RISK
FACTORS
You
should carefully consider the risks described below and incorporated by
reference herein and the other information in this proxy statement/prospectus or
incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. The risks
described below or incorporated by reference herein are not the only ones facing
us. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem
immaterial may also impair our business operations.
Our
business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow, could be
materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The trading price of our
Shares could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of
your investment.
This
proxy statement/prospectus also contains forward-looking statements that involve
risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors,
including the risks faced by us described below and incorporated by reference
into this proxy statement/prospectus.
We
may incur significant taxes if the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and other
non-U.S. taxing authorities do not agree with our tax treatment of the
Conversion.
Changes
in tax laws, treaties or regulations or the interpretation or enforcement of
these tax laws, treaties or regulations, could adversely affect the tax
consequences of the Conversion on us, our subsidiaries and our shareholders. In
addition, if the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or other taxing authorities do
not agree with our assessment of the effects or interpretation of these laws,
treaties and regulations, we could incur a material amount of U.S. federal
income tax as a result of the Conversion. WE STRONGLY URGE YOU TO CONSULT YOUR
TAX ADVISORS REGARDING YOUR PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE
CONVERSION.
Your
rights as a stockholder may be adversely affected as a result of the
Conversion.
Because
of differences in the governing documents of Mercer and Mercer-WA, your rights
as a shareholder will change in certain respects if the Conversion is completed.
For a description of certain of these differences, please read "Adoption and
Approval of Proposed Delaware Reincorporation - Description of Capital Stock and
Governing Documents of Mercer-WA and Relevant Laws".
The
costs and benefits of the Conversion may not be as
anticipated.
Unanticipated
costs or the non-realization of expected benefits of the Conversion could
adversely affect us. Similarly, any cost, difficulty or delay related to the
Conversion and related transactions, which could be greater than expected or
thought, may also adversely affect us.
Washington
law and Mercer-WA's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws will preserve and add
to certain existing anti-takeover provisions of
Mercer.
Provisions
in Mercer-WA's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, many of which are similar
to certain provisions of Mercer's Declaration of Trust, could discourage
unsolicited takeover bids from third parties or the removal of incumbent
management. These provisions include a classified board, the requirement that
only the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer or a majority of the Board may
validly call a special meeting and the issuance of preferred shares with rights
and qualifications determined by the Board. In addition, Chapter 23B.19 of the
Washington Business Corporation Act prohibits certain business combinations
between Mercer-WA and certain significant shareholders for a period of five
years unless specific conditions are met. These provisions could delay, defer,
prevent or make more difficult a merger, tender offer or proxy contest involving
Mercer-WA or make more difficult the acquisition of a larger block of common
stock. These provisions could also limit the price that investors may be willing
to pay in the future for Mercer-WA shares.
7
THE
SPECIAL MEETING
General
This
proxy statement/prospectus is furnished in connection with the solicitation by
the management of Mercer of Proxies for use at the Meeting of our shareholders
to be held at the Terminal City Club, 837 West Hastings Street, Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada at
a.m. (Vancouver time),
on , 2005, or
any adjournment, postponement or rescheduling thereof. If a Proxy in the
accompanying form is properly executed and received by us prior to the Meeting
or any adjournment, postponement or rescheduling thereof, the Shares represented
by such Proxy will be voted in the manner directed. In the absence of voting
instructions, the Shares will be voted for the proposals set out in the
accompanying Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders. Please see the Proxy for
voting instructions. Brokers who hold shares in street name for customers may
have the authority to vote on "routine" proposals when they have not received
instructions from beneficial owners, but may be precluded from exercising their
voting discretion with respect to proposals for "non-routine" matters. Proxies
submitted by brokers without instructions from customers for these non-routine
matters are referred to as "broker non-votes". The Resolutions authorize
non-routine matters and, therefore, abstentions and broker non-votes will have
the effect of a vote against the Resolutions.
A Proxy
may be revoked at any time prior to its use by filing a written Notice of
Revocation of Proxy or a later dated Proxy with our Registrar and Transfer
Agent, Mellon Investor Services LLC, at P.O. Box 3315, South Hackensack, New
Jersey 07606 or, alternatively, with our proxy solicitor, Georgeson Shareholder
Communications Inc., at 17 State Street, 10th Floor,
New York NY 10004. A Proxy may also be revoked by a shareholder attending the
Meeting and voting its Shares in person. Attendance at the Meeting will not, in
and of itself, constitute revocation of a Proxy. If Shares are held in the name
of a broker, dealer or other nominee, a Proxy reflecting the beneficial
ownership of such shares as of the Record Date will need to be brought to the
Meeting.
The
holders of one-third of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote at the Meeting,
present in person or represented by Proxy, constitutes a quorum for the Meeting.
Under applicable Washington state law, abstentions and broker non-votes will be
counted for the purposes of establishing a quorum for the Meeting. In order for
the Declaration of Trust Amendment Resolution to be passed, the affirmative vote
of a majority of our outstanding Shares entitled to vote, whether in person or
by Proxy, will be required. In order for the Delaware Reincorporation Resolution
to be passed, the affirmative vote of two-thirds of our outstanding Shares
entitled to vote, whether in person or by Proxy, will be required.
If we
fail to receive a sufficient number of votes to approve either the Declaration
of Trust Amendment Resolution or the Delaware Reincorporation Resolution, we may
propose to adjourn the Meeting, if a quorum is present, for a period of not more
than 30 days for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies to approve either
Resolution that fails to receive a sufficient number of votes, which, if
necessary, will require the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the
Shares present in person or represented by Proxy at the Meeting and entitled to
vote.
Proxies
for the Meeting will be solicited by Mercer primarily by mail. Proxies may also
be solicited by telephone or mail personally by our trustees, officers or
regular employees without additional compensation. We may reimburse banks,
broker-dealers or other nominees for their reasonable expenses in forwarding the
proxy materials for the Meeting to beneficial owners of Shares. The costs of
this solicitation will be borne by Mercer. We have also retained Georgeson
Shareholder Communications Inc. as our proxy solicitor for a fee of
approximately $16,000, plus expenses, to aid in the solicitation of Proxies and
to verify certain records related to the solicitation. This fee does not include
the costs of preparing, printing, assembling, delivering and mailing the proxy
materials.
This
proxy statement/prospectus and accompanying Proxy will be mailed to shareholders
commencing on or
about ,
2005. The close of business
on ,
2005 has been fixed as the Record Date for the determination of shareholders
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment,
postponement or rescheduling thereof.
AMENDMENT
OF DECLARATION OF TRUST
The
Proposal
Our Board
believes that certain amendments to the Declaration of Trust are required to
enable Mercer to undertake the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation. The proposed
amendments to the Declaration of Trust would provide that we (i) may effect a
merger with a corporation subject to our observance of the applicable provisions
of Chapter 23B.11 of the Washington Business Corporation Act and (ii) shall
cease our separate existence upon a merger in which we are not the surviving
entity. Although the laws of the State of Washington, which govern Mercer,
permit Washington corporations to merge with a foreign or domestic corporation
(under Chapter 23B.11 of the Washington Business Corporation Act), such laws do
not expressly permit a Massachusetts trust to merge with a corporation or
provide for the effect that such a merger would have on a Massachusetts trust.
The laws do provide, however, that the Declaration of Trust may provide for such
matters. We believe the proposed amendments to the Declaration of Trust would
provide us additional legal authority to undertake the Conversion. Except for
the Conversion, we have no plans, arrangements or understandings with respect to
a merger with a corporation or other entity.
If our
shareholders approve the Declaration of Trust Amendment Resolution, we will file
with the Washington Secretary of State Articles of Amendment to the Declaration
of Trust reflecting that Mercer may effect a merger with another corporation
subject to its observance of the applicable provisions of Chapter 23B.11 of the
Washington Business Corporation Act and shall cease its separate existence upon
a merger in which it is not the surviving entity. We will file the Articles of
Amendment even if the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation is
abandoned.
The
Declaration of Trust Amendment Resolution is attached to this proxy
statement/prospectus as Appendix E. A copy of the form of Articles of Amendment
to the Declaration of Trust is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as
Appendix F. Shareholders should carefully review these documents.
Vote
Required and Board Recommendation
The
affirmative vote of a majority of our outstanding Shares entitled to vote at the
Meeting is required to pass the Declaration of Trust Amendment Resolution.
OUR
BOARD HAS APPROVED THE AMENDMENTS TO THE DECLARATION OF TRUST AND RECOMMENDS
THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE DECLARATION OF TRUST AMENDMENT
RESOLUTION.
ADOPTION
AND APPROVAL OF PROPOSED DELAWARE REINCORPORATION
Background
to the Conversion
For the
reasons set forth below, our Board believes that the best interests of Mercer
and that of our shareholders will be served by consummating the Conversion to
change our legal form from that of a Massachusetts trust to that of a
corporation organized under the laws of the State of Washington. Pursuant to the
Merger Agreement, your Shares of Mercer will convert into the same number of
shares of common stock of Mercer-WA.
As a
result of the Conversion, you will own the same relative interest in Mercer-WA
as you did in Mercer. Pursuant to the Proposed Washington Reincorporation,
Mercer-WA will adopt the name "Mercer International Inc.". Mercer-WA will be
engaged in the same business that Mercer was engaged in prior to the Conversion
and its shares of common stock will, subject to the receipt of all necessary
regulatory approvals and consents, also be quoted for trading on the NASDAQ
National Market and listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Our Board
has approved the Conversion, which will occur as follows:
1. |
Pursuant to the
Merger Agreement described below, Mercer will be reincorporated as a
corporation organized under Delaware law through the Proposed Delaware
Reincorporation involving the merger of Mercer with and into Mercer-DE,
with Mercer-DE being the surviving entity of such
merger; |
2. |
Pursuant to the
Merger Agreement, each outstanding Share of Mercer will convert into one
share of common stock of Mercer-WA upon consummation of the Proposed
Delaware Reincorporation. The shareholders of Mercer will become the
shareholders of Mercer-WA and will own exactly the same number of shares
of common stock of Mercer-WA immediately after such merger as the number
of Shares of Mercer they owned immediately before such merger. The one
common share of Mercer-WA held by Mercer will be cancelled;
and |
3. |
Immediately
following the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation, Mercer-DE will merge with
and into Mercer-WA in accordance with the applicable provisions of
Washington and Delaware law, with Mercer-WA being the surviving entity of
such merger, with the result that we will be reincorporated as a
Washington corporation. |
The
Conversion will require amendments to Mercer's Declaration of Trust. The
amendments to Mercer's Declaration of Trust will authorize Mercer to effect a
merger with a corporation subject to its observance of the applicable provisions
of Chapter 23B.11 of the Washington Business Corporation Act and provide that
Mercer shall cease its separate existence upon a merger in which it is not the
surviving entity. The amendments will enable Mercer to merge into Mercer-DE,
with Mercer-DE as the survivor, and upon such merger, Mercer shall cease to
exist. See "Amendment of Declaration of Trust" for more detailed
information.
Although
the laws of the State of Washington, which govern Mercer, allow foreign
corporations to reincorporate under Washington law, such laws do not provide
that a Massachusetts trust can reincorporate as a Washington corporation by
merging with and into a Washington corporation. The laws of the State of
Delaware do provide that a Massachusetts trust can reincorporate as a Delaware
corporation by merging with and into a Delaware corporation. Therefore, in order
to consummate the Conversion, we must first consummate the Proposed Delaware
Reincorporation, to be immediately followed by the Proposed Washington
Reincorporation. Under applicable law, shareholder approval is required for the
Proposed Delaware Reincorporation, but is not required for the Proposed
Washington Reincorporation.
The
following charts set forth our current structure, our transitory corporate
structure that will result from the consummation of the Proposed Delaware
Reincorporation and our final corporate structure that will result from the
consummation of the Proposed Washington Incorporation.
Current
Structure
Proposed
Transitory Structure
Proposed
Final Structure
Shareholders
must pass the Delaware Reincorporation Resolution at the Meeting for the
Proposed Delaware Reincorporation to be consummated, which will immediately be
followed by the Proposed Washington Reincorporation. The affirmative vote of
two-thirds of the outstanding Shares of Mercer entitled to vote at the Meeting
is required to pass the Delaware Reincorporation Resolution. OUR
BOARD HAS APPROVED THE AMENDMENTS TO THE DECLARATION OF TRUST, THE MERGER
AGREEMENT, THE PROPOSED DELAWARE REINCORPORATION AND THE PROPOSED WASHINGTON
REINCORPORATION AND RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE DELAWARE
REINCORPORATION RESOLUTION.
The
Merger Agreement
The
summary of certain material provisions of the Merger Agreement included in the
proxy statement/prospectus is not complete and these provisions, including
definitions of certain terms, are qualified in their entirety by reference to
the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Appendix A hereto and
incorporated by reference herein. We recommend that you read carefully the
complete Merger Agreement for the precise terms relating to the proposed
Conversion and other information that may be important to you.
Proposed
Delaware Reincorporation
The
Merger Agreement provides that Mercer will merge with and into Mercer-DE, with
Mercer-DE being the surviving entity of such merger. Pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, each outstanding Share of Mercer will convert into one share of
common stock of Mercer-WA upon consummation of the merger of Mercer with and
into Mercer-DE. In addition, the one common share of Mercer-WA held by Mercer
will be cancelled.
Upon
consummation of the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation, each shareholder of
Mercer will become a shareholder of Mercer-WA, and Mercer-WA's common stock
will, subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory consents and approvals,
be quoted for trading on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol "MERC" and
listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under symbol "MRI.U".
We will
cause certificates representing a sufficient number of Mercer-WA shares of
common stock to be deposited with our transfer agent for the purpose of enabling
shareholders to exchange their Shares of Mercer for an equal number of Mercer-WA
shares of common stock. It will not be necessary for holders of Mercer's Shares
to physically exchange their existing stock certificates for certificates of
Mercer-WA upon consummation of the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation. The
certificates that represent Shares of Mercer immediately prior to the
consummation of the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation will be converted to an
equal number of shares of Mercer-WA common stock immediately after the
consummation of the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation and will no longer
represent Mercer Shares. New Mercer-WA share certificates will be issued if and
as certificates representing Mercer Shares are presented for exchange or
transfer. YOU SHOULD NOT RETURN SHARE CERTIFICATES WITH THE ENCLOSED PROXY
CARD.
