August 23, 2002
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. ___)
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]
Check the appropriate box:
[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[_] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
[_] Definitive Proxy Statement
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12
WESTWOOD CORPORATION
------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[_] No fee required.
[X] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
Common Stock, par value $.003 per share
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
10,481,103 shares of common stock (includes 3,716,456 shares
underlying options and warrants to purchase shares of common
stock and convertible debt.)
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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): $2.30 per share of common stock outstanding;
$2.30 minus the exercise price or conversion price per share
underlying options and warrants; and $2.30 per share of common
stock converted from the convertible debt prior to the merger;
determined based on the total merger consideration of
$22,000,000
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
$22,000,000
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(5) Total fee paid:
$2,024
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[_] 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.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date Filed:
PRELIMINARY COPY
PROXY
PRELIMINARY COPY
WESTWOOD CORPORATION
12402 East 60th Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74146
September ___, 2002
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of stockholders
of Westwood Corporation to be held at our offices at 12402 East 60th Street,
Tulsa, Oklahoma, on ________, 2002, at 9:00 a.m., central time. At the special
meeting, you will be asked to consider and approve our merger with a subsidiary
of L-3 Communications Corporation, a corporation headquartered in New York, New
York, pursuant to an agreement and plan of merger, dated as of August 8, 2002.
You should carefully read the merger agreement, a copy of which is attached as
Appendix A to the accompanying proxy statement. Upon completion of the merger,
each share of our common stock will be converted automatically into the right to
receive $2.30 in cash, without interest. We can only complete the merger if the
holders of a majority of our outstanding shares approve and adopt the merger
agreement.
Our board of directors unanimously approved the merger agreement and
declared the merger agreement advisable and in the best interests of our
stockholders and unanimously recommends that you vote "for" approval and
adoption of the merger agreement. Among the factors considered by our board of
directors in evaluating the merger was the opinion of New York Capital Corp.,
our financial advisor, dated August 6, 2002, which provides that, as of such
date, the cash consideration to be received by holders of our common stock
pursuant to the merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to our
stockholders. The written opinion of New York Capital Corp. is attached as
Appendix B to the accompanying proxy statement and should be read carefully and
in its entirety.
The proxy statement provides you with a summary of the merger and
additional information about the parties involved. If the merger agreement is
approved and adopted by the requisite holders of our common stock, the closing
of the merger will occur as soon after the special meeting as all of the other
conditions to the closing of the merger are satisfied or waived.
Please give all of this information your careful attention. Whether or
not you plan to attend the special meeting, you are requested to promptly
complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it in the envelope
provided. This will not prevent you from voting your shares in person if you
subsequently choose to attend the special meeting. If you have any questions
regarding the proposed transaction, please call Mr. David L. Shepherd at (918)
250-4411.
Sincerely,
Ernest H. McKee
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer and President
The accompanying proxy statement of Westwood Corporation is dated
September __, 2002, and the accompanying proxy statement and proxy are first
being mailed to stockholders on or about September _, 2002.
WESTWOOD CORPORATION
12402 East 60th Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74146
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held On ___________, 2002
To the Stockholders of
Westwood Corporation:
A special meeting of stockholders of Westwood Corporation will be held
at our offices at 12402 East 60th Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma, on _______, 2002, at
9:00 a.m., central time, for the following purposes:
1. To consider and act upon a proposal to approve and adopt the
agreement and plan of merger, dated as of August 8, 2002, among Westwood
Corporation, L-3 Communications Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and Blue
Acquisition Corp., a Nevada corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of L-3
Communications Corporation, relating to the merger of Blue Acquisition Corp.
with and into Westwood, with Westwood surviving the merger and becoming a wholly
owned subsidiary of L-3 Communications Corporation; and
2. To transact any other business as may properly come before the
special meeting and any adjournments or postponements of that meeting.
Our board of directors has fixed the close of business on _______,
2002, as the record date for the special meeting. Accordingly, only stockholders
of record on that date will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the special
meeting and any adjournment or postponement of that meeting. A form of proxy and
a proxy statement containing more detailed information with respect to matters
to be considered at the special meeting accompany and form a part of this
notice.
Your vote is important regardless of the number of shares of common
stock you own. Please vote as soon as possible to make sure that your shares of
common stock are represented at the special meeting. To grant your proxy to vote
at the special meeting, please complete, date, sign and return the enclosed
proxy as promptly as possible. We have enclosed a postage-prepaid envelope for
that purpose. You may, of course, attend the special meeting, revoke your proxy
and vote in person even if you have already returned your proxy. If you do not
send in a proxy or vote at the special meeting, it will have the same effect as
if you voted against the merger.
If you do not vote in favor of the proposal to approve and adopt the
merger agreement and the merger is completed, you may be entitled to assert
dissenters' rights under the terms of the Nevada Revised Statutes. Information
regarding the procedures to be followed is summarized in the attached proxy
statement and the applicable provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes are set
forth in their entirety in Appendix D to the accompanying proxy statement.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
David L. Shepherd
Secretary
Tulsa, Oklahoma
September __, 2002
Westwood Corporation
12402 East 60th Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74146
PROXY STATEMENT
Special Meeting of Stockholders
To Be Held On __________, 2002
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
SUMMARY TERM SHEET.....................................1
The Parties to the Merger.........................1
The Merger........................................1
Recommendation of Our Board of Directors
and Reasons for the Merger......................2
Opinion of Financial Advisor......................2
Funding of the Merger.............................2
Interests of Officers and Directors in the
Merger That Differ From Your Interests..........2
The Stockholders Agreement........................2
The Special Meeting...............................3
Record Date and Voting Power......................3
Quorum and Vote Required..........................3
Proxies, Voting and Revocation....................3
Effective Time of the Merger......................3
Exchange of Stock Certificates....................4
Conditions to the Merger..........................4
No Solicitation of Proposals from
Other Parties...................................4
Termination of the Merger Agreement...............5
Termination Fee...................................5
Dissenters' Rights................................5
Federal Income Tax Consequences...................5
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT
THE MERGER.............................................6
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS.............................7
MARKET FOR WESTWOOD'S COMMON
EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS................................................8
THE SPECIAL MEETING....................................8
Date, Time and Place of the
Special Meeting.................................8
Purpose of the Special Meeting....................8
Record Date and Voting Power......................8
Quorum and Vote Required..........................9
Proxies, Voting and Revocation....................9
Solicitation of Proxies and Expenses..............9
2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of Westwood Corporation........................10
THE PARTIES TO THE MERGER.............................10
Westwood Corporation.............................10
L-3 Communications Corporation...................10
Blue Acquisition Corp............................11
THE MERGER............................................11
General..........................................11
Background of the Merger.........................11
Recommendation of Our Board of Directors
and Reasons for the Merger.....................13
Our Forecasts....................................15
Opinion of Financial Advisor.....................16
Comparable Company Analysis....................17
New York Capital Corp.'s Engagement
Agreement....................................18
Funding of the Merger............................19
Interests of Officers and Directors in
the Merger.....................................19
Some Effects of the Merger.......................20
Method of Accounting.............................20
THE MERGER AGREEMENT..................................20
Effective Time of the Merger.....................20
Conversion of Shares Pursuant to
the Merger.....................................20
Exchange of Stock Certificates...................21
Stock Options; Warrants; Convertible Notes.......21
Conduct of the Business Before
the Merger.....................................22
Covenants and Agreements.........................25
No Solicitation................................25
Indebtedness...................................26
Stockholders Meeting...........................27
Access to Information..........................27
(i)
Page
----
Page
Indemnification and Insurance of
Westwood Officers and Directors.............27
Employee Matters...............................27
SEC and Government Filings.....................27
Pre-Closing Date Balance Sheet.................27
Additional Mutual Covenants....................27
Representations and Warranties of
Westwood and Purchaser.........................27
Conditions to the Merger.........................29
Conditions to the Obligations of
Each Party...................................29
Conditions to Our Obligations..................30
Conditions to the Obligations of Purchaser.....30
Termination of the Merger Agreement..............31
Termination Fees.................................32
Merger Expenses..................................32
Amendments.......................................32
THE STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT............................33
General..........................................33
Voting...........................................33
Restrictions on Transfer and Other
Voting Arrangements............................33
No Solicitation..................................33
Profit Disgorgement..............................33
Option...........................................34
Agreement to Tender Shares.......................34
Termination......................................34
YOU HAVE DISSENTERS' RIGHTS IN THE
MERGER................................................34
General..........................................34
Exercising Procedures............................34
Payment of Fair Value............................35
Record and Beneficial Owners.....................36
Delivery of Notices and Demands..................36
Costs............................................36
Loss of Dissenters' Rights.......................37
FEDERAL INCOME TAX
CONSEQUENCES..........................................37
REGULATORY AND OTHER
APPROVALS.............................................38
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT ..............................38
OTHER MATTERS.........................................40
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE
INFORMATION...........................................40
APPENDICES
Appendix A--
Agreement and Plan of Merger...................A-1
Appendix B--
Opinion of New York Capital Corp...............B-1
Appendix C--
Stockholders Agreement.........................C-1
Appendix D--
Text of Sections 92A.300 to 92A.500
of the Nevada Revised Statutes
Concerning Dissenters' Rights................D-1
(ii)
SUMMARY TERM SHEET
This summary term sheet, together with the subsequent questions and answers
section, highlights selected information from this proxy statement and may not
contain all of the information that is important to you. To understand the
merger fully and for a more complete description of the legal terms of the
merger, you should carefully read this entire document, as well as the
additional documents to which we refer you, including the merger agreement
attached as Appendix A. We encourage you to read the merger agreement because it
is the legal document that governs the merger. We have included page references
in parentheses to direct you to a more complete description of the topics
presented in this summary.
The Parties to the Merger (page 10)
Westwood Corporation
12402 East 60th Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74146
(918) 250-4411
In this proxy statement, we call this company "Westwood," "we" or "us."
Westwood is a Nevada corporation formed in 1986. Our common stock is traded on
the NASDAQ Bulletin Board Market under the symbol "WNMP.OB." Westwood is engaged
in the design and sale of electronic generation, distribution and automated
control equipment and related products. Through its subsidiaries, Westwood
controls the design and manufacture of:
o a broad family of diesel, natural gas and electrical generators for both
military and civilian use;
o the development, sale and service of automation and control systems for
major military and commercial ships; and
o the manufacture and sale of marine switchboards designed for the
distribution of electrical power, interior communication, weapons systems,
electrical plant control and power and lighting control on naval combat
vessels.
L-3 Communications Corporation
600 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10016
(212) 697-1111
In this proxy statement, we call this company "Purchaser." Purchaser is a
Delaware corporation formed in 1997 and, together with its subsidiaries, is a
leading merchant supplier of sophisticated secure communication systems and
specialized products. Purchaser's products are critical elements of virtually
all major communication, command and control, intelligence gathering and space
systems.
Blue Acquisition Corp.
c/o L-3 Communications Corporation
600 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10016
Blue Acquisition Corp. is a Nevada corporation and a wholly owned
subsidiary of Purchaser. Blue Acquisition Corp. was formed solely for the
purpose of effecting the merger and has conducted no activities other than in
connection with the merger and the merger agreement.
The Merger (page 11)
If the merger is completed, Blue Acquisition Corp. will be merged with and
into Westwood, with Westwood being the surviving corporation, pursuant to a
merger agreement dated as of August 8, 2002, among Purchaser, Blue Acquisition
Corp. and us.
At the effective time of the merger, each outstanding share of our common
stock will be converted automatically into the right to receive $2.30 in cash,
without interest.
After the completion of the merger, Westwood will be the surviving
corporation and will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Purchaser. The holders of
our common stock will have no continuing equity interest in, and will not share
in future earnings, dividends or growth, if any, of, the surviving corporation.
In addition, after the merger has been completed, our common stock will no
longer be traded on the NASDAQ Bulletin Board or registered with the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
1
Recommendation of Our Board of Directors and Reasons for the Merger (page 15)
After an evaluation of a variety of business, financial and market factors
and consultation with our legal and financial advisors, at a meeting on August
7, 2002, our board of directors determined that the merger agreement was fair
to, and in the best interests of, Westwood and our stockholders. The board also
unanimously approved the merger, the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated by that agreement and unanimously voted to recommend that our
stockholders approve and adopt the merger agreement.
In reaching its recommendation, our board considered, among other things,
the following factors:
o our financial condition, assets, results of operations, business and
prospects and the risks inherent in achieving those prospects;
o the trading history of our common stock, which has been characterized by
low daily trading volumes and the resulting illiquidity, typical of
companies of similar size;
o the fairness opinion of New York Capital Corp.; and
o the terms and conditions of the merger agreement.
Opinion of Financial Advisor (page 16)
On August 6, 2002, New York Capital Corp. rendered an opinion to our board
of directors that, as of the date of that opinion, the $2.30 per share in cash
to be received by holders of our common stock was fair, from a financial point
of view, to our stockholders. New York Capital Corp. orally confirmed this
opinion to our board of directors on August 7, 2002.
The full text of the written opinion of New York Capital Corp., dated
August 6, 2002, which sets forth the assumptions made, matters considered and
limitations on the review undertaken in connection with the opinion, is attached
as Appendix B to, and is incorporated by reference in, this proxy statement. The
opinion of New York Capital Corp. does not constitute a recommendation as to how
any holder of our common stock should vote with respect to the merger. You
should carefully read the opinion in its entirety.
Funding of the Merger (page 19)
Purchaser currently is expected to pay the merger consideration out of its
available cash balances and/or through borrowings under its senior credit
facilities.
Interests of Officers and Directors in the Merger That Differ From Your
Interests (page 19)
You should be aware that, at the effective time of the merger, in addition
to the merger consideration to be received for shares of common stock, our
officers and directors will receive consideration in exchange for the
cancellation of their stock options and warrants as well as their convertible
notes. In addition, it is currently expected that Ernest H. McKee, our President
and Chief Executive Officer and a member of our board of directors, and David L.
Shepherd, our Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, will continue with Westwood
as President and as Chief Financial Officer, respectively, following the merger.
The Westwood board was aware of these interests and considered them in approving
the merger agreement.
The Stockholders Agreement (page 22)
Mr. McKee and William J. Preston, a member of our board of directors, who
collectively have the right to vote 2,147,598 shares of common stock, or
approximately 32% of the outstanding shares of common stock, have agreed,
pursuant to a stockholders agreement that they entered into with Purchaser, Blue
Acquisition Corp. and Westwood, to vote in favor of the approval and adoption of
the merger agreement, granted an irrevocable proxy to Purchaser to vote their
shares in favor of the merger agreement, and agreed to tender their shares to
Purchaser if Purchaser offers to acquire 40% or more of our assets or stock by
way of an amendment to the merger agreement or otherwise. In addition, if
Messrs. McKee and Preston were to convert or exercise their respective
convertible securities and exercisable options into our common stock, they would
collectively have the right to vote 3,255,648 shares of common stock, or
approximately 41% of the outstanding shares of common stock after giving effect
to such conversion or exercise. If all of the officers and directors of Westwood
were to convert or exercise their respective convertible securities and
exercisable options into our common stock, Messrs. McKee and Preston would then
collectively
2
have the right to vote approximately 34% of the then outstanding common stock.
The Special Meeting (page 8)
The special meeting will be held on _________, 2002, at 9:00 a.m. local
time, at our offices at 12402 East 60th Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma. At the special
meeting, our stockholders will be asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to
approve and adopt the merger agreement. You may vote on the proposal by
completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card or by
appearing at the special meeting and voting in person.
Record Date and Voting Power (page 8)
Our board of directors has fixed the close of business on ________, 2002,
as the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of, and to
vote at, the special meeting.
On the record date, we had 6,764,647 outstanding shares of common stock
held by approximately 120 stockholders of record. We have no other class of
voting securities outstanding. Stockholders of record on the record date will be
entitled to one vote per share of common stock on any matter that may properly
come before the special meeting and any adjournment or postponement of that
meeting.
Quorum and Vote Required (page 9)
Approval and adoption of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote
of a majority of outstanding shares of our common stock. Ernest H. McKee, our
President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of our board of directors,
and William J. Preston, a member of our board of directors, who collectively
have the right to vote 2,147,598 shares of common stock, or approximately 32% of
the outstanding shares of common stock, have agreed, pursuant to a stockholders
agreement that they entered into with Purchaser, Blue Acquisition Corp. and
Westwood, to vote in favor of the approval and adoption of the merger agreement
and have granted an irrevocable proxy to Purchaser to vote their shares in favor
of the merger agreement. Therefore, approval of the merger agreement will
require an additional affirmative vote of approximately 18% of the outstanding
shares of our common stock. If, however, Messrs. McKee and Preston were to
convert or exercise their respective convertible securities and exercisable
options into our common stock, they would collectively have the right to vote
approximately 41% of the outstanding shares of common stock after giving effect
to such conversion and exercise. In the event of such conversion and exercise,
approval of the merger would require an additional affirmative vote of
approximately 9% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. If all of the
officers and directors of Westwood were to convert or exercise their respective
convertible securities and exercisable options into our common stock, Messrs.
McKee and Preston would then collectively have the right to vote approximately
34% of the then outstanding common stock. In the event of such conversion and
exercise by all of the officers and directors, approval of the merger would
require an additional affirmative vote of approximately 16% of the outstanding
shares of our common stock.
Proxies, Voting and Revocation (page 9)
Shares of common stock represented at the special meeting by properly
executed proxies received prior to or at the special meeting, and not revoked,
will be voted at the special meeting, and at any adjournments or postponements
of that meeting, in accordance with the instructions on the proxies. If a proxy
is duly executed and submitted without instructions, the shares of common stock
represented by that proxy will be voted "For" the approval of the merger
agreement. Proxies are being solicited on behalf of our board of directors.
A proxy may be revoked by the person who executed it at, or before, the
special meeting by:
o delivering to our secretary a written notice of revocation bearing a later
date than a previously delivered proxy;
o duly executing, dating and delivering to our secretary a subsequent proxy;
or
o attending the special meeting and voting in person.
Attendance at the special meeting will not, in and of itself, constitute
revocation of a proxy.
Effective Time of the Merger (page 20)
The merger will become effective as of the date and time that the articles
of merger are accepted for filing by the Secretary of State of the State of
Nevada in accordance with the Nevada Revised Statutes,
3
which is expected to occur as soon as practicable after stockholder approval and
the satisfaction or waiver of all other conditions to closing of the merger.
Exchange of Stock Certificates (page 20)
At the effective time of the merger, Purchaser will deposit with
Progressive Transfer Company, Westwood's transfer agent, who is acting as the
paying agent, cash in an amount sufficient to pay the holders of shares of
common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger,
other than stockholders exercising their appraisal rights, the cash merger
consideration to which they are entitled under the merger agreement.
The merger agreement provides that as soon as reasonably practicable after
the effective time of the merger, the paying agent will send to each stockholder
of record, as of immediately prior to the effective time, a letter of
transmittal and detailed instructions specifying the procedures to be followed
in surrendering stock certificates. You should not send any stock certificates
to the paying agent or to anyone else until you receive the letter of
transmittal. Upon the surrender of a stock certificate, the paying agent will
issue to the surrendering holder the consideration described above, without
interest and subject to any required withholding of taxes.
Conditions to the Merger (page 29)
For the merger to occur, the holders of a majority of the shares of common
stock outstanding must approve and adopt the merger agreement and the parties
must satisfy or waive all other conditions specified in the merger agreement,
including:
o that no temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or
other order issued by any court of competent jurisdiction, or other legal
restraint or prohibition preventing the completion of the merger, be in
effect;
o that Purchaser receive evidence that Purchaser and Westwood have received
all consents, approvals, and permits required to be obtained from any
governmental entity or third party;
o that no event has occurred that could be materially adverse to our assets,
business, prospects, financial condition or operations, or that of our
subsidiaries, or that materially impairs or delays us from consummating the
merger; and
o that the holders of not more than five percent of our outstanding shares
shall have exercised their dissenters' rights under the Nevada Revised
Statutes.
No Solicitation of Proposals from Other Parties (page 25)
In accordance with the merger agreement, we have agreed that, until the
termination of the merger agreement or the effective time of the merger, we will
not authorize or permit any of our directors, officers, employees, investment
bankers, attorneys, accountants, or other advisors or representatives to (a)
solicit, initiate, encourage or facilitate any takeover proposal, or (b) enter
into, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations
regarding, or furnish to any person any information with respect to or otherwise
cooperate in any way with, any takeover proposal, unless the other party making
the takeover proposal has made a bona fide unsolicited takeover proposal to
Westwood's board of directors that the board of directors determines in good
faith is or is reasonably likely to be superior to the merger.
We must advise Purchaser promptly in writing of any unsolicited inquiry or
proposal which we receive that is reasonably likely to lead to a takeover
proposal.
After stockholder approval of the merger agreement, we have no right to
terminate the merger agreement if we receive an offer to acquire us from a third
party that is superior to Purchaser's offer but, in such a case, our board
retains the right, subject to compliance with the conditions set forth in the
merger agreement, to rescind or modify its recommendation that our stockholders
approve and adopt the merger agreement.
4
Termination of the Merger Agreement (page 31)
The merger agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the effective
time of the merger by, among other things, the mutual written agreement of the
parties or, after the occurrence of certain events or actions, by one of the
parties acting independently. For example, either party may independently
terminate the merger agreement if:
o the merger is not consummated by February 4, 2003; provided, however, that
this right to terminate the merger agreement will not be available to a
party whose action or failure to act was a principal cause or resulted in
the failure of the merger to be completed by that date and such action or
failure constituted a breach of the merger agreement;
o any governmental authority takes any action prohibiting the merger, and
such action becomes final and non-appealable;
o our stockholders holding in excess of a majority of our common stock do not
vote to approve and adopt the merger; or
o the other party materially breaches the merger agreement and does not
promptly correct such breach.
In addition, Purchaser may terminate the merger agreement if our board
withdraws or modifies its recommendation in a manner adverse to Purchaser.
Prior to stockholder approval of the merger agreement, we may terminate the
merger agreement and enter into a transaction with a third party on a proposal
which is superior to Purchaser's offer subject to compliance with the conditions
set forth in the merger agreement.
Termination Fee (page 31)
We are required to pay a termination fee to Purchaser in the amount of
$1,100,000 if:
o either we or Purchaser terminate the merger agreement because stockholder
approval is not obtained and, within twelve months of the termination, we
enter into another acquisition agreement; or
o Purchaser terminates the merger agreement because our board withdraws or
modifies its recommendation in a manner adverse to Purchaser; or
o either we or Purchaser terminate the merger agreement because we are
entering into a competing business combination with a third party which
constitutes a superior proposal.
Dissenters' Rights (page 34)
If you do not vote in favor of the proposal to approve and adopt the merger
agreement and you comply strictly with the applicable provisions of the Nevada
Revised Statutes, and the requisite number of our stockholders approve and adopt
the merger agreement and the merger is completed, you have the right to dissent
and be paid cash for the "fair value" of your shares. This payment may be more
than, the same as, or less than the merger consideration you would receive in
the merger. To perfect these dissenters' rights, you must follow the required
procedures precisely. The applicable provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes
are attached to this document as Appendix D. It is a condition to the completion
of the merger that holders of not more than five percent of the outstanding
voting shares entitled to vote at the special meeting elect to exercise their
dissenters' rights.
Federal Income Tax Consequences (page 37)
If the merger is completed, the exchange of our common stock by any of our
stockholders in return for the merger consideration will be a taxable
transaction under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Because of the complexities
of the tax laws, we advise you to consult your own tax advisors concerning the
applicable federal, state, local, foreign and other tax consequences resulting
from the merger.
5
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER
Q: How do I submit my vote?
A: After reading and considering the information in this proxy statement,
please mark, sign and date your proxy card. Then mail your signed and
dated proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid, return envelope as soon as
possible so that your shares can be voted at the special meeting.
Q: What happens if I do not return a proxy card?
A: If you fail to return your proxy card and do not vote in person at the
special meeting, it will have the same effect as voting against the
merger agreement.
Q: May I vote in person?
A: Yes. You may attend the special meeting and vote your shares in person,
rather than signing and mailing your proxy card. However, even if you
plan to attend the special meeting, it is a good idea to cast your vote
in advance of the meeting by returning your proxy card in case your plans
to attend should change.
Q: May I change my vote after I have mailed my signed proxy card?
A: Yes. You may change your vote at any time before your proxy is voted at
the special meeting by following the instructions on page 9. You then may
either change your vote by sending in a new proxy or attending the
special meeting and voting in person.
Q: If my shares are held in street name by my broker, will my broker vote my
shares for me?
A: No. Your broker will vote your shares only if you provide instructions on
how to vote. You should instruct your broker to vote your shares by
following the instructions provided to you by your broker that should
accompany this proxy statement.
Q: Should I send in my stock certificates now?
A: No. Promptly after the merger is completed, you will receive detailed
instructions for delivering your stock certificates for the cash payment.
You should not send your stock certificates to us or anyone else until
you receive these instructions. Purchaser will arrange for payment to be
sent to you as promptly as practicable following receipt of your stock
certificates and other required documents.
Q: What will I receive in the merger?
A: Upon completion of the merger, you will receive a cash payment of $2.30,
without interest, for each share of common stock that you hold, subject
to any required tax withholding.
Q: What will happen to my shares of Westwood after the merger?
A: Following completion of the merger, your shares of common stock will
represent solely the right to receive the $2.30 per share cash payment.
Trading in our common stock on the NASDAQ Bulletin Board will cease.
Price quotations will no longer be available and we will no longer file
periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
6
Q: What will happen to present members of Westwood's management?
A: It is expected that Ernest H. McKee will remain as President of Westwood
after the merger. It is expected that David L. Shepherd will also remain
as Westwood's Chief Financial Officer after the merger pursuant to his
employment contract. At or prior to the merger, the members of our board
of directors will resign.
Q: Did the Westwood board retain financial advisors?
A: To assist it in making its recommendation regarding the merger, our board
retained New York Capital Corp. as its financial advisor in connection
with its evaluation of the merger. New York Capital Corp. delivered to
our board an opinion to the effect that, as of the date of that opinion,
the per share merger consideration to be received by the holders of our
common stock was fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of
our common stock. We have attached the full text of the opinion of New
York Capital Corp. as Appendix B to this proxy statement. This opinion
sets forth the assumptions made, matters considered and limitations on
the review taken in connection with the opinion.
Q: Do I have the right to exercise dissenters' rights if I oppose the
merger?
A: Under Nevada law, you are entitled to dissent and seek appraisal of the
"fair value" of your shares of common stock as determined by a court. In
order to perfect your dissenters' rights, you must not vote in favor of
the merger and you must strictly follow all of the requirements under
Nevada law, which requirements are set forth in Appendix D to this proxy
statement and summarized under "YOU HAVE DISSENTERS' RIGHTS IN THE
MERGER." The fair value could be equal to, less than or more than $2.30
per share.
Q: When do you expect the merger to be completed?
A: We are working to complete the merger as quickly as possible. If the
stockholders approve the merger agreement at the special meeting and the
other conditions to the merger are satisfied or waived, we expect to
complete the merger shortly after the special meeting.
Q: Who can help answer my questions?
A: If you have any additional questions about the merger, you should call
Mr. David L. Shepherd, our corporate secretary, at (918) 250-4411.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This proxy statement includes "forward looking statements" as defined
by the Securities and Exchange Commission. All statements, other than statements
of historical facts, included in this proxy statement that address activities,
events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur
in the future are forward looking statements and include the following:
o completion of the proposed merger; and
o future financial performance if the merger is not completed.
These forward looking statements are based on assumptions, which we
believe are reasonable, but which are open to a wide range of uncertainties and
business risks. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those anticipated are discussed in the pertinent sections of this proxy
statement and in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March
31, 2002.
7
MARKET FOR WESTWOOD'S COMMON EQUITY
AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Bulletin Board Market under
the symbol "WNMP.OB." The following table shows the high and low sale prices of
Westwood common stock for the calendar quarters indicated, as reported by the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.:
Quarter Ended High Bid Low Bid
- ------------- -------- -------
June 30, 2002 $1.45 $1.01
Mar. 31, 2002 1.40 1.03
Dec. 31, 2001 1.85 1.15
Sept. 30, 2001 1.47 0.72
June 30, 2001 $0.94 $0.50
Mar. 31, 2001 0.875 0.5312
Dec. 31, 2000 0.9375 0.4375
Sept. 30, 2000 1.00 0.5625
We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock for the periods shown
above. In addition, due to the continued need for operating capital, current
bank credit facility restrictions of dividend payments, and restrictions imposed
by the merger agreement, we do not expect to pay cash dividends during the
remainder of fiscal 2003.
The following table sets forth the closing per share sales price of
Westwood's common stock, as reported on The NASDAQ Bulletin Board Market on
August 8, 2002, the last full trading day before the public announcement of the
proposed merger, and on [__________], 2002, the latest practicable trading day
before the printing of this proxy statement:
Westwood's Common
Stock Closing Price
-------------------
August 8, 2002................................ $1.27
[_______], 2002............................... $[__.__]
THE SPECIAL MEETING
Date, Time and Place of the Special Meeting
The special meeting will be held at our offices at 12402 East 60th
Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma, on ________, 2002, at 9:00 a.m., central time.
Purpose of the Special Meeting
At the special meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon a
proposal to approve and adopt the merger agreement relating to the merger of
Blue Acquisition Corp. into Westwood, with Westwood being the surviving
corporation. As a result of the merger, Westwood will become a wholly owned
subsidiary of Purchaser.
Record Date and Voting Power
Our board of directors has fixed the close of business on ________,
2002, as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to
notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting. As of the record date, there
8
were 6,764,647 outstanding shares of common stock held by approximately 120
holders of record. Our common stock is our only outstanding class of stock.
Stockholders of record on the record date will be entitled to one vote per share
of our common stock on any matter that properly comes before the special meeting
and any adjournment or postponement of that meeting.
Quorum and Vote Required
Our bylaws require the presence, in person or by duly executed proxy,
of the holders of shares of common stock representing at least 33-1/3% of our
outstanding shares of common stock at the special meeting in order to constitute
a quorum. For purposes of determining only the presence or absence of a quorum
for the transaction of business, we intend to count abstentions and broker
non-votes as present at the special meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes
are not, however, counted as favorable votes and, therefore, have the same
effect as a vote against the proposal. Broker non-votes are proxies from brokers
or other nominees indicating that they have not received instructions from the
beneficial owner or other person entitled to vote the shares which are the
subject of the proxy on a particular matter with respect to which the broker or
other nominee does not have discretionary voting power. Approval and adoption of
the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the
outstanding shares of our common stock.
Proxies, Voting and Revocation
Shares of our common stock represented at the special meeting by
properly executed proxies received prior to, or at, the special meeting, and not
revoked, will be voted at the special meeting, and at any adjournment or
postponement of that meeting, in accordance with the instructions on those
proxies. If a proxy is duly executed and submitted without instructions, the
shares of our common stock represented by that proxy will be voted "For" the
approval of the merger agreement. Proxies are being solicited on behalf of our
board.
A proxy may be revoked at any time before it is voted at the special
meeting. A proxy may be revoked by the person who executed it at, or before, the
special meeting by:
o delivering to our secretary a written notice of revocation bearing a
later date than a previously delivered proxy;
o duly executing, dating and delivering to our secretary a subsequent
proxy; or
o attending the special meeting and voting in person. Attendance at the
special meeting will not, in and of itself, constitute revocation of a
previously delivered proxy.
Any written notice revoking a proxy should be delivered to Westwood Corporation,
12402 East 60th Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74146, Attention: Mr. David L. Shepherd.
Solicitation of Proxies and Expenses
We will bear the entire cost of solicitation of proxies from our
stockholders. Copies of solicitation materials will be furnished to brokerage
houses, fiduciaries and custodians holding in their names shares of our common
stock beneficially owned by others to forward to those beneficial owners. In
addition to solicitation by mail, directors, officers and employees of Westwood
and its subsidiaries may solicit proxies from Westwood stockholders, either
personally or by telephone or other forms of communication. None of the
foregoing persons who solicit proxies will be specifically compensated for such
services. We do not anticipate that any other persons will be specifically
engaged to solicit proxies or that special compensation will be paid for that
purpose, but we reserve the right to do so should we conclude that such efforts
are necessary or advisable. Upon request, we will reimburse brokers, dealers,
banks or similar entities acting as nominees for their reasonable expenses
incurred in forwarding copies of the proxy materials to the beneficial owners of
the shares of common stock they hold of record.
9
2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Westwood Corporation
We will hold our 2002 annual meeting of stockholders only if the merger
is not consummated. In the event of the annual meeting, any stockholder
proposals intended to be presented at the meeting must have been received at our
principal executive offices on or before [ ], 2002, in order to be included in
our proxy materials relating to that meeting.
THE PARTIES TO THE MERGER
Westwood Corporation
Westwood, a Nevada corporation formed in 1986, is engaged in the
design, manufacture and sale of electrical generation, distribution, and
automated control equipment and related products. The Company's business is
conducted through its wholly owned subsidiaries, NMP Corp. ("NMP"), an Oklahoma
corporation formed in 1988; TANO Corp. ("TANO"), a Louisiana corporation
acquired in May of 1997; and MC II Electric Company, Inc. ("MC II"), a Texas
corporation acquired in May of 1997.
NMP's marine engineered products line includes marine switchboards
designed for the distribution of electrical power, interior communication,
weapons systems, electrical plant control and power and lighting control on
naval combat vessels. NMP's primary customers for switchboard products are the
major shipbuilders that serve as prime defense contractors to the U.S.
government. Equipment is also sold to Allied Foreign Governments, with State
Department approval, under the War Munitions Act.
TANO, located in New Orleans, Louisiana, designs, manufactures,
installs and services high-quality automation and control systems for major
military and commercial ships. TANO is a leading and long-standing provider of
automated machinery plant control systems for the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S.
Navy and the Military Sealift Command. TANO's product lines are primarily
divided into two segments: Systems, and Parts and Service. Systems consists of
the design and manufacture of automation and control systems for new ships, as
well as complex retrofits for existing ships. Parts and Service consists of the
aftermarket business whereby TANO provides parts and maintenance to a large,
worldwide installed base of TANO systems.
MC II is in the business of designing and manufacturing a broad family
of diesel, natural gas and turbine mobile electrical generator sets for both
military and commercial applications. MC II has also designed computer software
and flat panel control screens for monitoring and controlling all generator
mechanical and operational functions.
L-3 Communications Corporation
Together with its subsidiaries, Purchaser is a leading merchant
supplier of sophisticated secure communication systems and specialized products.
It produces secure, high data rate communication systems, training and
simulation systems, engineering development and integration support, avionics
and ocean products, fuzing products, telemetry, instrumentation, space and
guidance products and microwave components. These systems and products are
critical elements of virtually all major communication, command and control,
intelligence gathering and space systems. Purchaser's systems and specialized
products are used to connect a variety of airborne, space, ground and sea-based
communication systems and are used in the transmission, processing, recording,
monitoring and dissemination functions of these communication systems. Its
customers include the U.S. Department of Defense, certain U.S. Government
intelligence agencies, major aerospace and defense contractors, foreign
governments, commercial customers and certain other U.S. federal, state and
local government agencies. Its business areas employ proprietary technologies
and capabilities and have leading positions in their respective primary markets.
10
Blue Acquisition Corp.
Blue Acquisition Corp. is a Nevada corporation recently formed by
Purchaser solely for the purpose of effecting the merger. It has not conducted
any business or activity except in connection with activities related to the
merger.
THE MERGER
General
The merger agreement provides for the merger of Blue Acquisition Corp.
with and into Westwood, with Westwood being the surviving corporation. The
merger will become effective when the articles of merger have been accepted for
filing by the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada in accordance with the
Nevada Revised Statutes, which is expected to occur as soon as practicable after
stockholder approval of the merger and the satisfaction or waiver of all other
conditions to closing the merger.
As of the effective time of the merger, holders of shares of our common
stock will have no further ownership interest in the surviving corporation.
Instead, each holder of common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to
the effective time of the merger will be entitled to receive $2.30 in cash per
share, without interest. Prior to the effective time of the merger, we will use
our best efforts to have each convertible note converted in full into shares of
common stock. Upon completion of the merger, all of Westwood's outstanding stock
options and warrants will be cancelled and, in full settlement of these options
and warrants, Purchaser will cause Westwood to pay each holder an amount of cash
equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of common stock underlying each
stock option and warrant held by that holder, and (ii) the excess, if any, of
the merger consideration over the exercise price per share of common stock
applicable to that option or warrant.
Background of the Merger
During the course of 1997, members of our board expressed concern that,
in our present structure, we would not be able to grow and develop on a basis
acceptable to our board and stockholders. The board decided to investigate
potential transactions in which we could continue to grow and develop on an
acceptable basis. In March 1998, we entered into a contract with an investment
advisor to investigate various strategic alternatives to maximize stockholder
value, including our possible sale. We worked with this investment advisor to
prepare materials to be presented to potential purchasers but determined that
the timing was not yet right to present Westwood for sale.
In February 2000, we instructed our investment advisor to begin the
marketing process. The investment advisor contacted a number of companies to
determine interest in a transaction with Westwood. In July 2000, we entered into
three confidentiality agreements, including one with an affiliate of Purchaser.
We commenced serious discussions with Purchaser and two other potential
purchasers in August 2000. Representatives of Purchaser came to Tulsa to meet
with management in late October, 2000. On November 10, 2000, Purchaser submitted
a non-binding indication of interest in acquiring Westwood for a purchase price
in the range of $20 to $25 million. The indication of interest was subject to a
number of conditions, including additional due diligence. Purchaser conducted
its due diligence with us throughout November and December.
On December 21, 2000, the investment advisor instructed Purchaser and
the other potential acquirers to submit their best offer in early January. On
January 10, 2001, Purchaser submitted a proposal to acquire Westwood for $18
million, conditioned on Westwood's outstanding debt not exceeding $4.5 million
at closing. Our board considered this offer inadequate. We continued to
negotiate with Purchaser and to discuss possible transactions with two other
interested parties. In late January, 2001, the two other potential purchasers
advised us, without submitting bids, that they had decided not to proceed with
discussions with us to purchase Westwood.
11
On February 2, 2001, Purchaser submitted a revised proposal to acquire
Westwood, offering $18 million (conditioned on Westwood's outstanding debt not
exceeding $4.5 million at closing) plus a potential additional payment of up to
$4 million dependent on certain performance criteria being achieved by Westwood
on or before June 30, 2001. On March 2, 2001, Purchaser further revised its
proposal by conditioning it on the elimination of Westwood's outstanding debt
immediately prior to closing. The negotiations were terminated in March, 2001
because of numerous contingencies relating to product development and
qualification testing for several of our products.
In the summer of 2001, we entered into discussions with New York
Capital Corp. to consider whether to retain its services as an investment
advisor. In a teleconference on July 23, 2001, the board decided to hire New
York Capital Corp. to represent us in seeking potential buyers. New York Capital
Corp. contacted numerous potential purchasers on our behalf. Seventeen companies
expressed an initial interest and our management held meetings with three
potential purchasers who expressed further interest, including Purchaser.
