be, accompanied by a copy of this
subchapter.
(d) Failure to make payment. If the corporation does not remit the amount
of its estimate of the fair value of the shares as provided by subsection (c),
it shall return any certificates that have been deposited and release
uncertificated shares from any transfer restrictions imposed by reason of the
demand for payment. The corporation may make a notation on any such certificate
or on the records of the corporation relating to any such uncertificated shares
that such demand has been made. If shares with respect to which notation has
been so made shall be transferred, each new certificate issued therefor or the
records relating to any transferred uncertificated shares shall bear a similar
notation, together with the name of the original dissenting holder or owner of
such shares. A transferee of such shares shall not acquire by such transfer any
rights in the corporation other than those that the original dissenters had
after making demand for payment of their fair value.
D-5
Section 1578. Estimate by dissenter of fair value of shares.
(a) General rule. If the business corporation gives notice of its estimate
of the fair value of the shares, without remitting such amount, or remits
payment of its estimate of the fair value of a dissenter s shares as permitted
by section 1577(c) (relating to payment of fair value of shares) and the
dissenter believes that the amount stated or remitted is less than the fair
value of his shares, he may send to the corporation his own estimate of the fair
value of the shares, which shall be deemed a demand for payment of the amount or
the deficiency.
(b) Effect of failure to file estimate. Where the dissenter does not file
his own estimate under subsection (a) within 30 days after the mailing by the
corporation of its remittance or notice, the dissenter shall be entitled to no
more than the amount stated in the notice or remitted to him by the corporation.
Section 1579. Valuation proceedings generally.
(a) General rule. Within 60 days after the latest of:
(1) Effectuation of the proposed corporate action;
(2) Timely receipt of any demand for payment under section 1575
(relating to notice to demand payment); or
(3) Timely receipt of any estimates pursuant to section 1578 (relating
to estimate by dissenter of fair value of shares);
If any demands for payment remain unsettled, the business corporation may
file in court an application for relief requesting that the fair value of the
shares be determined by the court.
(b) Mandatory joinder of dissenters. All dissenters, wherever residing,
whose demands have not been settled shall be made parties to the proceeding as
in an action against their shares. A copy of the application shall be served on
each such dissenter. If a dissenter is a nonresident, the copy may be served on
him in the manner provided or prescribed by or pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 53
(relating to bases of jurisdiction and interstate and international procedure).
(c) Jurisdiction of the court. The jurisdiction of the court shall be
plenary and exclusive. The court may appoint an appraiser to receive evidence
and recommend a decision on the issue of fair value. The appraiser shall have
such power and authority as may be specified in the order of appointment or in
any amendment thereof.
(d) Measure of recovery. Each dissenter who is made a party shall be
entitled to recover the amount by which the fair value of his shares is found to
exceed the amount, if any, previously remitted, plus interest.
(e) Effect of corporation's failure to file application. If the
corporation fails to file an application as provided in subsection (a), any
dissenter who made a demand and who has not already settled his claim against
the corporation may do so in the name of the corporation at any time within 30
days after the expiration of the 60-day period. If a dissenter does not file an
application within the 30-day period, each dissenter entitled to file an
application shall be paid the corporation s estimate of the fair value of the
shares and no more, and may bring an action to recover any amount not previously
remitted.
Section 1580. Costs and expenses of valuation proceedings.
(a) General rule. The costs and expenses of any proceeding under section
1579 (relating to valuation proceedings generally), including the reasonable
compensation and expenses of the appraiser appointed by the court, shall be
determined by the court and assessed against the business corporation except
that any part of the costs and expenses may be apportioned and assessed as the
court deems appropriate against all or some of the dissenters who are parties
and whose action in demanding supplemental payment under section 1578 (relating
to estimate by dissenter of fair value of shares) the court finds to be
dilatory, obdurate, arbitrary, vexatious or in bad faith.
D-6
(b) Assessment of counsel fees and expert fees where lack of good faith
appears. Fees and expenses of counsel and of experts for the respective parties
may be assessed as the court deems appropriate against the corporation and in
favor of any or all dissenters if the corporation failed to comply substantially
with the requirements of this subchapter and may be assessed against either the
corporation or a dissenter, in favor of any other party, if the court finds that
the party against whom the fees and expenses are assessed acted in bad faith or
in a dilatory, obdurate, arbitrary or vexatious manner in respect to the rights
provided by this subchapter.
(c) Award of fees for benefits to other dissenters. If the court finds
that the services of counsel for any dissenter were of substantial benefit to
other dissenters similarly situated and should not be assessed against the
corporation, it may award to those counsel reasonable fees to be paid out of the
amounts awarded to the dissenters who were benefited.
D-7
AEL INDUSTRIES, INC
PROXY
SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 22, 1996
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE LONG RANGE
PLANNING COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY.