Conditions
to Consummation of the Proposed Delaware
Reincorporation
The
Proposed Delaware Reincorporation will not be completed unless, among other
things, the following conditions are satisfied or, if permitted by law,
waived:
· |
The
Declaration of Trust Amendment Resolution is passed by the affirmative
vote of holders of not less than a majority of our outstanding Shares
entitled to vote at the Meeting; |
· |
The
Delaware Reincorporation Resolution is passed by the affirmative vote of
holders of not less than two-thirds of our outstanding Shares entitled to
vote at the Meeting; |
· |
None of
Mercer, Mercer-WA and Mercer-DE is subject to any governmental decree,
order or injunction that in the discretion of our Board would make the
consummation of any of the steps in the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation
inadvisable; |
· |
The
registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part
is declared effective by the SEC, and no stop order is in
effect; |
· |
The
shares of common stock of Mercer-WA to be issued pursuant to the Merger
Agreement have been approved for quotation on the NASDAQ National Market
and for listing on the Toronto Stock
Exchange; |
· |
The
obtaining of certain exemptions and orders from applicable securities
regulatory authorities to permit the distribution of the shares of common
stock of Mercer-WA as exempt from the prospectus and registration
requirements of applicable securities laws and the resale of such shares
without hold periods or restrictions under such securities
laws; |
· |
All
filings required by any governmental or regulatory agency are made;
and |
· |
All
consents and approvals required by any governmental or regulatory agency
and all other material third-party consents, if any, are
received. |
We are
party to agreements that will require the consent of third parties prior to the
implementation of the Conversion. We believe that we will obtain all material
consents required prior to the consummation of the Conversion and that the
failure to obtain any other consents will not have a material impact on our
business or our ability to consummate the Conversion.
Effective
Time of the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation
Subject
to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, we intend, as soon as
practicable after the approval by our shareholders of the Resolutions, to file a
Certificate of Amendment of our Declaration of Trust with the Secretary of State
of the State of Washington and thereafter to file the Merger Agreement and other
appropriate documents with the Delaware Secretary of State and Washington
Secretary of State to effect the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation. However, our
Board may delay the consummation of the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation for
some period of time after shareholder approval has been obtained pending receipt
of third-party consents and regulatory approvals or for other business
reasons.
In the
event the conditions to the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation are not satisfied,
it may be abandoned or delayed even after the Delaware Reincorporation
Resolution has been adopted by our shareholders. In addition, the Proposed
Delaware Reincorporation may be abandoned or delayed for any reason by our Board
at any time prior to its becoming effective, even though the Delaware
Reincorporation Resolution has been adopted by our shareholders and all
conditions to the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation have been
satisfied.
Amendment
and Termination of the Merger Agreement
The
Merger Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented by our Board either
before or after shareholder approval has been obtained and prior to the
consummation of the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation, provided that certain
principal terms may not be amended without further shareholder approval. Our
Board may terminate the Merger Agreement and abandon the Proposed Delaware
Reincorporation at any time prior to the consummation of the Proposed Delaware
Reincorporation.
Proposed
Washington Reincorporation
Immediately
following consummation of the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation, we intend to
file appropriate documents with the Delaware Secretary of State and Washington
Secretary of State to effect the Proposed Washington Reincorporation pursuant to
the merger of Mercer-DE with and into Mercer-WA in accordance with the
applicable provisions of Delaware and Washington law, with Mercer-WA being the
surviving entity of such merger. Upon consummation of the Proposed Washington
Reincorporation, Mercer-WA will concurrently change its name to "Mercer
International Inc." and, as the surviving entity of such merger, will continue
to operate the business of Mercer under such name.
At the
effective time of the consummation of the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation,
Mercer-WA will also assume and continue all our stock option, stock incentive
and all other employee benefit plans and our indentures, credit facilities and
shareholder rights plan such that common stock of Mercer-WA will be issuable
upon any exercise or conversion of such securities of Mercer and Mercer-WA will
be responsible for all obligations of Mercer under such facilities or
plans.
In
connection with the Conversion, Mercer-WA will assume all of Mercer's
obligations, including under the following:
|
• |
$82.5
million of 8.5% convertible senior subordinated notes due 2010;
and |
|
• |
$310
million of 9.25% senior notes due 2013. |
The terms
of the above indebtedness require this assumption in connection with the
Conversion.
Under the
terms of Mercer's indenture governing its 8.5% convertible senior subordinated
notes due 2010, Mercer-WA will be required to enter into a supplemental
indenture in a form reasonably satisfactory to the trustee under that indenture
whereby Mercer-WA will assume all of the obligations of Mercer under: (i) the
registration rights agreement entered into in connection with such indenture;
(ii) the notes issued under such indenture; and (iii) such indenture. Mercer-WA
must also cause to be delivered to the trustee under the indenture an officers'
certificate and opinion of counsel each stating that the Conversion complies
with the relevant provisions of such indenture and that all conditions precedent
set forth in the indenture have been satisfied.
Under the
terms of Mercer's indenture governing its 9.25% senior notes due 2013, Mercer is
expressly permitted to convert from a business trust into a corporation
organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the
United States or the District of Columbia without entering into any further
supplemental indenture.
Certain
Shareholder Rights
Shareholders
are or may be entitled to assert dissenters' rights under Chapter 23B.13 of the
Washington Business Corporation Act, and this proxy statement/prospectus is
accompanied by a copy of that chapter (see Appendix D). Shareholders meeting
certain requirements as set out in the Washington Business Corporation Act may
have dissenters' rights of appraisal with respect to the Proposed Delaware
Reincorporation and the discussion of dissenters' rights should be read closely.
See the more complete discussion under "Dissenters' Rights" below.
Dividends
Mercer
has not declared or paid any cash dividends on its stock. We do not intend to
pay any cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. If the
Delaware Reincorporation Resolution is adopted and the Proposed Delaware
Reincorporation is completed, Mercer-WA anticipates that it will not pay any
cash dividends on its common stock for the foreseeable future.
Recommendation
of Trustees
Our Board
has approved the amendments to our Declaration of Trust, the Merger Agreement,
the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation and the Proposed Washington
Reincorporation and recommends that our shareholders vote in favor of the
Delaware Reincorporation Resolution at the Meeting. If the
Declaration of Trust Amendment Resolution is passed by the affirmative vote of a
majority of our outstanding Shares entitled to vote at the Meeting, the Delaware
Reincorporation Resolution is passed by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of
our outstanding Shares entitled to vote at the Meeting, and all other conditions
to the consummation of the Conversion are satisfied, it is anticipated that the
Proposed Delaware Reincorporation will occur as soon as practicable following
the Meeting and the Proposed Washington Reincorporation will occur immediately
thereafter. The Proposed Washington Reincorporation is conditional upon the
completion of the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation.
Principal
Reasons for the Conversion
We have
two principal reasons to effect the Conversion: (i) extend the limited life of
Mercer to an indefinite term; and (ii) increase our operational flexibility and
potential entitlement to additional benefits and advantages of operating as a
corporation and reduce certain administrative burdens and costs of operating as
a Massachusetts trust.
We were
organized in 1968 with the purpose and intent of conducting business as a real
estate investment trust. In connection therewith, we originally invested in
various real estate assets but in 1985 we changed our operational direction to
acquiring controlling interests in operating companies. We acquired our current
pulp and paper operations beginning in 1993. At the time we were initially
organized, there were business and tax reasons to use the legal form of a
Massachusetts trust. We believe that, as the result of our change from a real
estate investment vehicle to an entity owning and managing operating pulp and
paper companies in Europe and Canada, the original reasons for organizing Mercer
as a Massachusetts trust under the laws of Washington state are no longer
applicable and, as a Massachusetts trust, we incur added administrative burdens
and costs.
Our
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust provides that we will continue until
the expiration of twenty years after the death of the last survivor of those
persons named therein, which limitation is of a type generally applicable to
trusts. Corporations organized under the laws of Washington state can have a
perpetual existence and continue until wound up or liquidated by their
shareholders or by operation of law. Accordingly, our Board believes that the
best interests of our shareholders will be served by the Conversion, which will
eliminate the term limitation contained in our Declaration of Trust and provide
instead for perpetual existence.
Upon
conversion to a corporation, we will also have greater operational flexibility
and may be entitled to certain securities, tax and regulatory benefits and
advantages, including those related to cross-border operations and transactions
that may not otherwise be directly available to us as a Massachusetts trust or
the availability of which are uncertain and require confirmation through time
consuming and costly applications to obtain exemptive regulatory relief.
Further, although the legal form of a Massachusetts trust is recognized and
familiar in the United States, such legal form is not as familiar outside of the
United States which results in certain administrative burdens and costs when
dealing with non-U.S. regulatory authorities and other third parties. We expect
that such added administrative costs and burdens will be eliminated once we
become a Washington corporation. However, no assurances can be given that the
anticipated benefits of the Conversion will be realized.
General
Effects of Conversion and Accounting Treatment
The
Conversion will be accounted for as a merger of entities under common control
that will not result in changes in our historical consolidated carrying amounts
of assets, liabilities and shareholders' equity. The Conversion will effect a
change in our legal form, but will not result in any change in our business,
management, fiscal year, accounting practices, assets or liabilities (except to
the extent of legal and other costs of effecting the Conversion and maintaining
ongoing corporate status) or location of the principal executive offices and
facilities.
Our
Shares are currently quoted for trading on the NASDAQ National Market and listed
for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange. There is currently no established
public trading market for the shares of common stock of Mercer-WA. We will make
applications so that, immediately following the consummation of the Proposed
Delaware Reincorporation, the shares of common stock of Mercer-WA will, subject
to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals and consents, be quoted for
trading on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol "MERC" and listed for
trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "MRI.U". Following
consummation of the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation, our Shares will be
delisted and will no longer be registered pursuant to the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
All
outstanding and unexercised stock options, warrants or other rights to acquire
our Shares, whether pursuant to our convertible notes, Amended and Restated 1992
Stock Option Plan, 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, shareholder rights plan or
otherwise, will, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, convert into options,
warrants or rights to acquire the same number of shares of Mercer-WA common
stock or preferred stock on the same terms and conditions and at the same
exercise or conversion price applicable to any such options, warrants or rights
outstanding prior to the consummation of the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation.
Our stock option, stock incentive and other employee benefit plans and our
indentures, credit facilities and shareholder rights plan will also be continued
by Mercer-WA upon the terms and subject to the conditions currently in effect.
The approval of the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation will also constitute
approval of any amendments necessary or appropriate in connection with the
Conversion to these stock options, stock incentive and other employee benefit
plans, our indentures, credit facilities and the shareholder rights
plan.
The
charter documents of Mercer-WA will, however, differ in certain material
respects from those of Mercer as, among other things, our legal form will change
from that of a Massachusetts trust to that of a corporation. We recommend that
you read carefully the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws for information that
may be important to you.
If the
Delaware Reincorporation Resolution is approved by our shareholders, at the
effective time of the Conversion, our incumbent trustees and our officers will
become the directors and officers of Mercer-WA. The incumbent trustees will
serve as directors of Mercer-WA for the same terms of service for which
they are serving as trustees of Mercer. In approving the Proposed Delaware
Reincorporation, shareholders will be considered to have ratified the
appointment of the directors of Mercer-WA.
Information
concerning the names, ages, positions and business experience of our trustees
and officers that will become the directors and executive officers of Mercer-WA
and information about executive compensation, security ownership of certain
beneficial owners and management and certain relationships and related
transactions is incorporated by reference herein from Mercer's definitive proxy
statement, dated April 28, 2005, for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on
June 14, 2005 and Mercer's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004.
Description
of Capital Stock and Governing Documents of Mercer-WA and Relevant
Laws
Description
of Capital Stock of Mercer-WA
Set forth
below is information concerning the capital stock of Mercer-WA, which does not
purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Mercer-WA, which are included with this
proxy statement/prospectus as Appendix B and Appendix C, respectively.
Shares
of Common Stock of Mercer-WA
Each
share of common stock of Mercer-WA entitles the holder to one vote at a meeting
of its shareholders. Cumulative voting in the election of directors is not
permitted. The shares of common stock of Mercer-WA are entitled to dividends
when, as and if declared by its board of directors from time to time. Upon the
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Mercer-WA, the holders of the shares
of common stock of Mercer-WA are entitled to participate pro rata in any
distribution of its assets (in cash or in kind or partly each) after the payment
of all liabilities, subject to the rights of holders of preferred shares.
Mercer-WA
is authorized to issue 200 million shares of common stock, $1.00 par value, of
which one share is currently issued and outstanding and owned beneficially and
of record by Mercer.
Preferred
Shares of Mercer-WA
Mercer-WA
is authorized to issue 50 million shares of preferred stock, $1.00 par value, of
which none are issued and outstanding. Mercer-WA is authorized without further
action by shareholders to issue preferred shares from time to time and to:
(i) divide the preferred shares into one or more series;
(ii) designate the number of shares of each series and the designation
thereof; (iii) fix and determine the relative rights and preferences as
between series including, but not limited to, the dividend rate (and whether
dividends are cumulative), conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of
redemption (including sinking fund provisions), redemption price and liquidation
preferences (if and to the extent that any such rights are to be applicable to
any such series); and (iv) amend the relative rights and preferences of any
series that is wholly unissued.
In
anticipation of the continuation by Mercer-WA of our shareholder rights plan and
the preferred stock purchase rights issued in connection therewith, Mercer-WA
has authorized two million shares of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Shares, referred to as the "Series A Preferred Shares", of which
no shares of any series are issued and outstanding.
Series A
Preferred Shares of Mercer-WA
The
Series A Preferred Shares are entitled to receive, subject to the rights of
holders of preferred shares ranking prior to the Series A Preferred Shares,
quarterly dividends, when, as and if declared by the directors of Mercer-WA, in
an amount equal to the greater of (i) $10 or (ii) 100 times the
dividends declared on the shares of common stock of Mercer-WA. Mercer-WA is
required to declare a dividend on the Series A Preferred Shares immediately
after it declares a dividend on its shares of common stock and all dividends
declared are cumulative but do not bear interest.
In the
event that dividends declared on the Series A Preferred Shares are in
arrears for six quarterly periods, all holders of the preferred shares of
Mercer-WA with dividends in arrears for six quarterly periods, irrespective of
the series, voting as a class, have the right to elect two directors at a
meeting of its shareholders. However, the term of any director so elected
terminates upon the payment of outstanding dividends. When dividends on the
Series A Preferred Shares are in arrears: (i) Mercer-WA cannot declare
or pay dividends on, or make any other distribution on, or redeem or purchase,
any shares ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Shares;
(ii) declare or pay dividends on, or make any other distributions on, any
shares ranking on parity with the Series A Preferred Shares, except
dividends paid ratably on the Series A Preferred Shares and all such parity
shares on which dividends are payable or in arrears on a pro rata basis;
(iii) redeem or purchase shares ranking on parity with the Series A
Preferred Shares, except that Mercer-WA may redeem or purchase such parity
shares in exchange for shares ranking junior to the Series A Preferred
Shares; or (iv) purchase any Series A Preferred Shares or shares
ranking on parity with the Series A Preferred Shares, except in accordance
with a purchase offer made in writing or by publication to all holders of such
shares upon such terms as the directors of Mercer-WA determine in good faith
will result in a fair and equitable treatment among the respective shares.