We recommenced serious discussions with Purchaser in November 2001
while still providing requested information to the other two potential
purchasers. Purchaser made a verbal proposal in late December 2001 to acquire
Westwood for $20 million plus a potential additional payment to be calculated
based on certain contingencies relating to qualification testing requirements on
certain of Westwood's government contracts. Discussions to improve Purchaser's
offer were conducted by our management. On January 7, 2002, Purchaser made its
final proposal to acquire Westwood for $22 million (representing a price of
$2.30 per share for our common stock), conditioned on Westwood's outstanding
debt not exceeding $6 million at closing. In late February, 2002, our management
asked Purchaser to prepare a draft of the merger agreement setting forth the
terms of its proposal. During this time, discussions with the other potential
parties did not result in any proposals.
Purchaser delivered initial drafts of the merger agreement and the
stockholders agreement in late March, 2002. From April through August, our
management continued to negotiate with Purchaser to provide the best possible
terms for Westwood and our stockholders. In connection with these negotiations,
Purchaser agreed to remove its $6 million absolute condition on Westwood's
indebtedness in exchange for the more flexible indebtedness condition currently
contained in the merger agreement and described in "THE MERGER AGREEMENT--
Covenants and Agreements--Indebtedness." During this period, Westwood also
continued to provide Purchaser with due diligence information. On July 30,
representatives of Purchaser met with Westwood's management in Tulsa to conclude
Purchaser's due diligence review.
On August 5, 2002, our board, together with its financial and legal
advisors, convened a special meeting to consider the proposed merger agreement,
stockholders agreement and the transactions contemplated by the agreements,
including the purchase price. Mr. McKee and Mr. Shepherd, together with our
legal and financial advisors, reviewed the background of the proposed merger,
the potential benefits of the merger to our stockholders, financial and
valuation analyses of the transaction, and the terms of the merger agreement and
related documents. Following the meeting, Westwood's and Purchaser's respective
legal advisors continued to finalize the terms of the merger agreement and
related agreements.
On August 7, 2002, our board, together with its financial and legal
advisors, convened a special meeting at which the financial and legal advisors
updated the board on the status and terms of the proposed agreements. New York
Capital Corp. delivered to our board its written opinion dated August 6, 2002,
which it orally confirmed at the meeting, that, based on and subject to the
matters set forth in its opinion, the consideration to be received by the
holders of our common stock pursuant to the merger agreement was fair to such
holders, from a financial point of view. After considering the presentations
given at this meeting and at the August 5 meeting by Messrs. McKee and Shepherd
and our legal advisor and the presentation by and opinion of New York Capital
Corp., along with various other factors discussed below, our board unanimously:
o approved the merger agreement, the stockholders agreement and the
transactions contemplated by the agreements;
12
o approved an amendment to our bylaws so as to exempt the merger
transaction from certain anti-takeover provisions of Nevada
corporate law;
o authorized our officers to execute the merger agreement and
stockholders agreement on our behalf; and
o approved a recommendation that our stockholders vote in favor of
the approval and adoption of the merger agreement.
Following the meeting, the merger agreement, the stockholders agreement
and the related documents were finalized.
On August 8, 2002, officers of Purchaser, Blue Acquisition Corp. and
Westwood executed and delivered the merger agreement and the stockholders
agreement. On August 9, 2002, Westwood and Purchaser issued press releases
announcing the proposed merger.
Recommendation of Our Board of Directors and Reasons for the Merger
As described above in the section entitled "Background of the Merger,"
our board unanimously approved the merger, the merger agreement and the
transactions contemplated by that agreement at a meeting held on August 7, 2002.
Our board believes that the terms of the merger, the merger agreement and the
other transactions contemplated by that agreement are fair to, and in the best
interests of, Westwood and its stockholders. Accordingly, our board recommends
approval and adoption of the merger agreement by our stockholders. In reaching
its conclusion to approve the merger and the merger agreement, our board
consulted with our management and our legal counsel, and was advised by New York
Capital Corp., our financial advisor in this transaction. The board considered
our short-term and long-term interests and those of our stockholders. In
particular, our board considered the following factors, all of which it deemed
favorable, in reaching its decision to recommend the merger and the merger
agreement:
o the consideration to be received by our stockholders in the merger
represents a premium of approximately 81% over the NASDAQ Bulletin
Board closing price per share of $1.27 on August 8, 2002, which
was one day prior to the public announcement of the merger
agreement;
o our financial condition, assets, results of operations, business
and prospects and the risks inherent in achieving those prospects;
o the trading history of our common stock, which has been
characterized by low daily trading volumes and the resulting
illiquidity, typical of companies of similar size;
o the opinion of New York Capital Corp. that the consideration to be
issued by Purchaser in the merger is fair, from a financial point
of view, to the holders of our common stock, and the various
analyses presented to our board of directors by New York Capital
Corp. See "Opinion of Financial Advisor" at page 16;
o the provisions that permit Westwood, subject to the conditions and
procedures described in the merger agreement, (1) to consider
superior third party offers to acquire Westwood, (2) to provide
information and negotiate with third parties in response to those
offers, and (3) to terminate the merger agreement with Purchaser
to accept a superior proposal subject to the payment to Purchaser
of a $1.1 million termination fee; and
o the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, including the
payment of the merger consideration solely in cash, which provides
certainty in value to our stockholders, the nature of the parties'
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements, and the
fact that the
13
conditions to Purchaser's obligation to consummate
the merger are reasonably limited and thus the risk that the
merger will not be consummated is reasonably small.
Our board also considered the fact that the consummation of the merger
is not subject to a financing contingency.
Our board of directors consulted with New York Capital Corp. during the
course of its engagement. The board of directors believed that New York Capital
Corp.'s analysis was reasonable.
In considering the recommendation of the board of directors, you should
be aware that certain directors and officers have interests in the merger that
are different from, or are in addition to, the interests of Westwood
stockholders generally. The board recognized these interests and determined that
they neither supported nor detracted from the advisability of the merger to
Westwood stockholders. For a discussion of these interests, see "Interests of
Officers and Directors in the Merger."
Our board of directors also considered other strategic alternatives to
the merger that might be available to us, including:
o remaining independent and continuing to expand our business in the
marine and defense industries;
o pursuing other business combinations, including mergers involving
companies with significantly greater market capitalization than
our own; and
o rejecting Purchaser's offer and soliciting additional bids from
third parties.
Our board considered the strategic options available to us and
determined that none of these options was reasonably likely to present superior
opportunities, or was reasonably likely to create greater value for our
stockholders, than the prospects presented by the merger. After considering the
potential benefits and risks associated with each of these alternatives to us
and our stockholders, our board determined that the merger represented the
alternative that is in the best interests of our stockholders.
Our board also considered the following potentially negative factors of
the merger in its deliberations concerning the merger and the merger agreement:
o Our board acknowledged that the merger would preclude the holders
of our common stock from having the opportunity to participate in
the possible future growth of Westwood.
o Our board of directors acknowledged that the merger is a taxable
transaction and, as a result, holders of our common stock will be
required to pay taxes on any built-in gain as a result of their
receipt of the cash consideration in the transaction.
o Our board considered the covenant in the merger agreement
restricting our ability to solicit or entertain other potential
acquisition proposals.
o Our board considered the risks and costs to us if the merger does
not close, which risks and costs would result from, among other
things, the extensive efforts that would be required to attempt to
complete the transaction and the significant distractions which
our employees will experience during the pendency of the
transaction.
In the opinion of our board, the above factors represent the material
potential adverse consequences which could occur as a result of the merger. In
considering the merger, our board considered the impact of these factors on our
stockholders.
14
In deciding whether to accept Purchaser's offer, our board compared the
merger consideration to the market price for our common stock and determined
that the merger consideration was fair for the following reasons:
o the Purchaser's offer was the highest cash offer submitted to our
board and represented Purchaser's final offer;
o our management engaged in discussions with potential corporate
acquirers over a two year period and believed that it was unlikely
that a superior bid would emerge;
o New York Capital Corp. engaged in extensive communications with
potential corporate acquirers;
o New York Capital Corp. had given our board its opinion that the
merger consideration was fair to our stockholders from a financial
point of view; and
o our board believed that if it rejected Purchaser's bid and
announced that we had decided to remain independent, the market
price of our common stock could have dropped sharply as our
stockholders determined that the realization of a takeover premium
through a sale of the company was unlikely.
The foregoing discussion describes the material factors considered by
the board of directors in its consideration of the merger. In view of the wide
variety of factors considered by our board, our board did not find it
practicable to, and did not, quantify or otherwise attempt to assign relative
weights to the specific factors considered. Our board viewed its position and
recommendation as being based on the totality of the information presented to,
and considered by, it. After taking into consideration all the factors set forth
above, the board determined that the potential benefits of the merger outweighed
the potential detriments associated with the merger.
In the event the merger is not completed for any reason, we will
continue to explore various strategic alternatives to maximize stockholder
value, including other business combination opportunities.
Our Forecasts
In connection with Purchaser's review of Westwood and in the course of
the negotiations between Westwood and Purchaser, we provided Purchaser with
non-public business and financial information. We also provided this information
to New York Capital Corp., which used this information in its analysis of the
fairness of the cash merger consideration to be received by our stockholders.
See "Opinion of Financial Advisor." The non-public information we provided
included forecasts of our future operating performance. Our forecasts included
management forecasts, most recently as of June, 2002, of our projected sales,
net income, and EBITDA through the fiscal year ending March 31, 2003, and of
projected gross revenues for fiscal years ending 2003 through 2005. Our board of
directors also reviewed our forecasts in connection with approving the merger
agreement and the merger.
We do not, as a matter of course, publicly disclose forecasts as to
future revenues or earnings. Our forecasts were not prepared with a view to
public disclosure and are included in this proxy statement only because this
information was made available to Purchaser in connection with its due diligence
investigation of us and was considered by our board of directors in connection
with approving the merger agreement and the merger. Our forecasts were not
prepared with a view to complying with the published guidelines of the SEC
regarding forecasts, nor were they prepared in accordance with the guidelines
established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for
preparation and presentation of financial forecasts. Moreover, Ernst & Young
LLP, our independent auditor, has not examined, compiled or applied any
procedures to our forecasts in accordance with standards established by the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and expresses no opinion or
any
15
assurance on their reasonableness, accuracy or achievability. Our forecasts
reflect numerous assumptions made by our management, many of which are
inherently uncertain and subject to change. In addition, factors such as
industry performance and general business, economic, regulatory, market and
financial conditions, all of which are difficult to predict, may cause our
forecasts or the underlying assumptions to be inaccurate. Accordingly, it is
expected that there will be differences between actual and forecasted results,
and actual results may be materially different from those contained in our
forecasts.
The inclusion of our forecasts in this proxy statement should not be
regarded as an indication that our board of directors, Westwood, Purchaser or
either of their respective financial advisors considered or consider our
forecasts to be a reliable prediction of future events, and our forecasts should
not be relied upon as such. To the extent our forecasts represent our
management's best estimate of possible future performance, this estimate is made
only as of June, 2002, the date of the forecasts, and is not made as of any
later date. You should take all of this into account when evaluating any factors
or analyses based on our forecasts.
The forecasts that we provided to Purchaser, that were used by New York
Capital Corp. in conjunction with its analyses as described below under the
caption "Opinion of Financial Advisor" in rendering its fairness opinion and
that our board of directors reviewed in connection with approving the merger
agreement and the merger are summarized below.
WESTWOOD SUMMARY FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS
As of June, 2002
(in thousands)
Fiscal Year Ended
March 31
2003 2004 2005
---- ---- ----
Gross Revenues $64,711 $68,071 $50,883
Net income 2,077 * *
EBITDA 3,253 * *
- ------------
*Not provided
Opinion of Financial Advisor
A special meeting of our board was convened on August 7, 2002, to
consider approving the merger agreement. New York Capital Corp. delivered its
written opinion dated August 6, 2002 (subsequently confirmed by an oral opinion
on August 7, 2002) that, as of such dates, the merger consideration was fair to
our stockholders, from a financial point of view.
A copy of the opinion of New York Capital Corp., which sets forth the
items reviewed and the methods used to calculate Westwood's market value by New
York Capital Corp. in rendering its opinion, is attached as Appendix B to this
proxy statement and is incorporated by reference. This summary of the New York
Capital Corp. opinion addresses the material items on which New York Capital
Corp. based its opinion. You are strongly encouraged to carefully read the
opinion in its entirety.
The New York Capital Corp. opinion was provided to our board for its
information and is directed only to the fairness to our stockholders, from a
financial point of view, of the consideration to be received by our
stockholders. The New York Capital Corp. opinion does not constitute a
recommendation to any Westwood stockholder as to how that holder should vote on
the approval of the merger agreement or as to whether the merger would be
beneficial to any stockholder.
16
The summary set forth below describes material aspects of the analyses
underlying New York Capital Corp.'s opinion and the presentation made by New
York Capital Corp. to our board. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a
complex analytical process involving various determinations as to the most
appropriate and relevant methods of financial analysis and the application of
those methods to the particular circumstances. Therefore, the New York Capital
Corp. opinion is not readily susceptible to partial analysis or summary
description. In arriving at its opinion, New York Capital Corp. did not
attribute any particular weight to any analysis or factor considered by it, but
rather made qualitative judgments as to the significance and relevance of the
analyses and factors considered. Accordingly, New York Capital Corp. believes
that its analyses must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of
its analyses, without considering all of its analyses, could create an
incomplete or inaccurate view of the process underlying the New York Capital
Corp. opinion.
In arriving at its opinion, New York Capital Corp. met with our
executive management to discuss our business, operations and prospects. In
addition, New York Capital Corp. reviewed:
o a recent draft of the merger agreement and related documents;
o our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2002;
o Purchaser's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2001, interim reports and recent reports on Form 8-K;
o our confidential memorandum dated November, 2001 prepared in
connection with consideration of strategic alternatives by us;
o projections of our results of operations and financial condition
through the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005, prepared by us;
o drafts of these proxy materials;
o to the extent it considered appropriate, annual reports and forms
10-K and 10-Q of fourteen publicly traded companies regarded as
comparable in nature of business to us; and
o recent prices and trading volumes for our common stock and of the
publicly traded companies regarded as comparable in nature of
business.
In preparing its opinion, New York Capital Corp. did not independently
verify any of the foregoing information, and relied upon the information being
complete and accurate in all material respects. New York Capital Corp. did not
conduct a physical inspection or make an independent evaluation or appraisal of
our assets. The New York Capital Corp. opinion was rendered on the basis of
conditions in the securities markets prevailing on August 2, 2002, and on the
balance sheets of comparable companies as of December 31, 2001, and on the
income and cash flow statements for the twelve months then ended. We did not
provide specific instructions to, or place any limitation on, New York Capital
Corp. with respect to the procedures to be followed or factors to be considered
by New York Capital Corp. in performing its analyses or providing its opinion.
The following is a summary of the valuation parameters used by New York
Capital Corp. to compare us to other comparable companies in preparing its
opinion.
Comparable Company Analysis. New York Capital Corp. compared certain
financial information and commonly used valuation measurements for us to
corresponding information and measurements for two specific groups of companies,
both engaged in businesses comparable to ours. The first group of companies is,
like Westwood, heavily involved in defense (the "Defense Group"). The second
group of companies is involved in civilian manufacturing businesses with size
and manufacturing complexities similar to Westwood (the "Non-Defense Group").
17
The financial information and measurements included, among other
things:
o market value as a ratio to pre-tax income (to avoid lack of
comparability of effective tax rates in reaching net income);
o market value plus interest-bearing debt as a ratio to earnings
before interest and taxes;
o market value plus interest-bearing debt as a ratio to earnings
before interest and taxes plus depreciation and amortization;
o market value as a ratio to revenues; and
o market value as a ratio to stockholders' equity.
Market values were based on prices at August 2, 2002, or the next prior
date in which a trade took place.
New York Capital Corp. noted that the ratio of market value to pre-tax
income for the Defense Group ranged from 2.93 to 55.12 (except for one ratio,
216.53, which resulted from negligible pre-tax income for one company). The
ratio of market value pre-tax income for the Non-Defense Group ranged from 7.20
to 15.51. The ratio for Westwood based on the market price of $1.25 per share on
August 2, 2002, was 7.54, and for Westwood at the merger price of $2.30 per
share, 19.50.
New York Capital Corp. noted that the ratio of market value plus
interest-bearing debt to earnings before interest and taxes for the Defense
Group ranged from 3.39 to 27.95. The ratio of market value plus interest-bearing
debt to earnings before interest and taxes for the Non-Defense Group ranged from
9.10 to 17.41. The ratio for Westwood at the $1.25 per share August 2, 2002,
market price was 9.99, and for Westwood at the merger price, 19.10.
New York Capital Corp. noted that the ratio of market value plus
interest-bearing debt to earnings before interest and taxes plus depreciation
and amortization for the Defense Group ranged from 8.39 to 17.72. The ratio for
the Non-Defense Group ranged from 11.91 to 17.63. The ratio for Westwood based
on the market price of $1.25 per share on August 2, 2002, was 6.07, and for
Westwood at the merger price, 11.60.
New York Capital Corp. noted that the ratio of market value to revenues
for the Defense Group ranged from .58 to 1.51. The ratio for the Non-Defense
Group ranged from .28 to 2.70. The ratio for Westwood at the August 2, 2002,
market price of $1.25 per share was .17, and for Westwood at the merger price,
..43.
New York Capital Corp. noted that the ratio of market value to
stockholders' equity for the Defense Group ranged from .79 to 6.43. The ratio
for the Non-Defense Group ranged from .77 to 2.12. The ratio for Westwood at the
August 2, 2002, market price of $1.25 per share was 1.56, and for Westwood at
the merger price, 4.03.
New York Capital Corp. also noted that the $2.30 per share merger
consideration is 85% above the average closing price of our common stock between
June 3, 2002, and August 2, 2002; 31% above the highest price attained in the
twelve-month period from August 2, 2001, to August 2, 2002; and over 80% above
the price generally prevailing over that period.
New York Capital Corp.'s Engagement Agreement. New York Capital Corp.
was retained to:
o use its best efforts to work with us in attempting to consummate a
merger, strategic alliance, sale of assets, investment or the
equivalent under terms and conditions satisfactory to us; and
o render an opinion as to the fairness of the $2.30 per share to our
stockholders on the basis of its
18
experience with mergers and acquisitions.
Our board of directors selected New York Capital Corp. as financial
advisor because of its expertise and reputation. New York Capital Corp.,
originally founded in 1991, is an investment banking firm that provides a
spectrum of corporate financial services to middle market firms.
Under the terms of the engagement agreement between us and New York
Capital Corp., we paid New York Capital Corp. a fee of $25,000 upon execution of
the engagement agreement to attempt to consummate a transaction under terms and
conditions satisfactory to Westwood. We paid $90,000 in connection with
execution of the engagement agreement to provide an opinion on the fairness,
from a financial point of view, to the stockholders of the merger. In addition,
we will pay New York Capital Corp. two percent of the total value of the merger
consideration payable in the merger, approximately $440,000, if the merger is
consummated, and expenses. We have agreed to indemnify New York Capital Corp.
and its controlling persons against liabilities and expenses relating to or
arising out of the consummation of the merger. To the extent that the
indemnification includes liabilities arising under federal securities laws, it
may not be enforceable as it may be determined to be against public policy. No
portion of New York Capital Corp.'s fee was contingent upon whether New York
Capital Corp. rendered a favorable opinion with respect to the proposed merger.
The terms of New York Capital Corp.'s engagement agreement with us, which are
customary for transactions of this nature, were negotiated at arm's length
between our board and New York Capital Corp. and our board was aware of these
terms at the time of its approval of the merger agreement. In addition, the
board of directors was aware that Anthony Pantaleoni, a member of our board of
directors, has a brother, Michael Pantaleoni, who is a director of New York
Capital Corp. Mr. Michael Pantaleoni was not involved in either negotiating New
York Capital Corp.'s contract with us or with performing services under the
contract.
New York Capital Corp. previously provided a fairness opinion to the
board of directors of the Company in connection with a private financing of
convertible debt in February, 2001. In connection with the February 2001
fairness opinion delivered to us by New York Capital Corp., we paid New York
Capital Corp. the sum of $15,000.
Funding of the Merger
Purchaser is currently expected to pay the merger consideration out of
its available cash balances and/or through borrowings under its senior credit
facilities.
Interests of Officers and Directors in the Merger
As of the closing of the merger, all of our outstanding stock options
(regardless of whether or not such options have vested and regardless of the
exercise prices) and warrants (regardless of whether or not such warrants are
exercisable and regardless of exercise price) will be cancelled. Each holder of
a cancelled option or warrant with an exercise price less than $2.30 per share
will be entitled to receive, in consideration for the cancellation of such
option or warrant, an amount in cash equal to the product of (i) the number of
shares of common stock previously subject to such option or warrant and (ii) the
excess, if any, of the merger consideration over the exercise price per share of
common stock previously subject to such option or warrant in effect immediately
prior to the cancellation. In addition, prior to the effective time of the
merger, we will use our best efforts to have each convertible note converted in
full into shares of our common stock. The convertible notes are convertible into
one share per dollar of principal amount of the notes. As a result, we
anticipate that the options, warrants and convertible notes set forth in the
following table held by our officers and directors will be cancelled and
converted, respectively, and our officers and directors will receive
approximately (i.e., before any tax withholding) the indicated cash payment for
cancellation and conversion of their options, warrants and convertible notes,
respectively .
19
Aggregate
Principal Number Option
Amount of of Shares Number Warrant
Convertible Option Exercise of Exercise Total
Notes Shares Price/Range Warrants Price Consideration*
----- ------ ----------- -------- ----- --------------
Ernest H. McKee $258,750 158,818 $1.00-$1.94 121,563 $1.00 $ 880,744
Richard E. Minshall $368,750 158,818 $1.00-$1.94 164,063 $1.00 $1,188,995
Anthony Pantaleoni $318,750 158,818 $1.00-$1.94 139,063 $1.00 $1,041,495
William J. Preston $368,750 100,000 $0.81-$1.00 164,063 $1.00 $1,200,907
David L. Shepherd -- 50,000 $1.00 -- -- $ 65,000
John H. Williams, Sr. $200,000 105,000 $1.00-$1.93 87,500 $1.00 $ 659,100
- ------------
*After giving effect to cancellation and conversion of options, warrants and
convertible notes, respectively.
In addition, under the terms of the merger agreement, our directors and
officers will be entitled to indemnification in some circumstances, as more
fully described in the section entitled "THE MERGER AGREEMENT--Covenants and
Agreements--Indemnification and Insurance of Westwood Officers and Directors."
It is also currently expected that Ernest H. McKee and David L. Shepherd will
continue with Westwood as President and as Chief Financial Officer,
respectively, following the merger.
Some Effects of the Merger
If the merger is completed, holders of shares of our common stock will
not have an opportunity to continue their equity interest in us as an ongoing
corporation and, therefore, will not have the opportunity to share in our future
earnings, dividends or growth, if any. In addition, upon completion of the
merger, our common stock will no longer be listed on the NASDAQ Bulletin Board
Market and will cease to be registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Method of Accounting
The merger will be accounted for under the purchase method of
accounting.
THE MERGER AGREEMENT
The terms of and conditions to the merger are contained in the merger
agreement, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A and
incorporated in this document by reference. Set forth below is a description of
the material terms and conditions of the merger. This description is qualified
in its entirety by, and made subject to, the actual text of the merger
agreement.
Effective Time of the Merger
The merger will become effective when the Secretary of State of the
State of Nevada has accepted for filing the articles of merger in accordance
with the Nevada Revised Statutes or at such later time as specified in the
articles of merger. At that time, Blue Acquisition Corp. will be merged with and
into Westwood and will cease to exist as a separate entity and Westwood will
become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Purchaser. We expect the merger to become
effective as soon as practicable after approval of the merger by our
stockholders and the satisfaction or waiver of all other conditions to closing
the merger.
Conversion of Shares Pursuant to the Merger
At the effective time of the merger, each issued and outstanding share
of our common stock will be
20
converted into the right to receive $2.30 in cash, without interest.
Exchange of Stock Certificates
Purchaser has designated Progressive Transfer Company, Westwood's
transfer agent, to act as paying agent in the merger. The merger agreement
provides that as soon as reasonably practicable after the effective time of the
merger, the paying agent will mail a letter of transmittal to each record holder
of an outstanding stock certificate or certificates, which immediately prior to
the effective time represented shares of our common stock that were converted
into the right to receive the merger consideration. The letter of transmittal
will specify that delivery will be effected and risk of loss and title to stock
certificates will pass only upon proper delivery of the stock certificate to the
paying agent. In addition, the paying agent will also mail to each record holder
instructions on how to properly surrender the stock certificates for payment.
You should not surrender your stock certificates until you receive a letter of
transmittal and instructions.
Upon the surrender to the paying agent of your stock certificate,
together with a duly executed letter of transmittal and any other required
documents, and subject to any required withholding of taxes, you will be paid
the merger consideration for each share of our common stock previously
represented by your stock certificate, and the stock certificate will then be
cancelled.
No interest will be paid or accrued on the cash payable upon the
surrender of your stock certificate. Until surrendered in accordance with the
provisions stated above, each certificate will, after the effective time of the
merger, represent only the right to receive the merger consideration.
After the effective time of the merger, there will be no transfers of
certificates that previously represented shares of our common stock on our stock
books. If, after the effective time, stock certificates are presented to the
surviving corporation or the paying agent for payment, they will be cancelled
and exchanged for the merger consideration, without interest.
If you have lost a certificate, or if your certificate has been stolen
or destroyed, in order to receive the merger consideration, you will have to
sign an affidavit stating that your certificate was lost, stolen or destroyed.
In addition, you may be required to post a bond indemnifying the surviving
corporation against any claims against it with respect to the lost, stolen or
destroyed certificate.
If your certificates have not been surrendered for payment prior to two
years after the effective time of the merger, you will lose your right to the
merger consideration and it shall become the property of the surviving
corporation.
In the event of a transfer of ownership of Westwood's common stock that
is not registered in the records of Westwood's transfer agent, the cash
consideration for shares of Westwood's common stock may be paid to a person
other than the person in whose name the certificate so surrendered is registered
if:
o the certificate is properly endorsed or otherwise is in proper
form for transfer; and
o the person requesting such payment (a) pays any transfer or other
taxes resulting from the payment to a person other than the
registered holder of the certificate or (b) establishes to
Westwood, the surviving corporation in the merger, that the tax
has been paid or is not applicable.
Stock Options; Warrants; Convertible Notes
At the effective time of the merger, we will cancel all outstanding and
unexpired stock options (regardless of whether such stock options have vested or
are exercisable and regardless of exercise price) and warrants (regardless of
whether such warrants are exercisable and regardless of exercise price). Each
holder of a cancelled stock option or warrant shall be entitled to receive an
amount in cash equal to the product of (i) the number of
21
shares of stock previously subject to such stock option or warrant, and (ii) the
excess, if any, of the merger consideration over the exercise price. Payment
will be made upon surrender of the certificate evidencing the stock option or
warrant and a waiver by the holder of all right, title and interest in the
stock option or warrant.
Prior to the merger, we will use our best efforts to have all
outstanding convertible notes converted in full into shares of our common stock
in accordance with their terms.
At the effective time of the merger, all of our stock plans and
relevant provisions of all benefit agreements shall terminate so that on and
after the effective date, no current or former employee, director, consultant or
other person shall have any right or option to acquire, hold or transfer any
equity interests under any Westwood stock plan, benefit agreement, or other
contract.
Conduct of the Business Before the Merger
We have agreed that, prior to the merger, we and our subsidiaries will
generally carry on our business in the ordinary course and consistent with past
practice, including:
o complying with all laws in all material respects;
o using our reasonable best efforts to keep our present officers and
employees;
o preserving our assets and technology; and
o preserving our relationships with customers, suppliers, licensors,
licensees, distributors and others having business dealings with
us.
We also agreed that we and our subsidiaries shall:
o file all tax returns;
o pay all taxes due and payable;
o accrue a reserve in our books, records and financial statements in
accordance with past practice for all taxes payable for which no
return is due until after the execution of the merger agreement;
o notify Purchaser of any suit, claim, action, investigation,
proceeding or audit pending against us or our subsidiaries in
respect of any tax and not settle or compromise any such suit,
claim, action, investigation proceeding or audit;
o not elect or change any material tax election without Purchaser's
consent;
o confer on a regular and frequent basis with Purchaser to report on
operational matters and other matters requested by Purchaser and
promptly advise Purchaser of any change or event that could
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on us;
o give prompt notice to Purchaser of any representation or warranty
made by us in the merger agreement becoming untrue or inaccurate;
o provide Purchaser with copies of all government filings made in
connection with the merger;
o provide Purchaser with immediate written notice of any suit,
claim, action, investigation or proceeding by a governmental
entity against us, our subsidiaries, or any of our directors or
officers relating to the merger; and
22
o not take any action that will prevent or materially impede, hinder
or delay the merger or result in depriving Purchaser of any
material right or benefit of the merger.
In addition, the merger agreement specifically prohibits us and each of
our subsidiaries, without Purchaser's consent or as specifically previously
disclosed to Purchaser, from taking a number of corporate acts prior to the
completion of the merger, including the following actions:
o declare, set aside or pay dividends or any other distributions on
its capital stock, other than dividends or distributions by a
wholly owned subsidiary to its parent;
o split, reverse split or reclassify any of its capital stock or
issue or authorize the issuance of any other securities for its
capital stock;
o purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its securities;
o issue, deliver, sell, pledge or encumber any voting securities or
securities convertible into voting securities, other than the
issuance of shares upon the exercise of options, warrants or the
conversion of convertible notes;
o amend or propose to amend its articles of incorporation or bylaws;
o acquire or agree to acquire any business entity or assets other
than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice of inventory, components, raw materials or other
immaterial assets;
o sell, lease, license, sell and leaseback, mortgage or otherwise
subject to any lien, or otherwise dispose of any of its properties
or assets, except sales of inventory or used equipment in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
o except for the incurrence of indebtedness under our current loan
agreements, repurchase, prepay, incur or assume any indebtedness
or guarantee any indebtedness;
o sell any debt securities or options, warrants, calls or other
rights to acquire debt securities of itself or its subsidiaries;
o guarantee any debt securities;
o enter into any agreement to maintain any financial statement
condition of another person;
o make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or
investments in, any other person other than us or any of our
subsidiaries;
o make any new capital expenditure or incur any obligations or
liabilities in connection with new capital expenditures in excess
of $25,000 individually or $45,000 during any monthly period;
o pay, discharge, settle or satisfy any claims, liabilities or
obligations, other than the payment, discharge or satisfaction in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or
as required by the terms of claims, liabilities or obligations
reflected or reserved against in our most recent audited financial
statements or incurred since the date of such financial statements
in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
o waive, release, grant or transfer any right of material value;
23
o waive any benefits of, or agree to modify in any adverse respect,
or fail to enforce any confidentiality, standstill or similar
agreement;
o enter into any contract or make a bid or proposal which was or is
expected to result in a loss;
o enter into any contract involving payments to be made or received
by us or any of our subsidiaries in excess of $500,000 per year;
o modify, amend or terminate any contract;
o waive, release or assign any material rights or claims under any
contract;
o change its fiscal year, revalue any of its material assets, or
except as required by GAAP, make any changes in accounting or
auditing methods, principles or practices;
o except as required by law or any existing contract, benefit plan
or benefit agreement:
o increase the compensation or fringe benefits of, or pay any
bonus to, any of its, or its subsidiaries', current or
former directors, officers, employees or consultants,
o pay to any of its current or former directors, officers,
employees or consultants any benefit other than the payment
of cash compensation in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice,
o grant any awards under any benefit plan,
o take any action to fund or in any other way secure the
payment of compensation or benefits under any contract,
benefit plan or benefit agreement, or
o take any action to accelerate the vesting or payment of any
compensation or benefit under any contract, benefit plan or
benefit agreement;
o form any subsidiary;
o enter into any contract if consummation of the merger or
compliance with the provisions of the merger agreement will
violate or conflict with, or result in any breach of, or default
under, or give rise to a right of, or result in, termination,
cancellation or acceleration of any obligation or to loss of a
material benefit under, or result in the creation of any lien on
any of the properties or assets of Purchaser or it, or any of its
subsidiaries, under, or give rise to any additional rights under
any provision of such contract;
o take any action or omit to take any action that would cause
o any of its representations and warranties in the merger
agreement that is qualified as to materiality becoming
untrue,
o any such representation and warranty that is not so
qualified becoming untrue in any material respect, or
o any condition to the merger not being satisfied;
o adopt or enter into any employment agreement or any collective
bargaining agreement or other
24
labor union contract applicable to its employees or terminate the
employment of any of its employees that has an employment,
severance or similar agreement with us or any of our
subsidiaries;
o maintain insurance at less than current levels or otherwise in a
manner inconsistent with past practice;
o commence any suit, claim or proceeding (other than a suit, claim
or proceeding in connection with the collection of accounts
receivable, to enforce the terms of the merger agreement or as a
result of a suit, action or proceeding commenced against us or any
of our subsidiaries); or
o authorize any of, or commit, resolve or agree to take any of the
foregoing actions.
Covenants and Agreements
No Solicitation. In the merger agreement, we have agreed that we will
not and will not permit any of our subsidiaries, or any of our or their
directors, officers, employees or any investment banker, attorney, accountant or
other advisor or representative to directly or indirectly:
o solicit, initiate or encourage, or take any other action to
facilitate, or lead to, a "takeover proposal" (as defined below);
or
o enter into, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions
or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any person any
information with respect to, or otherwise cooperate in any way
with, any takeover proposal.
We have also agreed that the board may not:
o recommend, adopt or approve any takeover proposal other than the
merger with Purchaser;
o cause or permit us or our subsidiaries to enter into any contract
relating to a takeover proposal; or
o withdraw its recommendation to the stockholders to approve the
merger unless:
o we receive an unsolicited takeover proposal that the board
reasonably determines in good faith constitutes a superior
proposal, and
o the board determines after consultation with outside counsel
that the failure to make a recommendation adverse to the
merger would be a breach of the board's fiduciary duties,
and
o the board gives Purchaser five business days' notice of the
board's intent to withdraw its favorable recommendation.
However, the board of directors may, in response to an unsolicited,
bona fide, written takeover proposal that the board reasonably determines in
good faith to be a "superior proposal" (as defined below):
o furnish information to the person making the takeover proposal
pursuant to a confidentiality agreement provided that such
information is provided on a prior basis to Purchaser, and
o participate in discussions or negotiations with the person making
the takeover proposal;
if our board of directors determines in good faith, after consultation with
outside counsel, that the failure to take
25
such action would constitute a breach of the fiduciary duties of the board of
directors.
Additionally, prior to obtaining stockholder approval of the merger
agreement, the board of directors may terminate the merger agreement and enter
into an agreement with a third party for a superior proposal provided that,
prior to such termination of the merger agreement, we notify Purchaser that we
intend to terminate the merger agreement, deliver to Purchaser a copy of the
agreement relating to the superior proposal, and provided our board still
determines that the third party takeover proposal is a superior proposal, pay a
termination fee to Purchaser. (For the purpose of this paragraph, the term
"takeover proposal" defined below shall be modified so that all references to
15% shall be deemed to be 40%.)
The term "takeover proposal" means any proposal or offer relating to
any acquisition, merger, consolidation, tender offer, or similar transaction
other than the merger with Purchaser, of:
o assets or businesses that represent 15% or more of the total
revenue, operating income, EBITDA or assets of us and our
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or
o 15% or more of the outstanding common stock, or 15% or more of the
equity or voting interests in any of our subsidiaries directly or
indirectly holding, individually or taken together, the assets or
businesses described in the bullet point above.
The term "superior proposal" means any bona fide binding written offer
not solicited, initiated, facilitated or encouraged by us made by a third party
that would result in such third party acquiring more than 50% of the voting
power of our common stock or all or substantially all of our and our
subsidiaries' assets, taken as a whole, for cash and/or securities that our
board of directors determines in its good faith judgment (after consultation
with a financial advisor of nationally recognized reputation):
o to have a higher value than Purchaser's merger consideration,
taking into account any changes to the merger agreement proposed
by Purchaser in response to such superior proposal, and
o to be reasonably capable of being consummated.
The merger agreement does not prohibit our board from taking and
disclosing to our stockholders a position with respect to a tender offer by a
third party pursuant to Rule 14e-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or
making any disclosure to our stockholders if the board determines in good faith,
after consultation with outside counsel, that the failure to disclose would be
inconsistent with applicable law.
Indebtedness. We have agreed to provide Purchaser with evidence that on
the last day of the month preceding the effective date of the merger:
o the aggregate indebtedness (as defined in the merger agreement) of
Westwood and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, is not
more than $4,593,000; or
o for Westwood and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, (x)
the excess of consolidated assets over consolidated liabilities
(excluding indebtedness and the outstanding principal amount of
convertible notes), reduced by (y) the aggregate amount of cash
received by Westwood for stock options and warrants exercised
after March 31, 2002, shall be equal to or greater than (a) a
calculated number (which as of the date of this proxy statement is
$11,705,000), plus (b) the amount by which the then existing
indebtedness of Westwood and its subsidiaries exceeds $4,593,000.
In addition, we have also agreed that neither we nor our subsidiaries will,
during the period that starts on the last day of the month preceding the
effective date of the merger and ending on the closing date, incur any
indebtedness other than interest on already existing indebtedness.
26
Stockholders Meeting. We have agreed to cause the special stockholders
meeting to be held as promptly as reasonably practicable for the purpose of
voting on and approving and adopting the merger agreement. The special
stockholders meeting shall be held on the 9th business day of a month. Subject
to the conditions in the merger agreement, Westwood shall, through its board of
directors, recommend to its stockholders that they adopt the merger agreement.
Access to Information. We have agreed to afford to Purchaser and its
representatives access to all our properties, books, contracts, directors,
officers, employees, and other representatives and to make available all
documents and all other information concerning our business, properties and
personnel as Purchaser may reasonably request. Purchaser has agreed to keep all
such information confidential.
Indemnification and Insurance of Westwood Officers and Directors.
Purchaser has agreed that all rights to indemnification now existing for actions
prior to the merger for all of our and our subsidiaries' directors, officers,
employees or agents shall continue in full force and effect for a period of not
less than 6 years after the merger. In addition, if any claims are asserted in
such six-year period, indemnification for such claims will continue until such
claims are disposed of. Purchaser has also agreed to maintain our directors' and
officers' liability and insurance policy, or a comparable policy of at least the
same coverage, for a period of at least three years after the merger is
completed, provided that Purchaser will not be required to pay an annual premium
in excess of 150% of the last annual premium paid by us prior to the merger
agreement.
Employee Matters. Purchaser has agreed, for a period of at least twelve
months following the merger, to provide each of our continuing employees with
compensation and employee benefits which are substantially comparable to those
provided prior to the merger. We have agreed to cause the merger to be a
distributable event for our 401(K) plan. Purchaser will cause its 401(K) plan to
accept from continuing employees, rollover contributions and direct rollovers,
including any outstanding loans under our existing 401(K) plan.
SEC and Government Filings. We have agreed to file all documents and
filings required to be filed with the SEC or other government entities and to
furnish copies to Purchaser.