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Francis J. Dunleavy and
Conrad J. Fowler, and each or either of them, proxies of the undersigned, with
full power of substitution, to vote all of the shares of AEL Industries, Inc.
(the 'Company') which the undersigned may be entitled to vote at the Special
Meeting of Shareholders of the Company, to be held at the offices of the
Company, 305 Richardson Road, Lansdale, Pennsylvania on Thursday, February 22,
1996, at 9 a.m., local time, and at any adjournment thereof, as follows:
PROPOSAL CONSISTING OF THE FOLLOWING TWO ITEMS (THE 'PROPOSAL'):
ITEM 1: Approval of the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of
October 2, 1995, as amended as of January 10, 1996, among the
Company, Tracor, Inc. and Tracor AEL, Inc. and the Merger thereunder;
and
ITEM 2: Approval of the Related Agreements dated as of February 28, 1995 and
the Related Transactions thereunder.
Choose either Voting Option A or Voting Option B
VOTING OPTION A (INSTRUCTION: IF VOTING OPTION A IS SELECTED, DO NOT VOTE
UNDER VOTING OPTION B):
Approval of BOTH Item 1 and Item 2 of the Proposal.
/_/ FOR /_/ AGAINST /_/ ABSTAIN
VOTING OPTION B (INSTRUCTION: DO NOT VOTE UNDER VOTING OPTION B IF YOU HAVE
VOTED UNDER VOTING OPTION A):
Approval of Item 1 of the Proposal.
/_/ FOR /_/ AGAINST /_/ ABSTAIN
Approval of Item 2 of the Proposal.
/_/ FOR /_/ AGAINST /_/ ABSTAIN
NOTE: The failure of the shareholders to adopt either Item 1 or Item 2 of the
Proposal will be deemed a rejection of the Proposal, and the Merger and
the Related Transactions will not be consummated.
(CONTINUED ON OTHER SIDE)
In their discretion the proxies are authorized to vote upon such business as may
properly come before the meeting and any adjournment thereof that is incidental
to the Special Meeting.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN
BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE
VOTED FOR THE PROPOSAL UNDER VOTING OPTION A. IF DIRECTION IS MADE UNDER VOTING
OPTION A AND DIRECTION IS ALSO MADE UNDER VOTING OPTION B, THE DIRECTION MADE
UNDER VOTING OPTION A WILL CONTROL, AND THE DESIGNATION MADE UNDER VOTING OPTION
B WILL BE DISREGARDED. IF VOTING OPTION B IS SELECTED, BUT NO DESIGNATION IS
MADE UNDER EITHER ITEM 1 OR ITEM 2, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ITEM FOR
WHICH NO DIRECTION IS MADE.
Dated: _______________________
______________________________
______________________________
Signature(s)
When signing as attorney,
administrator, trustee or
corporate officer, please so
indicate. This Proxy should
then be dated and returned
promptly to Continental Stock
Transfer & Trust Company, 2
Broadway, New York, New York
10004.
AEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS -- FEBRUARY 22, 1996
The accompanying proxy materials are being furnished to you in
connection with a resolicitation of proxies for the Special Meeting of
Shareholders of AEL Industries, Inc. (the 'Company') scheduled for
Thursday, February 22, 1996 at 9:00 a.m., local time, at the Company's
principal executive offices, 305 Richardson Road, Lansdale,
Pennsylvania.
You previously received a Proxy Statement dated December 28, 1995
and a white proxy card. Since the mailing of such materials on
December 28, 1995, the merger transaction among the Company, Tracor,
Inc. ('Tracor') and Tracor's wholly owned subsidiary, Tracor AEL, Inc.
has been modified to reduce the Merger Price from $28.00 per share to
$24.25 per share.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN
THE ENCLOSED BLUE PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED, U.S. POSTAGE-PREPAID
ENVELOPE. ANY INSTRUCTIONS RECEIVED BY MEANS OF THE WHITE CARD THAT
YOU PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED WILL BE DISREGARDED.
Therefore, in order for your vote to be counted and for your
shares to be represented at the Special Meeting for quorum purposes,
you must complete, date, sign and return the BLUE proxy card.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please call John R.
Cox, Secretary of the Company, at (215) 822-2929.
Report of Independent Auditors
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of AEL Industries, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AEL
Industries, Inc. as of February 25, 1994, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flow for each of the
three years in the period ended February 24, 1995. These financial statements
are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of AEL Industries,
Inc. at February 24, 1995 and February 25, 1994, and the consolidated results of
its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended February 24, 1995, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
As discussed in the last paragraph of Note 8 to the consolidated financial
statements, the outcome of a U.S. Government investigation associated with a
fixed-price contract is presently not determinable. No provision for any
liability that may result from this matter has been made in the accompanying
financial statements.
As discussed in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements, the
Company changed its method of accounting for income taxes in fiscal year 1993.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 24, 1995