Upon the
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Mercer-WA, no distribution may be made
to holders of shares ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Shares
unless, prior thereto, the holders of Series A Preferred Shares have
received $100 per share plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends
thereon, whether or not declared. Following such payment, holders of
Series A Preferred Shares are not entitled to any additional distributions
and holders of Series A Preferred Shares and holders of the shares of
common stock of Mercer-WA are entitled to receive a pro rata share of the
remaining assets of Mercer-WA to be distributed.
In the
event that Mercer-WA enters into any consolidation, merger, combination or other
transaction in which shares of common stock of Mercer-WA are exchanged for
securities, cash and/or other property, the Series A Preferred Shares shall
at the same time be similarly exchanged in an amount per share equal to 100
times the aggregate amount of the securities, cash and/or other property into
which each share of common stock of Mercer-WA is exchanged.
Series A
Preferred Shares vote together as one class with the shares of common stock of
Mercer-WA. Each Series A Preferred Share entitles the holder thereof to 100
votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders of Mercer-WA.
17
Rights
Plan
Our
shareholder rights plan will be assumed and continued by Mercer-WA following the
Conversion, on the same terms and conditions set forth therein. The following
summary of certain material provisions of our rights plan, as amended, is not
complete and these provisions, including definitions of certain terms, are
qualified by reference to the rights plan filed by Mercer with the SEC.
On
November 11, 2003, our Board declared a dividend of one preferred stock
purchase right for each Share outstanding to our shareholders of record on
December 31, 2003. As long as the rights are attached to our Shares, we
will issue one right (subject to adjustment) with each new Share we issue so
that all Shares will have rights attached. When exercisable, each right will
entitle the registered holder to purchase from us one one-hundredth of a
Series A Preferred Share at an exercise price of $75.00, subject to
adjustment. Subject to certain exceptions, upon the earlier of ten days
following the date that a person or group: (i) acquires 15 percent of
the aggregate of our outstanding Shares and Shares issuable upon conversion of
our outstanding 8.5% convertible senior subordinated notes as if the then
outstanding notes had been fully converted, referred to as the "Issuable Note
Shares"; or (ii) announces a tender offer or exchange offer for our
outstanding Shares that could result in the offeror becoming the beneficial
owner of 15 percent or more of the aggregate of our outstanding Shares and
Issuable Note Shares, the rights granted to our shareholders will become
exercisable to purchase our Shares at a price substantially discounted from the
then applicable market price of our Shares.
Pursuant
to our rights plan, the occurrence of certain events involving a person or group
becoming the beneficial owner of 15 percent or more of our outstanding
Shares and Issuable Note Shares (subject to limited exceptions) shall constitute
a "Triggering Event". Upon the occurrence of a Triggering Event, the rights
shall entitle holders, pursuant to the rights plan, to receive Shares in lieu of
preferred shares at a price and upon terms that could cause substantial dilution
to a person or group that attempts to acquire Mercer on terms not approved by
our trustees.
These
rights could generally discourage a merger or tender offer involving the
securities of Mercer that is not approved by our Board by increasing the cost of
effecting any such transaction and, accordingly, could have an adverse impact on
shareholders who might want to vote in favor of such merger or participate in
such tender offer. The description and terms of the rights are set forth in a
rights agreement, dated as of December 23, 2003, as amended. Shares issued
upon conversion of the notes are subject to the rights plan. The rights
agreement will expire on December 31, 2005.
Anti-takeover
Provisions
Washington
Law
Mercer-WA
will be subject to the provisions of the Washington Business Corporation Act,
Chapter 23B.19 which prohibits a Washington corporation from engaging in
any business combination with an "acquiring person" for a period of five years
after the date of the transaction in which the person became an acquired person,
unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. A business
combination includes mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in a
financial benefit to the acquired person. Subject to certain exceptions, an
"acquired person" is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns
10% or more of the corporation's voting stock. We are also subject to such
provisions.
Articles
of Incorporation of Mercer-WA
The board
of directors of Mercer-WA has the authority to issue up to 50,000,000 preferred
shares, and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions,
including voting rights, of these shares without any further vote or action by
the holders of the shares of common stock of Mercer-WA. The rights of the
holders of any preferred shares that may be issued in the future may adversely
affect the rights of the holders of the shares of common stock of Mercer-WA. The
issuance of the preferred stock, while providing Mercer-WA with desirable
flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate
purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to
acquire a majority of the outstanding voting stock of Mercer-WA, thereby
delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of Mercer-WA. Furthermore,
such preferred stock may have other rights, including economic rights senior to
the shares of common stock of Mercer-WA, and as a result, the issuance of the
preferred stock could have a material adverse effect on the market value of the
shares of common stock of Mercer-WA. Mercer-WA has no present plan to issue
shares of preferred stock.
The board
of directors of Mercer-WA is divided into three classes of directors with
staggered terms. Directors are elected to three-year terms and the term of one
class of directors expires each year. The existence of a classified board is
designed to provide continuity and stability to the management of Mercer-WA,
which results from directors serving the three-year, rather than one-year terms.
The existence of a classified board is also designed to render certain hostile
takeovers more difficult. The existence of a classified board may therefore have
the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of
Mercer-WA in certain instances, thereby delaying, deferring or preventing a
change in control that a holder of shares of common stock of Mercer-WA might
consider in its best interest. Further, if shareholders are dissatisfied with
the policies and/or decisions of the board of directors, the existence of a
classified board will make it more difficult for the shareholders to change the
composition (and therefore the policies) of the board of directors in a
relatively short period of time.
Furthermore,
Mercer-WA may in the future adopt certain other measures that may have the
effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of Mercer-WA.
Certain of such measures may be adopted without any further vote or action by
the holders of the shares of common stock of Mercer-WA.
Transfer
Agent and Registrar
The
transfer agent and registrar for the shares of common stock of Mercer-WA will be
Mellon Investor Services LLC, which is also the transfer agent and registrar of
our Shares.
Comparison
of Shareholder Rights
Once the
Proposed Delaware Reincorporation is approved and effected, shareholders of
Mercer will become shareholders of Mercer-WA and their rights as shareholders
will be governed by the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Mercer-WA and
the Washington Business Corporation Act (the "WBCA") instead of the Amended and
Restated Declaration of Trust and Trustees' Regulations of Mercer and the
State of Washington's Massachusetts Trust Act of 1959 (the "Trust Act").
As the legal form of Mercer and Mercer-WA differ, the provisions of our Amended
and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trustees' Regulations and those of the
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Mercer-WA differ in certain material
respects. Although all of the differences are not set forth in this proxy
statement/prospectus, the following summary outlines the significant changes in
the charter documents that will govern the Shares of common stock of Mercer-WA
to be issued on conversion of our Shares in the event that the Proposed Delaware
Reincorporation is effected.
The
summary set forth below is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trustees'
Regulations of Mercer, the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Mercer-WA and
Washington state law. The Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Mercer-WA are
included with this proxy statement/prospectus as Appendix B and Appendix C,
respectively.
PROVISION |
|
MERCER |
|
MERCER-WA |
|
|
Amended and
Restated Declaration of Trust |
|
Articles of Incorporation |
Organizational Documents |
|
Pursuant
to the Trust Act, our organizational documents consist of a Declaration of
Trust and Trustees' Regulations. |
|
Pursuant to the WBCA, the
organizational documents of Mercer-WA consist of Articles of Incorporation
and Bylaws. |
Authorized Capital |
|
Under our Declaration of
Trust, we are authorized to issue an unlimited number of Shares and 50
million preferred shares issuable in series. We have designated
500,000 preferred shares as Series A Preferred Shares and 3.5 million
preferred shares as Cumulative Retractable Convertible Preferred Shares,
Series B. |
|
Under Mercer-WA's Articles
of Incorporation, Mercer-WA is authorized to issue up to 200 million
shares of common stock, par value $1.00, and 50 million preferred shares,
par value $1.00. Mercer-WA has designated two million Series A
Preferred Shares, containing the same rights and restrictions as the
Series A Preferred Shares designated under Mercer's Declaration of
Trust. |
Pre-Emptive and Similar Rights |
|
Our Declaration of Trust
provides that shareholders shall not be entitled to preference,
pre-emptive, appraisal, conversion or exchange rights of any kind. |
|
The Articles of
Incorporation of Mercer-WA provide that no shareholder shall have any
pre-emptive or preferential right or subscription right to any shares of
common stock or obligations convertible thereto or to a warrant or option
for the purchase of common stock, except to the extent provided by
resolutions of its board of directors establishing a series of preferred
stock or by written agreement with Mercer-WA. |
Written Consent in lieu of Shareholder Meetings
|
|
Our Declaration of Trust
provides that, whenever shareholder action is to be taken, it may be taken
without a shareholder meeting by written consent of shareholders as would
be required for a vote of shareholders at a meeting. |
|
The Articles of
Incorporation of Mercer-WA provide that no action to be taken at a meeting
of shareholders may be taken without a meeting. |
Voting Requirements |
|
Under our Declaration of
Trust, any action to be taken by shareholders, except as otherwise
provided in the Declaration of Trust or required by law, may be taken by a
majority of the votes cast at a meeting of shareholders by holders of
Shares entitled to vote thereon. |
|
The Articles of
Incorporation of Mercer-WA provide that the affirmative vote of not less
than a majority of all outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors will be required to approve
any plan of merger, plan of share exchange, sale, lease, exchange or other
disposition of all, or substantially all, of the property of Mercer-WA
other than in the usual and regular course of business, or on a proposal
to dissolve Mercer-WA. |
Amendments of Organizational Documents |
|
Our Declaration of Trust
may be amended by the vote or written consent of the majority of the
holders of our outstanding Shares entitled to vote thereon. |
|
Under the Articles of
Incorporation of Mercer-WA, the board of directors of Mercer-WA has the
power to make, adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws, or adopt new Bylaws, for
Mercer-WA, by a resolution adopted by a majority of directors. In
addition, shareholders will have the power to make amendments to the
Bylaws by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all shareholders
entitled to vote on an action. |
PROVISION |
|
MERCER |
|
MERCER-WA |
|
|
|
|
Furthermore, at any time
that Mercer-WA is subject to certain reporting requirements under the 1934
Act, its Articles of Incorporation may be amended, except as noted below,
by a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast by shareholders of
Mercer-WA. However, amendments to certain of Mercer-WA's Articles of
Incorporation relating to authorized preferred shares, directors,
cumulative voting (which is not permitted) and amending the provision
relating to these particular amendments to the Articles of Incorporation
will require the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than
two-thirds (2/3) of all shareholders entitled to vote thereon. |
Classified Board |
|
Our Declaration of Trust provides that trustees shall be divided
into three classes as nearly equal in number as possible. Each class of
trustees is to be elected in succeeding years and trustees of each class
are to hold office for a three-year term. |
|
Under the Articles of
Incorporation of Mercer-WA, directors are divided into three
classes. Each class of directors is to be elected in succeeding
years and directors of each class are to hold office for a three-year
term. |
|
|
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust |
|
Bylaws |
Size
of Board |
|
Our
Declaration of Trust provides that there shall be not less than three nor
more than 13 trustees and, within these limits, the number of trustees may
be increased or decreased from time to time by the trustees. |
|
Under
the Bylaws of Mercer-WA, the authorized number of directors of the company
shall not be less than three nor more than thirteen, the specific number
to be set by resolution of the board of directors. |
Term of Office |
|
Our Declaration of Trust
provides that each trustee shall hold office until the expiration of his
term and until the election and qualification of his successor, or until
his death, resignation or removal. A trustee may be removed with
cause by a vote or consent of a majority of our outstanding Shares or with
cause by all remaining trustees. |
|
Each director shall serve
until his successor is duly elected and qualified or until his death,
resignation or removal, or until there is a decrease in the number of
directors despite the expiration of a director's term. A director
may be removed with cause at a meeting of shareholders only if the number
of votes cast to remove the director exceeds the number of votes cast not
to remove the director. |
Vacancies on Board |
|
Our Declaration of Trust
provides that vacancies on the Board may be filled by a majority of the
remaining trustees. |
|
The Bylaws of Mercer-WA
will provide that any vacancies occurring on the board of directors may be
filled by the board of directors or by shareholders if not filled by the
board. A director elected to fill any vacancy shall hold office
until the next shareholders' meeting at which directors are
elected. |
PROVISION |
|
MERCER |
|
MERCER-WA |
Special Shareholder Meetings |
|
Our Declaration of Trust
provides that special meetings of shareholders may be called by the
Chairman or the President, or by our trustees, and shall be called upon
the written consent of shareholders holding not less than 20% of the
outstanding Shares entitled to vote. |
|
The Bylaws of Mercer-WA
provide that special meetings of shareholders may be called by a majority
of the board of directors or the Chairperson of the board or by the Chief
Executive Officer. |
Notice of Shareholder Meetings |
|
Our Declaration of Trust
provides that a notice of meeting shall be delivered to
shareholders. |
|
The Bylaws of Mercer-WA
provide that notice of a shareholders' meeting shall be provided not less
than 10 days nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting, unless
the business to be conducted at the meeting includes any proposed
amendment to the Articles of Incorporation or proposed voluntary
dissolution of Mercer-WA, or any proposed plan of merger or share
exchange, or any sale, lease, exchange or disposition of all or
substantially all of its property otherwise then in the usual or regular
course of its business, in which case notice shall be provided not less
than 20 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting. |
Record Date |
|
Our Declaration of Trust
provides that our trustees may fix, in advance, a date as the record date
for determining the shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any
meeting of shareholders. The record date so fixed shall be not less
than 10 days nor more than 70 days prior to the date of the
meeting. |
|
The Bylaws of Mercer-WA
provide that the board of directors may fix in advance a record date for
the purposes of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote
at any meeting of shareholders, such date to be not more than 70 days nor
less than 10 days prior to the meeting. If no such record date is
fixed, the date before the date on which notice of the meeting is mailed
shall be the record date for such determination of shareholders.