Pre-Closing Date Balance Sheet. We have agreed to prepare and furnish
to Purchaser, on or before the sixth business day of the month during which the
closing will occur, an unaudited consolidated balance sheet in accordance with
GAAP as of the last day of the month preceding the effective date of the merger.
Additional Mutual Covenants. The merger agreement contains certain
mutual covenants of the parties, including covenants relating to:
o preparation of this document;
o public announcements;
o notification of various matters; and
o using reasonable best efforts to satisfy the conditions to the
merger, obtain all necessary consents and approvals and make all
necessary registrations, declarations and filings, take steps to
avoid any proceeding by any governmental entity and defend any
proceeding challenging the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement.
Representations and Warranties of Westwood and Purchaser
In the merger agreement, we make various representations and
warranties, subject to exceptions which were disclosed to Purchaser, concerning
our business and assets. These representations and warranties, which expire at
the effective time of the merger, cover various matters, such as:
27
o corporate organization, qualification and similar corporate
matters;
o articles of incorporation and bylaws;
o capital structure;
o ownership of subsidiaries;
o corporate authority;
o non-contravention of existing agreements;
o government approvals and required consents;
o documents and other reports filed with the SEC;
o absence of untrue statements or omissions;
o absence of certain changes or events;
o contracts;
o litigation;
o taxes;
o absence of undisclosed liabilities;
o intellectual property;
o absence of changes in benefit plans;
o employee benefits matters;
o government permits and consents;
o leased real property;
o labor matters;
o environmental matters;
o compliance with laws;
o title to and condition of assets;
o insurance;
o business relationships with affiliates;
o government contracts;
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o government furnished equipment;
o inventories;
o receivables;
o product warranties;
o order backlog;
o no retention agreements;
o powers of attorney and bank accounts;
o disclosures regarding representations and warranties;
o application of state takeover statutes;
o vote required to approve the merger agreement and related
transactions;
o no brokers;
o schedule of fees and expenses; and
o opinion of our financial advisor.
The merger agreement also contains customary representations and
warranties of Purchaser and Blue Acquisition Corp. relating to various aspects
of their business and the merger, including:
o corporate organization and similar corporate matters;
o certificate of incorporation and bylaws;
o corporate authority;
o non-contravention of existing agreements;
o government approvals and required consents; and
o absence of untrue statements or omissions.
Conditions to the Merger
Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party. The obligations of
Purchaser and us to consummate the merger depend upon the satisfaction of the
following conditions:
o the merger agreement shall have been approved and adopted by the
vote of a majority of our outstanding common stock;
o any waiting period applicable to the merger under antitrust laws
shall have been terminated or expired; and
o no injunction, order or other legal restraint or prohibition that
would prohibit the consummation
29
of the merger shall be in effect.
Conditions to Our Obligations. Our obligation to consummate the merger
is further subject to satisfaction of the following conditions:
o each of Purchaser's representations and warranties contained in
the merger agreement qualified as to materiality shall be true and
correct and all representations and warranties not qualified as to
materiality shall be true and correct in all material respects, in
each case as of the effective time; and
o Purchaser shall have performed in all material respects the
obligations required to be performed by it at or prior to the
effective time.
Conditions to the Obligations of Purchaser. The obligation of Purchaser
to consummate the merger is further subject to the satisfaction of the following
conditions:
o each of our representations and warranties contained in the merger
agreement qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct
and all representations and warranties not qualified as to
materiality shall be true and correct in all material respects, in
each case as of the effective time;
o we shall have performed in all material respects the obligations
required to be performed by us at or prior to the effective time;
o there shall not be pending any suit, action, or proceeding
challenging the merger, seeking to limit the ownership or
operation by Westwood or Purchaser of a material portion of the
business or assets of Westwood or Purchaser or to require any such
person to dispose of or hold separate any material portion of the
business or assets of Westwood or Purchaser as a result of the
merger, seeking to impose limitations on the ability of Purchaser
to acquire or hold, or exercise full rights of ownership of, any
shares of Westwood common stock, or seeking to prohibit Purchaser
from effectively controlling a material portion of the business or
operations of Westwood;
o there shall not be in effect any restraining order, injunction or
other legal restraint that would result in the effects described
in the preceding bullet point;
o Purchaser shall have received evidence that all required consents
have been obtained;
o Purchaser shall have received evidence that we have met either
indebtedness restrictions or a targeted net worth requirement as
of the last day of the calendar month immediately preceding the
calendar month in which the closing date occurs;
o we must have complied with limitations on our ability to incur
indebtedness during the period that starts on the last day of the
calendar month immediately preceding the calendar month in which
the closing date occurs and ends on the closing date;
o since the date of our March 31, 2001 audited balance sheet
included in our SEC documents, there shall not have occurred any
material adverse effect on us;
o holders of not more than five percent of our outstanding shares
shall have exercised their dissenters' rights;
o all options and warrants shall be cancelled and we shall have used
our best efforts to have all convertible notes converted to common
stock;
30
o all intercompany agreements other than those permitted by the
merger agreement shall be terminated;
o we shall have delivered to Purchaser a FIRPTA certificate;
o we shall have delivered to Purchaser all information requested
related to our base period research and experimental expenses; and
o we must provide a pre-closing date balance sheet on or before the
sixth business day of the month during which the closing date will
occur.
Termination of the Merger Agreement
The merger agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the
effective time, whether before or after approval by our stockholders:
o by the mutual written consent of Purchaser, Blue Acquisition Corp.
and us;
o by either Purchaser or us, if the merger has not been consummated
by February 4, 2003; provided, however, that the right to
terminate the merger agreement if the merger agreement has not
been consummated by February 4, 2003, shall not be available to
any party whose action or failure to act has resulted in the
failure of the merger to occur on or before such date and such
action or failure to act constitutes a breach of the merger
agreement;
o by either Purchaser or us, if any final and non-appealable order,
decree, ruling or other action enjoining any party from
consummating the merger shall have been entered by any
governmental authority;
o by either Purchaser or us, if the requisite stockholder approval
is not obtained by a vote of our stockholders at the special
meeting;
o by Purchaser, if our board of directors shall have withdrawn its
recommendation to stockholders to approve and adopt the merger
agreement or failed to confirm its recommendation within 10
business days after a written request by Purchaser to do so;
o by Purchaser, if we have breached in any material respect any of
our representations and warranties and the breach is not cured or
capable of being cured within fifteen days after notice of the
breach;
o by Purchaser, if any legal restraint having the effect of
prohibiting the consummation of the merger, prohibiting or
limiting the ownership or operation of us by Purchaser, imposing
limitations on the ability of Purchaser to own or vote our common
stock, or prohibiting Purchaser from controlling our business or
operations shall have become final and unappealable;
o by us, if Purchaser has breached in any material respect any of
its representations and warranties and the breach is not cured or
capable of being cured within fifteen days after notice of the
breach; or
o by us, if we are entering into an agreement with a third party on
an unsolicited superior proposal.
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Termination Fees
If:
o the merger agreement is terminated by either Purchaser or us
because stockholder approval is not obtained, and within twelve
months of the date of termination, we enter into another
acquisition agreement or consummate a takeover proposal (except
that for purposes of this paragraph, references to "15%" in the
definition of "takeover proposal" will be deemed to be references
to "40%"),
o the merger agreement is terminated by Purchaser because our board
of directors withdrew its recommendation to stockholders to
approve and adopt the merger agreement or failed to confirm its
recommendation within 10 business days after a written request by
Purchaser to do so, or
o the merger agreement is terminated by us because we are entering
into an agreement with a third party on a superior proposal,
then we shall pay Purchaser a termination fee equal to $1,100,000.
In addition to the termination fee described above, if the merger
agreement is terminated:
o by Purchaser or us because stockholder approval is not obtained;
o by us because the merger has not been consummated by February 4,
2003; or
o by Purchaser because our board of directors withdrew its
recommendation to stockholders to approve and adopt the merger
agreement or failed to confirm its recommendation within 10
business days after a written request by Purchaser to do so;
o by Purchaser because we have breached in any material respect any
of our representations and warranties and the breach is not cured
or capable of being cured within fifteen days after notice of the
breach; or
o by us because we are entering into an agreement with a third party
on a superior proposal;
then we will reimburse Purchaser for all its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
actually incurred in connection with the merger, including legal fees.
Merger Expenses
The merger agreement provides that all expenses incurred by the parties
to the merger agreement shall be paid by the party that has incurred the
expenses except for our reimbursement under certain conditions of Purchaser's
out-of-pocket expenses as described above under "Termination Fees."
Amendments
The merger agreement may be amended only by written agreement of
Purchaser, Blue Acquisition Corp. and us at any time before the effective time.
However, after the required Westwood stockholder approval is obtained, no
amendment may be made to the merger agreement that by law would require further
approval by our stockholders, unless such further approval is obtained.
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THE STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
General
Simultaneously with the execution and delivery of the merger agreement,
Purchaser entered into a stockholders agreement with Westwood and Messrs. McKee
and Preston, who on the record date together held approximately 32% of the
outstanding Westwood common stock. A copy of the stockholders agreement is
attached to this proxy statement as Appendix C and incorporated in this document
by reference. Set forth below is a description of the material terms of the
stockholders agreement. This description is qualified in its entirety by, and
made subject to, the actual text of the stockholders agreement.
Voting
In the stockholders agreement Messrs. McKee and Preston agreed, among
other things, to vote their shares of Westwood common stock in favor of the
adoption of the merger agreement and the approval of the terms thereof and in
favor of the merger at any meeting of Westwood stockholders at which such
matters are considered and at any adjournment thereof. As stockholders, Messrs.
McKee and Preston also agreed to vote against any takeover proposal or, except
with Purchaser's written consent, amendment to Westwood's certificate of
incorporation or bylaws or other proposal, action or transaction involving
Westwood that could reasonably be expected to prevent, materially impede or
delay the completion of the merger, or dilute in any material respects the
benefits to Purchaser of the merger or change in any manner the voting rights of
holders of Westwood common stock. In order to secure these obligations, Messrs.
McKee and Preston granted a proxy and power of attorney with respect to any of
their Westwood shares with respect to such matters to certain officers of
Purchaser or a person designated by Purchaser.
Restrictions on Transfer and Other Voting Arrangements
In the stockholders agreement Messrs. McKee and Preston have agreed not
to sell, transfer, pledge, assign, tender or otherwise transfer any Westwood
securities subject to the stockholders agreement during the term of the
stockholders agreement other than pursuant to the stockholders agreement or the
merger agreement. In addition, Messrs. McKee and Preston have agreed not to
enter into any other voting agreement or arrangement in connection with a
takeover proposal or other transaction of a nature described above under the
caption "Voting."
No Solicitation
Each of Messrs. McKee and Preston has agreed that he will not, nor will
either permit any of the directors, officers, employees or partners or any
investment banker, attorney or other advisor or representative retained by him,
in his capacity as a stockholder to, directly or indirectly solicit, initiate,
encourage or otherwise facilitate any takeover proposal, as described in "THE
MERGER AGREEMENT--No Solicitation," or other transaction involving Westwood that
would prevent or delay the completion of the merger or enter into any agreement,
or engage in or continue any discussions, relating to any of the foregoing,
except in his capacity as a member of the board of directors of Westwood.
Profit Disgorgement
Messrs. McKee and Preston have agreed that, if
(i) the merger agreement is terminated under the circumstances
set forth in the stockholders agreement, Westwood enters into an
acquisition agreement in connection with any takeover proposal within
twelve months after termination of the merger agreement and a takeover
proposal is consummated within twenty-four months of such termination,
or
(ii) a takeover proposal for Westwood is made and consummated
by Purchaser which provides for merger consideration in excess of $2.30
per share,
33
then Messrs. McKee and Preston must pay to Purchaser an amount of cash for each
share of Westwood common stock owned by them equal to the excess of the per
share merger consideration received by such stockholder in the takeover proposal
over $2.30, less certain taxes.
Option
During the term of the stockholders agreement, at the request of
Purchaser, Messrs. McKee and Preston agree to transfer to Purchaser their shares
of Westwood common stock for $2.30 per share. In addition, during the term of
the stockholders agreement, at the request of Purchaser, Messrs. McKee and
Preston agree to convert or exercise any securities they own that are
convertible or exercisable into our common stock; provided, however, Purchaser
shall purchase all shares of our common stock issued upon such conversion at a
price of $2.30 per share.
Agreement to Tender Shares
If during the term of the stockholders agreement, Purchaser offers to
acquire 40% of more of the capital stock, or voting interests in, Westwood,
then, at the request of Purchaser, Messrs. McKee and Preston have agreed to
tender, pursuant to the tender offer, all of the shares of our common stock
owned by them.
Termination
The stockholders agreement provides that it will terminate upon the
earlier of the completion of the merger or the termination of the merger
agreement in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that the proxy
granted under the stockholders agreement will terminate upon the earlier of the
termination of the stockholders agreement and August 11, 2004. In addition, if
the merger agreement is terminated on the basis that Westwood did not obtain
requisite stockholder approval at the stockholders meeting, Westwood withdraws
or modifies its recommendation in a manner adverse to Purchaser or Westwood is
entering into a competing business combination with a third party, then certain
provisions of the stockholders agreement will remain in effect until the first
anniversary of the termination of the merger agreement; except that, if during
such twelve-month period Westwood or any of its subsidiaries enters into an
acquisition agreement with respect to a takeover proposal, then such provisions
of the stockholders agreement will remain in effect until the date that is
twenty-four months and three days after the termination of the merger agreement.
YOU HAVE DISSENTERS' RIGHTS IN THE MERGER
General
Under Nevada law, stockholders are entitled to dissenters' rights. A
copy of the applicable Nevada statute (Nevada Revised Statutes Sections
92A.300-92A.500, inclusive) regarding dissenters' rights is attached to this
proxy statement as Appendix D. Stockholders who are considering exercising
dissenters' rights should review the statute carefully, particularly the steps
required to perfect dissenters' rights. No provision under Nevada law provides a
stockholder the right to later withdraw and demand payment, if the stockholder
does not fully comply with all of the statutory requirements. Set forth below is
a summary of the steps to be taken by a stockholder to exercise the right to
dissent. This summary should be read in conjunction with the full text of the
attached statute.
Exercising Procedures
To exercise your right to dissent:
o before the vote is taken, you must deliver written notice to us
stating that you intend to demand payment for your shares if the
proposed merger is consummated; and
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o you must not vote your shares of common stock in favor of the
proposed merger either by proxy or in person.
If you (i) send written notice of your intent to dissent before the
vote on the proposed merger and (ii) do not vote in favor of the proposed
merger, the surviving company is required to send to you a written dissenter's
notice within 10 days after the proposed merger is consummated telling you:
o where your demand for payment for your common stock must be sent
and where and when your stock certificates must be deposited and,
for holders of our common stock not represented by certificates,
to what extent the transfer of such stock will be restricted after
the demand for payment is received; and
o the date by which the surviving company must receive your written
demand form, which must be between 30 and 60 days after delivery
of the surviving company's notice to you, and providing you with:
o a form to demand payment; and
o a copy of the Nevada statute.
After the surviving company has sent you the dissenter's notice, you
must:
o demand payment,
o certify whether you acquired beneficial ownership of the shares
before August 9, 2002, and
o deposit your certificates in accordance with the terms of the
dissenter's notice.
Your failure to demand payment in the proper form or deposit your
certificates as described in the dissenter's notice will terminate your right to
receive payment for your common stock other than as provided in the merger
agreement.
Payment of Fair Value
If you properly exercise your right to dissent, then within 30 days of
receipt of a properly executed demand for payment from you, the surviving
company must pay you what it determines to be the fair value for your common
stock, plus interest. Payment is required to be accompanied by: (i) specific
financial records of our company; (ii) a statement of the surviving company's
estimate of fair value of the shares, (iii) an explanation of how interest was
calculated; (iv) information regarding your right to challenge the fair value
estimate; and (v) copies of relevant portions of the Nevada law. The surviving
company may elect to withhold payment if you acquired beneficial ownership of
shares on or after August 9, 2002. In that case, the surviving company must
offer to pay you the amount it determines to be the fair value for your common
stock, plus interest, if you agree to accept the payment in full satisfaction of
your demand.
If you determine the amount paid or offered by the surviving company is
less than the fair value of your shares, or that the calculation of interest is
incorrect, you may notify the surviving company, in writing within thirty days
after the surviving company's payment or offer, of your own estimate of the fair
value of your shares and interest due and demand payment of your estimate less
any amount previously paid. Failure to do so will terminate your right to
challenge the surviving company's calculation of fair value.
If you and the surviving company cannot agree on fair value, then the
surviving company must commence legal action within 60 days after it receives
your stockholder demand, seeking court determination of fair value. If the
surviving company fails to commence a legal action within the 60-day period, it
must pay each dissenter whose
35
demand remains unsettled the amount he, she or it demanded. Proceedings
instituted by the surviving company will be in Washoe County, Nevada. All
dissenters whose demands remain unsettled will be made parties to the
proceeding.
Failure to comply strictly with the procedures set forth in the Nevada
statute will result in the loss of dissenters' rights.
Record and Beneficial Owners
A notice of intent to dissent may be executed by a record holder of
common stock, and may be either on behalf of such record holder or the
beneficial owner of the common stock, as the case may be. It must state that the
record holder intends thereby to demand payment for his, her or its shares of
common stock if the proposed merger is consummated. It should also state the
record holder's name, as it appears on the stock certificate. A record holder,
other than a person (such as a stock broker) who holds shares as nominee for
several beneficial owners, who determines to elect to exercise dissenter's
rights must dissent as to all shares of common stock held by such record holder,
or the record holder will lose his, her or its right to elect to dissenter's
rights for any of the common stock such record holder owns.
A record holder serving as a nominee may exercise dissenter's rights
with respect to all, but not less than all, of the shares of common stock held
for one or more beneficial owners while not exercising such rights with respect
to the shares held for other beneficial owners. However, in such case, the
written notice of intent to dissent should set forth fully and correctly:
o the record holder's name, as it appears on the stock certificate;
and
o the name(s) and address(es) and number of shares owned
beneficially by each beneficial owner as to whom the record holder
is dissenting.
A beneficial owner may also directly exercise the right of dissent with
the written consent of the record holder, in which case the consent of the
record holder must be provided to us not later than the beneficial owner's
notice of dissent. In such a case, the beneficial owner must dissent as to all
shares of common stock that he, she or it owns or over which he, she or it has
voting control.
Stockholders who hold their shares in brokerage accounts or other
nominee form and who wish to exercise dissenter's rights are urged to consult
with their brokers or nominees to determine the appropriate procedures.
Delivery of Notices and Demands
Written notices of intent to dissent and demand payment for shares of
common stock if the proposed merger is consummated must be delivered prior to
the vote on the merger agreement to either:
o Westwood Corporation, 12402 East 60th Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma,
74146, Attention: Secretary; or
o in person, to the Secretary of Westwood at the special meeting.
Stockholders considering seeking dissenters' rights should be aware
that the fair value of their shares as determined under Nevada law could be more
than, the same as or less than the consideration they are entitled to receive
pursuant to the merger agreement.
Costs
Costs of legal action will be assessed against the surviving company,
unless the court finds that the
36
dissenters acted arbitrarily, vexatiously or not in good faith, in which case
costs may be assessed against some or all of the dissenters. Attorneys' and
expert fees may be awarded in such amount as the court deems equitable against
any party that the court determines has acted wrongfully.
Loss of Dissenters' Rights
A stockholder who signs and returns a proxy form without expressly
directing that his, her or its shares of common stock be voted against the
merger agreement will effectively waive his, her or its dissenter's rights
because the shares represented by the proxy form will be voted for the approval
and adoption of the merger agreement.
Accordingly, a stockholder who desires to exercise and perfect
dissenter's rights with respect to any of his, her or its shares of common stock
must either (i) refrain from executing and returning the enclosed proxy form and
from voting in person in favor of the proposal to approve the merger agreement,
or (ii) check either the "Against" or the "Abstain" box next to the proposal on
such form, or (iii) rescind any proxy and affirmatively vote in person against
the proposal or register in person an abstention with respect thereto. A vote or
proxy against the merger agreement will not, in and of itself, constitute a
notice of intent to dissent.
If any stockholder who properly demands payment for his, her or its
shares of common stock under the Nevada law fails to perfect, or effectively
withdraws or loses, the right to payment, as provided in the Nevada law, the
shares of such stockholder will be converted into the right to receive the
consideration receivable with respect to such shares in accordance with the
merger agreement.
You should be aware that any failure to proceed in strict accordance
with the provisions of Sections 92A.300 through 92A.500 will result in loss of
dissenters' rights. In addition, if the merger is abandoned prior to its
consummation, no dissenters' rights will be available.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
Following is a discussion of the material federal income tax
consequences of the merger to our stockholders. The discussion is based upon the
Internal Revenue Code, Treasury regulations, IRS rulings, and judicial and
administrative decisions in effect as of the date of this proxy statement. This
discussion assumes that your Westwood common stock is generally held for
investment. In addition, this discussion does not address all of the tax
consequences that may be relevant to you in light of your particular
circumstances or to any of our stockholders subject to special rules, such as
non-United States persons, financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations,
dealers in securities or foreign currencies or insurance companies.
Your receipt of cash for Westwood common stock pursuant to the merger
will be a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes to you, and may be
a taxable transaction for state, local and foreign tax purposes as well. You
will recognize a gain or loss measured by the difference between your tax basis
for the Westwood common stock owned by you at the time of the merger and the
amount of cash you receive for your Westwood common stock. Your gain or loss
will be a capital gain or loss if your Westwood common stock is a capital asset
in your hands. If your Westwood common stock was held as a capital asset, your
gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if you held your stock for
more than one year; otherwise, it will be short-term gain or loss.
Under federal law, the paying agent must withhold 30% of the cash
payments to holders of Westwood common stock to whom backup withholding applies,
and the federal income tax liability of such persons will be reduced by the
amount withheld. To avoid backup withholding, you must provide the paying agent
with your taxpayer identification number and complete a form in which you
certify that you have not been notified by the IRS that you are subject to
backup withholding. The paying agent will include the form with the transmittal
letter and instructions which specify the procedures for you to follow in
surrendering your common stock certificate(s).
The tax consequences of the merger to you may vary depending upon your
particular circumstances. Therefore, you should consult your tax advisor to
determine the particular tax consequences of the merger to
37
you, including those relating to state, local and/or foreign taxes.
REGULATORY AND OTHER APPROVALS
There are no federal or state regulatory requirements which remain to
be complied with in order to consummate the merger, other than the filing of the
articles of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada.
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth our information as of September __,
2002, relating to the beneficial ownership of our common stock, by
o any person known to us to own beneficially more than 5% of the
outstanding shares of common stock,
o each of our directors,
o each of our executive officers, and
o all of our current executive officers and directors as a group.
Shares of common stock which were not outstanding but which could be
acquired by a person upon exercise of an option, convertible note, or warrant
within 60 days of September __, 2002, are deemed outstanding for the purpose of
computing the percentage of outstanding shares beneficially owned by that
person. These shares, however, are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose
of computing the percentage of outstanding shares beneficially owned by any
other person.
Except as otherwise indicated, each of the persons named below is
believed by us to be the direct owner and to possess sole voting and investment
power with respect to the shares of common stock beneficially owned by that
person.
Number Percentage
Name of Owner or Identity of Group of Shares of Shares
- ---------------------------------- --------- ---------
L 3 Communications Holdings, Inc..................................... 3,255,648 (1) 41.35%
L-3 Communications Corporation....................................... 3,255,648 (1) 41.35%
Blue Acquisition Corp................................................ 3,255,648 (1) 41.35%
Ernest H. McKee...................................................... 1,902,277 (2) 26.09%
Richard E. Minshall.................................................. 1,094,406 (3) 14.71%
Anthony Pantaleoni................................................... 799,675 (4) 10.85%
William J. Preston................................................... 1,353,371 (5) 18.42%
David L. Shepherd.................................................... 10,000 (6) *
John H. Williams, Sr................................................. 385,400 (7) 5.41%
Robert E. Lorton..................................................... 348,491 (8) 5.15%
All Executive Officers and Directors as a Group
(6 persons).......................................................... 5,545,129 58.21%
- ----------
*Less than one percent (1%).
(1) L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc., Purchaser and Blue Acquisition Corp. may
be deemed to beneficially
38
own all shares that are beneficially owned by Messrs. McKee and Preston, and may
be deemed to have certain voting power and investment power over such shares, as
a result of the Stockholders Agreement, dated August 8, 2002, among Purchaser,
Blue Acquisition Corp., Westwood and Messrs. McKee and Preston. Purchaser is a
wholly owned subsidiary of L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. The address of each
of L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc., Purchaser and Blue Acquisition Corp. is
c/o L-3 Communications Corporation, 600 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10016.
(2) Includes 144,924 shares subject to stock options that are currently
exercisable or exercisable within sixty days, at an average exercise price of
$1.70 per share. Also includes a 10% Convertible Subordinated Note in the face
amount of $190,000, convertible into 190,000 shares of common stock; a 12%
Convertible Subordinated Note in the face amount of $68,750, convertible into
68,750 shares of common stock; and Warrants to acquire 121,563 shares of common
stock. The stockholder's address is 2902 East 74th Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma
74136.
(3) Includes 144,924 shares subject to stock options that are currently
exercisable or exercisable within sixty days, at an average exercise price of
$1.70 per share. Also includes a 10% Convertible Subordinated Note in the face
amount of $190,000, convertible into 190,000 shares of common stock; a 12%
Convertible Subordinated Note in the face amount of $178,750, convertible into
178,750 shares of common stock; and Warrants to acquire 164,063 shares of common
stock held by Capital Advisors, Inc., of which Mr. Minshall is the chairman of
the board of directors and principal stockholder. Also includes 5,371 shares
owned by Mr. Minshall's wife; 181,934 shares owned by Capital Advisors, Inc.;
1,084 shares owned by Minshall & Company, Inc., and 98,317 shares owned by a
revocable trust for the benefit of Mr. Minshall's mother, of which Mr. Minshall
is trustee, as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership. Mr. Minshall is the
Chief Executive Officer and controlling stockholder of Capital Advisors, Inc.,
and Minshall & Company, Inc. The stockholder's address is 320 South Boston
Avenue, Suite 1300, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103.
(4) Includes 144,924 shares subject to stock options that are currently
exercisable or exercisable within sixty days, at an average exercise price of
$1.70 per share. Also includes a 10% Convertible Subordinated Note in the face
amount of $50,000, convertible into 50,000 shares of common stock; a 12%
Convertible Subordinated Note in the face amount of $178,750, convertible into
178,750 shares of common stock; and Warrants to acquire 94,063 shares of common
stock held by Mr. Pantaleoni; a 10% Convertible Subordinated Note in the face
amount of $50,000, convertible into 50,000 shares of common stock; and Warrants
to acquire 25,000 shares of common stock held by Mr. Pantaleoni's wife, as to
which Mr. Pantaleoni disclaims beneficial ownership; and a 10% Convertible
Subordinated Note in the face amount of $40,000, convertible into 40,000 shares
of common stock; and Warrants to acquire 20,000 shares of common stock held by
the Anthony Pantaleoni Trust, of which Mr. Pantaleoni is a trustee and a
beneficiary. This amount also includes 60,000 shares of common stock owned by a
trust of which Mr. Pantaleoni is a trustee and beneficiary; 40,233 shares owned
by Mr. Pantaleoni's wife, as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership; and
40,000 shares held by trusts of which Mr. Pantaleoni is a trustee, and as to
which he disclaims beneficial ownership. The stockholder's address is 666 Fifth
Avenue, New York, New York 10103.
(5) Includes 50,000 shares subject to stock options that are currently
exercisable or exercisable within sixty days, at an average exercise price of
$0.91 per share. Also includes a 10% Convertible Subordinated Note in the face
amount of $190,000, convertible into 190,000 shares of common stock; a 12%
Convertible Subordinated Note in the face amount of $178,750, convertible into
178,750 shares of common stock; and Warrants to acquire 164,063 shares of common
stock. The stockholder's address is 1717 Woodstead Court, The Woodlands, Texas
77380.
(6) Includes 10,000 shares subject to stock options that are currently
exercisable or exercisable within sixty days, at an average exercise price of
$1.00 per share. The shareholder's address is 7909 South 77 East Avenue, Tulsa,
Oklahoma 74133.
(7) Includes 75,000 shares subject to stock options that are currently
exercisable or exercisable within sixty days, at an average exercise price of
$1.47 per share. Also includes a 10% Convertible Subordinated Note in the face
amount of $90,000, convertible into 90,000 shares of common stock; a 12%
Convertible Subordinated Note in the face amount of $110,000, convertible into
110,000 shares of common stock; and Warrants to acquire 87,500
39
shares of common stock. Also includes 5,500 shares owned by Mr. Williams' wife,
as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership. The stockholder's address is 1800
South Baltimore Avenue, Tenth Floor, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119.
(8) The stockholder's address is 1440 Owasso Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74120.
OTHER MATTERS
Our management knows of no other business to be presented at the
special meeting. If other matters do properly come before the special meeting,
it is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to vote on these matters
according to their best judgment unless the authority to do so is withheld in
the proxy.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and
other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and
copy any reports, statements or other information we file at the SEC's public
reference room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call
the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room.
Our filings with the SEC are also available to the public from commercial
document retrieval services and at the web site maintained by the SEC at
http://www.sec.gov.
You should rely only on the information contained in this proxy
statement to vote on the merger. We have not authorized anyone to give any
information that is different from what is contained in this proxy statement.
The delivery of this proxy statement will not create an implication that there
has been no change in the affairs of Purchaser or us since the date of this
proxy statement or that the information in this proxy statement is correct as of
any time after the date of this proxy statement.
By the Order of the Board of Directors
David L. Shepherd
Secretary
Tulsa, Oklahoma
September __, 2002
40
Appendix A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
Among
L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
BLUE ACQUISITION CORP.
and
WESTWOOD CORPORATION
Dated as of August 8, 2002
Table of Contents
-----------------
Page
----
ARTICLE I THE MERGER..........................................................5
SECTION 1.01 Effective Time of the Merger.................................5
SECTION 1.02 Closing......................................................5
SECTION 1.03 Effect of the Merger.........................................6
SECTION 1.04 Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.........................6
SECTION 1.05 Directors....................................................6
SECTION 1.06 Officers.....................................................6
ARTICLE II CONVERSION OF SECURITIES...........................................6
SECTION 2.01 Conversion of Capital Stock..................................6
SECTION 2.02 Exchange of Certificates.....................................7
SECTION 2.03 Stock Options; Warrants; Convertible Notes...................9
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY....................10
SECTION 3.01 Organization, Qualification and Corporate Power.............10
SECTION 3.02 Capital Structure...........................................11
SECTION 3.03 Subsidiaries................................................14
SECTION 3.04 Authority; Noncontravention.................................14
SECTION 3.05 SEC Documents...............................................16
SECTION 3.06 Information Supplied........................................17
SECTION 3.07 Absence of Certain Changes or Events........................17
SECTION 3.08 Contracts...................................................20
SECTION 3.09 Litigation..................................................23
SECTION 3.10 Taxes.......................................................23
SECTION 3.11 Undisclosed Liabilities.....................................25
SECTION 3.12 Intellectual Property.......................................25
SECTION 3.13 Absence of Changes in Benefit Plans.........................27
SECTION 3.14 Employee Benefits Matters...................................28
SECTION 3.15 Permits.....................................................30
SECTION 3.16 Leased Real Property........................................30
SECTION 3.17 Labor Matters...............................................31
SECTION 3.18 Environmental Matters.......................................31
SECTION 3.19 Legal Compliance............................................33
SECTION 3.20 Assets......................................................33
SECTION 3.21 Insurance...................................................33
SECTION 3.22 Business Relationships with Affiliates......................34
SECTION 3.23 Government Contracts........................................34
SECTION 3.24 Government Furnished Equipment..............................36
SECTION 3.25 Inventories.................................................36
SECTION 3.26 Receivables.................................................36
i
Table of Contents
-----------------
(continued)
Page
----
SECTION 3.27 Product Warranties..........................................36
SECTION 3.28 Order Backlog...............................................36
SECTION 3.29 No Retention Agreements, etc................................37
SECTION 3.30 Power of Attorney/Bank Accounts.............................37
SECTION 3.31 Disclosure..................................................37
SECTION 3.32 State Takeover Statutes.....................................37
SECTION 3.33 Voting Requirements.........................................37
SECTION 3.34 Brokers; Schedule of Fees and Expenses......................37
SECTION 3.35 Opinion of Financial Advisor................................38
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND SUB..................38
SECTION 4.01 Organization................................................38
SECTION 4.02 Authority; Noncontravention.................................38
SECTION 4.03 Information Supplied........................................39
ARTICLE V COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS..........................40
SECTION 5.01 Conduct of Business.........................................40
SECTION 5.02 No Solicitation.............................................43
SECTION 5.03 Indebtedness................................................46
ARTICLE VI ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS.............................................46
SECTION 6.01 Preparation of the Proxy Statement; Stockholders Meeting....46
SECTION 6.02 Access to Information; Confidentiality......................47
SECTION 6.03 Reasonable Best Efforts; Notification.......................47
SECTION 6.04 Indemnification.............................................48
SECTION 6.05 Employee Matters............................................49
SECTION 6.06 Public Announcements........................................50
SECTION 6.07 Additional Reports..........................................50
SECTION 6.08 Pre-Closing Date Balance Sheet..............................50
ARTICLE VII CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.............................................53
SECTION 7.01 Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger..53
SECTION 7.02 Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Sub.................53
SECTION 7.03 Conditions to Obligation of the Company.....................56
ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER...............................56
SECTION 8.01 Termination.................................................56
SECTION 8.02 Effect of Termination.......................................57
SECTION 8.03 Fees and Expenses...........................................58
ii
Table of Contents
-----------------
(continued)
Page
----
SECTION 8.04 Amendment...................................................58
SECTION 8.05 Extension; Waiver...........................................59
ARTICLE IX GENERAL PROVISIONS................................................59
SECTION 9.01 Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties...............59
SECTION 9.02 Notices.....................................................59
SECTION 9.03 Definitions.................................................60
SECTION 9.04 Interpretation..............................................61
SECTION 9.05 Counterparts................................................62
SECTION 9.06 Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries..............62
SECTION 9.07 Governing Law...............................................62
SECTION 9.08 Assignment..................................................62
SECTION 9.09 Consent to Jurisdiction.....................................62
SECTION 9.10 Waiver of Jury Trial........................................62
SECTION 9.11 Enforcement.................................................63
SECTION 9.12 Exhibits and Schedules......................................63
iii
TABLE OF DEFINED TERMS
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Defined Term Section
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted Target Net Worth Section 7.02(f)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Acquisition Agreement Section 5.02(b)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Adverse Recommendation Change Section 5.02(b)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Affiliate Section 9.03
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Agreement Introductory Paragraph
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Applicable Law Section 9.03
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Appraisal Rights Sections Section 2.01(d)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Appraisal Shares Section 2.01(d)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Articles of Merger Section 1.01
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Backlog Section 3.28
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Balance Sheet Date Section 6.08
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Balance Sheet Date Net Worth Section 7.02(f)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Benefit Agreements Section 3.07(d)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Benefit Plans Section 3.13
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Certificate Section 2.01(c)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Closing Section 1.02
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Closing Date Section 1.02
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Code Section 2.02(f)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Commonly Controlled Entity Section 3.13
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Company Introductory Paragraph
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Company Affiliated Group Section 3.10(i)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Company Common Stock Section 2.01
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Company Disclosure Schedule Section 3.01(a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Company Intellectual Property Section 3.12(b)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Company Material Adverse Effect Section 3.01(a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Company Preferred Stock Section 3.02(a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Company Stock Plans Section 3.02(a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Confidentiality Agreement Section 6.02
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Consent Section 3.04(d)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Continuing Employee Section 6.05(a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Contract Section 3.04(c)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Convertible Notes Section 3.02(a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Credit Facility Section 3.04 (c)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Damages Section 3.18(e)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Designated Contract Section 3.08(a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
EACs Section 6.08
- ------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA Section 9.03
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Effective Time Section 1.01
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Environmental Laws Section 3.18(e)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Environmental Liabilities and Costs Section 3.18(e)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
iv
- ------------------------------------------------------------
ERISA Section 3.14(a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
ETCs Section 6.08
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Exchange Act Section 3.04(d)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Existing 401(K) Plan Section 6.05(b)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Filed SEC Document Section 3.05
- ------------------------------------------------------------
GAAP Section 3.05
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Government Bid Section 3.08(a)(xix)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Government Contract Section 3.08(a)(xx)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Governmental Entity Section 2.02(d)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Government Furnished Equipment Section 3.24
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Hazardous Substances Section 3.18(e)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Indebtedness Section 7.02(f)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Indemnified Parties Section 6.04(a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Intellectual Property Section 3.12(a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Intercompany Agreements Section 3.22
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Inventories Section 3.25
- ------------------------------------------------------------
IRS Section 3.14(a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Leased Real Property Section 3.16(a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Legal Restraints Section 7.01(c)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Liens Section 3.04(c)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
March 31, 2002 Balance Sheet Section 6.08
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Merger Recital
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Merger Consideration Section 2.01(c)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Notice Section 9.02
- ------------------------------------------------------------
NRS Section 1.01
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Other Filings Section 3.06
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Parent Introductory Paragraph
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Paying Agent Section 2.02(a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Pension Plan Section 3.14(a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Permits Section 3.15
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Permitted Liens Section 3.07(l)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Person Section 9.03
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Closing Date Balance Sheet Section 6.08
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Post-Signing Returns Section 5.01(b)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Proxy Statement Section 3.04(d)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Real Property Lease Section 3.16(a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Real Property Leases Section 3.16(a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Release Section 3.18(e)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
SEC Section 3.04(d)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
SEC Documents Section 3.05
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Securities Act Section 3.05
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Share Encumbrances Section 3.03(a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Stock Options Section 3.02(a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Stockholder Approval Section 3.33
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Stockholders Agreement Recital
- ------------------------------------------------------------
v
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Stockholders Meeting Section 6.01(b)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Sub Introductory Paragraph
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Subsidiaries Section 9.03
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Superior Proposal Section 5.02(a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Surviving Corporation Section 1.03
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Takeover Proposal Section 5.02(a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Target Net Worth Section 7.02(f)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Taxes Section 3.10(k)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Warrants Section 3.02(a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Welfare Plan Section 3.14(c)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
vi
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER dated as of August 8, 2002 (this "Agreement"),
among L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation having its
principal office at 600 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10016 ("Parent"), BLUE
ACQUISITION CORP., a Nevada corporation and a wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent
having its principal office at 600 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10016 ("Sub"), and
WESTWOOD CORPORATION, a Nevada corporation having its principal office at 12402
E. 60th Street, Tulsa, OK 74146 (the "Company"). Capitalized and other defined
terms shall have the respective meanings set forth or referred to in Section
9.03.
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of each of the Company and Sub deems it in
the best interests of their respective stockholders to consummate the merger of
Sub with and into the Company in which the Company would become a wholly owned
Subsidiary of Parent (the "Merger"), on the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this Agreement, and such Boards of Directors have approved this
Agreement and declared its advisability (and, in the case of the Board of
Directors of the Company, recommended that this Agreement be adopted by the
Company's stockholders);
WHEREAS, simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement
and as a condition and inducement to Parent and Sub to enter into this
Agreement, Parent, Sub, the Company and certain stockholders of the Company are
entering into a stockholders agreement (the "Stockholders Agreement"), pursuant
to which, among other things, such stockholders are agreeing to vote to approve
this Agreement and to take certain other actions in furtherance of the Merger,
in each case upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;
WHEREAS, Parent, Sub and the Company desire to make certain
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the
Merger and to prescribe various conditions to the Merger;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
THE MERGER
SECTION 1.01 Effective Time of the Merger. As soon as practicable on or
after the Closing Date, the parties shall (a) file articles of merger (the
"Articles of Merger") in such form as is required by, and executed and
acknowledged in accordance with, the relevant provisions of the Nevada Revised
Statutes (the "NRS"), and (b) make all other filings or recordings required
under the NRS to effect the Merger. The Merger shall become effective at such
time as the Articles of Merger are duly filed with the Secretary of State of the
State of Nevada or at such subsequent time as Parent and the Company shall agree
and specify in the Articles of Merger (the date and time the Merger becomes
effective being the "Effective Time").
SECTION 1.02 Closing. The closing of the Merger (the "Closing") will take
place at 11:00 a.m., New York time, on a date to be specified by the parties,
which shall be not later than the second business day after satisfaction or
waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VII
5
(the "Closing Date"), at the offices of Proskauer Rose LLP, 1585 Broadway, New
York, New York 10036-8299, unless another time, date or place is agreed to in
writing by Parent and the Company.
SECTION 1.03 Effect of the Merger. At the Effective Time, Sub shall be
merged with and into the Company, the separate corporate existence of Sub shall
cease and the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation (the
"Surviving Corporation"). The Merger shall have the effects set forth in Section
92A.250 of the NRS.
SECTION 1.04 Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.
(a) The Articles of Incorporation of Sub, as in effect immediately
prior to the Effective Time, shall be the Articles of Incorporation of the
Surviving Corporation until thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or
by Applicable Law.
(b) The Bylaws of Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time, shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter changed
or amended as provided therein or by Applicable Law.
SECTION 1.05 Directors. The directors of Sub immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation until their
respective successors are duly elected and qualified, unless they earlier die,
resign or are removed, as the case may be.
SECTION 1.06 Officers. The officers of Sub immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation until their
respective successors are duly elected and qualified, unless they earlier die,
resign or are removed, as the case may be.
ARTICLE II
CONVERSION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 2.01 Conversion of Capital Stock. At the Effective Time, by virtue
of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holders of any shares of
Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.003 per share (the "Company Common
Stock"), or any shares of capital stock of Sub:
(a) Capital Stock of Sub. Each issued and outstanding share of common
stock, par value $0.003 per share, of Sub shall be converted into and become one
fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock, par value $0.003 per share,
of the Surviving Corporation.
(b) Cancellation of Treasury Stock and Parent-Owned Stock. All shares
of Company Common Stock that are owned by the Company as treasury stock, by any
Subsidiary of the Company, by Parent or by Sub immediately prior to the
Effective Time, shall automatically be cancelled and retired and shall cease to
exist and no consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor.
(c) Conversion of Company Common Stock. Each share of Company Common
Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than
6
shares to be cancelled and retired in accordance with Section 2.01(b) and the
Appraisal Shares) shall be converted into the right to receive $2.30 in cash,
without interest (such $2.30 amount to be appropriately adjusted to take into
account any stock dividend, split, reverse split, combination, reclassification,
merger, recapitalization, share exchange or other similar transaction occurring
after the date hereof and prior to the Effective Time and involving the
Company's capital stock) (the "Merger Consideration"). At the Effective Time,
all such shares of Company Common Stock shall no longer be outstanding and shall
automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist, and each holder of a
certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented any such
shares (a "Certificate") shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto,
except the right to receive the Merger Consideration. The right of any holder of
any share of Company Common Stock to receive the Merger Consideration shall be
subject to and reduced by the amount of any withholding that is required under
applicable tax law.
(d) Appraisal Rights. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to
the contrary, shares (the "Appraisal Shares") of Company Common Stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time that are held by any holder
who is entitled to demand and properly demands appraisal of such shares pursuant
to, and who complies in all respects with, the provisions of Sections 92A.300
through 92A.500, inclusive, of the NRS (the "Appraisal Rights Sections") shall
not be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration as provided
in Section 2.01(c), but instead such holder shall be entitled to payment of the
fair value of such shares in accordance with the provisions of the Appraisal
Rights Sections. At the Effective Time, the Appraisal Shares shall no longer be
outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist, and
each holder of Appraisal Shares shall cease to have any rights with respect
thereto, except the right to receive the fair value of such shares in accordance
with the provisions of the Appraisal Rights Sections. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if any such holder fails to perfect or otherwise waives, withdraws or
loses the right to appraisal under the Appraisal Rights Sections, or a court of
competent jurisdiction determines that such holder is not entitled to the relief
provided by the Appraisal Rights Sections, then the right of such holder to be
paid the fair value of such holder's Appraisal Shares under the Appraisal Rights
Sections shall cease and such Appraisal Shares shall be deemed to have been
converted at the Effective Time into, and shall have become, the right to
receive the Merger Consideration as provided in Section 2.01(c). The Company
shall serve prompt notice to Parent of any demands for appraisal of any shares
of Company Common Stock, withdrawals of such demands and any other instruments
served pursuant to the NRS received by the Company, and Parent shall have the
right to participate in and direct all negotiations and proceedings with respect
to such demands. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of
Parent, make any payment with respect to, or settle or offer to settle, any such
demands, or agree to do or commit to do any of the foregoing.
SECTION 2.02 Exchange of Certificates.
(a) Paying Agent. Prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall designate
a bank or trust company to act as agent for the payment of the Merger
Consideration upon surrender of Certificates (the "Paying Agent"). From time to
time after the Effective Time, Parent shall make available, or cause the
Surviving Corporation to make available, to the Paying Agent funds in such
amounts and at such times necessary for the payment of the Merger Consideration
pursuant to Section 2.01(c) upon surrender of Certificates, it being understood
and agreed that any and all
7
interest earned on funds made available to the Paying Agent pursuant to this
Agreement shall be turned over to Parent.
(b) Exchange Procedure. As soon as reasonably practicable after the
Effective Time, the Paying Agent shall mail to each holder of record of a
Certificate (i) a form of letter of transmittal (which shall specify that
delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates held
by such person shall pass, only upon proper delivery of the Certificates to the
Paying Agent and shall be in a form and have such other provisions as Parent may
reasonably specify (including a Form W-9)), and (ii) instructions for use in
effecting the surrender of the Certificates in exchange for the Merger
Consideration. Upon surrender of a Certificate for cancellation to the Paying
Agent or to such other agent or agents as may be appointed by Parent, together
with such letter of transmittal, duly completed and validly executed, and such
other documents as may reasonably be required by the Paying Agent, the holder of
such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the amount of
cash into which the shares formerly represented by such Certificate shall have
been converted pursuant to Section 2.01(c), and the Certificate so surrendered
shall forthwith be cancelled. In the event of a transfer of ownership of shares
that is not registered in the stock transfer books of the Company, payment may
be made to a person other than the person in whose name the Certificate so
surrendered is registered if such Certificate shall be properly endorsed or
otherwise be in proper form for transfer and the person requesting such payment
shall pay any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the payment to a
person other than the registered holder of such Certificate or establish to the
satisfaction of the Surviving Corporation that such tax has been paid or is not
applicable. No interest shall be paid or shall accrue on the cash payable upon
surrender of any Certificate.
(c) No Further Ownership Rights in Company Common Stock. All cash paid
upon the surrender of a Certificate in accordance with the terms of this Article
II shall be deemed to have been paid in full satisfaction of all rights
pertaining to the shares of Company Common Stock formerly represented by such
Certificate. At the close of business on the day on which the Effective Time
occurs the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed, and there shall
be no further registration of transfers on the stock transfer books of the
Surviving Corporation of the shares that were outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time, Certificates are presented to
the Surviving Corporation or the Paying Agent for transfer or any other reason,
they shall be cancelled and exchanged as provided in this Article II.
(d) No Liability. None of Parent, Sub, the Company and the Paying
Agent shall be liable to any person in respect of any cash delivered to a public
official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.
If any Certificates shall not have been surrendered prior to two years after the
Effective Time (or immediately prior to such earlier date on which any Merger
Consideration would otherwise escheat to or became the property of any Federal,
state or local, domestic or foreign, government or any court, administrative
agency or commission or other governmental or regulatory authority or agency,
domestic or foreign (each, a "Governmental Entity")), any such Merger
Consideration in respect thereof shall, to the extent permitted by Applicable
Law, become the property of the Surviving Corporation, free and clear of all
claims or interest of any person previously entitled thereto.
(e) Lost Certificates. If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen
or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person
claiming such Certificate to
8
be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by the Surviving Corporation, the
posting by such person of a bond in such reasonable amount as the Surviving
Corporation may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against
it with respect to such Certificate, the Paying Agent shall pay the Merger
Consideration in respect of such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate.
(f) Withholding Rights. Parent, the Surviving Corporation or the
Paying Agent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the Merger
Consideration otherwise payable to any holder of shares of Company Common Stock
pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as Parent, the Surviving Corporation or
the Paying Agent is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making
of such payment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), or any provision of state, local or foreign tax law. To the extent that
amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate taxing authority by
Parent, the Surviving Corporation or the Paying Agent, such withheld amounts
shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the
holder of the shares of Company Common Stock in respect of which such deduction
and withholding was made by Parent, the Surviving Corporation or the Paying
Agent.
SECTION 2.03 Stock Options; Warrants; Convertible Notes. As soon as
practicable following the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing, the
Company shall take such actions (including obtaining any required Consents),
which actions shall be satisfactory to Parent, as may be required to effect the
following:
(a) Stock Options. At the Effective Time, all outstanding and
unexpired Stock Options (regardless of whether or not such options have vested
and regardless of whether the exercise prices per share of Company Common Stock
are below, at or above the Merger Consideration) shall be cancelled on terms and
conditions satisfactory to Parent. Each holder of a cancelled Stock Option shall
be entitled to receive, in consideration for the cancellation of such Stock
Option, an amount in cash equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of
Company Common Stock previously subject to such Stock Option and (ii) the
excess, if any, of the Merger Consideration over the exercise price per share of
Company Common Stock previously subject to such Stock Option in effect
immediately prior to such cancellation (such payment to be net of taxes and
other amounts required by Applicable Law to be withheld with respect thereto).
Payment to such holder under this Section 2.03(a) shall be made without interest
thereon, upon surrender of the certificate or other document evidencing such
Stock Option to the Surviving Corporation. Delivery of any cash payment under
this Section 2.03(a) to a holder of cancelled Stock Options shall be conditioned
upon receipt by Parent of a waiver of all of such holder's right, title and
interest in and to his or her Stock Options.
(b) Warrants. At the Effective Time, all outstanding and unexpired
Warrants (regardless of whether or not such Warrants are then exercisable and
regardless of whether the exercise prices per share of Company Common Stock are
below, at or above the Merger Consideration) shall be cancelled on terms and
conditions satisfactory to Parent. Each holder of a cancelled Warrant shall be
entitled to receive, in consideration for the cancellation of such Warrant, an
amount in cash equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Company
Common Stock previously subject to such Warrant and (ii) the excess, if any, of
the Merger Consideration over the exercise price per share of Company Common
Stock previously subject
9
to such Warrant in effect immediately prior to such cancellation (such payment
to be net of taxes and other amounts required by Applicable Law to be withheld
with respect thereto). Payment to such holder under this Section 2.03(b) shall
be made without interest thereon, upon surrender of such Warrant to the
Surviving Corporation. Delivery of any cash payment under this Section 2.03(b)
to a holder of a Warrant shall be conditioned upon receipt by Parent of a waiver
of all of such holder's right, title and interest in and to his or her Warrant.
(c) Convertible Notes. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause
all outstanding Convertible Notes to be converted in full into shares of Company
Common Stock in accordance with their respective terms and to cease to be issued
and outstanding, in each case prior to the Effective Time.
(d) Termination of Plans. As of the Effective Time, all Company Stock
Plans, and the relevant provisions of all Benefit Agreements and other Contracts
shall terminate on terms and conditions satisfactory to Parent so that on and
after the Effective Time no current or former employee, director, consultant or
other Person shall have any right or option to acquire, hold or transfer shares
of Company Common Stock or any other equity interests in the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries under any Company Stock Plan, Benefit Agreement or other
Contract.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company represents and warrants to Parent and Sub as follows:
SECTION 3.01 Organization, Qualification and Corporate Power.
(a) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of incorporation and is duly qualified or licensed to conduct
business and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction set forth
in Section 3.01(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, which are all the
jurisdictions where the character of the properties owned, leased or operated by
it or the nature of its activities makes such qualification or licensing and
requirement to be in good standing necessary, except for any such failures to be
qualified and in good standing that could not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company
and each of its Subsidiaries has all requisite corporate power and authority to
carry on the business in which it is now engaged and to own, lease and use the
properties now owned, leased or used by it.
For purposes of this Agreement: (i) "Company Disclosure Schedule" means the
disclosure schedule delivered by the Company to Parent prior to or
simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement; and (ii) "Company Material
Adverse Effect" means any event, occurrence, fact, condition, change, effect or
circumstance that (A) is, or that could reasonably be expected to be, materially
adverse to the assets, business, prospects, financial condition, operations,
properties, liabilities or results of operations of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (other than changes that are the result of
economic factors affecting the economy as a whole or changes that are the result
of factors generally affecting the industry or specific markets in which the
Company competes), or (B) materially impairs or delays the ability
10
of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by, or to perform its
other obligations under, this Agreement or the Stockholders Agreement. Without
limiting the foregoing and for the avoidance of doubt, a "Company Material
Adverse Effect" would be deemed to exist in the event of (1) a ruling, decision
or order (whether or not final or nonappealable) that is adverse to the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries by a Governmental Entity affecting Contract No.
DAAB07-01-D-F201 between the U.S. Army and a Subsidiary of the Company issued
pursuant to Army Solicitation No. DAAB07-01-R-C402 (as may be amended from time
to time, the "TQG Contract") in connection with the facts alleged by the
plaintiff in matter of Engineered Electric Company d/b/a Fermont v. The United
States of America, No. 02-757C, pending in the United States Court of Federal
Claims, or (2) a decision by the Contracting Officer in respect of the TQG
Contract materially impairing the value of the TQG Contract to the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries.
(b) The Company has delivered to Parent complete and correct copies of
its Articles of Incorporation and its Bylaws and the articles of incorporation
and bylaws (or similar organizational documents) of each of its Subsidiaries, in
each case as amended to the date of this Agreement. The Company has made
available to Parent and its representatives true and complete copies of the
minutes (or in the case of draft minutes, the most recent drafts thereof) of all
meetings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and each committee of the
Board of Directors of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries held since May 1,
1996. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under or in
violation of any provision of its articles of incorporation or bylaws (or
similar organizational documents). The provisions of Sections 78.378 to 78.3793,
inclusive, of the NRS relating to "Acquisition of Controlling Interest" and
Sections 78.411 to 78.444, inclusive, of the NRS relating to "Combinations with
Interested Stockholders" are inapplicable to this Agreement, the Stockholders
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the
Merger) as a result of the Company's actions or otherwise.
SECTION 3.02 Capital Structure.
(a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 20,000,000
shares of Company Common Stock and 5,000,000 of the Company's Preferred Stock,
par value $0.001 per share (the "Company Preferred Stock"). At the close of
business on August 8, 2002: (i) 6,764,647 shares of Company Common Stock
(excluding treasury shares) were issued and outstanding, none of which were held
by any Subsidiary of the Company; (ii) 127,000 shares of Company Common Stock
were held by the Company in its treasury; (iii) no shares of Company Preferred
Stock were issued and outstanding; (iv) options to acquire 1,044,772 shares of
Company Common Stock from the Company were issued and outstanding (the "Stock
Options") pursuant to (A) the 1992 Incentive and Nonqualified Stock Option Plan
of the Company (as amended), the 1992 Directors' Stock Option Plan (as amended)
and the 2000 Directors' Stock Option Plan (collectively, the "Company Stock
Plans") as listed on Section 3.02(a)(iv)(A1-A3) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, and (B) written employment agreements listed on Section 3.02(a)(iv)(B)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule and previously provided in true and complete
form to Parent or its counsel, (v) warrants to acquire up to 840,002 shares of
Company Common Stock from the Company pursuant to the stock purchase warrants
listed on Section 3.02(a)(v) of the Company Disclosure Schedule and previously
provided in true and complete form to Parent or its counsel (the "Warrants")
were issued and outstanding; (vi) 1,000,000 shares
11
of Company Common Stock were issuable upon conversion of the 10% Convertible
Subordinated Notes listed on Section 3.02(a)(vi) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule and previously provided in true and complete form to Parent or its
counsel (the "1999 Notes"); (vii) 880,000 shares were issuable upon conversion
of the 12% Convertible Subordinated Notes listed in Section 3.02(a)(vii) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule and previously provided in true and complete form to
Parent or to counsel (together with the 1999 Notes, the "Convertible Notes");
and (viii) (A) 288,153 shares of Company Common Stock were reserved and
available for issuance pursuant to the 1992 Incentive and Nonqualified Stock
Option Plan of the Company (as amended), (B) 189,330 shares of Company Common
Stock were reserved and available for issuance pursuant to the 1992 Directors'
Stock Option Plan (as amended), and (C) 250,000 shares of Company Common Stock
were reserved and available for issuance pursuant to the 2000 Directors' Stock
Option Plan. Schedule 3.02(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a
complete and correct list, as of the close of business on August 8, 2002, of all
outstanding stock options or other rights to purchase or acquire Company Common
Stock granted under the Company Stock Plans, the Warrants, the Convertible
Notes, written employment agreements or otherwise, including: (1) all
outstanding Stock Options, the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject
to each Stock Option, the grant dates and exercise and vesting schedule of each
such Stock Option and the names of the holders of each Stock Option; (2) all
outstanding Warrants, the number of shares of Company Common Stock issuable
under each Warrant, the issue dates and exercise prices and exercise schedule of
each such Warrant and the names of the holders of each Warrant; and (3) all
outstanding Convertible Notes, the number of shares of Company Common Stock
issuable under each Convertible Note, the issue dates and conversion prices and
conversion schedule of each such Convertible Note and the names of the holders
of each Convertible Note. Other than the Stock Options, the Warrants and the
Convertible Notes, there are no outstanding rights of any person to receive
Company Common Stock under the Company Stock Plans, under any Contract or
otherwise, or on a deferred basis or otherwise.
(b) As of the close of business on August 8, 2002, there were
outstanding Stock Options, Warrants and Convertible Notes to purchase 3,716,456
shares of Company Common Stock with exercise or conversion prices, as the case
may be, on a per share basis lower than the Merger Consideration, and the
weighted average exercise or conversion price, as the case may be, of such Stock
Options, Warrants and Convertible Notes was equal to $1.07. As of the close of
business on August 8, 2002, there were outstanding Stock Options, Warrants and
Convertible Notes to purchase 48,318 shares of Company Common Stock with
exercise or conversion prices, as the case may be, on a per share basis equal to
or higher than the Merger Consideration, and the weighted average exercise or
conversion price, as the case may be, of such Stock Options, Warrants and
Convertible Notes was equal to $2.39.
(c) Except as set forth in Section 3.02(a) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, as of the close of business on August 8, 2002, no shares of capital
stock of or other equity or voting interests in the Company, or options,
warrants, convertible notes or other rights to acquire or receive any such stock
or interests were issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding, and neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any agreement relating to any
such issuance. Since August 8, 2002, (i) there have been no issuances by the
Company of shares of capital stock of or other equity or voting interests in the
Company other than issuances of shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the
exercise or conversion, as the case may be, of Stock Options, Warrants or
Convertible Notes, in each case outstanding on
12
such date as required by their terms as in effect on the date of this Agreement,
and (ii) there have been no issuances by the Company of options, warrants,
convertible notes or other rights to acquire shares of capital stock or other
equity or voting interests from the Company. There are no outstanding stock
appreciation rights or other rights that are linked in any way to the price of
the Company Common Stock or the value of the Company, any Subsidiary of the
Company or any part of the Company or any such Subsidiary.
(d) All outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are, and
all shares that may be issued pursuant to the Stock Options, the Warrants and
the Convertible Notes will be, when issued in accordance with the terms thereof,
duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to
preemptive rights or, to the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries knowledge, any
other Share Encumbrance, except as set forth in Section 3.02(d) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule. Except for the Convertible Notes, there are no bonds,
debentures, notes or other indebtedness of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, and no securities or other instruments or obligations of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries the value of which is in any way based upon
or derived from any capital or voting stock of the Company, having the right to
vote (or convertible or exercisable into, or exchangeable for, securities having
the right to vote) on any matters on which stockholders of the Company may vote.
Except as set forth above, there are no securities, options, warrants,
convertible notes, calls, rights, obligations, arrangements, understandings or
Contracts of any kind to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a
party, or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound, obligating
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be
issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of capital stock of, or other
equity or voting interests in, or securities convertible or exercisable into, or
exchangeable or exercisable for, shares of capital stock of or other equity or
voting interests in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or obligating the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, grant, extend or enter into any
such security, option, warrant, convertible note, call, right, obligation,
arrangement, understanding or Contract. Each Stock Option intended to qualify as
an "incentive stock option" under Section 422 of the Code so qualifies and the
exercise price of each other Stock Option is not less than the fair market value
of a share of Company Common Stock as determined on the date of grant of such
Stock Option. As of the date of this Agreement, (i) the Subject Shares (as such
term is defined in the Stockholders Agreement) represent approximately 41% of
the shares of Company Common Stock outstanding (assuming the exercise, exchange
or conversion, as applicable, of all outstanding convertible securities of the
Company (including the Stock Options, the Warrants and the Convertible Notes)
which are currently exercisable, exchangeable or convertible, as applicable, or
will become exercisable, exchangeable or convertible, as applicable, at any time
within 60 days from the date of this Agreement), and (ii) the Subject Shares
that constitute shares of Company Common Stock represent approximately 31% of
the shares of Company Common Stock outstanding . There are not any outstanding
contractual obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to (A)
repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (B) vote or dispose of any shares of the
capital stock of any of its Subsidiaries. The Company is not a party to any
voting or other stockholders agreements with respect to any shares of the
capital stock of or other equity or voting securities in the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, as of the date of this Agreement, there are no irrevocable proxies
and no voting or other stockholders agreements with respect to any shares of the
capital stock of or other equity or voting interests in the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries.
13
(e) As of the date hereof, the outstanding Indebtedness of the Company
and its Subsidiaries is as set forth on Section 3.02(e) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule.
SECTION 3.03 Subsidiaries.
(a) Section 3.03 of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists each
Subsidiary of the Company. All the outstanding shares of capital stock of or
other equity or voting interests in each such Subsidiary are owned by the
Company, by another wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company or by the Company and
another wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, free and clear of any liens,
encumbrances, hypothecations, rights of others, charges, adverse claims or
interests, title defects, pledges, voting trusts or similar arrangements,
limitations on voting rights, options, restrictions on transfer, proxies, title
retention agreements, securityholder agreements or other similar restrictions or
limitations, (collectively, "Share Encumbrances"), excepting only restrictions
on the subsequent transfer of such shares imposed under applicable securities
laws. Except for the capital stock of or other equity or voting interests in its
Subsidiaries, the Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any capital
stock of or other equity or voting interests in any corporation, partnership,
joint venture, association or other entity.
(b) Those Subsidiaries that are Roflan Associates, Inc., a
Massachusetts corporation, and Peter Gray Corporation, a Massachusetts
corporation, are not engaged in any business and do not conduct any activity.
SECTION 3.04 Authority; Noncontravention.
(a) The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to
execute and deliver this Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement, to consummate
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement,
subject, in the case of the Merger, to obtaining the Stockholder Approval, and
to comply with the provisions of this Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement by
the Company, the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement and the compliance by the Company
with the provisions of this Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement have been
duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and
no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to
authorize this Agreement or the Stockholders Agreement or to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Stockholders Agreement,
subject, in the case of the Merger, to obtaining the Stockholder Approval. Each
of this Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and
delivery by Parent and Sub, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the
Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms (except as
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws).
(b) The Board of Directors of the Company, at a meeting duly called
and held at which all of the directors of the Company were present either in
person or by telephone, duly and with the unanimous approval of those directors
in attendance adopted resolutions (i) approving and declaring advisable the
Merger, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
14
by this Agreement, (ii) declaring that it is in the best interests of the
Company's stockholders that the Company enter into this Agreement and consummate
the Merger on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement, (iii) declaring that the consideration to be paid to the Company's
stockholders in the Merger is fair to such stockholders, (iv) directing that
this Agreement be submitted to a vote at a meeting of the Company's stockholders
to be held as promptly as reasonably practicable following the date of this
Agreement, (v) recommending that such stockholders adopt this Agreement, and
(vi) approving the Stockholders Agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby, which resolutions have not been subsequently rescinded, modified or
withdrawn in any way except as is expressly and specifically permitted under
Section 5.02(b).
(c) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Stockholders
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby and compliance by the Company with the provisions of this Agreement do
not and will not conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of, or
default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise
to a right of, or result in, termination, cancellation or acceleration of any
obligation or to a loss of a material benefit under, or result in the creation
of any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, charge, lien,
hypothecation, adverse claim or interest, easement, encroachment, title defect,
title retention agreement or other similar restriction or limitation (whether
arising by contract, by operation of law or otherwise) (collectively, "Liens")
in or upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries under, or give rise to any increased, additional, accelerated or
guaranteed rights or entitlements under, any provision of: (i) the Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company or the articles of incorporation or
bylaws (or similar organizational documents) of any of its Subsidiaries; (ii)
any loan or credit agreement (including the Credit Facility), bond, debenture,
note (including the Convertible Notes), mortgage, indenture, guarantee, lease or
other contract, commitment, agreement, instrument, arrangement, understanding,
obligation, undertaking, permit, permission, concession, franchise, license or
sublicense, whether oral or written (each, including all amendments thereof and
supplements thereto, a "Contract") to which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party or any of their respective properties or assets is
subject; or (iii) subject to the governmental filings and other matters referred
to in Section 3.04(d), any Applicable Law; other than, in the case of clauses
(ii) and (iii), any such conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults, rights,
losses, Liens or entitlements that individually or in the aggregate could not
reasonably be expected to (A) have a Company Material Adverse Effect, or (B)
prevent or materially impede, interfere with, hinder or delay the consummation
of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Stockholders
Agreement. A true, complete and correct list of all the Contracts (including all
amendments thereof) comprising the Credit Facility are listed in Section 3.04(c)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule.
For purposes of this Agreement, "Credit Facility" means those
Contracts listed in Section 3.04(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule,
collectively.
(d) No consent, approval, authorization, waiver, permit, grant,
franchise, concession, agreement, license, exemption or order of, registration,
certificate, declaration or filing with, or report or notice to, any Person,
including any Governmental Entity (each, a "Consent"), is required by or with
respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Stockholders Agreement by
15
the Company, the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement or the Stockholders Agreement or the compliance by the Company
with the provisions of this Agreement or the Stockholders Agreement, except for:
(i) any filings required under any applicable competition, merger control,
antitrust or similar law; (ii) the filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") of a proxy statement relating to the approval of this
Agreement by the Company's stockholders (as amended or supplemented from time to
time, the "Proxy Statement") and such reports under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), as may be required in connection with
this Agreement, the Stockholders Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby; (iii) the filing of the Articles of Merger with the
Secretary of State of the State of Nevada and appropriate documents with the
relevant authorities of other states in which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is qualified to do business; (iv) any filings required under the
rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Bulletin Board Market; (v) those Consents
listed in Section 3.04(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedule; and (vi) such
other Consents, the failure of which other Consents to be obtained or made
individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to (A) have a
Company Material Adverse Effect, or (B) prevent or materially impede, interfere
with, hinder or delay the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement or the Stockholders Agreement.
SECTION 3.05 SEC Documents. The Company has filed with the SEC, and has
heretofore made available to Parent true and complete copies of, all reports,
schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed with the
SEC by the Company since May 1, 1996 (together with all information incorporated
therein by reference, the "SEC Documents"). No Subsidiary of the Company is
required to file any report, schedule, form, statement or other document with
the SEC.
As of their respective dates, each of the SEC Documents filed prior to June
15, 2002 (each a "Filed SEC Document") complied in all material respects with
the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act") or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, and none of the Filed SEC Documents at the time they
were filed contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading. Except to the extent that information contained in any Filed SEC
Document has been revised or superseded by a later Filed SEC Document, none of
the SEC Documents contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.
Each SEC Document that the Company files with the SEC on or after June 15,
2002, as of the date thereof, will comply in all material respects with the
requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and none of such SEC Documents
will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, except that, in the case of the Proxy Statement, no representation
is made by the Company with
16
respect to statements made therein based on information supplied by Parent or
Sub in writing specifically for inclusion in the Proxy Statement.
The financial statements (including the related notes) of the Company
included in the SEC Documents (including the Proxy Statement) and the Other
Filings complied, as of the date filed, or will comply when filed, as to form in
all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the published
rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, have been or will be
prepared in accordance with generally U.S. accepted accounting principles
("GAAP") (except, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q
of the SEC) applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as
may be indicated in the notes thereto) and fairly presented or will present in
all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its
consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and their consolidated results
of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of
unaudited statements, to normal and recurring year-end audit adjustments and the
absence of footnotes).
SECTION 3.06 Information Supplied. None of the information supplied by the
Company for inclusion or incorporation by reference in (a) the Proxy Statement,
or (b) any other document filed or to be filed with the SEC or any other
Governmental Entity in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement (collectively, the "Other Filings") will, at the respective times
filed with the SEC or other Governmental Entity and, in addition, in the case of
the Proxy Statement, at the date it or any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto is mailed to stockholders, at the time of the Stockholders Meeting and
at the Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order
to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading, except that, in the case of the Proxy Statement,
no representation is made by the Company with respect to statements made therein
based on information supplied by Parent or Sub in writing specifically for
inclusion in the Proxy Statement. The Proxy Statement and the Other Filings made
by the Company will comply as to form with the provisions of the Exchange Act or
other Applicable Law, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations
thereunder.
SECTION 3.07 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as set forth on
Section 3.07 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, since the date of the most
recent audited financial statements included in the Filed SEC Documents, the
Company and its Subsidiaries have conducted their respective businesses only in
the ordinary course consistent with past practice, and there has not been:
(a) any Company Material Adverse Effect or any state of facts, change,
development, effect or occurrence that could reasonably be expected to result in
a Company Material Adverse Effect;
(b) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend on, or
other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) in respect of, any of
the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' capital stock or any redemption,
retirement, acquisition or purchase of any of the Company's or any Subsidiary's
capital stock or other securities;
17
(c) any split, reverse split, combination or reclassification of any
of the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' capital stock or any issuance or
the authorization of any issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu
of, or in substitution for, shares of capital stock or other securities of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(d) (i) any granting by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any
increase in compensation or benefits, except for normal increases of cash
compensation prior to the date of this Agreement in the ordinary course of
business consistent (in amount and kind) with past practice, (ii) any payment by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any bonus, except for bonuses made
prior to the date of this Agreement in the ordinary course of business
consistent (in amount and kind) with past practice, in each case to any current
or former director, officer, employee or consultant, (iii) any granting by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any current or former director, officer,
employee or consultant of any increase in severance or termination pay, or (iv)
any entry by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries into, or any amendment of,
or any supplement to, (A) any employment, deferred compensation, severance,
termination, employee benefit, loan, indemnification, stock repurchase, stock
option, consulting or similar Contract between the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any current or former director, officer,
employee or consultant of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the other
hand, or (B) any Contract between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the
one hand, and any current or former director, officer, employee or consultant of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the other hand, the benefits of which
are contingent, or the terms of which are materially altered, upon the
occurrence of a transaction involving the Company of the nature contemplated by
this Agreement or the Stockholders Agreement (all such Contracts referred to in
this clause (iv), being herein called, collectively, the "Benefit Agreements");
(e) any amendment of, or supplement to, any Company Stock Plan, any
Stock Option, any Warrant or any Convertible Note;
(f) any damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by
insurance, in excess of $25,000 individually or in the aggregate;
(g) any change in financial or tax accounting methods, principles or
practices by the Company, except insofar as may have been required by a change
in GAAP or Applicable Law;
(h) any tax election that individually or in the aggregate could
reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect or a material
adverse effect on any of the Company's tax attributes or any settlement or
compromise of any material income tax liability;
(i) any revaluation by the Company of any of its material assets;
(j) any entering into any settlement regarding the breach,
misrepresentation, infringement or violation of, any Intellectual Property, or
any modification of any existing rights with respect thereto;
(k) any incurring, assumption or guaranty of any debt, claim,
commitment, obligation or liability, absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise,
whether due or to become due
18
(including any Indebtedness), except (A) current liabilities for trade or
business obligations incurred in connection with the purchase of goods or
services in the ordinary course of business consistent (in amount and kind) with
past practice, and (B) any Indebtedness incurred under and pursuant to the
Credit Facility;
(l) any subjection to any Lien of any portion of the Company's or any
of its Subsidiaries' assets, properties or business (whether tangible or
intangible), other than (A) mechanic's, materialmen's, and similar Liens, in
each case that are not delinquent or which are being actively contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings if adequate reserves with respect thereto are
maintained on the books of the Company or its applicable Subsidiary, as the case
may be, to the extent required by GAAP, (B) Liens arising under workers'
compensation, unemployment insurance, social security, retirement, and similar
legislation, in each case that are not delinquent or which are being actively
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings if adequate reserves with
respect thereto are maintained on the books of the Company or its applicable
Subsidiary, as the case may be, to the extent required by GAAP, and (C)
statutory Liens with respect to current taxes not yet due and payable (all such
Liens under clauses (A) through (C), inclusive, collectively, "Permitted
Liens");
(m) any sale, assignment, lease to others or transfer or other
disposition of any portion of the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' assets,
except for Inventories sold in the ordinary course of business consistent (in
amount and kind) with past practice;
(n) any receipt of any written notice of termination of any Designated
Contract (including any Contract that would have constituted a Designated
Contract but for the termination thereof prior to the date of this Agreement);
(o) any discharge, cancellation or compromise of any debt, claim,
commitment, liability or obligation (including any Indebtedness), or waiver or
release of any right of substantial value;
(p) any making of any capital expenditures or commitments therefor in
excess of $50,000 individually or in the aggregate;
(q) (i) any making of any capital investment in, any loan to, or any
acquisition of, any of the securities of, any other Person (or series of related
capital investments, loans and acquisitions involving the same Person or such
Person's Affiliates), except for overnight deposits, short-term money market
investments, or (ii) any acquisition of any entity or business (whether by the
acquisition of stock, the acquisition of all or a substantial portion of assets,
merger or otherwise);
(r) any change or authorization of any change in the articles of
incorporation or bylaws (or similar organizational documents) of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries;
(s) any labor union organizing activity with respect to the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries, any actual or threatened employee strikes, work
stoppages, slowdowns or lockouts, or any material and adverse change in the
Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' relations with its employees,
distributors, agents, customers or suppliers;
19
(t) any payment or agreement to pay any brokerage or finder's fee, or
any incurring of any severance pay or retention obligations by reason of this
Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby;
(u) any making of any grant of credit to any customer or distributor
on terms or in amounts materially more favorable than had been extended to that
customer or distributor in the past;
(v) any receipt of any written notice of any condemnation proceedings
commenced with respect to any Leased Real Property or written notice as to the
proposed commencement of any such proceedings; or
(w) taking of any action or knowing omission of the taking of any
action that would result in the occurrence of any of the foregoing.
SECTION 3.08 Contracts.
(a) Section 3.08(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a
true, complete and correct list of all Contracts (whether written or oral)
which, in each case, are related in any way to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries of the types described below to which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
any of their respective properties or assets are bound and under which any such
Person continues to have any obligation (the "Designated Contracts"):
(i) any Contract (or group of related Contracts with the same
Person or such Person's Affiliates) for the lease of personal property from or
to third parties, in each case involving in excess of $50,000 per annum;
(ii) any Contract establishing a partnership, joint venture,
teaming arrangement or similar contract involving a sharing of profits or
expenses (including joint research and development and joint marketing
contracts);
(iii) any Contract (or group of related Contracts with the same
Person or such Person's Affiliates) under which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries has created, incurred, secured, assumed or guaranteed (or may
create, incur, secure, assume or guarantee) any Indebtedness, or under which it
has imposed (or may impose) a Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) on any of the
Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' properties or assets, tangible or
intangible;
(iv) any Contract that prohibits or restricts the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries from freely engaging in any business or line of business or
competing anywhere in the world;
(v) any Contract involving any officer, director, stockholder or
Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(vi) (A) any Contract which contains any provisions requiring the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to indemnify any other party thereto other
than in the
20
ordinary course of business consistent (in amount and kind) with past practice;
(B) any Contract not containing a waiver of incidental, consequential and
special damages in favor of the Company and its Subsidiaries; and (C) any
guarantee of the payment or performance of any Person or any agreement to
indemnify any Person, or act as a surety, or other agreement to be contingently
or secondarily liable for, or to provide credit support in respect of, the
obligations of any Person other than the endorsement of checks in the ordinary
course of business consistent (in amount and kind) with past practice;
(vii) any Contract under which the consequences of a breach,
default or termination could reasonably be expected to have a Company Material
Adverse Effect;
(viii) any Contract with a sales representative, manufacturer's
representative, distributor, and each material marketing Contract;
(ix) employment, consulting, agency, collective bargaining or
other similar Contracts, and other material instruments and arrangements
relating to or for the benefit of employees, consultants, sales representatives,
distributors, dealers, agents or independent contractors;
(x) any other Contract (or group of related Contracts with the
same Person or such Person's Affiliates) involving payments to be made or
received by or to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $100,000
per annum;
(xi) any Contract involving the licensing of, or assignment or
transfer of, any rights in any material Intellectual Property, other than in the
ordinary course of business consistent (in amount and kind) with past practice;
(xii) any license, licensing arrangement or other Contract
providing in whole or in part for the use of, or limiting the use of, or for the
acquisition or disposition of, any material Company Intellectual Property;
(xiii) leases, licenses and other similar material Contracts, and
material Permits concerning or relating to the real property used by the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries; (xiv) brokerage or finder's Contracts;
(xv) asset purchase agreements, stock purchase agreements and
other non-ordinary course acquisition or divestiture agreements;
(xvi) Contracts with respect to the representation of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries in foreign countries;
(xvii) purchase Contracts for inventory items or supplies that,
together with amounts on hand, constitute in excess of six months normal usage;
(xviii) any Contract with any employee, agent, consultant,
distributor, dealer or franchisee;
21
(xix) any outstanding bid, proposal or offer made by the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries which, if accepted, would result in a Government
Contract (each, a "Government Bid") or any outstanding customer option relating
to any Contract in the Backlog (or series of related bids, proposals, offers or
customer options), in each case involving an amount in excess of $500,000, or
that was bid knowing that when accepted it would result in a loss;
(xx) any prime contract, subcontract, teaming agreement or
arrangement, joint venture, basic ordering agreement, pricing agreement, letter
contract, purchase order, delivery order, change order or other similar
arrangement of any kind, between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the
one hand and (A) any Governmental Entity, (B) any prime contractor of a
Governmental Entity in its capacity as a prime contractor, or (C) any
subcontractor with respect to any contract of a type described in clauses (A) or
(B) above, on the other hand (each, a "Government Contract"); and
(xxi) any other Contract not the subject matter of clauses (i)
through (xx) above that is material to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(b) The Company has made available to Parent a true, complete and
accurate copy of each written Designated Contract (as amended, supplemented or
modified to date) listed in Section 3.08(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.