When a determination of shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of
shareholders has been made, such determination shall apply to any
adjournment thereof, unless the board of directors fixes a new record
date, which it must do if the meeting is adjourned more than 120 days
after the date fixed for the original meeting. |
Quorum; Adjournment |
|
Our Declaration of Trust
provides that one-third of our outstanding Shares entitled to vote at any
meeting of shareholders represented in person or by proxy shall constitute
a quorum at such meeting. |
|
The Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws of Mercer-WA provide that a quorum shall exist at
any meeting of shareholders if one-third of the shares entitled to vote is
represented in person or by proxy. In addition, shares entitled to
vote as a separate voting group may take action on a matter at a meeting
only if a quorum of those shares exists with respect to that matter.
One-half of the shares represented at a meeting, even if less than a
quorum, may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further
notice. |
PROVISION |
|
MERCER |
|
MERCER-WA |
Voting of Shares |
|
Our Declaration of Trust
provides that whenever shareholders are required or permitted to take any
action, such action may be taken, except as otherwise provided in the
Declaration of Trust or required by law, by a majority of votes cast at a
meeting of shareholders at which a quorum is present by holders of Shares
entitled to vote thereon. |
|
The Bylaws of Mercer-WA
provide that, if a quorum exists, action on a matter, other than the
election of directors, is approved by a voting group if the votes cast
within the voting group favoring the action exceed the votes cast within
the voting group opposing the action, unless a greater number is required
by the Articles of Incorporation or the WBCA. |
Shareholder
Proposals |
|
Our
Declaration of Trust is silent with respect to proposals by shareholders
or trustee nominations that a shareholder desires to present at an annual
meeting of shareholders. |
|
Under
the Bylaws of Mercer-WA, a shareholder may propose to nominate a person
for election as a director at an annual meeting of shareholders or propose
any other business that the shareholder desires to bring before the
meeting by delivering a notice to the principal executive offices of the
company not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the
anniversary date of the prior year's meeting, subject to certain
exceptions in the event the date of the annual meeting is more than 30
days prior to or more than 60 days after such anniversary date. The
notice must set forth certain information specified in the Bylaws in
connection with the matter to be proposed by the shareholder at the
meeting. |
Material
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of
the Conversion
In the
opinion of Heller Ehrman LLP, the following general discussion constitutes, in
all material respects, a fair and accurate summary under current law of the
anticipated U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Conversion to
holders of our Shares who exchange their Shares for shares of common stock of
Mercer-WA in connection with the Conversion. This discussion applies only
to a holder of Shares who holds such Shares as a capital asset. It does not
address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to
a particular holder of Shares in light of that holder's individual circumstances
or to a holder of Shares who is subject to special rules, including, without
limitation:
· |
A
financial institution or insurance company;
|
· |
A
tax-exempt organization; |
· |
A
shareholder who is not a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
|
· |
A
pass-through entity or an investor in such an entity;
|
· |
A
dealer or broker in securities or foreign currencies;
|
· |
A
shareholder who holds Shares through individual retirement or other
tax-deferred accounts; |
· |
A
trader in securities who elects to apply a mark-to-market method of
accounting; |
· |
A
shareholder who holds Shares as part of a hedge, appreciated financial
position, straddle, constructive sale or conversion transaction; and
|
· |
A
shareholder who acquired his or her Shares pursuant to the exercise of
employee stock options or otherwise as compensation.
|
This
discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (referred
to as the "Code"), the applicable Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder,
judicial authority and current administrative rulings and practices in effect on
the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, all of which are subject to change
at any time, possibly with retroactive effect. No ruling from the Internal
Revenue Service (referred to as the "IRS") has been requested or obtained
regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Conversion. Thus,
there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with the conclusions expressed
in this discussion. The discussion addresses only U.S. federal income tax
consequences and does not address any other U.S. federal tax considerations nor
any foreign, state, or local tax considerations.
IN VIEW
OF THE VARYING NATURE OF SUCH TAX CONSEQUENCES, EACH SHAREHOLDER IS URGED TO
CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISOR AS TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES OF
THE CONVERSION, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL OR
FOREIGN TAX LAWS AND APPLICABLE TAX REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
It is
anticipated that the Conversion will qualify as a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. Assuming such qualification, for U.S.
federal income tax purposes:
(i) A holder
of Shares will not recognize gain or loss upon the receipt of shares of
Mercer-WA common stock in exchange for Shares in connection with the Proposed
Delaware Reincorporation;
(ii) The
aggregate tax basis of the Mercer-WA shares of common stock received in
connection with the Conversion will equal the aggregate tax basis of the
Shares exchanged therefor;
(iii) The
holding period of the Mercer-WA shares of common stock received in connection
with the Conversion will include the period during which a shareholder held
the Shares exchanged therefor;
(iv) No gain
or loss will be recognized by Mercer, Mercer-DE or Mercer-WA in connection with
the Conversion; and
(v) A Mercer
shareholder who exercises dissenters’ rights with respect to all of such
holder’s Shares will generally recognize gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes, measured by the difference between the holder’s tax basis in such
Shares and the amount of cash received, provided that the payment is neither
essentially equivalent to a dividend within the meaning of Section 302 of
the Code nor has the effect of a distribution of a dividend within the meaning
of Section 356(a)(2) of the Code. Such gain or loss will be long-term
capital gain or loss, provided that the Shares are held for more than one year
at the time of the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation.
Dissenters'
Rights
The
Proposed Delaware Reincorporation may create dissenters' rights under Washington
state law. Shareholders are or may be entitled to assert dissenters' rights
under Chapter 23B.13 of the Washington Business Corporation Act. A copy of such
Chapter is included with these proxy materials as Appendix D. A shareholder who
wishes to assert dissenters' rights must: (i) deliver to us before the vote is
taken written notice of the shareholder's intent to demand payment for the
shareholder's Shares if the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation is effected; and
(ii) not vote such Shares in favor of the Delaware Reincorporation Resolution.
We will not treat a vote against the Delaware Reincorporation Resolution as a
notice sufficient to meet such requirements. A vote for the Delaware
Reincorporation Resolution will serve as a waiver of dissenters' rights pursuant
to Chapter 23B.13. Shareholders are encouraged to examine Chapter 23B.13 (see
Appendix D) for more information on the nature and limitations of such
dissenters' rights and the manner in which a shareholder, if the shareholder so
desires, must perfect such rights.
Vote
Required and Board Recommendation
The
affirmative vote of two-thirds of our outstanding Shares entitled to vote at the
Meeting is required to pass the Delaware
Reincorporation
Resolution.
THE BOARD
OF TRUSTEES HAS APPROVED THE MERGER AGREEMENT, THE PROPOSED DELAWARE
REINCORPORATION AND THE PROPOSED WASHINGTON REINCORPORATION AND RECOMMENDS A
VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE DELAWARE REINCORPORATION RESOLUTION. SEE "-
RECOMMENDATION OF TRUSTEES".
POSSIBLE
ADJOURNMENT OF SPECIAL MEETING
If Mercer
fails to receive a sufficient number of votes to approve either the Declaration
of Trust Amendment Resolution or the Delaware Reincorporation Resolution, Mercer
may propose to adjourn the Meeting, if a quorum is present, for a period of not
more than 30 days for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies to approve
either Resolution that fails to receive a sufficient number of votes. Mercer
currently does not intend to propose adjournment at the Meeting if there are
sufficient votes to approve each of the Resolutions. If approval of the proposal
to adjourn the Meeting for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies is
submitted to Shareholders for approval, such approval requires the affirmative
vote of holders of a majority of the Shares present in person or represented by
proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote.
THE
BOARD HAS APPROVED THE PROPOSAL TO ADJOURN THE MEETING, IF NECESSARY, AND
RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE
PROPOSAL.
VOTING
SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
There
were [33,064,140] Shares
issued and outstanding on the Record Date. Each Share is entitled to one vote at
the Meeting.
The
following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of our Shares as of July 15, 2005 by each shareholder known by us to
own more than five percent of our outstanding Shares. The following is based
solely upon statements made in filings with the SEC or other information we
believe to be reliable.
Name
and Address of Owner |
|
Number
of Shares Owned |
Percentage
of Outstanding Shares |
Peter
R. Kellogg(1)
120
Broadway, 6th Floor
New
York, NY 10271 |
6,083,232 |
13.9% |
Greenlight
Capital, L.L.C.(2)
420
Lexington Avenue
Suite
875
New
York, NY 10170 |
3,945,248 |
9.0% |
Royal
Bank of Canada(3)
20
King Street West
9th
Floor
Toronto,
Ontario
Canada
M5H 1C4 |
2,245,456 |
6.8% |
KPMG
Inc. (as Receiver of
Stone
Venepal (Celgar) Pulp Inc.)
777
Dunsmuir Street
Suite
900
Vancouver,
British Columbia
Canada
V7Y 1K3 |
2,124,589 |
6.4% |
(1) |
Filed
jointly with IAT Reinsurance Company Ltd. The number of Shares owned
includes 1,645,161 Shares issuable upon conversion of convertible senior
subordinated notes. The percentage of outstanding Shares owned gives pro
forma effect to the 10,645,155 Shares issuable upon conversion of the
convertible senior subordinated notes. |
(2) |
Filed
jointly by Greenlight Capital, L.L.C., Greenlight Capital, Inc. and David
Einhorn. The number of Shares owned includes 1,677,419 Shares issuable
upon conversion of convertible senior subordinated notes. The percentage
of outstanding Shares owned gives pro forma effect to the 10,645,155
Shares issuable upon conversion of the convertible senior subordinated
notes. |
(3) |
Includes an
aggregate 159,519 Shares owned by three wholly owned subsidiaries of the
Royal Bank of Canada. |
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The
following table sets forth information regarding the ownership of our Shares as
of July 15, 2005 by: (i) each of our trustees and executive officers; and (ii)
all of our trustees and executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise
indicated, each person has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the
Shares set forth opposite his name.
Name
of Owner |
|
Number
of Shares Owned |
|
Percentage
of Outstanding Shares |
Jimmy
S.H. Lee(1) |
|
1,969,800 |
|
5.8% |
Kenneth
A. Shields(2) |
|
35,000 |
|
* |
Guy
W. Adams(3) |
|
200,100 |
|
* |
William
D. McCartney(4) |
|
7,500 |
|
* |
Graeme
A. Witts(5) |
|
8,185 |
|
* |
Eric
Lauritzen(6) |
|
2,500 |
|
* |
David
M. Gandossi(7) |
|
100,000 |
|
* |
Wolfram
Ridder(8) |
|
60,000 |
|
* |
Leonhard
Nossol(9) |
|
30,050 |
|
* |
Ulf
Johannson |
|
- |
|
- |
Eric
X. Heine(10) |
|
- |
|
- |
David
M. Cooper(11) |
|
- |
|
- |
Trustees
and Officers as a Group
(12
persons)(12) |
|
2,413,135 |
|
7.1% |
* Less
than 1%. |
(1) |
Includes
1,134,800 Shares and presently exercisable stock options to acquire up to
835,000 Shares. Mr. Lee exercised options and acquired an aggregate of
750,000 of our Shares in October 2004. In addition, Mr. Lee purchased
350,000 of our Shares in February 2005 pursuant to our public offering of
Shares. These securities are subject to Mr. Lee's lock-up agreement
described in the prospectus supplement relating to such
offering. |
(2) |
In
January 2004, Mr. Shields was granted 25,000 restricted Shares in
connection with his role as the Lead Trustee of our Board which vest in
three equal installments on January 20, 2004, November 11, 2004 and
November 11, 2005. Mr. Shields purchased 10,000 of our Shares in February
2005 pursuant to our public offering of Shares. The Shares held by Mr.
Shields are subject to Mr. Shield's lock-up agreement described in the
prospectus supplement relating to such
offering. |
(3) |
Includes
167,600 Shares owned through GWA Investments LLC, of which Mr. Adams is
the managing member. In June 2004, Mr. Adams was granted 5,000 restricted
Shares in connection with his role as an independent trustee of Mercer
which vested and became non-forfeitable in June 2005. In June 2005, Mr.
Adams was granted 2,500 restricted shares in connection with his role as
an independent trustee of Mercer which vest and become non-forfeitable in
June 2006. The Shares held by Mr. Adams and his affiliates are subject to
a lock-up agreement described in the prospectus supplement relating to the
public offering of our Shares in February
2005. |
(4) |
In June
2004, Mr. McCartney was granted 5,000 restricted Shares in connection with
his role as an independent trustee of Mercer which vested and became
non-forfeitable in June 2005. In June 2005, Mr. McCartney was granted
2,500 restricted shares in connection with his role as an independent
trustee of Mercer which vest and become non-forfeitable in June 2006. The
Shares held by Mr. McCartney are subject to a lock-up agreement described
in the prospectus supplement relating to the public offering of our Shares
in February 2005. |
(5) |
In June
2004, Mr. Witts was granted 5,000 restricted Shares in connection with his
role as an independent trustee of Mercer which vested and became
non-forfeitable in June 2005. In June 2005, Mr. Witts was granted 2,500
restricted shares in connection with his role as an independent trustee of
Mercer which vest and become non-forfeitable in June 2006. In July 2005,
Mr. Witts was granted 685 restricted shares in connection with his role as
a member of two special committees of the Board which vest in July 2006.
The Shares held by Mr. Witts are subject to a lock-up agreement described
in the prospectus supplement relating to the public offering of our Shares
in February 2005. |
(6) |
In June
2005, Mr. Lauritzen was granted 2,500 restricted shares in connection with
his role as an independent trustee of Mercer which vest and become
non-forfeitable in June 2006. The Shares held by Mr. Lauritzen are subject
to a lock-up agreement described in the prospectus supplement relating to
the public offering of our Shares in February
2005. |
(7) |
In
September 2003, Mr. Gandossi was granted options to acquire up to 100,000
of our Shares at a price of $5.65 per Share exercisable as of September
10, 2003 as to one-third of the options granted and one-third on each of
September 10, 2004 and September 10, 2005. These options have a ten-year
term and are subject to a lock-up agreement described in the prospectus
supplement relating to the public offering of our Shares in February
2005. |
(8) |
Represents
presently exercisable stock options, which are subject to a lock-up
agreement described in the prospectus supplement relating to the public
offering of our Shares in February 2005. |
(9) |
Includes
presently exercisable stock options to acquire up to 30,000 Shares. These
securities are subject to a lock-up agreement described in the prospectus
supplement relating to the public offering of our Shares in February
2005. |
(10) |
In June
2005, Mr. Heine was appointed as Vice President, Pulp Sales and Marketing
of Mercer. |
(11) |
In June
2005, Mr. Cooper was appointed as Vice President, Pulp Sales and
Marketing, Europe of Mercer. |
(12) |
Includes
presently exercisable stock options to acquire up to 1,025,000
Shares. |
FUTURE
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Rule
14a-8 under the 1934 Act addresses when a company must include a shareholder's
proposal in its proxy statement and identify the proposal in its form of proxy
when the company holds an annual or special meeting of shareholders. In general,
under Rule 14a-8 a proposal for a regularly scheduled annual meeting must be
received at the company's principal executive offices not less than 120 calendar
days before the date of the company's proxy statement released to shareholders
in connection with the previous year's annual meeting or, if the company did not
hold an annual meeting the previous year, a reasonable time before the company
begins to print and mail its proxy materials. For a special meeting, the
deadline is a reasonable time before the company begins to print and mail its
proxy materials. In addition to complying with the applicable deadline,
shareholder proposals must also be otherwise eligible for
inclusion.