The Company has furnished to Parent an accurate summary of all oral Designated
Contracts listed in Section 3.08(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule. With
respect to each Designated Contract: (i) such Designated Contract is a legal,
valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Company or the applicable
Subsidiary, as the case may be, and to the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries'
knowledge, any other party thereto (subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws
and equitable principles (whether applied at law or in equity)) and is in full
force and effect; and (ii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor,
to the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' knowledge, any other party thereto
is in material breach or violation of, or material default under, any such
Designated Contract, and no event of default or event or condition exists, has
occurred, is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, is threatened, which, after the giving of notice, lapse of time,
both or otherwise, would constitute a material violation, breach or default
thereunder by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any other party under such Designated
Contract. With respect to each Contract (other than a Designated Contract) to
which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of their
respective properties or assets is subject: (A) neither the Company nor any of
its Subsidiaries nor, to the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' knowledge,
any other party thereto is in default under, any such Contract; and (B) no event
of default or event or condition exists, has occurred, is pending or, to the
knowledge of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, is threatened, which, after
the giving of notice, lapse of time, both or otherwise, would constitute a
default under such Contract by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the
knowledge of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any other party under such
Contract, except in the case of both clauses (A) and (B) above, such defaults
under such Contracts that, individually or in the aggregate, could not
reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Except as set
forth in Section 3.08(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no Consent of any
third party is required under any Designated Contract as a result of or in
connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Stockholders
Agreement or the performance by
22
the Company of its obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the Merger).
(c) Except as set forth in Section 3.08(c) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, no outstanding bid or proposal (or series of related bids or
proposals) was bid knowing that when accepted it would result in a loss.
SECTION 3.09 Litigation. Except as set forth in Section 3.09 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, there is not (a) any unsatisfied judgment against the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets, nor any
order, decree, stipulation or injunction to which the Company, any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets are subject, or (b) any claim,
complaint, demand, grievance, inquiry, action, suit, proceeding, hearing,
investigation, arbitration, citation, summons, or subpoena, civil, criminal,
regulatory or otherwise, in law or in equity, to which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party or, to the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries'
knowledge, which has been threatened against the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries. There is no action, suit or proceeding pending, or to the
Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' knowledge, threatened, by or against or
affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with or relating
to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or of any action taken or to
be taken in connection herewith or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby. Since May 1, 1996, there have been no product liability
suits, actions or proceedings involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
or relating to products or services manufactured, sold or provided by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
SECTION 3.10 Taxes.
(a) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries and each Company
Affiliated Group has timely filed all Federal, state and local, domestic and
foreign, income and franchise tax returns and reports and all other tax returns
and reports required to be filed by it and all such returns and reports are
complete and correct, except for such failures to file or to be complete and
correct that individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected
to result in a material liability on the part of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries and each Company
Affiliated Group has timely paid all taxes due with respect to the taxable
periods covered by such returns and reports and all other taxes, except where
the failures so to pay individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be
expected to result in a material liability on the part of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries, and the most recent financial statements contained in the
Filed SEC Documents reflect an adequate reserve for all taxes payable by the
Company and its Subsidiaries for all taxable periods and portions thereof
through the date of such financial statements.
(b) There is no currently effective agreement or other document
extending, or having the effect of extending, the period of assessment or
collection of any material taxes, and no power of attorney with respect to any
taxes has been executed or filed with any taxing authority.
(c) Except as set forth in Section 3.10(c) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, no Federal, state or other material local, domestic or foreign, tax
return or report of the
23
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any Company Affiliated Group or member
thereof has ever been under audit or examination by any taxing authority.
(d) No material Liens for taxes exist with respect to any assets or
properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except for statutory Liens
for taxes not yet due.
(e) None of the Company and its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by
any tax sharing agreement, tax indemnity obligation or similar agreement,
arrangement or practice with respect to taxes (including any advance pricing
agreement, closing agreement or other agreement relating to taxes with any
taxing authority).
(f) The Company and its Subsidiaries have complied with Applicable Law
relating to the payment and withholding of taxes (including withholding of taxes
pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 3121 and 3402 of the Code or similar provisions
under any Federal, state or local, domestic or foreign, laws) and have, within
the time and the manner prescribed by law, withheld from and paid over to the
proper Governmental Entities all amounts required to be so withheld and paid
over under Applicable Laws, except where the failures to so comply, withhold and
pay over, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to
result in a material liability on the part of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.
(g) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a real property
holding company within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code.
(h) Except as set forth in Section 3.10(h) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (nor any predecessor
of the foregoing Persons) has been a member of a Company Affiliated Group.
(i) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is liable for the
taxes of any Person other than the Company and its Subsidiaries under Treasury
Regulations section 1.1502-6 (or any analogous or similar provision of any
state, local or foreign law, rule or regulation), as a transferee or successor,
by contract or otherwise, for any taxable period beginning before the Closing
Date.
(j) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is obligated to
make, and as a result of any event connected with the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will become
obligated to make any "excess parachute payment" within the meaning of Section
280G of the Code, determined without regard to subsection (b)(4) thereof.
(k) As used in this Agreement:
"taxes" shall include all (i) Federal, state and local, domestic
and foreign, income, franchise, property, sales, excise, employment, payroll,
social security, value-added, ad valorem, transfer, withholding and other taxes,
including taxes based on or measured by gross receipts, profits, sales, use or
occupation, tariffs, levies, impositions, assessments or governmental charges of
any nature whatsoever, including any interest penalties or additions with
respect thereto, and any obligations under any agreements or arrangements with
any other person with respect to such amounts, (ii) liability for the payment of
any amounts of the type
24
described in clause (i) above as a result of being a member of an affiliated,
consolidated, combined, unitary or aggregate group (including any group
liability for the taxes of any Person under Treasury Regulations section
1.1502-6(a) (or any analogous or similar provision of any state, local or
foreign law, rule or regulation), as a transferee or successor, by contract, or
otherwise), and (iii) liability for the payment of any amounts as a result of an
express or implied obligation to indemnify any other person with respect to the
payment of any amounts of the type described in clause (i) or (ii) above.
"Company Affiliated Group" shall mean each affiliated, combined,
consolidated or unitary group of which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is
or has been a member.
SECTION 3.11 Undisclosed Liabilities. Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries has any debts, claims, commitments, liabilities or obligations of
any nature, whether known or unknown, absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise
and whether due or to become due, asserted or unasserted which are or could
reasonably be expected to become material to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, except (a) as set forth in Section 3.11 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, (b) as and to the extent set forth as liabilities on the most recent
consolidated balance sheet included in the Filed SEC Documents, and (c) for
liabilities and obligations that were incurred after the date of such most
recent consolidated balance sheet, in the ordinary course of business consistent
(in amount and kind) with past practice.
SECTION 3.12 Intellectual Property.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, "Intellectual Property" means: (i)
any and all inventions, developments, improvements, discoveries, know-how,
concepts and ideas, whether patentable or not in any jurisdiction and whether or
not reduced to practice, (ii) any and all patents and patent applications
(including reissues, reexaminations, continuations, divisions,
continuations-in-part, extensions, revisions and counterparts thereof in any
jurisdiction), patent disclosures, revalidations, industrial designs, industrial
models and utility models, (iii) any and all trademarks, service marks,
certification marks, logos, trade dress, trade names, corporate names, brand
names, domain names and all other indicia of origin (whether registered or
unregistered), and including all goodwill associated therewith and all
applications and registrations therefor in any jurisdiction and any extension,
modification or renewal of any such application or registration, (iv) any and
all copyrights, copyright registrations and applications for registration of
copyrights in any jurisdiction, and any renewals or extensions thereof, (v) any
and all writings and other works of authorship, whether copyrighted,
copyrightable or not in any jurisdiction, such works including, without
limitation, computer programs and software (including source code, object code,
data, databases and documentation therefor), together with all translations,
adaptations, derivations and combinations thereof, (vi) any and all mask works
and other semiconductor chip rights and registrations thereof, (vii) any and all
non-public information, trade secrets and proprietary or confidential
information (including ideas, research and development, know-how, formulas,
compositions, manufacturing and production processes and techniques, technical
data, designs, drawings, specifications, customer and supplier lists, pricing
and cost information and business and marketing plans and proposals) and rights
in any jurisdiction to limit the use or disclosure thereof by any Person, (viii)
any and all other intellectual property or proprietary rights, (ix) any and all
agreements, licenses, immunities,
25
covenants not to sue and the like relating to any of the foregoing, (x) any and
all copies and tangible embodiments of any of the foregoing (in whatever form or
medium), and (xi) any and all claims or causes of action arising out of or
related to any infringement or misappropriation of any of the foregoing.
(b) For purposes of this Agreement, "Company Intellectual Property"
means Intellectual Property that is currently used in the business and
operations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or which covers any aspect
of the business and operations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(c) Section 3.12(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a
list of all material trademarks, service marks, trade names, and domain names,
as well as all patents, patent applications, copyright registrations, copyright
registration applications, trademark registrations, trademark registration
applications and all other registered Intellectual Property or applications
therefor owned by or licensed (as indicated) to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries. Except as specified in Section 3.12(c) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, all Company Intellectual Property is valid, enforceable, subsisting,
uncancelled and unrevoked.
(d) The Company or the applicable Subsidiary of the Company owns or is
validly licensed or otherwise possesses valid rights to use, the Company
Intellectual Property. The Company or the applicable Subsidiary of the Company
either exclusively owns all right, title and interest in and to the Company
Intellectual Property or uses the Company Intellectual Property pursuant to a
Contract which is not currently terminable by anyone other than the Company or
such Subsidiary. Section 3.12(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedule indicates
which material Company Intellectual Property is used by the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries pursuant to a Contract.
(e) The Company or the applicable Subsidiary has the exclusive right
to file, prosecute and maintain all of its material patent applications and
other applications to register Company Intellectual Property, and has the
exclusive right to maintain its material patents and other registrations of
Company Intellectual Property and is not aware of any written claim by third
parties regarding title to same or derivative works of same. Each of the Company
and its Subsidiaries has taken all commercially reasonable actions to maintain,
prosecute and protect its material Company Intellectual Property, including
payment of all fees, annuities and all other payments which have heretofore
become due to any Government Entity with respect to such material Company
Intellectual Property.
(f) No allegations or claims with respect to any Company Intellectual
Property or any third party Intellectual Property have been asserted in writing
or, to the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' knowledge, threatened by any
third party against (i) the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their
respective Affiliates, or (ii) to the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries'
knowledge, against any other third party based on the third party's use of any
Company Intellectual Property.
(g) No use of any Company Intellectual Property by the Company, any of
its Subsidiaries or, to the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' knowledge, any
of its customers constitutes or has constituted an unauthorized use, inducement
to infringe, contributory
26
infringement, misappropriation or other violation of the Intellectual Property
of any third party and no valid grounds exist for any bona fide claims against
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Company's or any of its
Subsidiaries' knowledge, any of its customers with respect to any Company
Intellectual Property. To the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' knowledge,
no threats or allegations have been made, nor notice of any kind given, by the
Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates to any
third parties regarding allegedly infringing activities or misappropriation of
or with respect to any Company Intellectual Property. To the Company's or any of
its Subsidiaries' knowledge, and except as set forth in Section 3.12(g) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, there has not been, and there is not presently, any
material unauthorized use, infringement, misappropriation or violation of any
material Company Intellectual Property by any Person.
(h) Except as set forth in Section 3.12(h) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, no material Company Intellectual Property is subject to any
outstanding order, award, decision, injunction, judgment, decree, stipulation or
agreement in any manner restricting the transfer, use, enforcement or licensing
thereof. Except as set forth in Section 3.12(h) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has entered into any
agreement to indemnify any other Person against any charge of infringement of
any Intellectual Property. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
entered into any agreement granting any third party the right to bring
infringement actions with respect to, or otherwise to enforce rights with
respect to, any of the Company Intellectual Property.
(i) No Company Intellectual Property has been supplied by the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries to any Person except pursuant to a binding license
prohibiting further distribution and disclosure. Except as listed in Section
3.12(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, all computer programs and software
which are distributed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (i) conform in
all material respects with all specifications conveyed to its customers or other
transferees, and (ii) are operative for their intended purposes free of any
material defects or deficiencies.
(j) Each of the current employees of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is, and each of the former employees of the Company or such
Subsidiary was, an "employee" within the meaning of and pursuant to 17 U.S.C.
101. All current and former employees, independent contractors and consultants
of the Company or such Subsidiary have assigned all of their respective rights
in any Intellectual Property developed by such employees, independent
contractors and consultants for the Company or such Subsidiary to the Company or
such Subsidiary. No current or former employee, independent contractor or
consultant of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has any interest in any
Company Intellectual Property.
(k) Except as set forth in Section 3.12(k) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, none of the Company's and the Subsidiaries' rights in or to any of the
Company Intellectual Property shall be adversely affected by the execution or
delivery of this Agreement by the Company or by the performance by the Company
of any of the Company's obligations hereunder.
SECTION 3.13 Absence of Changes in Benefit Plans. Except as set forth in
Section 3.13 of the Company Disclosure Schedule or as disclosed in the Filed SEC
Documents,
27
since the date of the most recent audited financial statements included in the
Filed SEC Documents, none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has
terminated, adopted, amended or agreed to amend in any material respect any
collective bargaining agreement or any bonus, pension, profit sharing, deferred
compensation, incentive compensation, stock ownership, stock purchase, stock
appreciation, restricted stock, stock option, phantom stock, performance,
retirement, thrift, savings, stock bonus, paid time off, perquisite, fringe
benefit, vacation, severance, disability, death benefit, hospitalization,
medical or other welfare benefit or other material plan, program, arrangement or
understanding (whether or not legally binding) maintained, contributed to or
required to be maintained or contributed to by the Company, its Subsidiaries or
any other person or entity that, together with the Company, is treated as a
single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code (each, a
"Commonly Controlled Entity"), in each case providing benefits to any current or
former director, officer, employee or independent contractor of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries and whether or not subject to United States law
(collectively, "Benefit Plans"), unless such amendment or agreement to amend is
required under applicable law, or has made any material change in any actuarial
or other assumption used to calculate funding obligations with respect to any
Benefit Plan that is a Pension Plan, or any material change in the manner in
which contributions to any such Pension Plan are made or the basis on which such
contributions are determined.
SECTION 3.14 Employee Benefits Matters.
(a) Section 3.14(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a list
of all Benefit Plans and all material Benefit Agreements, including each
"employee welfare benefit plan" (as defined in Section 3(1) of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")) and "employee
pension benefit plan" (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) (a "Pension Plan").
The Company has provided to Parent true, complete and correct copies of (i) each
Benefit Plan and each material Benefit Agreement (or, in the case of any
unwritten Benefit Plans or Benefit Agreements, descriptions thereof), (ii) the
two most recent annual reports required to be filed with respect to each Benefit
Plan (including reports filed on Form 5500), (iii) the most recent summary plan
description prepared for each Benefit Plan, (iv) each trust agreement and group
annuity contract relating to any Benefit Plan and (v) the most recent
determination or qualification letter issued by any Governmental Entity for each
Benefit Plan intended to qualify for favorable tax treatment. Each Benefit Plan
has been administered in accordance with its terms. The Company and its
Subsidiaries have caused the Benefit Plans and the administration thereof to be
in compliance in all material respects with all applicable provisions of ERISA,
the Code and all other Applicable Laws. Except as set forth in Section 3.14(a)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule, all Pension Plans intended to be
tax-qualified have been the subject of determination letters from the Internal
Revenue Service ("IRS") to the effect that such Pension Plans are qualified and
exempt from United States Federal income taxes under Sections 401(a) and 501(a),
respectively, of the Code or have remaining a period of time under applicable
Treasury regulations or IRS pronouncements in which to apply for such a letter
and make any amendments necessary to obtain such a favorable determination as to
the qualified status of each such Pension Plan; no such determination letter has
been revoked (or, to the knowledge of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
has revocation been threatened or otherwise communicated or considered by the
IRS); no event occurred relating to any such Pension Plan that would adversely
affect the qualification of such Pension
28
Plan (or, if such event has occurred, that could not be corrected by means of
self-correction) or materially increase the costs relating thereto.
(b) Neither the Company nor any Commonly Controlled Entity has
maintained, contributed to or been obligated to maintain or contribute to, or
has any actual or contingent liability under, any Benefit Plan that is subject
to Title IV of ERISA, including a multiemployer plan under Section 3(37) of
ERISA.
(c) With respect to any Benefit Plan that is an employee welfare
benefit plan (each, a "Welfare Plan"), there are no understandings, agreements
or undertakings, written or oral, or summary plan description that would prevent
any such plan (including any such plan covering retirees or other former
employees) from being amended or terminated without material liability to the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries on or at any time after the Effective Time.
No Welfare Plan provides benefits after termination of employment except where
the cost thereof is borne entirely by the former employee (or his eligible
dependents or beneficiaries) or as required by Section 4980B(f) of the Code.
(d) Except as set forth in Section 3.14(d) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, no current or former director, officer, employee or independent
contractor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries will be entitled to any
additional compensation or benefits or any acceleration of the time of payment
or vesting of any compensation or benefits under any Benefit Plan or Benefit
Agreement as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the
Stockholders Agreement or any benefits under any Benefit Plan or Benefit
Agreement the value of which will be calculated on the basis of any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Stockholders Agreement.
(e) The deduction of any amount payable pursuant to the terms of the
Benefit Plans, Benefit Agreements or any other employment contracts or
arrangements will not be subject to disallowance under Section 162(m) of the
Code.
(f) The Company has received no notice of and, to the knowledge of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries there are no, pending investigations by any
Governmental Entity with respect to, or pending termination proceedings or other
claims (except claims for benefits payable in the normal operation of the
Benefit Plans), suits or proceedings against or involving any Benefit Plan or
asserting any rights or claims to benefits under, any Benefit Plan that could
give rise to any material liability, and, to the knowledge of the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries, there are not any facts that individually or in the
aggregate have had or could reasonably be expected to have a Company Material
Adverse Effect.
(g) All contributions, premiums and benefit payments under or in
connection with the Benefit Plans that are required to have been made by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement in
accordance with the terms of the Benefit Plans have been timely made or have
been reflected on the most recent consolidated balance sheet filed in or
incorporated by reference into the Filed SEC Documents.
(h) The Company and its Subsidiaries do not have any material
liability or obligations, including under or on account of a Benefit Plan or
Benefit Agreement, arising out of
29
the hiring of persons to provide services to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries and treating such persons as consultants or independent contractors
or other non-employee characterization and not as employees of the Company or
its Subsidiaries.
(i) No bonuses or other payments have been made under or pursuant to
the Company's 2002 Performance Incentive Plan.
SECTION 3.15 Permits. Section 3.15 of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets
forth all Consents of, with or to any Governmental Entity (collectively,
"Permits") and other Consents necessary for, or otherwise material to, the
conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as currently
conducted and ownership of the assets of each of the Company and its
Subsidiaries. Except as set forth in Section 3.15 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, all such Permits and other Consents have been duly obtained and are in
full force and effect, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in
violation of or default under any such Permits and other Consents held by it. No
such Permit or other Consent will be revoked, terminated prior to its normal
expiration date or not renewed solely as a result of the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Stockholders Agreement.
SECTION 3.16 Leased Real Property.
(a) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries owns any real
property. Section 3.16(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists all real
property leased or subleased to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as of the
date of this Agreement or leased by an Affiliate of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries and used in the conduct of the business of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries (the "Leased Real Property"). Neither the Company nor any of
its Subsidiaries uses any real property other than the Leased Real Property. The
Company has made available to Parent true, correct and complete copies of the
leases and subleases (as amended to date) and other agreements for occupancy,
including all amendments, extensions and other modifications thereto as of the
date of this Agreement with respect to each Leased Real Property (each, a "Real
Property Lease" and, collectively, the "Real Property Leases").
(b) With respect to each Real Property Lease, in all material
respects:
(i) such Real Property Lease is a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Company or its applicable Subsidiary, and is in full force and
effect;
(ii) neither the Company or its applicable Subsidiary, nor, to
the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' knowledge, any other party to such
Real Property Lease is in breach or default, and, to the Company's or any of its
Subsidiaries' knowledge, no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of
time, would constitute a breach or default or permit termination, modification
or acceleration thereunder; and
(iii) to the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' knowledge,
there are no disputes, oral agreements or forbearance programs in effect as to
the Real Property Leases.
(c) The Leased Real Property is sufficient for the continued conduct
of the respective businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries in
substantially the same manner as such businesses are currently conducted.
30
(d) The Real Property Leases cover all of the Leased Real Property
currently utilized by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; the property
covered by such Real Property Leases may legally be used for such operations
conducted thereon and all necessary access from public roads and all required
utilities are legally and validly available to the property; the improvements on
the properties or their use do not violate any existing covenants, restrictions
or easements nor encroach any adjacent property not owned by the landlords under
such Real Property Leases; the improvements on the properties are in
commercially reasonable operating condition and repair and are suitable for the
purposes for which they are currently used; and the tenants have (and will in
the future have) commercially reasonable non-disturbance assurances upon all of
the terms and conditions of the Real Property Leases from all holders of
mortgages, deeds of trust and other superior Liens and from all lessors of
underlying or ground leases. No repairs or replacements of any portion of the
property covered by the Real Property Leases are required on the part of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to comply with Applicable Law or to maintain
good order and repair, which are beyond normal routine maintenance.
(e) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable,
has assigned, transferred, conveyed, mortgaged, deeded in trust or encumbered
any of its interest in any of the Real Property Leases.
SECTION 3.17 Labor Matters. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
is a party to or bound by any collective bargaining agreement, and there are no
labor unions or other organizations representing or purporting to represent any
employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Since May 1, 1996, neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has experienced, or to the Company's or
any of its Subsidiaries' knowledge, there has not been threatened, any material
strikes, labor grievances, claims of unfair labor practices or other collective
bargaining disputes or other similar labor activity with respect to any
employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any
of its Subsidiaries has knowledge of any organizational effort being made or
threatened since May 1, 1996, by or on behalf of any labor union with respect to
employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
SECTION 3.18 Environmental Matters.
(a) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is and has been in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws
pertaining to any of the properties and assets of its business and the use
thereof by the Company or its applicable Subsidiary, as the case may be. Except
as disclosed in Section 3.18(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, each of the Company
and its Subsidiaries has obtained all material Permits, licenses and other
authorizations that are required under Environmental Laws to operate its
business and the same are listed in Section 3.18(a) of the Disclosure Schedule.
Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received written notice of
any violation of any applicable Environmental Law relating to any of the assets
or to any premises utilized by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and, to
the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' knowledge, no written notice of any
such violation has been threatened.
(b) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has caused or
taken any action that resulted in, and none of them is, subject to, any material
liability or obligation relating to (i) the environmental conditions on, under,
or about any part of the premises now or formerly
31
utilized by its business or other properties or assets owned, leased, operated
or used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in its business, including the
air, soil and groundwater conditions at such properties, or (ii) the use,
management, handling, transport, treatment, generation, storage, disposal or
Release of any Hazardous Substances by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(c) No Hazardous Substances have been treated, stored or disposed of
by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or, to the Company's or any of its
Subsidiaries' knowledge, any other Person) at, on, or under any part of the
premises now or formerly utilized by it, except: (i) in compliance with
Environmental Laws; and (ii) which does not require investigation or remediation
pursuant to Environmental Laws.
(d) Except as disclosed in Section 3.18(d) of the Disclosure Schedule,
neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received written notice or
other written communication concerning any alleged liability for Environmental
Liabilities and Costs and, to the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries'
knowledge, there exists no writ, injunction, decree, order, judgment, lawsuit,
claim, proceeding, citation, directive, or summons, pending or threatened,
relating to any environmental matters.
(e) As used in this Agreement:
"Damages" means any and all claims, liabilities (including tax
liabilities), obligations, losses, fines, expenses, costs, proceedings,
deficiencies, judgments, penalties or damages (whether absolute, accrued,
conditional or otherwise and whether or not resulting from third party claims),
including out-of-pocket expenses, consulting fees, court costs, expert witness
fees and attorneys' fees and expenses incurred in the investigation or defense
of any of the same.
"Environmental Laws" means any and all Applicable Laws relating to the
protection of the environment, to human health and safety, or to any emission,
discharge, generation, processing, storage, abatement, Release, threatened
Release, arranging for the disposal or transportation of any Hazardous
Substances.
"Environmental Liabilities and Costs" means any and all Damages: (i)
relating to, or resulting from, the presence (including any allegation by a
third party of the presence) of Hazardous Substances in the environment in
quantities or concentrations exceeding those allowed pursuant to any
Environmental Law, including claims for diminution of property value, personal
injury or property damages; and/or (ii) imposed by, under or pursuant to
Environmental Laws, based on, arising out of or otherwise in respect of (A) any
real property owned, leased or operated by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, or (B) the environmental conditions existing on the Closing Date
on, under or above any real property owned, leased or operated by the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries.
"Hazardous Substance" means any substance that (i) requires
investigation, removal or remediation under any Environmental Law, or is
defined, listed or identified as a "hazardous waste", "hazardous material",
"oil" or "hazardous substance" thereunder, or (ii) is toxic, explosive,
corrosive, flammable, infectious, radioactive, carcinogenic, mutagenic, or
otherwise hazardous and is regulated by any Governmental Entity or Environmental
Law.
32
"Release" means any releasing, disposing, discharging, injecting,
spilling, leaking, leaching, pumping, dumping, emitting, escaping, emptying,
seeping, dispersal, migration, transporting, placing and the like, including the
moving of any materials through, into or upon, any land, soil, surface water,
ground water or air, or otherwise entering into the environment.
SECTION 3.19 Legal Compliance. Except as set forth in Section 3.19 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is in
compliance in all material respects with all Applicable Laws applicable to it
and to its assets. Except as set forth in Section 3.19 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, there is not pending, or to the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries'
knowledge, threatened, any action, suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation,
charge, complaint, claim, demand or notice relating to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries alleging any failure so to comply.
SECTION 3.20 Assets. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has good and
valid title to its respective assets, free and clear of all Liens, except for
Permitted Liens and those Liens listed on Section 3.20 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule. The respective assets of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries
include all assets reasonably required for the conduct of the business of the
Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, by the Company or such
Subsidiary as such business is now being conducted. The material tangible assets
of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries are in good operating condition and
repair (normal wear and tear excepted), free from any known defects (except such
minor defects as do not interfere with the use thereof in the conduct of normal
operations), and are suitable for the purposes for which they are presently
used. All buildings, plants and other material structures currently utilized by
the Company and its Subsidiaries are, in all material respects, in good
operating condition and repair. No repairs or replacements of the material
tangible assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are required on the
part of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to comply with Applicable Law or
to maintain good order and repair, which are beyond normal routine maintenance.
SECTION 3.21 Insurance. Section 3.21 of the Company Disclosure Schedule
sets forth a complete and accurate list of all policies of fire, liability,
product liability, workmen's compensation, health and other forms of insurance
presently in effect with respect to the Company's and its Subsidiaries'
business, true and complete copies of which have been delivered to, or made
available for review by, Parent. All such policies are valid, outstanding and
enforceable policies and provide insurance coverage for the properties, assets
and operations of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries, of the kinds, in the
amounts and against the risks customary for similar businesses of a similar
size, nature and ownership. Except as set forth on Section 3.21 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been
refused any insurance with respect to any aspect of the operations of its
business, nor has its coverage been limited by any insurance carrier to which it
has applied for insurance or with which it has carried insurance. No notice of
cancellation or termination has been received with respect to any such policy.
The activities and operations of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries have
been conducted in a manner so as to conform in all material respects to all
applicable provisions of such insurance policies.
33
SECTION 3.22 Business Relationships with Affiliates. Section 3.22 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true, complete and correct list
(including the parties) of all agreements, arrangements, contracts, commitments,
understandings or other relationships (written or oral) currently in effect,
between or among the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and
any of its officers, directors, stockholders or Affiliates (or any Affiliate of
any of its officers, directors or stockholders), on the other hand (the
"Intercompany Agreements"). The Company heretofore has delivered or made
available to Parent true, complete and correct copies (or a detailed summary in
the case of an oral agreement) of each such Intercompany Agreement.
SECTION 3.23 Government Contracts.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 3.23(a) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule: (i) each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has complied in all
material respects with all the terms and conditions of each Government Contract
and Government Bid to which it is a party as required; (ii) each of the Company
and its Subsidiaries has complied in all material respects with all requirements
of any Applicable Law pertaining to such Government Contract or for Government
Bid; (iii) all representations and certifications made by the Company or any
Subsidiary with respect to such Government Contract or Government Bid were
accurate in every material respect as of their effective date and the Company or
its applicable Subsidiary, as the case may be, has complied in all material
respects with all such representations and certifications; and (iv) no
termination or default, cure notice or show cause notice has been issued and
remains unresolved.
(b) Except as set forth in Section 3.23(b) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule: (i) to the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' knowledge, none of
the Company's and its Subsidiaries' employees, consultants and agents is (or
during the last five years has been) under administrative, civil or criminal
investigation or indictment by any Governmental Entity with respect to the
conduct of the business of the Company or its applicable Subsidiary, as the case
may be; (ii) there is no pending audit or, to the Company's or any of its
Subsidiaries' knowledge, investigation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
or, to the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' knowledge, any of their
respective officers, employees or representatives nor within the last five years
has there been any audit or investigation of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or, to the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' knowledge, any of
their respective officers, employees or representatives resulting in a material
adverse finding with respect to any material alleged irregularity, misstatement
or omission arising under or relating to any Government Contract or Government
Bid; and (iii) during the last five years, the Company and its Subsidiaries have
not made any voluntary disclosure in writing to the U.S. Government or any
non-U.S. government with respect to any alleged irregularity, misstatement or
omission arising under or relating to a Government Contract or Government Bid.
Except as set forth in Section 3.23(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the
Company and its Subsidiaries have not had any such irregularities, misstatements
or omissions arising under or relating to any such Government Contract or
Government Bid that has led to any of the consequences set forth in clause (i)
or (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence or any other material damage,
penalty assessment, recoupment of payment or disallowance of cost.
34
(c) Except as set forth in Section 3.23(c) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, there are (i) no outstanding written claims against the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries, either by the U.S. Government or any non-U.S. Government or
by any prime contractor, subcontractor, vendor or other third party arising
under or relating to any Government Bid or Government Contract, and (ii) no
written disputes between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one
hand, and the U.S. Government or any non-U.S. Government, on the other hand,
under the Contract Disputes Act or any other Federal statute or between the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any prime contractor,
subcontractor or vendor, on the other hand, arising under or relating to any
such Government Contract or Government Bid.
(d) Except as set forth in Section 3.23(d) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, none of the Company and its Subsidiaries, nor to the Company's or any
of its Subsidiaries' knowledge, any of their respective employees, consultants
or agents is (or during the last five years has been) suspended or debarred from
doing business with the U.S. Government or any non-U.S. government or is (or
during such period was) the subject of a finding of non-responsibility or
ineligibility for U.S. Government or non-U.S. government contracting. Except as
set forth in Section 3.23(d) of the Disclosure Schedule, each of the Company and
its Subsidiaries conducted its operations in all material respects in compliance
with all requirements of all laws pertaining to all Government Contracts and
Government Bids.
(e) Except as set forth in Section 3.23(e) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, no statement, representation or warranty made by the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries in any Government Contract, any Government Bid or any exhibit
thereto or in any certificate, statement, list, schedule or other document
submitted or furnished to the U.S. Government or any non-U.S. government in
connection with any Government Contract or Government Bid contained on the date
so furnished or submitted (or on any other date where such statement,
representation or warranty is deemed made or brought down as of a subsequent
date either under Applicable Law or pursuant to the applicable Government
Contract or Government Bid or any exhibit thereto or in any written certificate,
statement, list, schedule or other document submitted or furnished to the U.S.
Government or any non-U.S. Government in connection with such Government
Contract or Government Bid) contained any untrue statement of material fact, or
failed to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained
therein, in light of the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading,
except for any untrue statement or failure to state a material fact that would
not result in any material liability to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
as a result of such untrue statement or failure to state a material fact.
(f) Except as set forth in Section 3.23(f) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, no outstanding Government Bid (or series of related Government Bids)
was bid knowing that when accepted it would result in a loss.
(g) Except as set forth on Section 3.23(g) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, the rates and rate schedules submitted to the U.S. Government with
respect to Government Contracts to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
is a party have been closed for all years prior to 1997.
35
(h) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance in all
material respects with all national security obligations, including, without
limitation, those specified in the National Industrial Security Program
Operating Manual, DOD 5220.22-M (January 1995).
SECTION 3.24 Government Furnished Equipment. Section 3.24 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule incorporates the most recent schedule delivered to the U.S.
Government or any non-U.S. government which identifies by description or by
inventory number certain equipment and fixtures loaned, bailed or otherwise
furnished to or held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by or on behalf
of the United States or any foreign country (collectively, the "Government
Furnished Equipment"). Such schedule was accurate and complete in all material
respects on its date and, if dated on the Closing Date, would contain only those
additions and omit only those deletions of equipment and fixtures that have
occurred in the ordinary course of business consistent (in amount and kind) with
past practice. All Government Furnished Equipment is in such condition that if
returned to the applicable Governmental Entity on the date hereof or on the
Closing Date such Governmental Entity would not be entitled to make any claim
whatsoever or to institute any suit action or proceeding against the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries arising out of or relating to the condition in which the
Government Furnished Equipment was so returned.
SECTION 3.25 Inventories. Except as set forth in Section 3.25 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule and net of reserves as reflected in the most recent
consolidated balance sheet included in the Filed SEC Documents, (a) all
inventories of raw materials, work in process, finished products, goods, spare
parts and replacement and component parts (collectively, "Inventories") are of
such quality and quantity as to be usable in the ordinary course of business,
and (b) Inventories that are finished goods are usable and saleable in the
ordinary course of business.
SECTION 3.26 Receivables. The receivables of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (including accounts receivable, loans receivable and advances) have
arisen only from bona fide transactions in the ordinary course of business
consistent (in amount and kind) with past practice. There has not been any
material adverse change in the collectibility of such receivables since the date
of the most recent consolidated balance sheet included in the Filed SEC
Documents. Section 3.26 of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of
all such receivables which are more than 30 days past due as of June 30, 2002,
and of all such receivables classified as doubtful accounts as of June 30, 2002.
SECTION 3.27 Product Warranties. Section 3.27 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule sets forth a description of the standard warranties offered by each of
the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to its products or services (other
than warranties under Applicable Law, if any). Section 3.27 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list as of the date hereof of all pending or,
to the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' knowledge, threatened product
warranty claims against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
SECTION 3.28 Order Backlog. A true, correct and complete list of (a) all
firm product and service purchase orders and contracts for the sale of goods or
the delivery of services by the Company or any Subsidiary to Persons other than
Governmental Entities, and (b) all firm funded product and service purchase
orders and contracts for the sale of goods or the delivery of
36
services by the Company or any Subsidiary to Governmental Entities
(collectively, the "Backlog") pending as of the latest practical date prior to
the date of this Agreement is set forth in Section 3.28 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule.
SECTION 3.29 No Retention Agreements, etc. Except as set forth in Section
3.29 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there are no retention agreements,
severance agreements, change of control Contracts and similar arrangements to
which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any employee,
consultant or other Person, on the other hand, are a party.
SECTION 3.30 Power of Attorney/Bank Accounts. Section 3.30 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule sets forth the names and locations of (a) each Person
holding a power of attorney on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
and (b) all banks, trust companies, brokerage firms or other financial
institutions at which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries maintains an
account or safe-deposit box and the name of each Person authorized to draw
thereon or make withdrawals therefrom.
SECTION 3.31 Disclosure. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
has knowingly failed to disclose to Parent any fact that could reasonably be
expected to have Company Material Adverse Effect. No representation or warranty
of the Company contained in this Agreement (including the Company Disclosure
Schedule) contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact, or
omits or will omit to state any material fact necessary, in light of the
circumstances under which it was or will be made, in order to make the
statements herein or therein not misleading in any material respect.
SECTION 3.32 State Takeover Statutes. The approval of the Merger and the
Stockholders Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby by the Board of
Directors of the Company referred to in Section 3.04 constitutes approval of the
Merger and the Stockholders Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby
for purposes of Sections 78.411 to 78.444, inclusive, of the NRS and represents
the only action necessary to ensure that Sections 78.411 to 78.444, inclusive,
of the NRS do not and will not apply to the execution and delivery of this
Agreement or the Stockholders Agreement or the consummation of the Merger or the
other transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. No other state takeover or
similar statute or regulation (including Sections 78.378 to 78.3793, inclusive,
of the NRS) of any jurisdiction (including Nevada, Louisiana, Texas and
Oklahoma) is applicable to this Agreement, the Merger, the Stockholders
Agreement or the other transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
SECTION 3.33 Voting Requirements. The affirmative vote at the Stockholders
Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof of the holders of a majority
of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock in favor of adopting this
Agreement (the "Stockholder Approval") is the only vote of the holders of any
class or series of the Company's capital stock necessary to approve or adopt
this Agreement, the Merger or the consummation of the other transactions
contemplated hereby. For purposes of the Stockholder Approval, each outstanding
share of Company Common Stock is entitled to one vote.
SECTION 3.34 Brokers; Schedule of Fees and Expenses. No broker, investment
banker, financial advisor or other person, other than New York Capital Corp.,
the fees and
37
expenses of which will be paid by the Company, is entitled to any broker's,
finder's, financial advisor's or other similar fee or commission, or the
reimbursement of expenses, in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement or the Stockholders Agreement based upon arrangements made by or
on behalf of the Company. The Company has delivered to Parent true and complete
copies of all agreements under which any such fees or expenses are payable and
all indemnification and other agreements related to the engagement of the
persons to whom such fees are payable. The fees and expenses of any accountant,
broker, financial advisor, consultant, legal counsel or other person retained by
the Company in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby incurred or to be incurred by the Company in connection with this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not exceed
the fees and expenses set forth and identified by category of advisor in Section
3.34 of the Company Disclosure Schedule.
SECTION 3.35 Opinion of Financial Advisor. The Company has received the
written opinion of New York Capital Corp., in customary form and based on
customary assumptions, to the effect that the Merger Consideration to be
received by the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Merger is fair to
such stockholders from a financial point of view as of the date hereof, a copy
of which opinion has been delivered to Parent. The Company has delivered to
Parent a true, correct and complete copy of such opinion, which opinion shall be
included in the Proxy Statement.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND SUB
Parent and Sub represent and warrant to the Company as follows:
SECTION 4.01 Organization. Each of Parent and Sub is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its organization and has all requisite corporate power and
authority to carry on its business as now being conducted.
SECTION 4.02 Authority; Noncontravention.
(a) Parent and Sub have the requisite corporate power and authority to
execute and deliver this Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement, to consummate
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement
and to comply with the provisions of this Agreement and the Stockholders
Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Stockholders
Agreement by Parent and Sub, the consummation by Parent and Sub of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement and
the compliance by Parent and Sub with the provisions of this Agreement and the
Stockholders Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action on the part of Parent and Sub and no other corporate proceedings on the
part of Parent or Sub are necessary to authorize this Agreement or the
Stockholders Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or the Stockholders Agreement. Each of this Agreement and the
Stockholders Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Parent and Sub,
as applicable, and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by
the Company, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of Parent and Sub, as
applicable,
38
enforceable against Parent and Sub, as applicable, in accordance with its terms,
except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws.
(b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Stockholders
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement and compliance by Parent and Sub with
the provisions of this Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement do not and will
not conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of, or default (with or
without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of, or
result in, termination, cancellation or acceleration of any obligation or to a
loss of a material benefit under, or result in the creation of any Lien in or
upon any of the properties or assets of Parent or Sub under, or give rise to any
increased, additional, accelerated or guaranteed rights or entitlements under,
any provision of (i) the articles of incorporation or bylaws (or similar
organizational documents) of Parent or Sub, (ii) any Contract to which Parent or
Sub is party or any of their respective properties or assets is subject, or
(iii) subject to the governmental filings and other matters referred to in the
following sentence, any Applicable Law applicable to Parent or Sub or any of
their respective properties or assets, other than, in the case of clauses (ii)
and (iii), any such conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults, rights, losses,
Liens or entitlements that individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably
be expected to impair in any material respect the ability of each of Parent and
Sub to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the Stockholders
Agreement or prevent or materially impede, interfere with, hinder or delay the
consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the
Stockholders Agreement.
(c) No Consent is required by or with respect to Parent or Sub in
connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Stockholders
Agreement by Parent and Sub, the consummation by Parent and Sub of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Stockholders Agreement or the
compliance by Parent or Sub with the provisions of this Agreement or the
stockholders Agreement, except for (i) any filings required under any applicable
competition, merger control, antitrust or similar law, (ii) the filing of the
Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada and
appropriate documents with the relevant authorities of other states in which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is qualified to do business, and (iii) such
other Consents, the failure of which other Consents to be obtained or made
individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to impair in
any material respect the ability of each of Parent and Sub to perform its
obligations under this Agreement or prevent or materially impede, interfere
with, hinder or delay the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.
SECTION 4.03 Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to
be supplied by Parent or Sub specifically for inclusion or incorporation by
reference in the Proxy Statement will, at the date the Proxy Statement is first
mailed to the Company's stockholders or at the time of the Stockholders Meeting,
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not
misleading.
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ARTICLE V
COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
SECTION 5.01 Conduct of Business.
(a) Conduct of Business by the Company. During the period from the
date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, except with the prior written
consent of Parent or as expressly and specifically contemplated by this
Agreement or as expressly and specifically set forth in Section 5.01(a) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries
to, carry on their respective businesses in the ordinary course consistent with
past practice and to comply with all Applicable Laws in all material respects
and, to the extent consistent therewith, use their reasonable best efforts to
keep available the services of their present officers and employees and to
preserve their assets and technology and preserve their relationships with
customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees, distributors and others having
business dealings with them. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
during the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, except
with the prior written consent of Parent or as expressly and specifically
contemplated by this Agreement or as expressly and specifically set forth in
Section 5.01(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company shall not, and
shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to:
(i) (A) declare, set aside or pay any dividends on, or make any
other distributions (whether in cash, stock or property) in respect of, any of
its capital stock, except for dividends by a direct or indirect wholly owned
Subsidiary of the Company to its parent, (B) split, reverse split, combine or
reclassify any of its capital stock or issue or authorize the issuance of any
other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for shares of its
capital stock, or (C) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of
capital stock or any other securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries or any
options, warrants, calls or rights to acquire any such shares or other
securities (including any Stock Option, Warrant or Convertible Note);
(ii) issue, deliver, sell, pledge or otherwise encumber any
shares of its capital stock, any other voting securities or any securities
convertible into, or exchangeable for, or any options, warrants, calls or rights
to acquire, any such shares, voting securities or convertible, exercisable or
exchangeable securities (other than the issuance of shares of Company Common
Stock upon the exercise of Stock Options, Warrants or the conversion of
Convertible Notes outstanding on the date of this Agreement and in accordance
with their present terms);
(iii) amend or propose to amend its articles of incorporation or
bylaws (or similar organizational documents);
(iv) acquire or agree to acquire (A) by merging or consolidating
with, or by purchasing a substantial portion of the assets of, or by purchasing
all of or a substantial equity interest in, or by any other manner, any business
or any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture,
association or other entity or division thereof, or (B) any assets other than
acquisitions in the ordinary course of business consistent (in amount and kind)
with past practice of inventory, components, raw materials or other immaterial
assets;
40
(v) sell, lease, license, sell and leaseback, mortgage or
otherwise encumber or subject to any Lien or otherwise dispose of any of its
properties or assets (including any shares of capital stock, voting securities
or other rights, instruments or securities), except sales of inventory or used
equipment, in each case in the ordinary course of business consistent (in amount
and kind) with past practice;
(vi) (A) except for the incurrence of Indebtedness under and
pursuant to the Credit Facility, repurchase, prepay, incur or assume any
Indebtedness or guarantee any Indebtedness of another person or issue or sell
any debt securities or options, warrants, calls or other rights to acquire any
debt securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, guarantee any debt
securities of another person, enter into any "keep well" or other agreement to
maintain any financial statement condition of another person or enter into any
arrangement having the economic effect of any of the foregoing (it being
understood and agreed that the exception contained in this clause (A) shall not
be in limitation of Section 5.03), or (B) make any loans, advances or capital
contributions to, or investments in, any other Person, other than the Company or
any direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company;
(vii) make any new capital expenditure or expenditures, or incur
any obligations or liabilities in connection therewith, which is in excess of
$25,000 individually or $45,000 during any monthly period;
(viii) (A) pay, discharge, settle or satisfy any claims
(including claims of stockholders), liabilities or obligations (whether
absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise), other than
the payment, discharge or satisfaction in the ordinary course of business
consistent (in amount and kind) with past practice or as required by their terms
as in effect on the date of this Agreement, of claims, liabilities or
obligations reflected or reserved against in the most recent audited financial
statements (or the notes thereto) of the Company included in the Filed SEC
Documents (for amounts not in excess of such reserves) or incurred since the
date of such financial statements in the ordinary course of business consistent
(in amount and kind) with past practice, (B) waive, release, grant or transfer
any right of material value, or (C) waive any benefits of, or agree to modify in
any adverse respect, or fail to enforce, any confidentiality, standstill or
similar agreement to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party;
(ix) (A) enter into any Contract or make a bid or proposal which
was or is expected to result in a loss; (B) enter into any Contract (or group of
related Contracts with the same Person or such Person's Affiliates) involving
payments to be made or received by or to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
in excess of $500,000 per annum; (C) modify, amend or terminate any Contract
(including the Credit Facility); or (D) waive, release or assign any material
rights or claims under any Contract;
(x) change its fiscal year, revalue any of its material assets
or, except as required by GAAP, make any changes in accounting or auditing
methods, principles or practices; or
(xi) except as required to comply with Applicable Law or any
Contract, Benefit Plan or Benefit Agreement existing on the date of this
Agreement, (A) increase in any
41
manner the compensation or fringe benefits of, or pay any bonus to, any current
or former director, officer, employee or consultant of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, (B) pay to any current or former director, officer, employee or
consultant of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries any benefit other than the
payment of cash compensation in the ordinary course of business consistent (in
amount and kind) with past practice, (C) grant any awards under any Benefit Plan
(including the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock based or
stock related awards, performance units or restricted stock or the removal of
existing restrictions in any Contract, Benefit Plan or Benefit Agreement or
awards made thereunder), (D) take any action to fund or in any other way secure
the payment of compensation or benefits under any Contract, Benefit Plan or
Benefit Agreement, or (E) take any action to accelerate the vesting or payment
of any compensation or benefit under any Contract, Benefit Plan or Benefit
Agreement;
(xii) form any Subsidiary of the Company;
(xiii) enter into any Contract if consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby or compliance by the Company with the
provisions of this Agreement will violate or conflict with, or result in any
violation or breach of, or default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or
both) under, or give rise to a right of, or result in, termination, cancellation
or acceleration of any obligation or to loss of a material benefit under, or
result in the creation of any Lien in or upon any of the properties or assets of
the Company or Parent or any of their respective Subsidiaries under, or give
rise to any increased, additional, accelerated or guaranteed rights or
entitlements under, any provision of such Contract;
(xiv) take any action (or omit to take any action) if such action
(or omission) would or could reasonably be expected to result in (A) any
representation and warranty of the Company set forth in this Agreement that is
qualified as to materiality becoming untrue, (B) any such representation and
warranty that is not so qualified becoming untrue in any material respect, or
(C) any condition to the Merger set forth in Article VII not being satisfied;
(xv) adopt or enter into any employment agreement or any
collective bargaining agreement or other labor union contract applicable to the
employees of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof or terminate, either
expressly or constructively, the employment of any employee of the Company or
any Subsidiary thereof that has an employment, severance or similar agreement or
arrangement with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(xvi) maintain insurance at less than current levels or otherwise
in a manner inconsistent (in amount and kind) with past practice;
(xvii) commence any suit, claim, action or proceeding (other than
a suit, claim, action or proceeding in connection with the collection of
accounts receivable, to enforce the terms of this Agreement or as a result of a
suit, action or proceeding commenced against the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries); or
(xviii) authorize any of, or commit, resolve or agree to take any
of, the foregoing actions.
(b) Certain Tax Matters. During the period from the date of this
Agreement to the Effective Time, (i) the Company and each of its Subsidiaries
shall timely file all Federal,
42
state and local, domestic and foreign, income and franchise tax returns and
reports and all other material tax returns and reports ("Post-Signing Returns")
required to be filed by each such entity (after taking into account any
extensions) and all Post-Signing Returns shall be complete and correct; (ii) the
Company and each of its Subsidiaries will timely pay all taxes due and payable
in respect of such Post-Signing Returns that are so filed; (iii) the Company
will accrue a reserve in its books and records and financial statements in
accordance with past practice for all taxes payable by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries for which no Post-Signing Return is due prior to the Effective
Time; (iv) the Company and each of its Subsidiaries promptly will notify Parent
of any suit, claim, action, investigation, proceeding or audit pending against
or with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of any tax
and will not settle or compromise any such suit, claim, action, investigation,
proceeding or audit; and (v) none of the Company and its Subsidiaries will make
or change any material tax election without Parent's consent.
(c) Advice of Changes; Filings. The Company and each of its
Subsidiaries shall (i) confer on a regular and frequent basis with Parent to
report on operational matters and other matters requested by Parent, and (ii)
promptly advise Parent orally and in writing of any change or event that could
reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Upon obtaining
knowledge thereof, the Company shall give prompt notice to Parent of any
representation or warranty made by it contained in this Agreement becoming
untrue or inaccurate such that the condition set forth in Section 7.02(a) would
not be satisfied. The Company and Parent shall each promptly provide the other
copies of all filings made by such party with any Governmental Entity in
connection with this Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
(d) Litigation. The Company shall provide to Parent immediate written
notice and copies of all pleadings and correspondence in connection with any
suit, claim, action, investigation or proceeding before or by a Governmental
Entity against the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective
directors or officers relating to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
(e) Other Actions. Subject to Section 5.02(a), neither the Company nor
its Board of Directors shall take any action that would, or that could
reasonably be expected to, prevent or materially impede, interfere with, hinder
or delay the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, the Stockholders Agreement or have the effective result, directly or
indirectly, of depriving Parent of any material right or benefit to which it is
entitled hereunder or under the Stockholders Agreement.
SECTION 5.02 No Solicitation.
(a) The Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, or authorize or permit any director, officer or employee of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries or any investment banker, attorney, accountant or other
advisor or representative of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to, directly
or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate or encourage, or take any other action
knowingly to facilitate, any Takeover Proposal or any inquiries or the making of
any proposal that constitutes or could reasonably be expected to lead to a
Takeover Proposal, or (ii) enter into, continue or otherwise participate in any
discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any person any information
with respect to, or otherwise cooperate in any way with,
43
any Takeover Proposal; provided, however, that at any time prior to obtaining
the Stockholder Approval, the Board of Directors of the Company may, in response
to a bona fide written Takeover Proposal that such Board of Directors reasonably
determines in good faith by resolution duly adopted constitutes a Superior
Proposal, and which Takeover Proposal was unsolicited and did not otherwise
result from a breach of this Agreement (including this Section 5.02), and
subject to compliance with Sections 5.02(b) and 5.02(c), (A) furnish information
with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries to the person making such
Takeover Proposal (and its representatives) pursuant to a confidentiality
agreement having terms that are at least as favorable to the Company as the
terms contained in the Confidentiality Agreement, provided that all such
information is provided on a prior basis to Parent, and (B) participate in
discussions or negotiations with the person making such Takeover Proposal (and
its representatives) regarding such Takeover Proposal, but in each case only to
the extent the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith, after
consultation with outside counsel, by resolution duly adopted, that the failure
to take such action would constitute a breach of the fiduciary duties of the
Board of Directors of the Company under Applicable Law. Without limiting the
foregoing, it is understood that any violation of the restrictions set forth in
this Section 5.02(a) by any director, officer or employee of the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries or any investment banker, attorney, accountant or other
advisor or representative of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall be
deemed to be a breach of this Section 5.02(a) by the Company.
The term "Takeover Proposal" means any inquiry, proposal or offer from
any person (other than by Parent or Sub) relating to any direct or indirect
acquisition, in one transaction or a series of transactions, including any
merger, consolidation, tender offer, exchange offer, stock acquisition, asset
acquisition, binding share exchange, business combination, recapitalization,
liquidation, dissolution, joint venture or similar transaction, of (1) assets or
businesses that constitute or represent 15% or more of the total revenue,
operating income, EBITDA or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as
a whole, or (2) 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock,
or 15% or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other equity or
voting interests in, any of the Company's Subsidiaries directly or indirectly
holding, individually or taken together, the assets or businesses referred to in
clause (1) above, in each case other than the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement.
The term "Superior Proposal" means any bona fide binding written offer
not solicited, initiated, facilitated or encouraged by or on behalf of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries made by a third party that if consummated
would result in such third party (or in the case of a direct merger between such
third party and the Company, the stockholders of such third party) acquiring,
directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the voting power of the Company Common
Stock or all or substantially all the assets of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, for consideration consisting of cash and/or
securities that the Board of Directors of the Company determines in its good
faith judgment by resolution duly adopted (after consultation with a financial
advisor of nationally recognized reputation) (x) to have a higher value than the
consideration to be received by the Company's stockholders in connection with
the Merger, taking into account, among other things, any changes to the terms of
this Agreement proposed by Parent in response to such Superior Proposal or
otherwise, and (y) is reasonably capable of being consummated.
44
(b) Neither the Board of Directors of the Company nor any committee
thereof shall: (i) withdraw (or modify in a manner adverse to Parent or Sub) or
propose publicly to withdraw (or modify in a manner adverse to Parent or Sub)
the recommendation or declaration of advisability by such Board of Directors or
any such committee of this Agreement or the Merger, or resolve or agree to take
any such action (any such action or any such resolution or agreement to take
such action being referred to herein as an "Adverse Recommendation Change"),
unless the Board of Directors of the Company (A) receives a Takeover Proposal
that such Board of Directors reasonably determines in good faith by resolution
duly adopted constitutes a Superior Proposal, and which Takeover Proposal was
unsolicited and did not otherwise result from a breach of this Agreement
(including this Section 5.02), (B) reasonably determines in good faith, after
consultation with outside counsel, by resolution duly adopted, that the failure
to make an Adverse Recommendation Change in connection with such Superior
Proposal would constitute a breach of its fiduciary duties under Applicable Law,
and (C) gives Parent five business days' prior written notice of its intention
to take any such action (it being understood and agreed that no such permitted
Adverse Recommendation Change shall change the approval of the Board of
Directors of the Company for purposes of causing any state takeover statute or
other state law to be inapplicable to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Stockholder Agreement (including the Merger), or change the
obligation of the Company to present the Merger for approval at a duly called
Stockholders Meeting on the earliest practicable date determined in consultation
with Parent); (ii) recommend, adopt or approve, or propose publicly to
recommend, adopt or approve, any Takeover Proposal, or resolve or agree to take
any such action; or (iii) cause or permit the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
to enter into any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, agreement in
principle, acquisition agreement, merger agreement, option agreement, joint
venture agreement, partnership agreement or other agreement (each, an
"Acquisition Agreement") constituting or related to, or which is intended to or
is reasonably likely to lead to, any Takeover Proposal (other than a
confidentiality agreement referred to in Section 5.02(a)) or resolve or agree to
take any such action.
(c) In addition to the obligations of the Company set forth in
Sections 5.02(a) and 5.02(b), the Company promptly shall (but in any event
within one calendar day) advise Parent in writing (i) of any direct or indirect
request for information that the Company reasonably believes could lead to or
contemplates a Takeover Proposal or of any Takeover Proposal, or any inquiry the
Company reasonably believes could lead to any Takeover Proposal, the specific
terms and conditions of such request, Takeover Proposal or inquiry (including
any subsequent material amendment or modification to such terms and conditions)
and the identity of the person making any such request, Takeover Proposal or
inquiry, and (ii) if the Board of Directors of the Company shall make any
determination as to any Takeover Proposal as contemplated by the proviso to the
first sentence of Section 5.02(a). The Company shall keep Parent informed on a
current basis of the status and specific details (including material amendments
or proposed amendments) of any such request, Takeover Proposal or inquiry.
(d) Nothing contained in this Section 5.02 or elsewhere in this
Agreement shall prohibit the Company from (i) taking and disclosing to its
stockholders a position contemplated by Rule 14e-2(a) promulgated under the
Exchange Act, or (ii) making any disclosure to the Company's stockholders if the
Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith, after consultation
with outside counsel, by resolution duly adopted, that the failure so to
disclose would be inconsistent with Applicable Law; provided, however, that in
no event
45
shall the Company or its Board of Directors or any committee thereof take, agree
or resolve to take any action prohibited by Section 5.02(b).
(e) If prior to the Stockholder Approval, the Board of Directors of
the Company receives a Takeover Proposal that such Board of Directors reasonably
determines in good faith by resolution duly adopted constitutes a Superior
Proposal and that was not solicited, initiated, facilitated or encouraged after
the date of this Agreement in violation of this Agreement, then the Board of
Directors of the Company may (subject to this and the following sentences of
this Section 5.02(e)) terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.01(f) and
enter into a definitive acquisition agreement with respect to such Takeover
Proposal; provided, however, that, prior to any such termination, (i) the
Company has provided Parent written notice that it intends to terminate this
Agreement pursuant to Section 8.01(f), identifying the Takeover Proposal then so
determined to be a Superior Proposal and the parties thereto and all of the
material terms thereof, (ii) the Company has delivered a copy of the definitive
acquisition agreement for such Takeover Proposal in the form to be entered into,
and (iii) at least five days after the Company has provided the notice referred
to in clause (i) above and at least 48 hours after the Company has made the
delivery required in clause (ii) above (provided such Board of Directors
reasonably determines in good faith by resolution duly adopted that such
Takeover Proposal continues to be a Superior Proposal), the Company delivers to
Parent (A) a written notice of termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section
8.01(f), and (B) the Termination Fee (as provided in Section 8.03(b)). For
purposes of this Section 5.02(e), the term "Takeover Proposal" shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 8.03(b)(i)(B).
SECTION 5.03 Indebtedness. The Company will take all actions necessary to
ensure that the condition precedent set forth in Section 7.02 (f) will be
satisfied. In addition, during the period commencing on the Balance Sheet Date
and ending on the Closing Date, the Company shall not (and the Company shall
cause all of its Subsidiaries to not) incur any Indebtedness (other than for
interest accruing during such period under and pursuant to the terms of those
instruments governing the Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
existing on the Balance Sheet Date).
ARTICLE VI
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
SECTION 6.01 Preparation of the Proxy Statement; Stockholders Meeting.
(a) As promptly as reasonably practicable following the date of this
Agreement, the Company shall prepare and file with the SEC the Proxy Statement
and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to respond as promptly as
practicable to any comments of the SEC with respect thereto and to cause the
Proxy Statement to be mailed to the Company's stockholders as promptly as
reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement. The Company shall
promptly notify Parent upon the receipt of any comments from the SEC or its
staff or any request from the SEC or its staff for amendments or supplements to
the Proxy Statement and shall provide Parent with copies of all correspondence
between the Company and its representatives, on the one hand, and the SEC and
its staff, on the other hand. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary stated
above, prior to filing or mailing the Proxy Statement (or any amendment thereof
or supplement thereto) or responding to any comments of
46
the SEC with respect thereto, the Company shall (i) provide Parent an
opportunity to review, comment on and approve such document or response, (ii)
include in such document or response all comments reasonably proposed by Parent
and (iii) not file or mail such document or respond to the SEC prior to
receiving Parent's approval.
(b) The Company shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable following
the date of this Agreement, establish a record date (which will be as promptly
as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement) for, duly call,
give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of its stockholders (the
"Stockholders Meeting") for the purpose of obtaining the Stockholder Approval,
regardless of whether the Board of Directors of the Company determines at any
time that this Agreement is no longer advisable and recommends that the
stockholders of the Company reject it or any other Adverse Recommendation Change
has occurred. The Company shall cause the Stockholders Meeting to be held as
promptly as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement, but in any
event shall be on the 9th business day of a month. Subject to Section
5.02(b)(i), the Company shall, through its Board of Directors, recommend to its
stockholders that they adopt this Agreement, and shall include such
recommendation in the Proxy Statement. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Company agrees that its obligations pursuant to this Section
6.01(b) shall not be affected by the commencement, public proposal, public
disclosure or communication to the Company or any other person of any Takeover
Proposal.
SECTION 6.02 Access to Information; Confidentiality. The Company shall, and
shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, afford to Parent, and to Parent's
officers, employees, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants and other
advisors and representatives, full access during normal business hours during
the period prior to the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement
pursuant to Article VIII to all their respective properties, books, contracts,
commitments, directors, officers, employees, attorneys, accountants, auditors
(and, to the extent within the Company's control, former auditors), other
advisors and representatives and records and, during such period, the Company
shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, make available to Parent (a)
a copy of each report, schedule, form, statement and other document filed or
received by it during such period pursuant to the requirements of Applicable
Law, and (b) all other information concerning its business, properties and
personnel as Parent may reasonably request (including the work papers of
independent public accountants). Except as required by Applicable Law, Parent
will hold, and will direct its officers, employees, investment bankers,
attorneys, accountants and other advisors and representatives to hold, any and
all information received from the Company, directly or indirectly, in confidence
in accordance with the Confidentiality Agreement, dated October 6, 2000, between
Parent and Quarterdeck Investment Partners, Inc. (as it may be amended from time
to time, the "Confidentiality Agreement").
SECTION 6.03 Reasonable Best Efforts; Notification.
(a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement, each of the parties agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to
take, or cause to be taken, all actions that are necessary, proper or advisable
to consummate and make effective the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement, including using
its reasonable best efforts to accomplish the following: (i) the taking of all
acts necessary to cause the conditions precedent set forth in Article VII to be
satisfied; (ii) the
47
obtaining of all necessary actions, nonactions and Consents from Governmental
Entities and the making of all necessary registrations, declarations and filings
(including registrations, declarations and filings with Governmental Entities,
if any); (iii) the taking of all steps as may be necessary to avoid any suit,
claim, action, investigation or proceeding by any Governmental Entity; (iv) the
obtaining of all Consents from third parties; and (v) the defending of any suit,
claim, action, investigation or proceeding, whether judicial or administrative,
challenging or seeking to restrain or prohibit the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger. In connection
with and without limiting the foregoing, the Company and its Board of Directors
shall, if any state takeover statute or similar statute or regulation is or
becomes applicable to this Agreement, the Stockholders Agreement, the Merger or
any of the other transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, use their
reasonable best efforts to ensure that the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby may be consummated as promptly as practicable on
the terms contemplated by this Agreement and otherwise to minimize the effect of
such statute or regulation on this Agreement, the Stockholders Agreement, the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. The Company
and Parent will provide such assistance, information and cooperation to each
other as is reasonably required to obtain any actions, nonactions and Consents
referred to above and, in connection therewith, will notify the other party
promptly following the receipt of any comments from any Governmental Entity and
of any request by any Governmental Entity for amendments, supplements or
additional information in respect of any registration, declaration or filing
with such Governmental Entity and will supply the other party with copies of all
correspondence between such person or any of its representatives, on the one
hand, and any Governmental Entity, on the other hand.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 6.03(a) or any other provision of this
Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall any party hereto be obligated to:
(i) agree to, or proffer to, divest or hold separate, or enter into any
licensing or similar arrangement with respect to, any assets (whether tangible
or intangible) or any portion of any business of Parent, the Company or any of
their respective Subsidiaries; or (ii) litigate any suit, claim, action,
investigation or proceeding, whether judicial or administrative, (A) seeking to
prohibit or limit the ownership or operation by the Company, Parent or any of
their respective Affiliates of a material portion of the business or assets of
the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or Parent and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or to require any such person to dispose of or
hold separate any material portion of the business or assets of the Company and
its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, as a result of the Merger, or (B) seeking to prohibit Parent or any of
its Affiliates from effectively controlling a material portion of the business
or operations of the Company or its Subsidiaries.
(c) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company
shall give Parent the opportunity to participate in the defense of any
litigation against the Company and/or its directors relating to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 6.04 Indemnification.
(a) Parent agrees that all rights to indemnification now existing for
actions occurring prior to the Effective Time in favor of any individual who at
or prior to the Effective Time was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries (the
48
"Indemnified Parties") as provided in their respective articles of incorporation
or bylaws (or similar organizational documents), shall survive the Merger and
shall continue in full force and effect for a period of not less than six years
from the Effective Time unless otherwise required by law; provided, however,
that if any claim or claims are asserted or made within such six-year period,
all rights to indemnification in respect of any such claim or claims shall
continue until final disposition of any and all such claims.
(b) Parent agrees that the Company and, from and after the Effective
Time, the Surviving Corporation shall cause to be maintained in effect for not
less than three years (except as provided in the last proviso of this Section
6.04(b)) from the Effective Time the current policies of the directors' and
officers' liability insurance maintained by the Company; provided, however that
the Surviving Corporation may substitute therefor policies of at least the same
coverage containing terms and conditions which are not significantly less
advantageous to the beneficiaries of the current policies and provided that such
substitution shall not result in any gaps or lapses in coverage with respect to
matters occurring prior to the Effective Time; provided further, however that
the Surviving Corporation shall not be required to pay an annual premium in
excess of 150% of the last annual premium paid by the Company prior to the date
hereof (which the Company represents to be $42,000 for the 12-month period
ending March 31, 2003) and if the Surviving Corporation is unable to obtain the
insurance required by this Section 6.04(b) it shall obtain as much comparable
insurance as possible for an annual premium equal to such maximum amount.
SECTION 6.05 Employee Matters.
(a) For a period of at least 12 months following the Effective Date,
Parent shall provide (or shall cause the Surviving Corporation or its
Subsidiaries to provide) each employee who is employed by the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date (a "Continuing Employee") with
compensation and employee benefits (other than stock or other equity or
equity-linked based plans) which are substantially comparable in the aggregate
to those provided by the Company or such Subsidiary as of the date hereof. The
Company acknowledges that following the Effective Date all employee benefits
will be provided to employees of the Surviving Corporation under plans sponsored
by Parent or an Affiliate of Parent. Parent will use its reasonable best efforts
(i) to waive or have the Surviving Corporation waive any waiting period or
limitations regarding pre-existing conditions with respect to Continuing
Employees and their beneficiaries under any group health or other benefit plan
maintained by Parent for the benefit of any Continuing Employees after the
Effective Date, (ii) to credit any covered expenses incurred by any employee
under the Company's group health plan prior to the Effective Date towards any
deductibles, limits or out-of-pocket maximums under any group health plan
maintained by Parent for the benefit of any Continuing Employees after the
Effective Date, (iii) to credit the service of each Continuing Employee with the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the Effective Date for the purposes
of determining such Continuing Employee's years of service under plans
maintained by Parent for the benefit of any Continuing Employee after the
Effective Date, (iv) provide severance benefits to Continuing Employees
terminated without cause within 12 months of the Effective Date that are
substantially comparable to the severance that would have been provided by the
Company under the Company's severance plans in effect on the date hereof, and
(v) provide continuation health care coverage to all Continuing Employees and
their qualified beneficiaries who incur a qualifying event on and after the
49
Effective Date in accordance with the continuation health care coverage
requirements of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as
amended. In addition, Parent shall assume responsibility for the cafeteria plan
which is maintained under Section 125 of the Code for the benefit of the
Continuing Employees of the Company, and the Company shall provide to Parent
prior to the Effective Date a list of those Continuing Employees participating
in the cafeteria plan, together with a list of their elections made prior to the
Effective Date, and any balances in their respective accounts as of the
Effective Date.
(b) The Company will cause the Company's Retirement Savings 401(K)
Plan (the "Existing 401(K) Plan") to be amended to provide that the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be a distributable event under the Existing
401(K) Plan. Parent will amend its 401(K) Plan to accept rollover contributions
and direct rollovers from the Continuing Employees, including any outstanding
loans held under the Existing 401(K) Plan.
SECTION 6.06 Public Announcements. Parent and Sub, on the one hand, and the
Company, on the other hand, will, to the extent reasonably practicable, consult
with each other before issuing, and give each other a reasonable opportunity to
review and comment upon, any press release or other public statements with
respect to this Agreement, the Stockholders Agreement, the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and shall not issue any such press
release or make any such public statement prior to such consultation, except as
may be required by Applicable Law, court process or by obligations pursuant to
any listing agreement with any national securities exchange or national
securities quotation system. The parties agree that the initial press release to
be issued with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
the Stockholders Agreement shall be in the form heretofore agreed to by the
parties.
SECTION 6.07 Additional Reports. The Company timely shall file all SEC
Documents and Other Filings required to be filed by it with the SEC or other
Governmental Entities on or after the date of this Agreement, and promptly shall
furnish to Parent copies of such SEC Documents and Other Filings which it so
files.
SECTION 6.08 Pre-Closing Date Balance Sheet. The Company shall prepare and
deliver to Parent on or prior to the sixth business day of the month during
which the Closing will occur an unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the
Company and its Subsidiaries (the "Pre-Closing Date Balance Sheet") at and as of
the last day of the most recently completed calendar month ending immediately
preceding the Closing Date (the "Balance Sheet Date"), to be prepared as set
forth in this Section 6.08 using actual data through the Balance Sheet Date. The
Company shall provide to Parent any information and back-up materials reasonably
requested by Parent with respect thereto. The Pre-Closing Date Balance Sheet
shall be prepared applying GAAP on a basis consistent with the audited
consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries at and as of
March 31, 2002 included in the SEC Documents (the "March 31, 2002 Balance
Sheet") through full application of the accounting methods, treatments, policies
and procedures used by the Company in preparing the March 31, 2002 Balance
Sheet, shall fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial
position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof, and shall
contain changes in contract estimates at completion ("EACs") and estimates to
complete ("ETCs") determined on a basis consistent with the method
50
used for the determination of such amounts in the March 31, 2002 Balance Sheet,
except as modified or set forth in subparagraphs (i) through (vii) below in this
Section 6.08:
(i) Adjustment of Reserves and Valuation Accounts. The amount of
any reserve or valuation accounts shall be determined by applying methods,
practices, assumptions, policies, factors and underlying data consistent with
those used in determining the reserves or valuation accounts included in the
March 31, 2002 Balance Sheet, and there shall be no increases or decreases made
to any reserves or valuation accounts in the Pre-Closing Date Balance Sheet
(including contract reserves, purchase accounting reserves, deferred tax asset
valuation accounts, allowances for bad debts, inventory reserves of any kind,
warranty reserves, income tax reserves and other reserves), except to the extent
that such changes are required by documented and substantiated changes in facts
and events occurring after March 31, 2002 and on or before the Balance Sheet
Date and are not solely the result of changes in management estimates. It is
further understood that there shall be no increase in the Balance Sheet Date Net
Worth as a result of any reversal, reduction or other usage of reserves included
in the March 31, 2002 Balance Sheet unless such reversal, reduction or usage was
caused by facts or events that occurred after March 31, 2002, and on or before
the Balance Sheet Date; provided, however, that if such facts causing such
reversal or reduction existed and applied to, and were known or should have been
known as of March 31, 2002, the reversals or reductions also shall be made to
the March 31, 2002 Balance Sheet for purposes of increasing the Target Net
Worth.
(ii) Contract Estimates at Completion. There shall be no changes
to the contract EACs from those contract EACs used in the preparation of the
March 31, 2002 Balance Sheet, except to the extent that such changes are
required by documented and substantiated changes in facts and events occurring
after March 31, 2002 and on or before the Balance Sheet Date and are not solely
the result of changes in management estimates. Notwithstanding subparagraph (vi)
below in this Section 6.08, it is further understood that if the contract EACs
used in preparation of the March 31, 2002 Balance Sheet are discovered to have
been incorrect because of estimating errors, of any kind, including because
certain costs were omitted from or included in those contract EACs, for whatever
reason(s), including misallocation of direct or indirect costs to such contract
EACs, such errors (including costs that were omitted from or included in the
contract EACs) in the preparation of the March 31, 2002 Balance Sheet shall be
corrected in the contract EACs used in the preparation of the Pre-Closing Date
Balance Sheet.
(iii) Loss Contracts. There shall be no changes made to the
provisions for loss contracts from those used in the preparation of the March
31, 2002 Balance Sheet, except to the extent that such changes are required by
documented and substantiated changes in facts and events occurring after March
31, 2002 and on or before the Balance Sheet Date and are not solely the result
of changes in management estimates. It is further understood that loss contract
reserves for contract bids and proposals and unexercised contract options of the
Company that were in a loss position and outstanding at March 31, 2002 and which
are awarded or exercised during the period between March 31, 2002 through and
including the Balance Sheet Date shall be accrued and included in the
Pre-Closing Date Balance Sheet.
(iv) Adjustment of Liability and Accrual Accounts. The amount of
all liability and accrual accounts, shall be determined by applying methods,
practices, assumptions,
51
policies, factors and underlying data consistent with those used in determining
such accounts included in the March 31, 2002 Balance Sheet, and there shall be
no changes made to any accounts, except to the extent that such changes are
required by documented and substantiated changes in facts and events occurring
after March 31, 2002 and on or before the Balance Sheet Date and are not solely
the result of changes in management estimates. It is further understood that
there shall be no increase in the Balance Sheet Date Net Worth as a result of
reversals or reductions of liability and accrual accounts, unless such reversal
or reduction was caused by facts or events that occur after March 31, 2002 and
on or before the Balance Sheet Date; provided, however, that if such facts
causing such reversal or reduction existed and applied to, and were known or
should have been known as of March 31, 2002, the reversals or reductions also
shall be made to the March 31, 2002 Balance Sheet for purposes of increasing the
Target Net Worth.
(v) Consistent Application of Accounting Policies, Methods and
Practices. The accounting policies, methods and practices and their related
applications used by the Company to prepare the Pre-Closing Date Balance Sheet
shall be consistent with those underlying the March 31, 2002 Balance Sheet. Use
of different or alternative accounting policies and methods that are otherwise
in accordance with GAAP is not permitted because such use violates this
consistency requirement. Specifically, the Company shall be precluded from
waiving or allowing "inconsistency" adjustments recorded by the Company during
the preparation of the Pre-Closing Date Balance Sheet on the basis of
"materiality" as the term is used and understood by the Company and Ernst &
Young LLP.
(vi) Accounting for Certain Assumed Liabilities. The Pre-Closing
Date Balance Sheet shall include liabilities required by GAAP for all assumed
obligations of the Company that accrue from March 31, 2002 to the Balance Sheet
Date including those that accrue because of the passage of time or the
achievement or reasonably expected achievement of a performance measurement,
even if such liabilities were not included in the March 31, 2002 Balance Sheet.
Examples of these types of liabilities include, but are not limited to
warranties, customer and vendor claims against the Company, litigation, taxes,
management incentive bonuses, profit sharing plans, employer matching
contributions for sponsored savings plans, and compensated absences (vacation
time, sick pay, etc.). Such liabilities shall be accrued on a pro rata basis as
of the Balance Sheet Date even if the Company's accounting policies, including
those accounting policies underlying the March 31, 2002 Balance Sheet, only
required that such liabilities be accrued at the end of the Company's fiscal
year.
(vii) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Notwithstanding GAAP
or the Company's accounting policies, there shall be no increases or decreases
to goodwill and other intangible assets from those used in preparation of the
March 31, 2002 Balance Sheet and included in the Target Net Worth.
The Company shall provide Parent such access to the books and records
of the Company and its Subsidiaries and appropriate employees of the Company as
may reasonably be required for the review of the Pre-Closing Date Balance Sheet.
52
ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
SECTION 7.01 Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger.
The respective obligation of each party to effect the Merger is subject to the
satisfaction or waiver on or prior to the Closing Date of the following
conditions:
(a) Stockholder Approval. The Stockholder Approval shall have been
obtained.
(b) Antitrust. Any waiting period (and any extension thereof)
applicable to the Merger under any applicable competition, merger control,
antitrust or similar law shall have been terminated or shall have expired.
(c) No Injunctions or Legal Restraints. No temporary restraining
order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order or decree issued by
any court of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition
(collectively, "Legal Restraints") which has the effect of preventing the
consummation of the Merger shall be in effect.
SECTION 7.02 Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Sub. The obligations
of Parent and Sub to effect the Merger are further subject to the satisfaction
or waiver on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. Each of the representations and
warranties of the Company contained herein that is qualified as to materiality
shall be true and correct, and each of the representations and warranties of the
Company contained herein that is not so qualified shall be true and correct in
all material respects (except that the representations and warranties of the
Company set forth in Section 3.02 shall be true and correct in all respects), in
each case as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date with the
same effect as though made as of the Closing Date except that the accuracy of
representations and warranties that by their terms speak as of a specified date
will be determined as of such date. Parent shall have received a certificate
signed on behalf of the Company by the chief executive officer and chief
financial officer of the Company to such effect.
(b) Performance of Obligations of the Company. The Company shall have
performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by
it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date, and Parent shall have
received a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by the chief executive
officer and the chief financial officer of the Company to such effect.