Mercer-WA
expects to maintain the same annual meeting schedule as Mercer has followed in
the past. Any shareholder who intends to present a proposal at the 2006 annual
meeting of shareholders and who requests inclusion of the proposal in
Mercer-WA's 2006 proxy statement and form of proxy in accordance with applicable
SEC rules must file such proposal with Mercer-WA by December 28, 2005. Upon
receipt of such a proposal, Mercer will determine whether or not to include the
proposal in such proxy statement and proxy in accordance with applicable law. A
shareholder that wishes to present a proposal at the annual shareholders'
meeting to be held in 2006 must submit such proposal to Mercer on or before
April 7, 2006 or management will have discretionary authority to vote proxies
received for such meeting with respect to any such proposal. Shareholder
proposals should be sent to the Secretary, Mercer International Inc., 650 West
Georgia Street, Suite 2840, P.O. Box 11576, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
V6B 4N8.
Mercer-WA's
Bylaws also require advance notice of other proposals by shareholders to be
presented for action at an annual meeting. In the case of the 2006 annual
meeting, the required notice must be received by Mercer-WA's corporate secretary
between February 14, 2006 and March 15, 2006. The Bylaws require that
the proposal must constitute a proper subject to be brought before the meeting
and the notice must contain prescribed information, including a description of
the proposal and the reasons for bringing it before the meeting, proof of the
proponent's status as a shareholder and the number of shares held and a
description of all arrangements and understandings between the proponent and
anyone else in connection with the proposal. A copy of the Bylaws of Mercer-WA
is included as Appendix C hereto. A copy of the Bylaws may also be obtained by
writing the corporate secretary, at Mercer-WA's address shown
above.
Mercer-WA's
Bylaws also provide that a shareholder may nominate a director for election if
the shareholder sends a notice to Mercer-WA's corporate secretary identifying
any other person making the nomination with the shareholder and providing proof
of shareholder status. This notice must be received at Mercer-WA's principal
executive offices between February 14, 2006 and March 15, 2006. The
shareholder also must provide the information about the nominee that would be
required to be disclosed in the proxy statement.
OTHER
MATTERS
The
trustees know of no matters other than those set out in this proxy
statement/prospectus to be brought before the Meeting. If other matters properly
come before the Meeting, it is the intention of the proxy holders to vote the
Proxies received for the Meeting in accordance with their judgment.
LEGAL
MATTERS
The
validity of the shares of common stock of Mercer-WA to be issued in connection
with the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation and certain matters in
connection with the Conversion will be passed upon by Heller Ehrman LLP,
Seattle, Washington, special U.S. counsel to Mercer.
EXPERTS
The
consolidated financial statements of Mercer as at December 31, 2004 and
2003 and for each of the years then ended and management's report on the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2004 incorporated by reference in this proxy
statement/prospectus have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,
independent registered chartered accountants, as stated in their reports, which
are incorporated by reference herein, and have been so incorporated in reliance
upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing.
The
annual audited consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income,
changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows of Mercer for the year ended
December 31, 2002 incorporated by reference in this proxy
statement/prospectus have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of
Peterson Sullivan P.L.L.C., an independent registered public accounting firm,
given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The
annual audited balance sheets of Stone Venepal (Celgar) Pulp Inc. as at December
31, 2004 and 2003 and the related consolidated statements of loss and deficit
and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 incorporated
in this prospectus/proxy statement by reference to Mercer's Current Report on
Form 8-K/A filed on June 14, 2005 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche
LLP, independent registered chartered accountants, as stated in their report,
which is incorporated by reference herein, and have been so incorporated in
reliance upon the report of such firm given on their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing.
30
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file
annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information
with the SEC. These documents are available to the public from the SEC's web
site at http://www.sec.gov. You may
also read and copy any document 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 rooms. The
documents that we have filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities
are available on the World Wide Web at http://www.sedar.com. Our
Shares are quoted on the NASDAQ National Market and are listed on the Toronto
Stock Exchange. Reports, proxy and information statements and other information
concerning us can be inspected at the offices of the NASDAQ National Market,
1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20006-1506.
We have
filed a registration statement on Form S-4 to register with the SEC the
common stock to be issued upon consummation of the transactions described
herein. This proxy statement/prospectus is a part of that registration statement
and constitutes our prospectus in addition to being a proxy statement/prospectus
for our Meeting. We refer you to the registration statement and any amendments
to it. As allowed by SEC rules, this proxy statement/prospectus does not
contain all the information you can find in the registration statement or the
exhibits to the registration statement.
INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC
allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with it. This
permits us to disclose important information to you by referring you to those
documents. Any information referred in this way is considered part of this proxy
statement/prospectus, and any information filed with the SEC after the date of
this proxy statement/prospectus will automatically be deemed to update and
supersede this information, but will not constitute a part of this proxy
statement/prospectus. We incorporate by reference in this proxy
statement/prospectus the following documents which have been filed with the SEC:
· |
Our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2004; |
· |
Our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
2005; |
· |
Our
Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 29,
2005, excluding the sections entitled "Report of the Audit Committee",
"Report of the Compensation Committee" and "Performance Graph";
and |
· |
Our
Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 3, 2005,
February 11, 2005, February 18, 2005, March 11, 2005, March 29, 2005 and
May 10, 2005 and on Form 8-K/A filed on June 3, 2005 and June 14,
2005. |
We
incorporate by reference all documents filed pursuant to Section 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act after the date of this proxy
statement/prospectus and prior
to ,
2005, the date of the Meeting.
Any
statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference into this proxy statement/prospectus will be deemed to be modified or
superseded for the purposes of this proxy statement/prospectus to the extent
that a statement contained herein, or in any other subsequently filed document
which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or
supersedes that statement. The modifying or superseding statement need not state
it has modified or superseded a prior statement or include any other information
set forth in the document that it modifies or supersedes. The making of a
modifying or superseding statement is not an admission for any purposes that the
modified or superseded statement, when made, constituted a misrepresentation, an
untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact that
is required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading
in light of the circumstances in which it was made. Any statement so modified or
superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this proxy statement/prospectus.
If you
are a shareholder, you may have already received some of the documents
incorporated by reference. Alternatively, you can obtain any of these documents
through us or the SEC. Documents incorporated by reference are available from us
without charge, excluding all exhibits unless we have specifically incorporated
by reference an exhibit in this proxy statement/prospectus. Shareholders may
obtain documents incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus by
requesting them in writing or by telephone as follows:
Mercer
International Inc.
650
West Georgia Street
Suite 2840,
P.O. Box 11576
Vancouver,
British Columbia
Canada
V6B 4N8
Telephone:
(604) 684-1099
Attention:
David M. Gandossi |
|
Mercer
International Inc.
14900
Interurban Avenue South
Suite 282
Seattle,
Washington
USA
98168
Telephone:
(206) 674-4639
Attention:
Investor Relations |
If you
are a shareholder and would like to request documents from us, please do so
by ,
2005 to receive them before the Meeting.
APPENDIX
A
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this
"Merger Agreement") is entered into on
this day
of ,
2005 by and among MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC., a Massachusetts trust organized
under Washington law ("Mercer"), MERCER DELAWARE INC., a Delaware corporation
("MergerCo"), and MERCER INTERNATIONAL REGCO INC., a Washington corporation
("Regco").
WHEREAS:
A. Mercer is
a Massachusetts trust organized and existing under the laws of the State of
Washington;
B. MergerCo
is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of
Delaware;
C. Regco is
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of
Washington;
D. On the
date hereof, the authorized capital stock of Mercer consists of an unlimited
number of shares of beneficial interest, $1.00 par value (the "Mercer Common
Stock"), of which 33,074,140 shares are issued and outstanding, and 50 million
preferred shares issuable in series, of which 500,000 Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Shares (the "Mercer Series A Preferred Stock") and
3,500,000 Cumulative Retractable Convertible Preferred Shares, Series B, have
been authorized, and of which no preferred shares of any series are issued and
outstanding;
E. On the
date hereof, the authorized capital stock of Regco consists of 200 million
shares of common stock, $1.00 par value (the "Regco Common Stock"), of which one
common share is issued and outstanding and owned beneficially and of record by
Mercer, and 50 million preferred shares, par value $1.00, issuable in series, of
which two million Series A Junior Participating Preferred Shares have been
authorized (the "Regco Series A Preferred Stock"), and of which no preferred
shares of any series are issued and outstanding;
F. On the
date hereof, the authorized capital stock of MergerCo consists of 1,000 shares
of common stock, par value $0.0001, of which one common share is issued and
outstanding and owned beneficially and of record by Regco;
G. The board
of trustees of Mercer has determined that it is advisable and in the best
interests of Mercer and that of its shareholders that Mercer merge with and into
MergerCo upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Merger Agreement
for the purpose of effecting the reincorporation of Mercer in the State of
Delaware, and the respective boards of Mercer, Regco and MergerCo have, by
resolutions duly approved and adopted this Merger Agreement;
H. Mercer,
Regco and MergerCo desire to make certain covenants and agreements in connection
with the Merger (as hereinafter defined) and to prescribe various conditions to
the Merger; and
I. The
parties intend by this Merger Agreement to effect a "reorganization" under
Section 368 of the United States Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in
consideration of the foregoing and the representations, warranties and
agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE
1.
MERGER
1.1 Merger. Upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Merger Agreement and
in accordance with the Delaware
General Corporation Law (the
"DGCL") and Chapters 23.90 and 23B.11 of the Revised
Code of Washington ("RCW"),
Mercer shall, at the Effective Time (as hereinafter defined), be merged with and
into MergerCo (the "Merger"). Following the Effective Time of the Merger,
MergerCo shall be the surviving corporation of the Merger (hereinafter sometimes
referred to as the "Surviving Corporation"), and the separate legal existence of
Mercer shall, except to the extent provided by the laws of the State of
Washington, cease and the Surviving Corporation shall succeed to and assume all
the rights and obligations of Mercer in accordance with the DGCL.
1.2 Effective
Time. Subject
to the provisions of this Agreement, as soon as practicable following the
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article 4 hereof, the
parties shall duly prepare, execute and file (A) a certificate of merger (the
"Certificate of Merger") in accordance with Section 251 of the DGCL with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, and (B) articles of merger (the
"Articles of Merger") meeting the requirements of RCW 23B.11.050 with the
Secretary of State of the State of Washington. The Merger shall become effective
immediately upon the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware, of the Articles of Mercer with the Secretary of
State of the State of Washington, or at such later time set forth in such
Certificate of Merger as shall be agreed to by Mercer, MergerCo and Regco. The
date and time when the Merger shall become effective is herein referred to as
the "Effective Time."
1.3 Effect
of Merger. The
Merger shall have the effect as provided in the DGCL and by the laws of the
State of Washington. At the Effective Time, the separate legal existence of
Mercer shall cease and the Surviving Corporation shall possess, as the successor
to Mercer, all the rights, privileges, powers and franchises of a public or
private nature and be subject to all the restrictions, liabilities, obligations
and duties of Mercer, except to the extent provided by the laws of the State of
Washington. All acts, plans, policies, agreements, arrangements, approvals and
authorizations of Mercer, its shareholders, board of trustees and committees
thereof, officers and agents which were valid and effective immediately prior to
the Effective Time, shall be taken for all purposes as the acts, plans,
policies, agreements, arrangements, approvals and authorizations of the
Surviving Corporation, its shareholders, board of directors and committees
thereof, respectively, and shall be as effective and binding thereon as the same
were with respect to Mercer.
ARTICLE
2.
NAME, CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION,
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
2.1 Name
of Surviving Corporation. The
name of the Surviving Corporation shall be "Mercer International
Inc.".
2.2 Governing
Documents.
(a) The
certificate of incorporation of MergerCo as it may be amended or restated
subject to applicable law, and as in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time, shall constitute the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation without further change or amendment until thereafter amended in
accordance with the provisions thereof and applicable law, except that Article
FIRST of such certificate shall provide that the name of the Surviving
Corporation shall be "Mercer International Inc."; and
(b) The bylaws of
MergerCo as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall constitute
the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation without change or amendment until
thereafter amended in accordance with the provisions thereof and applicable
law.
2.3 Officers
and Directors. The
persons who are officers and trustees of Mercer immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall, at and after the Effective Time, be all of the officers
and directors of the Surviving Corporation, without change, until their
successors have been duly elected or appointed and qualified or until their
earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the Surviving
Corporation's certificate of incorporation and bylaws and applicable law. All of
the officers and directors of the Surviving Corporation shall be all of the
officers and directors of Regco, without change, until their successors have
been duly elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier death,
resignation or removal in accordance with Regco's certificate of incorporation
and bylaws and applicable law.
ARTICLE
3.
CONVERSION AND EXCHANGE OF STOCK
3.1 Conversion
of Shares. At the
Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of
the holders thereof:
(a) Each
share of Mercer Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time, and each corresponding right attached to each such share to
purchase (the "Mercer Stock Purchase Rights"), pursuant to the Rights Agreement
dated December 23, 2003, as amended, between Mercer and Computershare Trust
Company of Canada (the "Rights Agreement"), one one-hundredth of a share of
Mercer Series A Preferred Stock, shall be automatically converted into one share
of Regco Common Stock, and one right to be attached to each such share (the
"Regco Stock Purchase Rights") to purchase, pursuant to the Rights Agreement,
one one-hundredth of a share of Regco Series A Preferred Stock. All references
in this Agreement to the Regco Common Stock to be received pursuant to the
Merger shall be deemed to include the associated Regco Stock Purchase Rights
attached to the Regco Common Stock;
(b) All
shares of Mercer Common Stock, when so converted as aforesaid, shall no longer
be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and retired and shall cease
to exist, and each holder of a certificate representing any such shares shall
cease to have any rights with respect to stock of Mercer, and their sole rights
shall be with respect to the Regco Common Stock into and for which their shares
of Mercer Common Stock shall have been converted upon consummation of the
Merger;
(c) Each
share of Mercer Common Stock held in the treasury of Mercer immediately prior to
the Effective Time shall be automatically converted into one share of Regco
Common Stock, which shares shall continue to be retained and held by Regco in
the treasury thereof;
(d) Each
unexpired option, warrant, purchase right, convertible debt instrument or other
security of Mercer issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall be changed and automatically be converted, without any action on the
part of the holder thereof, into and shall be an identical security of Regco,
and the same number of shares of Regco Common Stock shall be reserved for
purposes of the exercise of such option, warrant, purchase right, convertible
debt instrument or other securities as is equal to the number of shares of
Mercer Common Stock so reserved at the Effective Time; and
(e) the one
common share of Regco Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time shall be cancelled and retired, and the payment of $1.00,
being the par value of such stock, shall be made with respect thereto, and such
share shall resume the status of an unauthorized and unissued share of Regco
Common Stock.