(c) No Litigation. There shall not be pending any suit, action or
proceeding brought by any Governmental Entity or any other third party (or any
such suit, action or proceeding threatened by any Governmental Entity): (i)
challenging or seeking to restrain or prohibit the consummation of the Merger;
(ii) seeking to prohibit or limit the ownership or operation by the Company,
Parent or any of their respective Affiliates of a material portion of the
business or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or
Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or to require any such person to
dispose of or hold separate any material portion of the business or assets of
the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
53
or Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as a result of the Merger;
(iii) seeking to impose limitations on the ability of Parent or any of its
Affiliates to acquire or hold, or exercise full rights of ownership of, any
shares of Company Common Stock, including the right to vote the Company Common
Stock on all matters properly presented to the stockholders of the Company; or
(iv) seeking to prohibit Parent or any of its Affiliates from effectively
controlling a material portion of the business or operations of the Company or
its Subsidiaries.
(d) Legal Restraint. No Legal Restraint that could reasonably be
expected to result, directly or indirectly, in any of the effects referred to in
clauses (i) through (iv) of Section 7.02(c) shall be in effect.
(e) Consents. Parent shall have received evidence, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to it, that Parent or the Company shall have
obtained all Consents of all Governmental Entities or third parties required in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
(f) Indebtedness. Parent shall have received evidence, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to it, that on the Balance Sheet Date: (a) the
aggregate Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated
basis, shall be not more than $4,593,000; or (b) the Balance Sheet Date Net
Worth shall be equal or greater to the sum of (i) the Adjusted Target Net Worth
as of the Balance Sheet Date plus (ii) the amount by which the aggregate
Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the Balance Sheet Date
exceeds $4,593,000. In addition, during the period commencing on the Balance
Sheet Date and ending on the Closing Date, neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries shall have incurred any Indebtedness (other than for interest
accruing during such period under and pursuant to the terms of those instruments
governing the Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries existing on
the Balance Sheet Date).
For purposes of this Agreement:
(i) "Adjusted Target Net Worth", as of any date, shall mean the
Target Net Worth as of such date minus $302,593. On the date of this Agreement,
the Adjusted Target Net Worth is equal to $11,705,000.
(ii) "Balance Sheet Date Net Worth" means, with respect to the
Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, (x) the excess of the
consolidated assets set forth on the Pre-Closing Date Balance Sheet over the
consolidated liabilities (excluding for purposes of this calculation (A) the
Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and (B) the aggregate
outstanding principal amount in respect of the Convertible Notes) set forth on
the Pre-Closing Date Balance Sheet, reduced by (y) the aggregate amount of cash
received by the Company in respect of Stock Options and Warrants exercised at
any time after March 31, 2002, if any.
(iii) "Indebtedness" shall mean, with respect to any Person, (A)
any indebtedness for borrowed money of such Person (including any interest
accruing on such indebtedness), (B) any capital lease obligations or any other
similar capital obligations of such Person, (C) any synthetic lease obligations
or any other similar lease obligations of such Person,
54
(D) any obligations of such Person under any derivative agreements or any other
similar agreements (including interest-rate, exchange-rate, commodity and
equity-linked agreements), (E) any obligations of such Person in respect of
off-balance-sheet agreements or transactions that are in the nature of, or in
substitution of, financings, and (F) any indebtedness or other obligations of
any other Person of the type specified in any of the foregoing clauses, the
payment or collection of which such Person has guaranteed or in respect of which
such Person is liable, contingently or otherwise, including liable by way of
agreement to purchase products or securities, to provide funds for payment, to
maintain working capital or other balance sheet conditions or otherwise to
assure a creditor against loss; provided, however, that, with respect to the
Company and its Subsidiaries, the term "Indebtedness" shall not include the
aggregate outstanding principal amount in respect of the Convertible Notes (it
being understood and agreed, however, that the term "Indebtedness" shall include
any accrued and unpaid interest on the Convertible Notes).
(iv) "Target Net Worth" shall mean $12,007,593 (i.e., the excess
of the consolidated assets set forth on the March 31, 2002 Balance Sheet over
the consolidated liabilities (excluding for purposes of this calculation the
Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries) set forth on the March 31,
2002 Balance Sheet), as such $12,007,593 amount may be increased from time to
time pursuant to, and in accordance with, the procedures set forth in Section
6.08.
(g) No Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of the latest audited
balance sheet included in the Filed SEC Documents, there shall not have occurred
any Company Material Adverse Effect.
(h) Dissenters' Rights. The aggregate number of shares of Company
Common Stock which are entitled to vote at the Stockholders Meeting and are held
of record by a Person or Persons who exercise their appraisal right under the
NRS to dissent from the proposed Merger, shall not exceed five percent (5%) of
the total number of issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock held
of record as of the record date for the Stockholders Meeting and entitled to
vote on the proposed Merger at such meeting.
(i) Convertible Securities. All the actions contemplated by Section
2.03 shall have been fully effected.
(j) Intercompany Agreements. All Intercompany Agreements shall have
been terminated and of no force and effect pursuant to termination agreements
satisfactory to Parent other than (A) those Intercompany Agreements between the
Company or any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, on the one hand, and any
wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, on the other hand, and (B) those
Intercompany Agreements listed in Section 7.02(j) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule.
(k) FIRPTA Certificate. The Company shall have executed and delivered
to Parent a certificate, dated the Closing Date and sworn under penalty of
perjury, in form and substance satisfactory to Parent.
55
(l) Base Period R&E Information. The Company shall have delivered to
Parent on the Company's letterhead, all information reasonably requested by
Parent relating to the Company's base period research and experimental expenses
and any other information reasonably requested by Parent to allow Parent to
claim research and experimental tax credits in accordance with the relevant
sections of the Code and the regulations prescribed pursuant to the Code.
(m) Pre-Closing Date Balance Sheet. The Company's covenants and
agreements set forth in Section 6.08 shall have been performed. The Pre-Closing
Date Balance Sheet shall have been prepared and delivered to Parent at least two
full business days prior to the Closing Date.
SECTION 7.03 Conditions to Obligation of the Company. The obligation of the
Company to effect the Merger is further subject to the satisfaction or waiver on
or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. Each of the representations and
warranties of Parent and Sub contained herein that is qualified as to
materiality shall be true and correct, and each of the representations and
warranties of Parent and Sub contained herein that is not so qualified shall be
true and correct in all material respects, in each case as of the date of this
Agreement and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as though made as of
the Closing Date except that the accuracy of representations and warranties that
by their terms speak as of a specified date will be determined as of such date.
The Company shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of Parent by an
authorized signatory of Parent to such effect.
(b) Performance of Obligations of Parent and Sub. Parent and Sub shall
have performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed
by them under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date, and the Company
shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of Parent by an authorized
signatory of Parent to such effect.
ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
SECTION 8.01 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated, and the Merger
contemplated hereby may be abandoned, at any time prior to the Effective Time,
whether before or after the Stockholder Approval has been obtained:
(a) by mutual written consent of Parent, Sub and the Company;
(b) by either Parent or the Company:
(i) if the Merger shall not have been consummated within 180 days
after the date of this Agreement for any reason; provided, however, that the
right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 8.01(b)(i) shall not be
available to any party whose action or failure to act has been a principal cause
of or resulted in the failure of the Merger to occur on or before such date and
such action or failure to act constitutes a breach of this Agreement;
56
(ii) if any Legal Restraint having the effect set forth in
Section 7.01(c) shall be in effect and shall have become final and
nonappealable; or
(iii) if the Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained at
the Stockholders Meeting duly convened therefor or at any adjournment or
postponement thereof.
(c) by Parent if: (i) an Adverse Recommendation Change has occurred;
or (ii) the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee thereof shall
have failed to confirm its recommendation and declaration of advisability of
this Agreement and the Merger within ten business days after a written request
by Parent that it do so;
(d) by Parent: (i) if the Company shall have breached in any material
respect any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements
contained in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform (A) would give
rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Section 7.02(a) or 7.02(b), and
(B) has not been or is incapable of being cured by the Company within 15
calendar days after its receipt of written notice thereof from Parent; or (ii)
if any Legal Restraint having any of the effects referred to in clauses (i)
through (iv) of Section 7.02(c) shall be in effect and shall have become final
and nonappealable;
(e) by the Company, if Parent shall have breached in any material
respect any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements
contained in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform (i) would give
rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Section 7.03(a) or 7.03(b), and
(ii) has not been or is incapable of being cured by Parent within 15 calendar
days after its receipt of written notice thereof from the Company;
(f) by the Company, if the Board of Directors of the Company shall
have approved, and the Company shall concurrently with such termination enter
into, a definitive agreement providing for the implementation of the
transactions contemplated by a Takeover Proposal that such Board of Directors
reasonably determines in good faith by resolution duly adopted constitutes a
Superior Proposal; provided, however, that (i) such Takeover Proposal was not
solicited, initiated, facilitated or encouraged by the Company and did not
otherwise result from a breach of Section 5.02, (ii) the Board of Directors of
the Company shall have complied with all the requirements of Section 5.02
(including Section 5.02(e)) in connection with such Takeover Proposal, and (iii)
no termination pursuant to this Section 8.01(f) shall be effective unless the
Company shall simultaneously pay to Parent the Termination Fee (as provided in
Section 8.03(b)). For purposes of this Section 8.01(f), the term "Takeover
Proposal" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.03(b)(i)(B).
SECTION 8.02 Effect of Termination. In the event of termination of this
Agreement by either the Company or Parent as provided in Section 8.01, this
Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect, without any liability
or obligation on the part of Parent, Sub or the Company, other than the
provisions of Section 3.34, Section 5.01(e), the last sentence of Section 6.02,
this Section 8.02, Section 8.03 and Article IX, which shall survive any such
termination. In addition and without limiting the foregoing, if such termination
results from a material breach by a party of any of its representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement, then such
termination shall not affect such party's liabilities or obligations in respect
of such material breach.
57
SECTION 8.03 Fees and Expenses.
(a) Whether or not the Merger is consummated, except as otherwise
provided herein, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with this
Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement
shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses.
(b) If: (i) (A) this Agreement is terminated by either Parent or the
Company pursuant to Section 8.01(b)(iii), and (B) within 12 months of the date
of such termination, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries enters into any
Acquisition Agreement with respect to, or consummates, any Takeover Proposal
(solely for purposes of this Section 8.03(b)(i)(B), the term "Takeover Proposal"
shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of Takeover Proposal
contained in Section 5.02(a) except that all references to 15% shall be deemed
references to 40%); (ii) this Agreement is terminated by Parent pursuant to
Section 8.01(c), or (iii) this Agreement is terminated by the Company pursuant
to Section 8.01(f), then the Company shall pay Parent a fee equal to $1,100,000
(the "Termination Fee") by wire transfer of same day funds to an account
designated by Parent (x) in the case of a termination by Parent pursuant to
Section 8.01(c), within two business days after such termination, (y) in the
case of a payment as a result of any event referred to in Section 8.03(b)(i)(B),
upon the first to occur of any such events, and (z) in the case of a termination
by the Company pursuant to Section 8.01(f), simultaneously with such
termination.
(c) If (i) this Agreement is terminated by either Parent or the
Company pursuant to Section 8.01(b)(iii), (ii) this Agreement is terminated by
the Company pursuant to Section 8.01(b)(i), (iii) this Agreement is terminated
by Parent pursuant to Section 8.01(c) or Section 8.01(d)(i), or (iv) this
Agreement is terminated by the Company pursuant to Section 8.01(f), then (in
addition to any Termination Fee to which Parent may be entitled to pursuant to
Section 8.03(b)) the Company shall reimburse Parent for all its reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred in connection with this Agreement
(including legal fees), the Stockholders Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby, which amount shall be payable by wire transfer
of same day funds within three business days of written demand therefor.
(d) The Company acknowledges that the agreements contained in Sections
8.03(b) and 8.03(c) are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, and that, without these agreements, Parent would not enter into
this Agreement. Accordingly, if the Company fails promptly to pay the amounts
due pursuant to Sections 8.03(b) and 8.03(c), and, in order to obtain such
payment, Parent commences a suit that results in a judgment against the Company
for the amounts set forth in Sections 8.03(b) and 8.03(c), the Company shall pay
to Parent its reasonable costs and expenses (including attorneys' fees and
expenses) in connection with such suit and any appeal relating thereto, together
with interest on the amounts set forth in Sections 8.03(b) and 8.03(c) at the
prime rate of Citibank, N.A. in effect on the date such payment was required to
be made.
SECTION 8.04 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto
at any time, whether before or after the Stockholder Approval has been obtained;
provided, however, that, after the Stockholder Approval has been obtained, there
shall be made
58
no amendment that by law requires further approval by stockholders of the
parties without the further approval of such stockholders. This Agreement may
not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of
the parties hereto.
SECTION 8.05 Extension; Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time,
the parties may (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the
obligations or other acts of the other parties, (b) waive any inaccuracies in
the representations and warranties contained herein or in any document delivered
pursuant hereto, or (c) waive compliance with any of the agreements or
conditions contained herein; provided, however, that, after the Stockholder
Approval has been obtained, there shall be made no waiver that by law requires
further approval by stockholders of the parties without the further approval of
such stockholders. Any agreement on the part of a party to any such extension or
waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on
behalf of such party. The failure or delay by any party to this Agreement to
assert any of its rights under this Agreement or otherwise shall not constitute
a waiver of such rights nor shall any single or partial exercise by any party to
this Agreement of any of its rights under this Agreement preclude any other or
further exercise of such rights or any other rights under this Agreement.
ARTICLE IX
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 9.01 Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties. None of the
representations and warranties in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered
pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time. This Section 9.01
shall not limit any covenant or agreement of the parties which by its terms
contemplates performance after the Effective Time.
SECTION 9.02 Notices. All notices, requests, demands, approvals, consents,
waivers and other communications required or permitted to be given under this
Agreement (each, a "Notice") shall be in writing and shall be (a) delivered
personally, (b) mailed by first-class, registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, (c) sent by next-day or overnight mail or
delivery, or (d) sent by facsimile transmission, provided that the original copy
thereof also is sent by pre-paid, first class certified or registered mail or by
next-day or overnight mail or personal delivery,
if to Parent or Sub, to
L-3 Communications Corporation
600 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Facsimile: (212) 805-5494
Attention: Christopher C. Cambria, Esq.
59
with a copy to:
Proskauer Rose LLP
1585 Broadway
New York, NY 10036-8299
Facsimile: (212) 969-2900
Attention: James P. Gerkis, Esq.
if to the Company, to
Westwood Corporation
12402 E. 60th Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74146
Facsimile: (918) 294-0540
Attention: Ernest H. McKee
with a copy to:
Conner & Winters
A Professional Corporation
3700 First Place Tower
15 E. 5th Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103-4344
Facsimile: (918) 586-8548
Attention: C. Raymond Patton, Jr., Esq.
or, in each case, at such other address as may be specified in a Notice to the
other parties hereto. Any Notice shall be deemed effective and given upon
receipt (or refusal of receipt).
SECTION 9.03 Definitions.
(a) Capitalized and other defined terms shall have the respective
meanings ascribed thereto in the sections of this Agreement referred to in the
table of definitions contained in this Agreement.
(b) As used in this Agreement:
"Affiliate" of any person means another person that directly or
indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or
is under common control with, such first person.
"Applicable Law" means, with respect to any Person, any and all
provisions of any and all (i) constitutions, treaties, statutes, laws (including
the common law), rules, regulations, ordinances or codes of any Governmental
Entity applicable to such Person or any of is assets, (ii) Permits applicable to
such Person or any of its assets, and (iii) orders, decisions,
60
injunctions, judgments, awards and decrees of or agreements with any
Governmental Entity, in each case in this clause (iii) specifically naming or
applicable to such Person or any of its assets.
"EBITDA" means, for any period of time, the sum for the Company and
its Subsidiaries, calculated in accordance with GAAP, of (i) net sales for such
period, minus (ii) costs of sales for such period, minus (iii) operating
expenses for such period; provided, however; that EBITDA shall in any event
exclude (A) depreciation and amortization expenses, (B) interest expense, (C)
extraordinary items, (D) income taxes exclusive of franchise taxes, and (E) all
gains or losses in connection with sales or dispositions of assets and
investments not in the ordinary course of business.
"Knowledge" or "knowledge" of any Person and words or phrases of
similar import, means, with respect to any Person, the knowledge of such Person
after due inquiry.
"Person" or "person" means an individual, corporation, partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture, association, trust, Governmental
Entity, unincorporated organization or other entity.
"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, each corporation or
other Person in which such Person owns or controls, directly or indirectly,
capital stock or other equity interests representing at least 50% of the
outstanding voting stock or other equity interests.
SECTION 9.04 Interpretation.
(a) When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article or to a
Section, Subsection, Exhibit or Schedule, such reference shall be to an Article
of, a Section or Subsection of, or an Exhibit or Schedule to, this Agreement
unless otherwise indicated. The table of contents and headings contained in this
Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words "include",
"includes" or "including" are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be
followed by the words "without limitation". The words "hereof", "herein" and
"hereunder" and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer
to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this
Agreement. The words "date hereof" shall refer to the date of this Agreement.
The term "or" is not exclusive. The word "extent" in the phrase "to the extent"
shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase
shall not mean simply "if". The definitions contained in this Agreement are
applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms. Any
agreement or instrument defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or
instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement or instrument as from
time to time amended, modified or supplemented. References to a person are also
to its permitted successors and assigns.
(b) The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation
and drafting of the Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or
interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly
by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise
favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the
provisions of this Agreement.
61
SECTION 9.05 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed with counterpart
signature pages, or in one or more counterparts (including by telecopy), all of
which counterparts shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall
become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the
parties and delivered to the other parties.
SECTION 9.06 Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement
(a) 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, except for the Confidentiality Agreement and
any agreement entered into by the parties on the date of this Agreement, and (b)
except for the provisions of Section 6.04, is not intended to confer upon any
person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies.
SECTION 9.07 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without giving
effect to conflicts of laws rules.
SECTION 9.08 Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,
interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by
operation of law or otherwise by any of the parties without the prior written
consent of the other parties, except that Sub may assign, in its sole
discretion, any of or all its rights, interests and obligations under this
Agreement to Parent or to any direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of
Parent, but no such assignment shall relieve Sub of any of its obligations
hereunder. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding
upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the parties and their
respective successors and assigns.
SECTION 9.09 Consent to Jurisdiction. Each of the parties hereto
irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of (a) any
New York State court, and (b) any Federal court of the United States of America
sitting in the State of New York, for the purposes of any suit, action or other
proceeding arising out of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby
(and each agrees that no such action, suit or proceeding relating to this
Agreement shall be brought by it or any of its Affiliates except in such
courts). Each of the parties hereto further agrees that, to the fullest extent
permitted by Applicable Law, service of any process, summons, notice or document
by U.S. registered mail to such person's respective address set forth in Section
9.02 shall be effective service of process for any action, suit or proceeding in
New York with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to jurisdiction
as set forth above in the immediately preceding sentence. Each of the parties
hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives (and agrees not to plead or claim)
any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising
out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in (i) any New
York State court, or (ii) any Federal court of the United States of America
sitting in the State of New York, or that any such action, suit or proceeding
brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
SECTION 9.10 Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party hereto hereby waives, to the
fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any right it may have to a trial by
jury in respect of any suit, action or other proceeding directly or indirectly
arising out of, under or in connection with this Agreement. Each party hereto
(a) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of any other party has
represented, expressly or otherwise, that such party would not, in the event of
62
any action, suit or proceeding, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver, and (b)
acknowledges that it and the other parties hereto have been induced to enter
into this Agreement, by, among other things, the mutual waiver and
certifications in this Section 9.10.
SECTION 9.11 Enforcement. The parties agree that irreparable damage would
occur if any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in
accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is
accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any court of the United States
located in the State of New York or in any New York state court, this being in
addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.
SECTION 9.12 Exhibits and Schedules. All exhibits and schedules to this
Agreement shall constitute a part of this Agreement and are incorporated herein
by reference.
63
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Parent, Sub and the Company have caused this
Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized,
all as of the date first written above.
L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
By: /s/ Christopher C. Cambria
-------------------------------
Name: Christopher C. Cambria
Title: Senior Vice President,
Secretary and General Counsel
BLUE ACQUISITION CORP.
By: /s/ Christopher C. Cambria
-------------------------------
Name: Christopher C. Cambria
Title: Vice President
WESTWOOD CORPORATION
By: /s/ Ernest H. McKee
-------------------------------
Name: Ernest H. McKee
Title: President
64
Appendix B
FAIRNESS OPINION
NEW YORK CAPITAL CORPORATION
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
770 PARK AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10021
Tel. (212) 415-9003 o Fax (631) 324-1523
www.nycapital.com
Email: info@nycapital.com
CONFIDENTIAL
August 6, 2002
Westwood Corporation
12402 East 60th Street
Tulsa, OK 74146
Attention: Mr. David L. Shepherd, Chief financial Officer
And Secretary-Treasurer
Dear Sirs:
You have requested our opinion as to the fairness from a financial
point of view to the stockholders of Westwood Corporation ("Westwood") of the
terms of a proposed merger of Westwood with a wholly-owned subsidiary of L-3
Communications Corporation ("L-3") (the "Merger"). Pursuant to the Merger each
share of Westwood would become entitled to receive in cash $2.30 or, in the case
of shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options and warrants, the
difference between $2.30 and the exercise price of the options or warrants, and
outstanding convertible debt would be converted into shares of common stock
pursuant to the terms of such debt. It is understood that, giving effect to such
exercise and conversion, the number of shares of Westwood to be outstanding
would be 10,481,103. In addition, outstanding debt of Westwood will remain with
the surviving corporation in the Merger.
In formulating our opinion, we have reviewed: 1) drafts of the
Agreement and Plan of Merger among L-3, the aforementioned subsidiary of L-3 and
Westwood; 2) drafts of a Stockholders Agreement among the parties to the
Agreement and Plan of Merger and certain major stockholders of Westwood; 3)
recent Forms 10-Q, 10-K and 8-K of Westwood; 4) similar documents of L-3; 5) a
Confidential Memorandum dated November 2001 on Westwood, prepared in connection
with consideration of strategic alternatives by Westwood, including private
placement of its securities and sale or merger, 6) projections prepared by
Westwood of its results of operations and financial condition through the fiscal
year ending March 31, 2005; 7) drafts of proxy material relating to the Merger;
8) to the extent we considered appropriate, Annual Reports and Forms 10-K and
10-Q (through the latest available quarter) of certain publicly traded companies
comparable in nature of business to Westwood (as indicated by their respective
code numbers under the North American Industry Classification System); 9) recent
prices and trading volumes of Westwood common stock and of the publicly traded
companies regarded by us as comparable in nature of business; 10) to the extent
we considered appropriate, recent merger and acquisition and similar
transactions for publicly traded companies in the business in which Westwood is
engaged (since the beginning of 2001, we were unable to find such transactions
where the acquired companies provided publicly available information through
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission); and 11) such other matters
as we deemed appropriate and relevant. In addition, we discussed with management
of Westwood and L-3 the purposes of the Merger.
Satellite Office for overnight deliveries
23 Pudding Hill Lane East Hampton New York 11937
Tel. (631) 324-5133 Fax (631) 324-1523 Email: info@nycapital.com
NEW YORK CAPITAL CORPORATION
Westwood Corporation
August 6, 2002
Page 2
We have previously provided a fairness opinion to the Board of
Directors of Westwood in connection with a private financing in February 2001
and were engaged by Westwood to consider strategic alternatives, including a
refinancing and a sale or merger, in June and July 2001.
In view of the historical annual losses of Westwood (and losses of
several of the compared companies) until the twelve months ended March 31, 2002
and the resultant erratic effective tax rates of Westwood and the compared
companies, we employed other metrics designed to avoid these obstacles to
comparability. Specifically, we calculated market value (MV) (based on closing
prices at August 2, 2002) as a ratio to pre-tax income; MV plus interest-bearing
debt (IBD) as a ratio to earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), MV plus IBD
as a ratio to EBIT plus depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), M0V as a ratio
to revenues (REV), and MV as a ratio to stockholders' equity (BK), all for the
latest reported twelve months, generally ended March 31, 2002, and as of that
date.
The following table shows the range of these metrics for the compared
companies and for Westwood, as well as for Westwood reflecting the Merger
consideration:
Comparable Comparable Current Westwood
Group I (a) Group II (b) Westwood Merger
----------- ------------ -------- ------
MV/Pre-Tax Income 2.93 - 55.12 (d) 7.20 - 15.51 (c) 7.54 19.50
MV + IBD/EBIT 3.39 - 27.95 9.10 - 17.41 (c) 9.99 19.10
MV + IBD/EBITDA 8.39 - 17.72 11.91 - 17.63 (c) 6.07 11.60
MV/REV .58 - 1.51 .28 - 2.70 .17 .43
MV/BK .79 - 6.43 .77 - 2.12 (c) 1.56 4.03
(a) Like Westwood, heavily involved in defense - 9 companies
(b) Substantially involved in civilian business - 5 companies
(c) Several had negative pre-tax EBIT, EBITDA or BK
(d) One ratio was 216.53 because of a negligible pre-tax income
It should also be noted that the $2.30 per share consideration is 85% above the
recent price of Westwood's common stock (average close since June 3, 2002), 31%
above the highest price attained in the latest twelve-month period, and over 80%
above the price generally prevailing over that period.
It is apparent from the foregoing table that the consideration being
paid in the Merger constitutes a very substantial premium to the stockholders of
Westwood over their current values and, in a number of cases, places the
consideration at the upper end of the range of the respective metrics.
On the basis of the foregoing, it is our opinion that the terms of the
proposed merger of Westwood with a wholly owned subsidiary of L-3 are fair from
a financial point of view to the stockholders of Westwood.
Very truly yours,
Jay Cooke
President
Appendix C
STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT dated as of August 8, 2002 (this "Agreement"), among
L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation having its principal
office at 600 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10016 ("Parent"), BLUE ACQUISITION
CORP., a Nevada corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent having its
principal office at 600 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10016 ("Sub"), WESTWOOD
CORPORATION, a Nevada corporation having its principal office at 12402 E. 60th
Street, Tulsa, OK 74146 (the "Company"), and each of THE INDIVIDUALS AND OTHER
PARTIES LISTED ON SCHEDULE A ATTACHED HERETO (together with any person as
hereafter may become a party hereto pursuant to Section 5, each, a "Stockholder"
and, collectively, the "Stockholders").
WHEREAS, contemporaneously herewith, Parent and Sub are entering into an
Agreement and Plan of Merger with the Company, dated as of the date hereof (as
the same may be amended or supplemented, the "Merger Agreement"), providing,
among other things, for the merger of Sub with and into the Company (the
"Merger"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger
Agreement; capitalized and other defined terms used herein but not otherwise
defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Merger
Agreement, whether or not such Merger Agreement shall be in effect from time to
time;
WHEREAS, each Stockholder owns (of record or beneficially) the number and
type of shares of Company Common Stock set forth opposite such Stockholder's
name on Schedule A hereto (such shares of Company Common Stock beneficially
owned or owned of record being referred to herein as such Stockholder's "Subject
Shares"); and
WHEREAS as a condition to the willingness of Parent and Sub to enter into
the Merger Agreement, Parent and Sub have required that each Stockholder enter
into this Agreement, and in order to induce Parent and Sub to enter into the
Merger Agreement, each Stockholder has agreed, severally and not jointly, to
enter into this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein and in the Merger
Agreement, each party hereto agrees as follows:
SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties of Each Stockholder. Each
Stockholder hereby, severally and not jointly, only as to itself, represents and
warrants to Parent and Sub as follows:
(a) Organization; Authority; Execution and Delivery; Enforceability. With
respect to each Stockholder that is not a natural person, such Stockholder (i)
is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of organization, and (ii) has all requisite corporate or other
power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby and to comply with the terms hereof. With
respect to each Stockholder that is a natural person, such Stockholder has all
requisite power, authority and legal capacity to execute and deliver this
Agreement, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to comply with
the terms hereof. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by such
Stockholder, the consummation by such Stockholder of the
1
transactions contemplated hereby and the compliance by such Stockholder with the
terms hereof have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other
action on the part of such Stockholder and no other corporate or other
proceedings on the part of such Stockholder are necessary to authorize this
Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Stockholder and, assuming
due execution by Parent and Sub, constitutes a legally valid and binding
obligation of such Stockholder, enforceable against such Stockholder in
accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby and compliance with the provisions hereof
do not and will not conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of, or
default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise
to a right of, or result in termination, cancellation or acceleration of any
obligation or to loss of a material benefit under, or result in the creation of
any Lien in or upon any of the properties or assets of such Stockholder under,
or give rise to any increased, additional, accelerated or guaranteed rights or
entitlements under, any provision of (A) with respect to each Stockholder that
is not a natural person, any certificate of incorporation or bylaws, partnership
agreement or limited liability company agreement (or similar organizational
documents) of such Stockholder, (B) any Contract to which such Stockholder is a
party or any of the properties or assets of such Stockholder is subject, or (C)
subject to the governmental filings and other matters referred to in the
following sentence, any Applicable Law. No Consent is required by or with
respect to such Stockholder in connection with the execution and delivery of
this Agreement by such Stockholder or the consummation by such Stockholder of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the compliance by such
Stockholder with the provisions of this Agreement, except for (1) filings under
applicable competition, merger control, antitrust or similar laws or
regulations, (2) filings with the SEC of such reports under the Exchange Act as
may be required in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby.
(b) The Subject Shares. Such Stockholder is the record or beneficial owner
of the number and type of Subject Shares of such Stockholder set forth opposite
his or its name on Schedule A hereto, and if such Stockholder is a record owner
of Subject Shares such Stockholder has good and marketable title to such Subject
Shares, free and clear of any Share Encumbrances, except as set forth on Section
3.02(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedule to the Merger Agreement. Such
Stockholder does not own beneficially or of record any shares of capital stock
or other securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than the
Subject Shares as set forth opposite his or her or its name on Schedule A
hereto. Such Stockholder has the sole right to vote and, except as set forth in
the Pledge Agreements in the case of the Pledged Shares (as such terms are
defined below in this Section 1(b)), to Transfer (as defined in Section 2(c))
the Subject Shares owned by such Stockholder, and none of the Subject Shares
owned by such Stockholder is subject to any voting trust or other agreement,
arrangement or restriction with respect to the voting or the Transfer of the
Subject Shares, except, in the case of the voting of the Subject Shares, as set
forth in Sections 2 and 3 and, in the case of the Transfer of the Subject
Shares, as set forth in Section 2 and, in the case of the Pledged Shares, the
Pledge Agreements.
2
For purposes of this Agreement, "Pledge Agreements" means, collectively,
(i) the Chattel, Pledge and Security Agreement, dated December 18, 2001, between
Ernest H. McKee and Stillwater Bank and Trust Company, Stillwater, Oklahoma (the
"Bank"), in respect of the pledge (the "Pledge") of 750,000 shares (the "Pledged
Shares") of Company Common Stock held by Ernest H. McKee to the Bank, (ii) the
Assignment of Investment Property/Securities Agreement dated as of March 1,
2002, between Ernest H. McKee and the Bank, and (iii) the Letter Agreement dated
as of the date hereof, between Ernest H. McKee and the Bank.
(c) Private Offering. Such Stockholder has not, nor has any Affiliate of
such Stockholder nor has anyone acting on behalf of such Stockholder, issued,
sold or offered any security of the Company to any person under circumstances
that would cause the sale, if any, of the Subject Shares of any Stockholder to
Parent (or its designee or assignee) as contemplated by Section 2(i) to be
subject to the registration or qualification requirements of the Securities Act
or any applicable state securities laws. The sale and delivery, if any, of the
Subject Shares of such Stockholder hereunder are exempt from the registration
and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act and from the
registration and qualification requirements of any applicable state securities
laws.
SECTION 2. Covenants of Each Stockholder. Each Stockholder, severally and
not jointly, only as to itself, covenants and agrees as follows:
(a) At any meeting of the stockholders of the Company called to vote upon
the Merger Agreement, the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated
by the Merger Agreement, or at any adjournment thereof, or in any other
circumstances upon which a vote, consent, adoption or other approval (including
by written consent solicitation) of such stockholders with respect to the Merger
Agreement, the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement is sought, such Stockholder shall vote (or cause to be voted)
all the Subject Shares of such Stockholder in favor of, and shall consent to (or
cause to be consented to), the adoption of the Merger Agreement and the approval
of the terms thereof and of the Merger and each of the other transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
(b) During the term of this Agreement, at any meeting of the stockholders
of the Company or at any adjournment thereof or in any other circumstances upon
which a vote, consent, adoption or other approval (including by written consent
solicitation) of such stockholders is sought, such Stockholder shall vote (or
cause to be voted) all the Subject Shares of such Stockholder against, and shall
not consent to (and shall cause not to be consented to in respect of the Subject
Shares), any of the following (or any agreement to enter into, effect,
facilitate or support any of the following): (i) any Takeover Proposal (as
defined in Section 5.02(a) of the Merger Agreement); (ii) any amendment of the
Company's Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, except with the prior written
consent of Parent as provided in, and in accordance with, Section 5.01(a) of the
Merger Agreement; or (iii) any other proposal, action or transaction involving
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of its stockholders, which other
proposal, action or transaction could reasonably be expected to prevent or
materially impede or delay the consummation of the Merger or any of the other
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or the consummation of any of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to dilute in any material
respect the benefits to Parent of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this
3
Agreement, or change in any manner the voting rights of the Company Common Stock
(collectively, "Frustrating Transactions").
(c) During the term of this Agreement, such Stockholder shall not: (i)
sell, transfer, pledge, assign, tender or otherwise dispose of (including by
gift) (collectively, "Transfer"), or, except as may be required under the Pledge
Agreements, consent to or permit any Transfer of, any Subject Shares of such
Stockholder or any interest therein, or enter into any Contract, option or other
arrangement with respect to the Transfer (including any profit sharing or other
derivative arrangement) of any such Subject Shares or any interest therein, to
any person other than pursuant to this Agreement or the Merger Agreement; or
(ii) enter into any voting arrangement, whether by proxy, voting agreement or
otherwise, in connection with, directly or indirectly, any Takeover Proposal (as
defined in Section 5.02(a) of the Merger Agreement) or Frustrating Transaction
with respect to any Subject Shares of such Stockholder, other than pursuant to
this Agreement.
(d) During the term of this Agreement, such Stockholder shall not request
that the Company register the Transfer (book-entry or otherwise) of any
certificate or uncertificated interest representing any of the Subject Shares of
such Stockholder, other than, in the case of the Pledged Shares, as may be
required under the Pledge Agreements, unless such Transfer is made in compliance
with this Agreement (including the provisions of Sections 2(h) and 2(i)).
The Company shall ensure that no Transfer in violation of this
Agreement shall be made or recorded on the books of the Company and any such
Transfer shall be void and of no force and effect.
(e) Subject to the following paragraph of this Section 2(e), such
Stockholder shall not, nor shall such Stockholder permit any of its Affiliates
to, or authorize or permit any director, officer, employee, partner or agent of
such Stockholder or any of its Affiliates, or any investment banker, attorney or
other advisor or representative of such Stockholder or any of its Affiliates to,
directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate or encourage, or take any other
action knowingly to facilitate, any Takeover Proposal (as defined in Section
5.02(a) of the Merger Agreement) or Frustrating Transaction, (ii) enter into any
agreement with respect to any Takeover Proposal (as defined in Section 5.02(a)
of the Merger Agreement) or Frustrating Transaction, or (iii) enter into,
continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding,
or furnish to any Person any information with respect to, or otherwise cooperate
in any way with, or assist or participate in any effort or attempt by any Person
with respect to, any Takeover Proposal (as defined in Section 5.02(a) of the
Merger Agreement) or Frustrating Transaction.
Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph of this Section 2(e) and
notwithstanding Section 2(f), nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict
a Stockholder that is a director of the Company or limit or restrict a partner
or an employee or agent of a Stockholder that is a director of the Company from
acting in his or her or its capacity as a member of the Board of Directors of
the Company to the extent that such Board of Directors is engaging in activities
expressly and specifically permitted under Section 5.02 of the Merger Agreement.
(f) (i) During the term of this Agreement, such Stockholder shall take, or
cause to be taken, all actions, and do, or cause to be done, and assist and
cooperate with the other
4
parties in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and
make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement. Such Stockholder shall
not commit or agree to take any action inconsistent with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement.
(ii) During the term of this Agreement, such Stockholder shall not,
and such Stockholder shall not permit any of its Affiliates to, or authorize or
permit any director, officer, employee, partner or agent of such Stockholder or
any of Affiliates or any investment banker, attorney or other advisor or
representative of such Stockholder or any of its Affiliates to, directly or
indirectly, issue any press release or make any other public statement with
respect to the Merger Agreement, this Agreement, the Merger or any other
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement without the prior written consent of Parent,
except as may be required by Applicable Law or as expressly contemplated by
Section 6.06 of the Merger Agreement.
(g) Such Stockholder hereby waives any rights of appraisal in connection
with, or rights to dissent from, the Merger that such Stockholder may have.
(h) (i) If (A) (1) the Merger Agreement is terminated (x) by either Parent
or the Company pursuant to Section 8.01(b)(iii) of the Merger Agreement, (y) by
Parent pursuant to Section 8.01(c) of the Merger Agreement, or (z) by the
Company pursuant to Section 8.01(f) of the Merger Agreement, (2) an Acquisition
Agreement with respect to any Takeover Proposal (as defined in Section
8.03(b)(i)(B) of the Merger Agreement) is entered into by the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries within 12 months after such termination of the Merger
Agreement, and (3) such Takeover Proposal (as defined in Section 8.03(b)(i)(B)
of the Merger Agreement) is consummated within 24 months of such termination, or
(B) a Parent Takeover Proposal (as defined in Section 2(h)(vi)) made by Parent
(including any amendment of the Merger Agreement) which provides for Transaction
Consideration (as defined in Section 2(h)(iii)) in excess of $2.30 (as such
amount may be adjusted from time to time for any of the events referred to in
the last sentence of Section 6, the "Deal Price") per share is consummated (any
Takeover Proposal or Parent Takeover Proposal referred to in clause (A) or (B)
above is referred to herein as a "Transaction"), then such Stockholder shall pay
to Parent an amount in cash equal to such Stockholder's Profit (as defined in
Section 2(h)(ii)); provided, however, that if all or any part of the Transaction
Consideration which such Stockholder is entitled to receive is not cash, then
such Stockholder's Profit shall be paid to Parent in each type of consideration
paid to such Stockholder and in the same proportions as the types of
consideration comprising the Transaction Consideration which such Stockholder is
entitled to receive, in each case determined at the close of business on the
date of the consummation of the Transaction, such that (1) in respect of
Transaction Consideration to be paid to such Stockholder in cash, Parent shall
be paid Profits by such Stockholder in cash in an amount equal to the aggregate
Transaction Consideration to be paid to such Stockholder in cash multiplied by a
fraction (x) the numerator of which is equal to such Stockholder's Profit and
(y) the denominator of which is equal to the aggregate Transaction Consideration
to be received by such Stockholder (such fraction, the "Profit Percentage"), (2)
in respect of Transaction Consideration to be paid to such Stockholder in the
form of securities, Parent shall be paid Profits by such Stockholder, for each
type of securities to be so paid, in the form of that number of such securities
that is equal to the total
5
number of such securities to be paid to such Stockholder multiplied by the
Profit Percentage, and (3) in respect of Transaction Consideration to be paid to
such Stockholder in consideration of a type other than cash or securities,
Parent shall be paid Profits by such Stockholder in the form of such type of
consideration and in an amount equal to the aggregate fair market value of such
consideration to be paid to Stockholder, with such fair market value determined
as of the date of the consummation of the relevant transaction, multiplied by
the Profit Percentage; provided further, however, that all such determinations
shall be made as of the close of business on the date of the consummation of the
relevant Transaction without any regard to any events or circumstances occurring
thereafter (such as changes in the trading price of any securities). Such
Profits shall be paid to Parent, for each type of consideration, within three
business days after the receipt by such Stockholder of such consideration. Any
payment of Profit under this Section 2(h) shall (AA) if paid in cash, be paid by
wire transfer of same day funds to an account designated by Parent, and (BB) if
paid through the transfer of securities or other non-cash consideration, be paid
through the delivery of such securities or other non-cash consideration,
suitably endorsed or otherwise documented for transfer (if applicable), to
Parent at its address set forth in Section 9.02 of the Merger Agreement.