3.2 Stock
Certificates. At and
after the Effective Time, all of the outstanding certificates which immediately
prior to the Effective Time represented shares of Mercer Common Stock shall be
deemed for all purposes to evidence ownership of, and to represent shares of,
Regco Common Stock into which the shares of Mercer Common Stock formerly
represented by such certificates have been converted as herein provided. The
registered owner on the books and records of Mercer or its transfer agent of any
such outstanding stock certificate shall, until such certificate shall have been
surrendered for transfer or otherwise accounted for to the Surviving Corporation
or its transfer agent, have and be entitled to exercise any voting or other
rights with respect to and to receive any dividends and other distributions upon
the shares of Regco Common Stock evidenced by such outstanding certificate as
above provided.
3.3 Stock
Option and Award Plans. Without
limiting the generality of Section 3.1(d) hereof, Mercer currently maintains and
sponsors the 1992 Stock Option Plan, as amended and restated, the 2004 Stock
Incentive Plan, as amended and restated and certain other plans and agreements
providing for the grant or award to its trustees, officers and employees of
options or other rights to purchase or receive Mercer Common Stock (the
"Employee Stock Plans"). MergerCo shall assume
the rights and obligations of Mercer under the Employee Stock Plans. The
outstanding options and other awards under the Employee Stock Plans shall be
exercisable or issuable upon the same terms and conditions as under such plans
and the agreements relating thereto immediately prior to the Effective Time of
the Merger, except that upon the exercise or issuance of such options or awards,
shares of Regco Common Stock shall be issuable in lieu of shares of Mercer
Common Stock. The number of shares of Regco Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise or issuance of such an option or award immediately after the Effective
Time and the option price of each such option or award shall be the number of
shares and option price in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time. All
options or awards issued under the Employee Stock Plans after the Effective Time
shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase shares of Regco Common Stock in
accordance with the terms of the Employee Stock Plans.
3.4 Other
Employee Benefit Plans. As of
the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation hereby assumes all obligations of
Mercer under any and all employee benefit plans, programs, contracts and
agreements maintained by Mercer and in effect as of the Effective Time or with
respect to which employee rights or accrued benefits are outstanding as of the
Effective Time including, without limitation, under Mercer's 2002 Employee
Incentive Bonus Plan. To the extent any employee benefit plan of Mercer provides
for the issuance or purchase of, or otherwise relates to, Mercer Common Stock,
after the Effective Time, such plan shall be deemed to provide for the issuance
or purchase of, or otherwise relate to, Regco Common Stock.
3.5 Convertible
Debt. Without
limiting the generality of Section 3.1(d) hereof, effective at the Effective
Time, the 8.5% convertible senior subordinated notes due 2010 of Mercer shall be
thereafter be convertible, in accordance with their terms, for an equivalent
number of shares of Regco Common Stock at the same conversion price and/or upon
the same terms and subject to the same conditions and restrictions as applicable
immediately prior to the Effective Time under the indenture governing the
convertible senior subordinated notes. In connection with the Merger, Regco will
be required to enter into a supplemental indenture in a form reasonably
satisfactory to the trustee under the indenture governing such convertible
senior subordinated notes whereby Regco will assume all of the obligations of
Mercer under: (i) the registration rights agreement entered into in connection
with such indenture; (ii) the convertible senior subordinated notes issued under
such indenture; and (iii) such indenture.
ARTICLE
4.
CONDITONS PRECEDENT
4.1 Conditions
to Merger. The
obligations of the parties hereto to effect the transactions contemplated hereby
are subject to the
satisfaction of the following conditions (any or all of which may be waived by
any party hereto in its sole discretion):
(a) (1) the
shareholders of Mercer shall have approved articles of amendment to its
Declaration of Trust to provide that Mercer (i) shall be authorized to effect a
merger with another corporation subject to its observance of the applicable
provisions of RCW 23B.11 and (ii) shall cease its separate existence upon a
merger in which it is not the surviving entity and (2) such articles of
amendment shall have been duly and properly filed with the Secretary of State of
the State of Washington;
(b) the
Merger shall have been approved by the shareholders of Mercer in accordance with
the applicable laws of the State of Washington;
(c) none of
Mercer, Regco or MergerCo is subject to any governmental decree, order or
injunction that in the discretion of the board of trustees of Mercer would make
the consummation of any of the steps in the Merger inadvisable;
(d) the Regco
Common Stock to be issued and to be reserved for issuance pursuant to the Merger
shall have been approved for quotation by the NASDAQ National Market and listing
by the Toronto Stock Exchange;
(e) all
filings required to be made prior to the Effective Time of the Merger with, and
all material consents and authorizations by and approvals of, any governmental
or public authority or agency deemed necessary or advisable by the board of
trustees of Mercer in connection with the Merger and other related transactions
shall have been made or obtained (as the case may be), shall be in full force
and effect, shall not have been revoked and shall be legally sufficient to
authorize the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(f) the obtaining
of certain exemptions and orders from applicable securities regulatory
authorities to permit the distribution of Regco Common Stock as exempt from the
prospectus and registration requirements of applicable securities laws and the
resale of such shares without hold periods or restrictions under such securities
laws;
(g) all
filings required to be made prior to the Effective Time of the Merger with, and
all material third party consents or waivers deemed necessary or advisable by
the board of trustees of Mercer in connection with the Merger and other related
transactions shall have been made or obtained (as the case may be);
(h) the
registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission in connection with the issuance of the Regco Common Stock to
be issued and reserved for issuance in connection with the Merger shall have
become effective under the United States Securities
Act of 1933, as
amended, and shall not be the subject of any stop order or proceedings seeking a
stop order; and
(i) any and
all consents, permits, authorizations, approvals and orders deemed in the sole
discretion of Mercer to be material to the consummation of the Merger shall have
been obtained.
ARTICLE
5.
ADDITIONAL
AGREEMENTS
5.1 Assumption
of Indebtedness. As of the
Effective Time:
(a) |
Regco,
Mercer and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., the trustee under the
indenture dated as of October 10, 2003, between Mercer and such trustee
relating to the issuance of 8.5% convertible senior subordinated notes due
2010, will execute and deliver a supplemental indenture pursuant to which
Regco will assume all of Mercer's obligations under, and will become the
primary obligor with respect to the $82.5 million 8.5% convertible senior
subordinated notes due 2010; and |
(b) |
Regco
will also assume all of the obligations and will become the primary
obligor with respect to $310.0 million of 9.25% senior notes due 2013 as
governed by an indenture dated as of February 14, 2005 between Mercer and
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as trustee. |
5.2 Stock
Purchase Rights. Prior to
the Effective Time, Regco will designate shares of Regco Series A Preferred
Stock having terms and provisions substantially similar to, and a number of
shares identical to, those of Mercer's Series A Preferred Stock.
5.3 Listing
of Regco Common Stock. Regco
will use its best efforts to obtain, at or before the Effective Time,
authorization to have quoted, on the Nasdaq National Market, and listed on the
Toronto Stock Exchange Regco Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Merger and
Regco Stock Purchase Rights issuable in conjunction therewith.
5.4 Conversion.
Immediately
after the Effective Time, MergerCo will use its best efforts to reincorporate as
a Washington corporation under Washington State Law.
5.5 Approval
of MergerCo Shareholder. Regco
covenants and agrees that it will, as sole shareholder of MergerCo, vote all
shares of common stock of MergerCo owned by Regco to approve this
Agreement.
ARTICLE
6.
GENERAL
6.1 Governing
Law.
This Merger Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of Delaware.
6.2 Amendment.
Subject to applicable law and subject to the rights of Mercer's shareholders to
approve any amendment which would have a material adverse effect on such
shareholders, this Merger Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented by
written agreement of the parties hereto at any time prior to the Effective Time
with respect to any of the terms contained herein.
6.3 Deferral
or Abandonment.
At any time prior to the Effective Time, this Merger Agreement may be terminated
and the Merger may be abandoned or the time of consummation of the Merger may be
deferred by the board of trustees of Mercer or the respective boards of
directors of MergerCo or Regco, or any of them.
6.4 Counterparts.
This Merger Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by
facsimile, each of which shall constitute an original document but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
6.5 Further
Assurances.
From time to time, as and when required or requested by any of Mercer, MergerCo
and Regco, as applicable, or by any of their respective successors and assigns,
there shall be executed and delivered on behalf of them, or by their respective
successors and assigns, such deeds, assignments and other instruments, and there
shall be taken or caused to be taken by it all such further and other action, as
shall be appropriate or necessary in order to vest, perfect or confirm, of
record or otherwise, in the Surviving Corporation the title to and possession of
all property, interests, assets, rights, privileges, immunities, powers,
franchise and authority of Mercer and otherwise to carry out the purposes of
this Merger Agreement, and the officers, directors and trustees of each of them
are fully authorized in the name and on behalf of them or otherwise, to take any
and all such action and to execute and deliver any and all such deeds,
assignments and other instruments.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, Mercer,
MergerCo and Regco have caused this Merger Agreement to be signed by their
respective duly authorized officers and delivered
this day
of ,
2005.
MERCER
INTERNATIONAL INC.
By:
______________________________
Name:
Jimmy S.H. Lee
Title:
Chief
Executive Officer and President
MERCER
DELAWARE INC.
BY:
_____________________________
Name:
Jimmy S.H. Lee
Title:
Chief
Executive Officer and President
MERCER
INTERNATIONAL REGCO INC.
BY:
_____________________________
Name:
Jimmy S.H. Lee
Title:
Chief
Executive Officer and President
APPENDIX
B
ARTICLES
OF INCORPORATION
OF
MERCER
INTERNATIONAL REGCO INC.
The
undersigned, a natural person (the “Sole Incorporator”), for the purpose of
organizing a corporation to conduct the business and promote the purposes
hereinafter stated, under the provisions and subject to the requirements of the
laws of the State of Washington hereby certifies that:
I
Name
The name
of this Corporation (hereinafter called the “Corporation”) is
Mercer International Regco
Inc.
II
Purpose
The
purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which
a corporation may be organized under the Washington Business Corporation Act
(the “Act”). The
Corporation shall have perpetual existence.
III
Registered
Office and Agent
The name
and address in the State of Washington of the Corporation's initial agent for
service of process is:
Corporation
Service Company
202 North
Phoenix Street
Olympia,
Washington 98506
IV
Authorized
Capital
4.1
Authorized Capital. This Corporation is authorized to issue 250,000,000
shares of stock in the aggregate. Such shares shall be divided into two classes
as follows:
(a) 200,000,000
shares of common stock, par value $1.00 (“Common
Stock”).
(b) 50,000,000
shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 (“Preferred
Stock”).
Holders
of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on any matter on which
holders of Common Stock are entitled to vote. On dissolution of the Corporation,
after any preferential amount with respect to the Preferred Stock has been paid
or set aside, the holders of Common Stock and the holders of any series of
Preferred Stock entitled to participate further in the distribution of assets
are entitled to receive the net assets of the Corporation.
4.2 Authority
of the Board of Directors. The
Board of Directors is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by the Act
and by the provisions of this Article IV, to provide for the issuance of
shares of Preferred Stock in series, to establish from time to time the number
of shares to be included in each series and to determine the designations,
relative rights, preferences and limitations of the shares of each series. The
authority of the Board of Directors with respect to each series includes
determination of the following:
4.2.1 The
number of shares in and the distinguishing designation of that
series;
4.2.2 Whether
shares of that series shall have full, special, conditional, limited or no
voting rights, except to the extent otherwise provided by the Act;
4.2.3 Whether
shares of that series shall be convertible and the terms and conditions of the
conversion, including provision for adjustment of the conversion rate in
circumstances determined by the Board of Directors;
4.2.4 Whether
shares of that series shall be redeemable and the terms and conditions of
redemption, including the date or dates upon or after which they shall be
redeemable and the amount per share payable in case of redemption, which amount
may vary under different conditions or at different redemption
dates;
4.2.5 The
dividend rate, if any, on shares of that series, the manner of calculating any
dividends and the preference of any dividends;
4.2.6 The
rights of shares of that series in the event of voluntary or involuntary
dissolution of the Corporation and the rights of priority of that series
relative to the Common Stock and any other series of Preferred Stock on the
distribution of assets on dissolution; and
4.2.7 Any other
rights, preferences and limitations of that series that are permitted by the
Act.
Within
any limits stated in these Articles of Incorporation or in the resolution of the
Board of Directors establishing a series, the Board of Directors, after the
issuance of shares of a series, may amend the resolution establishing the series
to decrease (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding)
the number of shares of that series, and the number of shares constituting the
decrease shall thereafter constitute authorized but undesignated shares, and the
Board of Directors may amend the rights and preferences of the shares of any
series that has been established but is wholly unissued.
The
authority herein granted to the Board of Directors to determine the relative
rights and preferences of the Preferred Stock shall be limited to unissued
shares, and no power shall exist to alter or change the rights and preferences
of any shares that have been issued.
4.3 Transfer
Restrictions. The
Board of Directors shall have the authority to issue shares of the capital stock
of this Corporation and the certificates therefor subject to such transfer
restrictions and other limitations as it may deem necessary to promote
compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws, and to regulate
the transfer thereof in such manner as may be calculated to promote such
compliance or to further any other reasonable purpose.
4.4 Securities
Exchange Act 1934. At any
time when the Corporation is subject to the reporting requirements of
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, special meetings of the shareholders for any purpose or purposes may be
called only by the Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board (if one be
appointed) or the Chief Executive Officer.
4.5 Designation
of Series of Preferred Stock. The
first series of Preferred Stock, consisting of 2,000,000 shares, with a par
value of $1.00 per share, is hereby designated the “Series
A Junior Participating Preferred Stock”
(hereinafter referred to as the “Series
A Preferred Stock”). The
rights, preferences, privileges and limitations granted to and imposed on the
Series A Preferred Stock are as set forth in this Article 4.5.