(ii) The "Profit" of such Stockholder shall mean, as of the close of
business on the date of consummation of a Transaction, the amount (if a positive
number) equal to (A) the product of (1) the Transaction Consideration (as
determined at such time) minus the Deal Price multiplied by (2) the number of
Subject Shares held by such Stockholder on the date of termination of this
Agreement in accordance with Section 8 (other than any Subject Shares sold,
transferred and delivered to Parent or its designee pursuant to Section 2(i)),
minus (B) any Profit Taxes (as defined in Section 2(h)(v)).
(iii) "Transaction Consideration" shall mean, with respect to any
Transaction, the fair market value of the consideration which such Stockholder
(or its transferees) is entitled to receive (including any residual interest in
the Company retained immediately following consummation of a Transaction) in
respect of each share of Company Common Stock of such Stockholder (or its
transferees) in such Transaction, determined as of the close of business on the
date of the consummation of such Transaction; provided, however, that if
different types or amounts of consideration are to be paid (or retained) in a
Transaction, the "Transaction Consideration" shall be determined by dividing (1)
the aggregate fair market value of all the consideration (determined as of the
close of business on the date of the consummation of such Transaction received
or receivable by (including any residual interest in the Company retained by)
such Stockholder (or its transferees) (assuming for purposes of this calculation
that such Stockholder (or his transferees) has converted, exercised or exchanged
all convertible securities owned by any of them prior to the consummation of
such Transaction) by (2) the number of Subject Shares held by such Stockholder
(or its transferees) on the date of termination of this Agreement in accordance
with Section 8 (other than any Subject Shares sold, transferred and delivered to
Parent or its designee pursuant to Section 2(i)).
(iv) For purposes of this Section 2(h), the "fair market value" of any
non-cash consideration consisting of:
(A) securities listed on a national securities exchange or traded
on the NASDAQ shall be equal to the average closing price per share of such
security as
6
reported on such exchange or NASDAQ for the 10 trading days prior to the
date of determination; and
(B) consideration which is other than securities of the form
specified in Section 2(h)(iv)(A) shall be determined by a nationally
recognized independent investment banking firm mutually selected, within
three business days after the event requiring selection of such investment
banking firm, by Parent and the Stockholders, which determination shall be
made by such investment banking firm within 15 business days after the date
of such event; provided, however, that if Parent and the Stockholders do
not agree within three business days after the date of such event as to the
selection of an investment banking firm, then, by the end of the fifth
business day after the date of such event, each of Parent, on the one hand,
and the Stockholders, on the other hand, shall select a nationally
recognized investment banking firm, which two investment banking firms
shall jointly make such determination within 20 business days after the
date of such event, or, if such two investment banking firms are unable to
agree on such determination, the two investment banking firms shall, by the
end of the 20th business day after the date of such event, select a third
nationally recognized investment banking firm and notify such third
investment banking firm in writing (with a copy to Parent and each
Stockholder) of their respective determinations of the fair market value of
such non-cash consideration, following which such third investment banking
firm shall, within 15 business days after the date of its selection, notify
Parent and each Stockholder in writing of its selection of one or the other
of the two original determinations of the fair market value of such
non-cash consideration; provided further, however, that the reasonable and
customary fees and expenses of all such investment banking firms shall be
borne equally by Parent, on the one hand, and the Stockholders, on the
other hand. The determination of the investment banking firm shall be
binding upon the parties.
(v) The "Profit Taxes" of such Stockholder shall mean the net amount
of income taxes (U.S. federal, state and local) actually incurred by such
Stockholder solely as a result of the receipt of Profits by such Stockholder
determined taking into account any deduction, loss or offset against income
taxes attributable to the payment of Profits by such Stockholder to Parent in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that solely for
the purposes of calculating Profit Taxes, clause (B) of the definition of
Profits contained in Section 2(h)(ii) shall be disregarded. Solely for purposes
of calculating Profit Taxes, in the case of a Stockholder that is treated as a
pass-through entity for U.S. federal, state or local income tax purposes, as the
case may be, the term "Stockholder" shall mean any direct member of such
pass-through entity and any indirect member of such pass-through entity that
owns its interest in such pass-through entity to the extent it owns such
interest through one or more other pass-through entities. For the purposes of
this clause, a "pass-through entity" includes without limitation, a partnership,
disregarded entity, trust, subchapter S corporation, controlled foreign
corporation, foreign person holding company or a passive foreign investment
company to the extent a qualifying electing fund election has been made with
respect to it.
(vi) A "Parent Takeover Proposal" means any inquiry, proposal or offer
from Parent or any of its Subsidiaries relating to any direct or indirect
acquisition, in one transaction or a series of transactions, including any
merger, consolidation, tender offer, exchange offer, stock acquisition, asset
acquisition, binding share exchange, business combination,
7
recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution, joint venture or similar
transaction, of (A) assets or businesses that constitute or represent 40% or
more of the total revenue, operating income, EBITDA or assets of the Company and
its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (B) 40% or more of the outstanding shares
of Company Common Stock, or 40% or more of the outstanding shares of capital
stock of, or other equity or voting interests in, any of the Company's
Subsidiaries directly or indirectly holding, individually or taken together, the
assets or businesses referred to in clause (A) above.
(vii) If any payment of any Stockholder's Profits described in this
Section 2(h) shall consist in whole or in part of a fractional share of
securities or other property, then the applicable Stockholder, in lieu of such
fractional share of securities or other property, shall pay to Parent a cash
adjustment in an amount equal to the fair market value of such fractional share
of securities or other property determined as of the close of business on the
date of the consummation of the Transaction to which such payment relates and
calculated pursuant to Section 2(h)(iv).
(viii) Payment of any Stockholder's Profits described in this Section
2(h) shall not be in lieu of (but shall be in addition to) the fees and expenses
(including any Termination Fee) that may become payable to Parent pursuant to
Section 8.03 of the Merger Agreement and/or damages incurred in the event of a
breach of this Agreement or the Merger Agreement.
(i) During the term of this Agreement (taking into account the penultimate
sentence of Section 8), at the request of Parent or Sub, such Stockholder shall
exercise, exchange or convert, as the case may be, or cause to be exercised,
exchanged or converted, as the case may be, such number and type of convertible
securities (including Stock Options, Warrants and Convertible Notes)
beneficially owned by such Stockholder and then exercisable, exchangeable or
convertible, as the case may be, as Parent or Sub, as the case may be, may
request, in each case within two business days following the later of (i) such
request and (ii) the last to occur of (A) the expiration or termination of any
waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the relating Option
Exercise referred to below under any applicable competition, merger control,
antitrust or similar law or regulation and (B) the receipt of any other
regulatory approvals applicable to such Option Exercise; provided, however, that
Parent or Sub, as the case may be, shall purchase, upon the terms and subject to
the conditions set forth in the next following sentence of this Section 2(i),
all the shares of Company Common Stock issued upon such exercise, exchange or
conversion, as the case may be, of convertible securities; provided further,
however, that such Stockholder shall not be obligated so to exercise, exchange
or convert, as the case may be, any convertible security (including any Stock
Option, Warrant or Convertible Note) if the exercise price, exchange price or
conversion price, as the case may be, per share of Company Common Stock in
respect of such convertible security is above the Deal Price. At the request of
Parent or Sub (an "Option Exercise"), such Stockholder shall sell, transfer and
deliver or cause to be sold, transferred and delivered to Parent or Sub (or
their respective designees or assignees), as the case may be, and Parent or Sub
(or their respective designees or assignees), as the case may be, shall purchase
from, such Stockholder, all or any portion (as specified by Parent or Sub, as
the case may be) of the Subject Shares that consist of Company Common Stock of
such Stockholder within four business days following the later of (1) such
request and (2) the last to occur of (x) the expiration or termination of any
waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to such sale and purchase
under any applicable competition, merger control, antitrust
8
or similar law or regulation and (y) the receipt of any other regulatory
approvals applicable to such sale and purchase, for a purchase price per share
equal to the Deal Price.
(j) If, during the term of this Agreement (taking into account the
penultimate sentence of Section 8), Parent or one of its Affiliates offers to
purchase or otherwise acquire shares of Company Common Stock (the "Offer") in
connection with a Parent Takeover Proposal (including any amendment of the
Merger Agreement), then, at the request of Parent, each Stockholder hereby
agrees validly to tender (or cause the record owner of such shares, as
applicable, validly to tender), pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of
the Offer set forth in the acquisition agreement in respect of such Offer
(including any amendment of the Merger Agreement), but in no event later than
ten business days after the date on which Parent or such Affiliate commences the
Offer, all the Subject Shares and to not withdraw any of the Subject Shares so
tendered unless the Offer is terminated or has expired; provided, however, that
Parent (or such Affiliate) shall purchase all the Subject Shares so tendered at
a price per share of Company Common Stock equal to the Deal Price or any higher
price that may be paid in the Offer; provided further, however, that Parent's
(or such Affiliates') obligation to accept for payment and pay for the Subject
Shares in the Offer shall be subject to all the terms and conditions of the
Offer set forth in the acquisition agreement in respect of such Offer (including
any amendment of the Merger Agreement).
SECTION 3. Grant of Irrevocable Proxy; Appointment of Proxy.
(a) Each Stockholder hereby irrevocably grants to, and appoints, each of
Parent, Christopher C. Cambria, its Senior Vice President, Secretary and General
Counsel, and Michael T. Strianese, its Senior Vice President of Finance, in
their respective capacities as designees of Parent, and any individual who shall
hereafter succeed to any such office of Parent, and each of them individually,
such Stockholder's proxy and attorney-in-fact (with full power of substitution),
for and in the name, place and stead of such Stockholder, to vote all of such
Stockholder's Subject Shares, or grant a consent or approval in respect of such
Subject Shares, (i) in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement and the
approval of the terms thereof and of the Merger and each of the other
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (ii) against any Takeover
Proposal or any Frustrating Transaction, and (iii) otherwise in accordance with
Section 2. The proxy granted in this Section 3 shall expire upon the earlier of
the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8 or the date that is 24
months and three days following the date of the granting of such proxy pursuant
hereto.
(b) Each Stockholder represents and warrants that any proxies heretofore
given in respect of such Stockholder's Subject Shares were not irrevocable, and
that all such proxies hereby are revoked.
(c) Each Stockholder hereby affirms that the irrevocable proxy set forth in
this Section 3 is given in connection with the execution of the Merger
Agreement, and that such irrevocable proxy is given to secure the performance of
the duties of such Stockholder under this Agreement. Each Stockholder hereby
further affirms that the irrevocable proxy is coupled with an interest and may
under no circumstances be revoked.
9
SECTION 4. Further Assurances. Each Stockholder shall, from time to time,
execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, such additional or
further consents, documents and other instruments as Parent may request for the
purpose of effectuating the matters covered by this Agreement, including the
grant of the proxies set forty in Section 3.
SECTION 5. Additional Purchases. Each Stockholder agrees that any shares of
capital stock of the Company ("New Subject Shares") that such Stockholder
acquires beneficial ownership thereof after the date of this Agreement and prior
to the date of termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 8, shall
be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement to the same extent as
if they constituted Subject Shares. If, at any time or from time to time after
the date of this Agreement and prior to the date of termination of this
Agreement in accordance with Section 8, any Stockholder acquires beneficial
ownership of New Subject Shares, but is not the record owner of such New Subject
Shares, then, contemporaneously with such acquisition, such Stockholder shall
cause the holder of record of such New Subject Shares (if such holder of record
is not then a party to this Agreement) to execute and deliver to Parent a
joinder agreement to be bound by the provisions of, and to become a party to,
this Agreement as a "Stockholder", in form and substance satisfactory to Parent.
Upon the occurrence of any of the events referred to in this Section 5, Schedule
A hereto shall be adjusted appropriately.
SECTION 6. Certain Events. Each Stockholder agrees that this Agreement and
the obligations hereunder (including the obligations under Section 2(h)) shall
attach to such Stockholder's Subject Shares and shall be binding upon any Person
to which legal or beneficial ownership of such Subject Shares shall pass,
whether by operation of law or otherwise, including such Stockholder's heirs,
guardians, administrators or successors, and each Stockholder further agrees to
take all actions necessary to effectuate the foregoing. In the event of any
stock split, stock dividend, reclassification, merger, reorganization,
recapitalization or other change in the capital structure of the Company
affecting the capital stock of the Company, the number of Subject Shares listed
on Schedule A hereto opposite the name of each Stockholder shall be adjusted
appropriately and the Deal Price will be adjusted appropriately.
SECTION 7. Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,
interests or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned, in whole or in
part, by operation of law or otherwise, by any of the parties hereto without the
prior written consent of the other parties hereto, except that Parent may in its
sole discretion assign, in whole or in one or more parts, (a) any or all of its
rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement to any direct or indirect
wholly owned subsidiary of Parent, and (b) any of or all its rights, interests
and obligations under Section 2(h) or Section 2(i) to one or more third parties,
but no such assignment shall relieve Parent of any of its obligations under this
Agreement. Any purported assignment in violation of this Section 7 shall be
void. Subject to the preceding sentences of this Section 7, this Agreement shall
be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the parties
hereto and their respective successors and assigns.
SECTION 8. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of
(a) the Effective Time and (b) the termination of the Merger Agreement in
accordance with its terms; provided, however, that the proxy granted in Section
3 shall terminate as provided in Section 3(a); provided further, however, that
if the Merger Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 8.01(b)(iii), Section
8.01(c) or Section 8.01(f) of the Merger Agreement, then Sections 1, 2(h), 4,
10
6, 7, 9, 10 and 11, as well as this Section 8, shall continue in full force and
effect for the duration of the Residual Period. The "Residual Period" means the
period beginning on the date of termination of the Merger Agreement and ending
12 months thereafter; provided, however, that if within such 12 month-period the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries enters into an Acquisition Agreement
contemplated under clause (i)(A)(2) of Section 2(h), then the Residual Period
shall not end until the date that is 24 months and three days after the
termination of the Merger Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this
Agreement shall not terminate (i) with respect to any Option Exercise made prior
to the date of termination of the Merger Agreement until the sale, transfer and
delivery of the Subject Shares with respect to such Option Exercise have been
effected, and (ii) with respect to Section 2(j) until the Offer is terminated or
has expired. No termination of this Agreement shall relieve any party hereto
from any liability for any breach of any provision of this Agreement prior to
termination.
SECTION 9. General Provisions.
(a) Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended, supplemented, waived or
otherwise modified or terminated, except upon the execution and delivery of a
written agreement executed by all the parties hereto.
(b) Notices. All notices, requests, demands, approvals, consents, waivers
and other communications required or permitted to be given under this Agreement
(each, a "Notice") shall be in writing and shall be (i) delivered personally,
(ii) mailed by first-class, registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, (iii) sent by next-day or overnight mail or
delivery, or (iv) sent by facsimile transmission, provided that the original
copy thereof also is sent by pre-paid, first class certified or registered mail
or by next-day or overnight mail or personal delivery, to Parent, Sub or the
Company in accordance with Section 9.02 of the Merger Agreement and to any of
the Stockholders at its or his respective address set forth on Schedule A hereto
(or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like Notice),
with a copy to:
Conner & Winters
A Professional Corporation
3700 First Place Tower
15 E. 5th Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103-4344
Facsimile: (918) 586-8548
Attention: C. Raymond Patton, Jr., Esq.
Any Notice shall be deemed effective and given upon receipt (or refusal of
receipt).
(c) Interpretation.
(i) When a reference is made in this Agreement to a Section or a
Schedule, such reference shall be to a Section of, or a Schedule to, this
Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The headings contained in this Agreement
are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words "include", "includes" or
"including" are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by
the words "without limitation". The words "hereof", "herein" and "hereunder" and
11
words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this
Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The
term "or" is not exclusive. The definitions contained in this Agreement are
applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms. Any
agreement or instrument defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or
instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement or instrument as from
time to time amended, modified or supplemented. References herein to a person
are also to its permitted successors and assigns. References herein to a gender
are also to all other genders. References herein to convertible securities also
shall include exchangeable securities and exercisable securities.
(ii) The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation
and drafting of the Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or
interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly
by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise
favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the
provisions of this Agreement.
(d) Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed (including
by facsimile transmission) with counterpart signature pages, or in one or more
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and
shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of
the parties hereto and delivered to the other parties.
(e) Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement
(including the documents and instruments referred to herein) (i) constitutes the
entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both
written and oral, among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of
this Agreement, and (ii) is not intended to confer upon any person other than
the parties hereto (and the persons specified as proxies in Section 3) any
rights or remedies.
(f) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS OF SUCH STATE.
(g) Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is
invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public
policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless
remain in full force and effect. Upon such determination that any term or other
provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto
shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the
original intent of the parties as closely as possible to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law in an acceptable manner and to the end that the
transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the extent possible.
(h) Definitions. For the purpose of this Agreement, "beneficially own" or
"beneficial ownership" or phrases of similar import with respect to any
securities shall mean having "beneficial ownership" of such securities (as
determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), including pursuant to
any agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether or not in writing;
provided, however, that for purposes of determining beneficial ownership of a
12
security under this Agreement, all vesting requirements or other waiting periods
with respect to the conversion, exercise or exchange of a security that is
convertible, exercisable or exchangeable shall be deemed to be fully satisfied.
SECTION 10. Enforcement. The parties agree that irreparable damage would
occur if any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in
accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is
accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any court of the United States
located in the State of New York or in any New York state court, this being in
addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. In
addition, each of the parties hereto (a) consents to submit itself to the
personal jurisdiction of any court of the United States located in the State of
New York or of any New York state court if any dispute arises out of this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (b) agrees that it
will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other
request for leave from any such court, and (c) agrees that it will not bring any
action relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement in any court other than a court of the United States located in the
State of New York or a New York state court.
SECTION 11. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party hereto hereby waives, to the
fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any right it may have to a trial by
jury in respect of any suit, action or other proceeding directly or indirectly
arising out of, under or in connection with this Agreement. Each party hereto
(a) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of any other party has
represented, expressly or otherwise, that such party would not, in the event of
any action, suit or proceeding, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver, and (b)
acknowledges that it and the other parties hereto have been induced to enter
into this Agreement, by, among other things, the mutual waiver and
certifications in this Section 11.
SECTION 12. Pledge Agreements. From the date hereof until the date of
termination of this Agreement with respect to all Option Exercises pursuant to
the penultimate sentence of Section 8, Ernest H. McKee hereby agrees to not (a)
amend, supplement or modify, or (b) agree to amend, supplement or modify, any of
the Pledge Agreements without the prior written consent of Parent.
13
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties duly has executed this Agreement,
all as of the date first written above.
Parent:
L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
By: /s/ Christopher C. Cambria
-----------------------------------
Name: Christopher C. Cambria
Title: Senior vice President, Secretary
and General Counsel
Sub:
BLUE ACQUISITION CORP.
By: /s/ Christopher C. Cambria
-----------------------------------
Name: Christopher C. Cambria
Title: Vice President
Company:
WESTWOOD CORPORATION
By: /s/ Ernest H. McKee
-----------------------------------
Name: Ernest H. McKee
Title: President
Stockholders:
/s/ Ernest H. McKee
---------------------------------------
ERNEST H. MCKEE
/s/ William J. Preston
---------------------------------------
WILLIAM J. PRESTON
14
SCHEDULE A
Number and Type of Subject
Shares Owned
Name and Address of Stockholders of Record or Beneficially
- -------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Ernest H. McKee 1,932,277(1) shares of Common Stock(2)
2902 E. 74th Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136
William J. Preston, M.D. 1,403,371(3) shares of Common Stock(4)
1717 Woodstead Court
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
- ----------
(1) Includes options to acquire 174,924 shares of Company Common Stock pursuant
to Company Stock Plans, 258,750 shares of Company Common Stock issuable
upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, and Warrants to acquire 121,563
shares of Company Common Stock.
(2) All such Subject Shares are owned beneficially and of record by Ernest H.
McKee.
(3) Includes options to acquire 100,000 shares of Company Common Stock pursuant
to Company Stock Plans, 368,750 shares of Company Common Stock issuable
upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, and Warrants to acquire 164,063
shares of Company Common Stock.
(4) All such Subject Shares are owned beneficially and of record by William J.
Preston, M.D.
15
Appendix D
RIGHTS OF DISSENTING OWNERS
RIGHTS OF DISSENTING OWNERS
NRS 92A.300 Definitions. As used in NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive,
unless the context otherwise requires, the words and terms defined in NRS
92A.305 to 92A.335, inclusive, have the meanings ascribed to them in those
sections.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2086)
NRS 92A.305 "Beneficial stockholder" defined. "Beneficial stockholder"
means a person who is a beneficial owner of shares held in a voting trust or by
a nominee as the stockholder of record.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2087)
NRS 92A.310 "Corporate action" defined. "Corporate action" means the
action of a domestic corporation.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2087)
NRS 92A.315 "Dissenter" defined. "Dissenter" means a stockholder who is
entitled to dissent from a domestic corporation's action under NRS 92A.380 and
who exercises that right when and in the manner required by NRS 92A.400 to
92A.480, inclusive.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2087; A 1999, 1631)
NRS 92A.320 "Fair value" defined. "Fair value," with respect to a
dissenter's shares, means the value of the shares immediately before the
effectuation of the corporate action to which he objects, excluding any
appreciation or depreciation in anticipation of the corporate action unless
exclusion would be inequitable.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2087)
NRS 92A.325 "Stockholder" defined. "Stockholder" means a stockholder of
record or a beneficial stockholder of a domestic corporation.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2087)
NRS 92A.330 "Stockholder of record" defined. "Stockholder of record"
means the person in whose name shares are registered in the records of a
domestic corporation or the beneficial owner of shares to the extent of the
rights granted by a nominee's certificate on file with the domestic corporation.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2087)
NRS 92A.335 "Subject corporation" defined. "Subject corporation" means
the domestic corporation which is the issuer of the shares held by a dissenter
before the corporate action creating the dissenter's rights becomes effective or
the surviving or acquiring entity of that issuer after the corporate action
becomes effective.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2087)
NRS 92A.340 Computation of interest. Interest payable pursuant to NRS
92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive, must be computed from the effective date of the
action until the date of payment, at the average rate currently paid by the
entity on its principal bank loans or, if it has no bank loans, at a rate that
is fair and equitable under all of the circumstances.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2087)
NRS 92A.350 Rights of dissenting partner of domestic limited
partnership. A partnership agreement of a domestic limited partnership or,
unless otherwise provided in the partnership agreement, an agreement of merger
or exchange, may provide that contractual rights with respect to the partnership
interest of a dissenting general or limited partner of a domestic limited
partnership are available for any class or group of partnership interests in
connection with any merger or exchange in which the domestic limited partnership
is a constituent entity.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2088)
NRS 92A.360 Rights of dissenting member of domestic limited-liability
company. The articles of organization or operating agreement of a domestic
limited-liability company or, unless otherwise provided in the articles of
organization or operating agreement, an agreement of merger or exchange, may
provide that contractual
rights with respect to the interest of a dissenting member are available in
connection with any merger or exchange in which the domestic limited-liability
company is a constituent entity.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2088)
NRS 92A.370 Rights of dissenting member of domestic nonprofit
corporation.
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, and unless otherwise
provided in the articles or bylaws, any member of any constituent domestic
nonprofit corporation who voted against the merger may, without prior notice,
but within 30 days after the effective date of the merger, resign from
membership and is thereby excused from all contractual obligations to the
constituent or surviving corporations which did not occur before his resignation
and is thereby entitled to those rights, if any, which would have existed if
there had been no merger and the membership had been terminated or the member
had been expelled.
2. Unless otherwise provided in its articles of incorporation or
bylaws, no member of a domestic nonprofit corporation, including, but not
limited to, a cooperative corporation, which supplies services described in
chapter 704 of NRS to its members only, and no person who is a member of a
domestic nonprofit corporation as a condition of or by reason of the ownership
of an interest in real property, may resign and dissent pursuant to subsection
1.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2088)
NRS 92A.380 Right of stockholder to dissent from certain corporate
actions and to obtain payment for shares.
1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 92A.370 and 92A.390, a
stockholder is entitled to dissent from, and obtain payment of the fair value of
his shares in the event of any of the following corporate actions:
(a) Consummation of a plan of merger to which the domestic corporation
is a constituent entity:
(1) If approval by the stockholders is required for the merger
by NRS 92A.120 to 92A.160, inclusive, or the articles of incorporation,
regardless of whether the stockholder is entitled to vote on the plan of merger;
or
(2) If the domestic corporation is a subsidiary and is merged
with its parent pursuant to NRS 92A.180.
(b) Consummation of a plan of exchange to which the domestic
corporation is a constituent entity as the corporation whose subject owner's
interests will be acquired, if his shares are to be acquired in the plan of
exchange.
(c) Any corporate action taken pursuant to a vote of the stockholders
to the event that the articles of incorporation, bylaws or a resolution of the
board of directors provides that voting or nonvoting stockholders are entitled
to dissent and obtain payment for their shares.
2. A stockholder who is entitled to dissent and obtain payment pursuant
to NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive, may not challenge the corporate action
creating his entitlement unless the action is unlawful or fraudulent with
respect to him or the domestic corporation.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2087; A 2001, 1414, 3199)
NRS 92A.390 Limitations on right of dissent: Stockholders of certain
classes or series; action of stockholders not required for plan of merger.
1. There is no right of dissent with respect to a plan of merger or
exchange in favor of stockholders of any class or series which, at the record
date fixed to determine the stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to
vote at the meeting at which the plan of merger or exchange is to be acted on,
were either listed on a national securities exchange, included in the national
market system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or held
by at least 2,000 stockholders of record, unless:
(a) The articles of incorporation of the corporation issuing the shares
provide otherwise; or
(b) The holders of the class or series are required under the plan of
merger or exchange to accept for the shares anything except:
(1) Cash, owner's interests or owner's interests and cash in
lieu of fractional owner's interests of:
(I) The surviving or acquiring entity; or
(II) Any other entity which, at the effective date of
the plan of merger or exchange, were either listed on a national securities
exchange, included in the national market system by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., or held of record by a least 2,000 holders of owner's
interests of record; or
(2) A combination of cash and owner's interests of the kind
described in sub-subparagraphs (I) and (II) of subparagraph (1) of paragraph
(b).
2. There is no right of dissent for any holders of stock of the
surviving domestic corporation if the plan of merger does not require action of
the stockholders of the surviving domestic corporation under NRS 92A.130.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2088)
NRS 92A.400 Limitations on right of dissent: Assertion as to portions
only to shares registered to stockholder; assertion by beneficial stockholder.
1. A stockholder of record may assert dissenter's rights as to fewer
than all of the shares registered in his name only if he dissents with respect
to all shares beneficially owned by any one person and notifies the subject
corporation in writing of the name and address of each person on whose behalf he
asserts dissenter's rights. The rights of a partial dissenter under this
subsection are determined as if the shares as to which he dissents and his other
shares were registered in the names of different stockholders.
2. A beneficial stockholder may assert dissenter's rights as to shares
held on his behalf only if:
(a) He submits to the subject corporation the written consent of the
stockholder of record to the dissent not later than the time the beneficial
stockholder asserts dissenter's rights; and
(b) He does so with respect to all shares of which he is the beneficial
stockholder or over which he has power to direct the vote.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2089)
NRS 92A.410 Notification of stockholders regarding right of dissent.
1. If a proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights is
submitted to a vote at a stockholders' meeting, the notice of the meeting must
state that stockholders are or may be entitled to assert dissenters' rights
under NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive, and be accompanied by a copy of those
sections.
2. If the corporate action creating dissenters' rights is taken by
written consent of the stockholders or without a vote of the stockholders, the
domestic corporation shall notify in writing all stockholders entitled to assert
dissenters' rights that the action was taken and send them the dissenter's
notice described in NRS 92A.430.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2089; A 1997, 730)
NRS 92A.420 Prerequisites to demand for payment for shares.
1. If a proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights is
submitted to a vote at a stockholders' meeting, a stockholder who wishes to
assert dissenter's rights:
(a) Must deliver to the subject corporation, before the vote is taken,
written notice of his intent to demand payment for his shares if the proposed
action is effectuated; and
(b) Must not vote his shares in favor of the proposed action.
2. A stockholder who does not satisfy the requirements of subsection 1
and NRS 92A.400 is not entitled to payment for his shares under this chapter.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2089; 1999, 1631)
NRS 92A.430 Dissenter's notice: Delivery to stockholders entitled to
assert rights; contents.
1. If a proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights is
authorized at a stockholders' meeting, the subject corporation shall deliver a
written dissenter's notice to all stockholders who satisfied the requirements to
assert those rights.
2. The dissenter's notice must be sent no later than 10 days after the
effectuation of the corporate action, and must:
(a) State where the demand for payment must be sent and where and when
certificates, if any, for shares must be deposited;
(b) Inform the holders of shares not represented by certificates to
what extent the transfer of the shares will be restricted after the demand for
payment is received;
(c) Supply a form for demanding payment that includes the date of the
first announcement to the news media or to the stockholders of the terms of the
proposed action and requires that the person asserting dissenter's rights
certify whether or not he acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before
that date;
(d) Set a date by which the subject corporation must receive the demand
for payment, which may not be less than 30 nor more than 60 days after the date
the notice is delivered; and
(e) Be accompanied by a copy of NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2089)
NRS 92A.440 Demand for payment and deposit of certificates; retention
of rights of stockholder.
1. A stockholder to whom a dissenter's notice is sent must:
(a) Demand payment;
(b) Certify whether he acquired beneficial ownership of the shares
before the date required to be set forth in the dissenter's notice for this
certification; and
(c) Deposit his certificates, if any, in accordance with the terms of
the notice.
2. The stockholder who demands payment and deposits his certificates,
if any, before the proposed corporate action is taken retains all other rights
of a stockholder until those rights are canceled or modified by the taking of
the proposed corporate action.
3. The stockholder who does not demand payment or deposit his
certificates where required, each by the date set forth in the dissenter's
notice, is not entitled to payment for his shares under this chapter.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2090; A 1997, 730)
NRS 92A.450 Uncertificated shares: Authority to restrict transfer after
demand for payment; retention of rights of stockholder.
1. The subject corporation may restrict the transfer of shares not
represented by a certificate from the date the demand for their payment is
received.
2. The person for whom dissenter's rights are asserted as to shares not
represented by a certificate retains all other rights of a stockholder until
those rights are canceled or modified by the taking of the proposed corporate
action.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2090)
NRS 92A.460 Payment for shares: General requirements.
1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 92A.470, within 30 days after
receipt of a demand for payment, the subject corporation shall pay each
dissenter who complied with NRS 92A.440 the amount the subject corporation
estimates to be the fair value of his shares, plus accrued interest. The
obligation of the subject corporation under this subsection may be enforced by
the district court:
(a) Of the county where the corporation's registered office is located;
or
(b) At the election of any dissenter residing or having its registered
office in this state, of the county where the dissenter resides or has its
registered office. The court shall dispose of the complaint promptly.
2. The payment must be accompanied by:
(a) The subject corporation's balance sheet as of the end of a fiscal
year ending not more than 16 months before the date of payment, a statement of
income for that year, a statement of changes in the stockholders' equity for
that year and the latest available interim financial statements, if any;
(b) A statement of the subject corporation's estimate of the fair value
of the shares;
(c) An explanation of how the interest was calculated;
(d) A statement of the dissenter's rights to demand payment under NRS
92A.480; and
(e) A copy of NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2090)
NRS 92A.470 Payment for shares: Shares acquired on or after date of
dissenter's notice.
1. A subject corporation may elect to withhold payment from a dissenter
unless he was the beneficial owner of the shares before the date set forth in
the dissenter's notice as the date of the first announcement to the news media
or to the stockholders of the terms of the proposed action.
2. To the extent the subject corporation elects to withhold payment,
after taking the proposed action, it shall estimate the fair value of the
shares, plus accrued interest, and shall offer to pay this amount to each
dissenter who agrees to accept it in full satisfaction of his demand. The
subject corporation shall send with its offer a statement of its estimate of the
fair value of the shares, an explanation of how the interest was calculated, and
a statement of the dissenters' right to demand payment pursuant to NRS 92A.480.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2091)
NRS 92A.480 Dissenter's estimate of fair value: Notification of subject
corporation; demand for payment of estimate.
1. A dissenter may notify the subject corporation in writing of his own
estimate of the fair value of his shares and the amount of interest due, and
demand payment of his estimate, less any payment pursuant to NRS 92A.460, or
reject the offer pursuant to NRS 92A.470 and demand payment of the fair value of
his shares and
interest due, if he believes that the amount paid pursuant to NRS 92A.460 or
offered pursuant to NRS 92A.470 is less than the fair value of his shares or
that the interest due is incorrectly calculated.
2. A dissenter waives his right to demand payment pursuant to this
section unless he notifies the subject corporation of his demand in writing
within 30 days after the subject corporation made or offered payment for his
shares.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2091)
NRS 92A.490 Legal proceeding to determine fair value: Duties of subject
corporation; powers of court; rights of dissenter.
1. If a demand for payment remains unsettled, the subject corporation
shall commence a proceeding within 60 days after receiving the demand and
petition the court to determine the fair value of the shares and accrued
interest. If the subject corporation does not commence the proceeding within the
60-day period, it shall pay each dissenter whose demand remains unsettled the
amount demanded.
2. A subject corporation shall commence the proceeding in the district
court of the county where its registered office is located. If the subject
corporation is a foreign entity without a resident agent in the state, it shall
commence the proceeding in the county where the registered office of the
domestic corporation merged with or whose shares were acquired by the foreign
entity was located.
3. The subject corporation shall make all dissenters, whether or not
residents of Nevada, whose demands remain unsettled, parties to the proceeding
as in an action against their shares. All parties must be served with a copy of
the petition. Nonresidents may be served by registered or certified mail or by
publication as provided by law.
4. The jurisdiction of the court in which the proceeding is commenced
under subsection 2 is plenary and exclusive. The court may appoint one or more
persons as appraisers to receive evidence and recommend a decision on the
question of fair value. The appraisers have the powers described in the order
appointing them, or any amendment thereto. The dissenters are entitled to the
same discovery rights as parties in other civil proceedings.
5. Each dissenter who is made a party to the proceeding is entitled to
a judgment:
(a) For the amount, if any, by which the court finds the fair value of
his shares, plus interest, exceeds the amount paid by the subject corporation;
or
(b) For the fair value, plus accrued interest, of his after-acquired
shares for which the subject corporation elected to withhold payment pursuant to
NRS 92A.470.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2091)
NRS 92A.500 Legal proceeding to determine fair value: Assessment of
costs and fees.
1. The court in a proceeding to determine fair value shall determine
all of the costs of the proceeding, including the reasonable compensation and
expenses of any appraisers appointed by the court. The court shall assess the
costs against the subject corporation, except that the court may assess costs
against all or some of the dissenters, in amounts the court finds equitable, to
the extent the court finds the dissenters acted arbitrarily, vexatiously or not
in good faith in demanding payment.
2. The court may also assess the fees and expenses of the counsel and
experts for the respective parties, in amounts the court finds equitable:
(a) Against the subject corporation and in favor of all dissenters if
the court finds the subject corporation did not substantially comply with the
requirements of NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive; or
(b) Against either the subject 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 arbitrarily, vexatiously or not in good faith with
respect to the rights provided by NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive.
3. If the court finds that the services of counsel for any dissenter
were of substantial benefit to other dissenters similarly situated, and that the
fees for those services should not be assessed against the subject corporation,
the court may award to those counsel reasonable fees to be paid out of the
amounts awarded to the dissenters who were benefited.
4. In a proceeding commenced pursuant to NRS 92A.460, the court may
assess the costs against the subject corporation, except that the court may
assess costs against all or some of the dissenters who are parties to the
proceeding, in amounts the court finds equitable, to the extent the court finds
that such parties did not act in good faith in instituting the proceeding.
5. This section does not preclude any party in a proceeding commenced
pursuant to NRS 92A.460 or 92A.490 from applying the provisions of N.R.C.P. 68
or NRS 17.115.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2092)
(Preliminary: For SEC only)
WESTWOOD CORPORATION
12402 East 60th Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74146
PROXY FOR SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD __________________, 2002
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF WESTWOOD CORPORATION
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Ernest H. McKee, Richard E.
Minshall, Anthony Pantaleoni, John H. Williams, Sr. and William J. Preston, and
each of them, lawful attorneys and proxies or proxy with full power of
substitution and revocation as to each of them, to represent the undersigned and
to act and vote all of the shares of common stock of Westwood Corporation the
undersigned is entitled to vote at the Special Meeting of Shareholders of
Westwood Corporation, to be held on the ___ day of ______________, 2002, at 9:00
a.m., Central Standard Time, in the executive offices of Westwood Corporation at
12402 East 60th Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74146, on the following matters and in
their discretion on any other matters which may come before the meeting or any
adjournments or postponements thereof. Receipt of the Proxy Statement dated
August __, 2002, is acknowledged.
Please mark your vote as indicated in this example: [X]
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ITEM 1.
1. To approve and adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated August 8, 2002,
by and among L-3 Communications Corporation, Blue Acquisition Corp. and
Westwood Corporation relating to the merger of Blue Acquisition Corp., a
wholly owned subsidiary of L-3 Communications Corporation, with and into
Westwood Corporation.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
2. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the Special Meeting and at any and all
adjournments or postponements thereof.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS
PROXY PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN
BY THE UNDERSIGNED. IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH DIRECTION, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED
"FOR" ITEM 1.
This proxy is solicited by the board of directors of Westwood Corporation.
--------------------------------------
Signature
--------------------------------------
Signature if held jointly
Dated:
------------------------------
(Please sign exactly as name appears herein, date and return promptly. When
shares are held by joint tenants, both must sign. When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If
a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by duly authorized officer and
give title of officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by
authorized person and give title or capacity of person signing.