B-2
4.5.1 Dividend
Provisions.
(a) Subject
to the prior and superior rights of the holders of any shares of any series of
Preferred Stock ranking prior and superior to the shares of Series A Preferred
Stock with respect to dividends, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred
Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of
Directors out of funds legally available for the purpose, quarterly dividends
payable in cash on the fifteenth day of March, June, September and December in
each year (each such date being referred to herein as a “Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date”), commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after
the first issuance of a share or fraction of a share of Series A Preferred
Stock, in an amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater
of (a) $10.00 or (b) subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set
forth, 100 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 100
times the aggregate per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends
or other distributions other than a dividend payable in Common Stock or a
subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or
otherwise), declared on the Common Stock since the immediately preceding
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, or, with respect to the first Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a
share of Series A Preferred Stock. In the event the Company shall at any time
after filing of these Articles of Incorporation (the “Rights Declaration Date”)
(i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii)
subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Common
Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the amount to
which holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock were entitled immediately
prior to such event under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall be adjusted
by multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the
denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to such event.
(b) The
Company shall declare a dividend or distribution on the Series A Preferred Stock
as provided in Article 4.5.1(a) above immediately after it declares a dividend
or distribution on the Common Stock (other than a dividend payable in shares of
Common Stock); provided that, in the event no dividend or distribution shall
have been declared on the Common Stock during the period between any Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date and the next subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, a
dividend of $10.00 per share on the Series A Preferred Stock shall nevertheless
be payable on such subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date.
(c) Dividends
shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding shares of Series A
Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date
of issue of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock, unless the date of issue of
such shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue from the date
of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the determination of holders
of shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to receive a quarterly dividend
and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in either of which events such
dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from such Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends
paid on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total
amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be
allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time
outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for the determination
of holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to receive payment of
a dividend or distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be no more
than 30 days prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.
4.5.2 Voting
Rights. The
holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have the following voting
rights:
(a) Subject
to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, each share of Series A
Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to 100 votes on all matters
submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Company. In the event the Company
shall at any time after the Rights Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on
Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding
Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller
number of shares, then in each such case the number of votes per share to which
holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to
such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such number by a fraction the
numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such
event.
(b) Except as
otherwise provided herein or by law, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred
Stock and the holders of shares of Common Stock shall vote together as one class
on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Company.
(c) The
following provisions shall apply in a default period (as defined
below).
(i) If at any
time dividends on any Series A Preferred Stock shall be in arrears in an amount
equal to six (6) quarterly dividends thereon, the occurrence of such contingency
shall mark the beginning of a period (herein called a “default period”) which
shall extend until such time when all accrued and unpaid dividends for all
previous quarterly dividend periods and for the current quarterly dividend
period on all shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding shall have
been declared and paid or set apart for payment. During each default period, all
holders of Preferred Stock (including holders of the Series A Preferred Stock)
with dividends in arrears in an amount equal to six (6) quarterly dividends
thereon, voting as a class, irrespective of series, shall have the right to
elect two (2) directors.
(ii) During
any default period, such voting right of the holders of Series A Preferred Stock
may be exercised initially at a special meeting called pursuant to Article
4.5.2(c)(iii) or at any annual meeting of shareholders, and thereafter at annual
meetings of shareholders, provided that neither such voting right nor the right
of the holders of any other series of Preferred Stock, if any, to increase, in
certain cases, the authorized number of directors shall be exercised unless the
holders of ten percent (10%) in number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding
shall be present in person or by proxy. The absence of a quorum of the holders
of Common Stock shall not affect the exercise by the holders of Preferred Stock
of such voting right. At any meeting at which the holders of Preferred Stock
shall exercise such voting right initially during an existing default period,
they shall have the right, voting as a class, to elect directors to fill such
vacancies, if any, in the directors as may then exist up to two (2) directors
or, if such right is exercised at an annual meeting, to elect two (2) directors.
If the number which may be so elected at any special meeting does not amount to
the required number, the holders of the Preferred Stock shall have the right to
make such increase in the number of directors as shall be necessary to permit
the election by them of the required number. After the holders of the Preferred
Stock shall have exercised their right to elect directors in any default period
and during the continuance of such period, the number of directors shall not be
increased or decreased except by vote of the holders of Preferred Stock as
herein provided or pursuant to the rights of any equity securities ranking
senior to or pari passu with the Series A Preferred Stock.
(iii) Unless
the holders of Preferred Stock shall, during an existing default period, have
previously exercised their right to elect directors, the Board of Directors may
order, or any shareholder or shareholders owning in the aggregate not less than
ten percent (10%) of the total number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding,
irrespective of series, may request, the calling of a special meeting of the
holders of Preferred Stock, which meeting shall thereupon be called by the
President, a Vice-President or the Secretary of the Company. Notice of such
meeting and of any annual meeting at which holders of Preferred Stock are
entitled to vote pursuant to this Article 4.5.2(c)(iii) shall be given to each
holder of record of Preferred Stock by mailing a copy of such notice to him at
his last address as the same appears on the books of the Company. Such meeting
shall be called for a time not earlier than 20 days and not later than 60 days
after such order or request or in default of the calling of such meeting within
60 days after such order or request, such meeting may be called on similar
notice by any shareholder or shareholders owning in the aggregate not less than
ten percent (10%) of the total number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article 4.5.2(c)(iii), no such special
meeting shall be called during the period within 60 days immediately preceding
the date fixed for the next annual meeting of the shareholders.
(iv) In any
default period, the holders of Common Stock, and other classes of stock of the
Company if applicable, shall continue to be entitled to elect the whole number
of directors until the holders of Preferred Stock shall have exercised their
right to elect two (2) directors voting as a class, after the exercise of which
right (x) the directors so elected by the holders of Preferred Stock shall
continue in office until their successors shall have been elected by such
holders or until the expiration of the default period, and (y) any vacancy in
the directors may (except as provided in Article 4.5.2 (c)(ii)) be filled by
vote of a majority of the remaining directors theretofore elected by the holders
of the class of stock which elected the director whose office shall have become
vacant, or if no such directors are in office, by the holders of the Preferred
Stock. References in this Article 4.5.2(c) to directors elected by the holders
of a particular class of stock shall include directors elected by such directors
to fill vacancies as provided in clause (y) of the foregoing
sentence.
(v) Immediately
upon the expiration of a default period, (x) the right of the holders of
Preferred Stock as a class to elect directors shall cease, (y) the term of any
directors elected by the holders of Preferred Stock as a class shall terminate,
and (z) the number of directors shall be such number as may be provided for in
these Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Corporation irrespective of any
increase made pursuant to the provisions of Article 4.5.2(c)(ii) (such number
being subject, however, to change thereafter in any manner provided by law or in
these Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Corporation). Any vacancies in
the Directors effected by the provisions of clauses (y) and (z) in the preceding
sentence may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors.
(d) Except as
set forth herein or otherwise required by law, holders of Series A Preferred
Stock shall have no special voting rights and their consent shall not be
required (except to the extent they are entitled to vote with holders of Common
Stock as set forth herein) for taking any corporate action.
4.5.3
Certain Restrictions
(a) Whenever
quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions payable on the Series A
Preferred Stock as provided in Article 4.5.1 are in arrears, thereafter and
until all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or not
declared, on shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding shall have been paid
in full, the Company shall not:
(i) Declare
or pay dividends on, make any other distributions on, or redeem or purchase or
otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock ranking junior (either
as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A
Preferred Stock;
(ii) declare
or pay dividends on or make any other distributions on any shares of stock
ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up) with the Series A Preferred Stock, except dividends paid ratably on
the Series A Preferred Stock and all such parity stock on which dividends are
payable or in arrears in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of
all such shares are then entitled;
(iii) redeem or
purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration shares of any stock ranking on a
parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up)
with the Series A Preferred Stock, provided that the Company may at any time
redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of any such parity stock in
exchange for shares of any stock of the Company ranking junior (either as to
dividends or upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up) to the Series A
Preferred Stock;
(iv) purchase
or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of Series A Preferred Stock,
or any shares of stock ranking on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock,
except in accordance with a purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as
determined by the Board of Directors) to all holders of such shares upon such
terms as the Board of Directors after consideration of the respective annual
dividend rates and other relative rights and preferences of the respective
series and classes, shall determine in good faith will result in fair and
equitable treatment among the respective series or classes.
(b) The
Company shall not permit any subsidiary of the Company to purchase or otherwise
acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the Company unless the Company
could, under Article 4.5.3(a), purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such
time and in such manner.
4.5.4
Reacquired Shares. Any
shares of Series A Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the
Company in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and cancelled promptly after
the acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their cancellation become
authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of
a new series of Preferred Stock to be created by resolution or resolutions of
the Board of Directors subject to the conditions and restrictions on issuance
set forth herein.
4.5.5
Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.
(a) Upon any
liquidation (voluntary or otherwise), dissolution or winding up of the Company,
no distribution shall be made to the holders of shares of stock ranking junior
(either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the
Series A Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Series
A Preferred Stock shall have received $100 per share plus an amount equal to
accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared,
to the date of such payment (the “Series A Liquidation Preference”). Following
the payment of the full amount of the Series A Liquidation Preference, no
additional distributions shall be made to the holders of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Common Stock
shall have received an amount per share (the “Common Adjustment”) equal to the
quotient obtained by dividing (i) the Series A Liquidation Preference by (ii)
100 (as appropriately adjusted as set forth in Article 4.5.5(c) below to reflect
such events as stock splits, stock dividends and recapitalizations with respect
to the Common Stock) (such number in clause (ii), the “Adjustment Number”).
Following the payment of the full amount of the Series A Liquidation Preference
and the Common Adjustment in respect of all outstanding shares of Series A
Preferred Stock and Common Stock, respectively, holders of Series A Preferred
Stock and holders of shares of Common Stock shall receive their ratable and
proportionate share of the remaining assets to be distributed in the ratio of
the Adjustment Number to 1 with respect to such Preferred Stock and Common
Stock, on a per share basis, respectively.
(b) In the
event, however, that there are not sufficient assets available to permit payment
in full of the Series A Liquidation Preference and the liquidation preferences
of all other series of preferred stock, if any, which rank on a parity with the
Series A Preferred Stock, then such remaining assets shall be distributed
ratably to the holders of such parity shares in proportion to their respective
liquidation preferences. In the event, however, that there are not sufficient
assets available to permit payment in full of the Common Adjustment, then such
remaining assets shall be distributed ratably to the holders of Common
Stock.
(c) In the
event the Company shall at any time after the Rights Declaration Date (i)
declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii)
subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Common
Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the Adjustment
Number in effect immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by
multiplying such Adjustment Number by a fraction the numerator of which is the
number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and
the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to such event.
4.5.6 Consolidation,
Merger, etc. In case
the Company shall enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other
transaction in which the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed
into other stock or securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such
case the shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly
exchanged or changed in an amount per share (subject to the provision for
adjustment hereinafter set forth) equal to 100 times the aggregate amount of
stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case
may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is changed or
exchanged. In the event the Company shall at any time after the Rights
Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of
Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the
outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case
the amount set forth in the preceding sentence with respect to the exchange or
change of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be adjusted by multiplying
such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of
which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately
prior to such event.
4.5.7 No
Redemption. The
shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable.
4.5.8 Ranking. The
Series A Preferred Stock shall rank junior to all other series of the Company’s
Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets,
unless the terms of any such series shall provide otherwise.
4.5.9 Amendment. These
Articles of Incorporation shall not be further amended in any manner which would
materially alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the
Series A Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative
vote of the holders of two-thirds (2/3) or more of the outstanding shares of
Series A Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class.
4.5.10
Fractional Shares. Series
A Preferred Stock may be issued in fractions of a share which shall entitle the
holder, in proportion to such holder’s fractional shares, to exercise voting
rights, receive dividends, participate in distributions and to have the benefit
of all other rights of holders of Series A Preferred Stock.
V
Directors
5.1 Number
of Directors. Subject
to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock as set out in
these Articles of Incorporation, the number of directors of the Corporation and
the manner in which such directors are to be elected shall be as set forth in
the Bylaws.
5.2 Classes. Subject
to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect
additional directors under specified circumstances, the directors shall be
divided into three classes designated as Class I, Class II and Class III,
respectively. Directors shall be assigned to each class in accordance with a
resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors. At the first annual
meeting of shareholders following the adoption and filing of these Articles of
Incorporation, the term of office of the Class I directors shall expire and
Class I directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the second
annual meeting of shareholders following the adoption and filing of these
Articles of Incorporation, the term of office of the Class II directors shall
expire and Class II directors shall be elected for a full term of three years.
At the third annual meeting of shareholders following the adoption and filing of
these Articles of Incorporation, the term of office of the Class III directors
shall expire and Class III directors shall be elected for a full term of three
years. At each succeeding annual meeting of shareholders, directors shall be
elected for a full term of three years to succeed the directors of the class
whose terms expire at such annual meeting.
Notwithstanding the
foregoing provisions of this Article 5.2, each director shall serve until
his successor is duly elected and qualified or until his death, resignation or
removal. Neither the Board of Directors nor any individual director may be
removed without cause. Subject to any limitation imposed by law, any individual
director or directors may be removed with cause by the holders of a majority of
the voting power of the corporation entitled to vote at an election of
directors. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of
Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
5.3 Vacancies.
Vacancies in the Board of Directors may be filled by a majority of the remaining
directors, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. The
shareholders may elect a director at any time to fill any vacancy not filled by
the directors.
5.4 Bylaws. In
furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board
of Directors shall have the power to make, adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws, or
adopt new Bylaws for this Corporation, by a resolution adopted by a majority of
the directors.
VI
Shareholder
Rights
6.1 Preemptive
Rights. No
shareholder of this Corporation shall have, solely by reason of being a
shareholder, any preemptive or preferential right or subscription right to any
stock of this Corporation or to any obligations convertible into stock of this
Corporation, or to any warrant or option for the purchase thereof, except to the
extent provided by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors
establishing a series of Preferred Stock or by written agreement with this
Corporation.
6.2 Cumulative
Voting. In any
election for directors of the Corporation, a holder of shares of any class or
series of stock then entitled to vote has the right to vote in person or by
proxy the number of shares of stock held thereby for as many persons as there
are directors to be elected. No cumulative voting for directors shall be
permitted.
6.3 Voting
Requirements. The
approval of any plan of merger, plan of share exchange, sale, lease, exchange or
other disposition of all, or substantially all, of the Corporation’s property
otherwise than in the usual and regular course of business, or proposal to
dissolve, shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a
majority of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled
to vote generally in the election of directors of the Corporation. At any time
when the corporation is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13
or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
pursuant to the authority granted under Sections 23B.10.030, 23B.11.030,
23B.12.020, and 23B.14.020 of the Act, except as otherwise provided in these
Articles of Incorporation, the vote of shareholders of this Corporation required
in order to approve amendments to these Articles of Incorporation, a plan of
merger or share exchange, the sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all
or substantially all of the property of the Corporation not in the usual and
regular course of business, or dissolution of the Corporation shall be a
majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast by each voting group,
regardless of whether or not the corporation is a “public company,” as that term
is defined in Section 23B.01.400 of the Act.
B-8
6.4 Written
Consent. No
action required to be taken or that may be taken at an annual or special meeting
of the shareholders of this Corporation may be taken without a meeting, and the
power of shareholders to consent in writing, without a meeting, to the taking of
any action is specifically denied.
6.5 Bylaws. The
Corporation’s shareholders shall have the power to make amendments to the Bylaws
by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of all
shareholders of the Corporation entitled to vote on an action.
6.6 Quorum for Meeting of
Shareholders. A
quorum shall exist at any meeting of the Shareholders if one-third of the shares
entitled to be cast are represented in person or by proxy.
VII
Indemnification
and Liability of Officers and Directors
7.1 Indemnification. The
Corporation may indemnify, in the manner and to the full extent permitted by
law, any person (or the estate of any person) who was or is a party to, or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or complete action,
suit or proceeding, whether or not by or in the right of the Corporation, and
whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or otherwise, by reason
of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation,
or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer
of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.
The Corporation may, to the full extent permitted by law, purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any such person against any liability which may be
asserted against such person. To the full extent permitted by law, the
indemnification provided herein shall include expenses (including attorneys’
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement, and, in the manner
provided by law, any such expenses may be paid by the Corporation in advance of
the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding. The indemnification
provided herein shall not be deemed to limit the right of the Corporation to
indemnify any other person for any such expenses to the full extent permitted by
law, nor shall it be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any person
seeking indemnification from the Corporation may be entitled under any
agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as
to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while
holding such office.
7.2 Liability. No
director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its
shareholders for monetary damages for his conduct as a director, except for
(i) acts or omissions that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of law by the director, (ii) approval of distributions or loans
in violation of Section 23B.08.310 of the Act, or (iii) any transaction
from which the director will personally receive a benefit in money, property or
services to which the director is not legally entitled. If the Act is hereafter
amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the
personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the
Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by
the Act, as so amended. Any amendment to or repeal of this Article shall not
adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation for or
with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such
amendment or repeal.
VIII
Amendments
to Articles of Incorporation
8.1 Amendments.
Amendments to Article 4.1(b) (authorized Preferred Stock); Article 5
(Directors); Article 6.2 (elimination of cumulative voting); and, this Article 8
shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds
(2/3) of all shareholders of the Corporation entitled to vote on an action.
Except as otherwise provided in these Articles of Incorporation, as amended from
time to time, the Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or
repeal any provisions contained in these Articles of Incorporation in any manner
now or hereafter prescribed or permitted by statute.
8.2 Corrections.
The
Corporation shall have authority to correct clerical errors in any documents
filed with the Secretary of State of Washington, including these Articles of
Incorporation or any amendments hereto, without the necessity of special
shareholder approval of such corrections.
IX
Incorporator
The name
and the mailing address of the Sole Incorporator is as follows:
Jeffry A.
Shelby
701 Fifth
Avenue
Suite
6100
Seattle,
Washington 98104-7098
Executed
this 11th day of
July, 2005.
/s/
Jeffry A. Shelby
Jeffry
A. Shelby, Sole Incorporator
B-10
APPENDIX
C
BYLAWS
OF
MERCER
INTERNATIONAL REGCO INC.
|
Page |
ARTICLE 1.
OFFICES...............................................................................................
|
4 |
1.1 Principal
Office............................................................................................
|
4 |
1.2 Registered Office and Registered
Agent........................................................ |
4 |
1.3 Other
Offices...............................................................................................
|
4 |
|
|
ARTICLE
2.
SHAREHOLDERS................................................................................
|
4 |
2.1 Annual
Meeting............................................................................................
|
4 |
2.2 Special
Meetings..........................................................................................
|
5 |
2.3 Notice of
Meetings.......................................................................................
|
5 |
2.4
Quorum.......................................................................................................
|
6 |
2.5 Voting of
Shares...........................................................................................
|
6 |
2.6 Adjourned
Meetings......................................................................................
|
6 |
2.7 Record
Date................................................................................................
|
6 |
2.8 Record of Shareholders Entitled to
Vote......................................................... |
7 |
2.9 Telephonic
Meetings.....................................................................................
|
7 |
2.10
Proxies........................................................................................................
|
7 |
2.11
Organization.................................................................................................
|
7 |
|
|
ARTICLE
3. BOARD OF
DIRECTORS.....................................................................
|
7 |
3.1 Management
Responsibility...........................................................................
|
7 |
3.2 Number of Directors,
Qualification................................................................
|
7 |
3.3
Election........................................................................................................
|
8 |
3.4
Vacancies....................................................................................................
|
8 |
3.5
Removal......................................................................................................
|
8 |
3.6
Resignation..................................................................................................
|
8 |
3.7 Annual
Meeting............................................................................................
|
8 |
3.8 Regular
Meetings.........................................................................................
|
8 |
3.9 Special
Meetings..........................................................................................
|
8 |
3.10 Notice of
Meeting.........................................................................................
|
8 |
3.11 Quorum of
Directors.....................................................................................
|
9 |
3.12 Presumption of
Assent..................................................................................
|
9 |
3.13 Action by Directors Without a
Meeting.......................................................... |
9 |
3.14 Telephonic
Meetings.....................................................................................
|
9 |
3.15
Compensation...............................................................................................
|
9 |
3.16
Committees..................................................................................................
|
9 |
|
|
ARTICLE
4.
OFFICERS.............................................................................................
|
10 |
4.1
Appointment.................................................................................................
|
10 |
4.2
Qualification.................................................................................................
|
10 |
4.3 Officers
Designated......................................................................................
|
10 |
4.4
Delegation....................................................................................................
|
11 |
<
TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP:
#d4d0c8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8;
WIDTH: 437.4pt; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; BACKGROUND-COLOR:
transparent" vAlign=top width=583>
4.5
Resignation..................................................................................................
12 |
4.6
Removal......................................................................................................
|
12 |
4.7
Vacancies....................................................................................................
|
12 |
4.8
Compensation...............................................................................................
|
12 |
C-2
ARTICLE
5. EXECUTION OF CORPORATION INSTRUMENTS AND VOTING OF SECURITIES OWNED
BY THE CORPORATION............................... |
12
|
5.1 Execution of Corporate
Instruments...............................................................
|
12 |
5.2 Voting Securities Owned by the
Corporation.................................................. |
12 |
|
|
ARTICLE
6.
STOCK..................................................................................................
|
12 |
6.1 Form and Execution of
Certificates................................................................
|
12 |
6.2 Lost
Certificates...........................................................................................
|
13 |
6.3
Transfers.....................................................................................................
|
13 |
6.4 Registered
Shareholders................................................................................
|
13 |
6.5 Execution of Other
Securities........................................................................
|
13 |
|
|
ARTICLE
7. BOOKS AND
RECORDS......................................................................
|
14 |
7.1 Books of accounts, minutes and Share
Register.............................................. |
14 |
7.2 Copies of
Resolutions....................................................................................
|
14 |
|
|
ARTICLE
8. FISCAL
YEAR......................................................................................
|
14 |
|
|
ARTICLE
9.CORPORATE
SEAL..............................................................................
|
14 |
|
|
ARTICLE
10.
INDEMNIFICATION..........................................................................
|
14 |
10.1 Right to
Indemnification................................................................................
|
14 |
10.2 Right to Indemnitee to Bring
Suit...................................................................
|
15 |
10.3 Nonexclusivity of
Rights................................................................................
|
15 |
10.4 Insurance, Contracts and
Funding..................................................................
|
15 |
10.5 Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the
Corporation.......................... |
16 |
10.6 Persons Serving Other
Entities......................................................................
|
16 |
|
|
ARTICLE
11. AMENDMENT OF
BYLAWS.............................................................
|
16 |
BYLAWS
OF
MERCER
INTERNATIONAL REGCO INC.
These
Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) are
promulgated pursuant to the Washington Business Corporation Act, as set forth in
Title 23B of the Revised Code of Washington.
ARTICLE
1.
OFFICES
1.1 Principal
Office. The
principal office of the Corporation shall be located at the principal place of
business or such other place as the Board of Directors may
designate.
1.2 Registered
Office and Registered Agent. The
registered office of the Corporation shall be located in the State of Washington
at such place as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors upon
filing of such notices as may be required by law, and the registered agent shall
have a business office identical with such registered office. Any change in the
registered agent or registered office shall be effective upon filing such change
with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of
Washington.
1.3 Other
Offices. The
Corporation shall also have and maintain an office or principal place of
business at such place as may be fixed by the Board of Directors, and may also
have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of
Washington, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the
business of the Corporation may require.
ARTICLE
2.
SHAREHOLDERS
2.1 Annual
Meeting
(a) The annual
meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation for the election of directors and
for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the
meeting shall be held each year on a date and at a time and place to be set by
the Board of Directors.
(b) Only persons
who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section
2.1(b) shall be eligible for election as directors. Nominations of persons for
election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation may be made at a meeting
of stockholders by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or by any
stockholder of the Corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors at
the meeting who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section
2.1(b). Such nominations, other than those made by or at the direction of the
Board of Directors, shall be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the
secretary of the Corporation. Stockholders may bring other business before the
annual meeting, provided that timely notice is provided to the secretary of the
Corporation in accordance with this section, and provided further that such
business is a proper matter for stockholder action under the Washington Business
Corporation Act. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to or
mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not
less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to
the anniversary date of the prior year’s meeting; provided, however, that in the
event that (i) the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days
prior to or more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, and (ii) less
than sixty (60) days notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the
meeting is given or made to stockholders, notice by the stockholder to be timely
must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth
(10th) day
following the day on which such notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or
such public disclosure was made. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth (a)
as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or
re-election as a directors, (i) the name, age, business address and residence
address of such person, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of such
person, (iii) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are
beneficially owned by such person and (iv) any other information relating to
such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for
election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to
Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (including, without
limitation,
such person’s written consent to being name in the proxy statement as a nominee
and to serving as a director if elected); (b) as to any other business that the
stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of such
business, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any
material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner,
if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (c) as to the stockholder
giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal
is made (i) the name and address of the stockholder, as they appear on the
Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner and (ii) the class and number
of shares of the Corporation which are owned of record by such stockholder and
beneficially by such beneficial owner. At the request of the Board of Directors
any person nominated by the Board of Directors for election as a director shall
furnish to the secretary of the Corporation that information required to be set
forth in a stockholder’s notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee. No
person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless
nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.1(b).
The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare
to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the procedures
prescribed by the Bylaws, and if he or she should so determine, he or she shall
so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be
disregarded.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.1(b), a stockholder shall also comply
with all applicable requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the
rules and regulations thereunder with respect to matters set forth in this
Section 2.1(b).
2.2 Special
Meetings. Special
meetings of the shareholders for any purpose or purposes may be called at any
time by a majority of the Board of Directors or by the Chairperson of the Board
(if one be elected) or by the Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors
may designate any place as the place of any special meeting called by the
Chairperson, the Chief Executive Officer or the Board.
2.3 Notice of
Meetings. Except
as otherwise provided in Subsections 2.3(b) and 2.3(c) below, the
Secretary, Assistant Secretary, or any transfer agent of the Corporation shall
deliver, either personally or by mail, private carrier, telegraph or teletype,
or telephone, wire or wireless equipment which transmits a facsimile of the
notice, not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of
any meeting of shareholders, written notice stating the place, day, and time of
the meeting to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. If
mailed in the United States, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when
deposited in the United States mail, with first-class postage thereon prepaid,
addressed to the shareholder at his address as it appears on the Corporation’s
record of shareholders. If mailed outside the United States, such notice shall
be deemed to be delivered five (5) days after being deposited in the mail, with
first-class airmail postage thereon, return receipt requested, addressed to the
shareholder at the shareholder’s address as it appears on the Corporation’s
record of shareholders.
(a) Notice
of Special Meeting. In the case of a special meeting, the written
notice shall also state with reasonable clarity the purpose or purposes for
which the meeting is called and the actions sought to be approved at the
meeting. No business other than that specified in the notice may be transacted
at a special meeting.
(b) Proposed
Articles of Amendment or Dissolution. If the business to be conducted
at any meeting includes any proposed amendment to the Articles of Incorporation
or the proposed voluntary dissolution of the Corporation, then the written
notice shall be given not less than twenty (20) nor more than sixty (60) days
before the meeting date and shall state that the purpose or one of the purposes
is to consider the advisability thereof, and, in the case of a proposed
amendment, shall be accompanied by a copy of the amendment.
(c) Proposed
Merger, Consolidation, Exchange, Sale, Lease or Disposition. If the
business to be conducted at any meeting includes any proposed plan of merger or
share exchange, or any sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the Corporation’s property otherwise than in the usual or
regular course of its business, then the written notice shall state that the
purpose or one of the purposes is to consider the proposed plan of merger or
share exchange, sale, lease, or disposition, as the case may be, shall describe
the proposed action with reasonable clarity, and, if required by law, shall be
accompanied by a copy or a detailed summary thereof; and written notice shall be
given to each shareholder of record, whether or not entitled to vote at such
meeting, not less than twenty (20) nor more than sixty (60) days before such
meeting, in the manner provided in Section 2.3 above.
(d) Declaration
of Mailing. A
declaration of the mailing or other means of giving any notice of any
shareholders’ meeting, executed by the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, or any
transfer agent of the Corporation giving the notice, shall be prima facie
evidence of the giving of such notice.
(e) Waiver of
Notice. Notice
of any shareholders’ meeting may be waived in writing by any shareholder at any
time, either before or after the meeting. Except as provided below, the waiver
must be signed by the shareholder entitled to the notice, and be delivered to
the Corporation for inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate
records. A shareholder’s attendance at a meeting waives objection to lack of
notice, or defective notice, unless the shareholder at the beginning of the
meeting objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the
meeting.
2.4 Quorum. A
quorum shall exist at any meeting of shareholders if one-third of the shares
entitled to vote is represented in person or by proxy. Shares entitled to vote
as a separate voting group may take action on a matter at a meeting only if a
quorum of those shares exists with respect to that matter. The shareholders
present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business at such
meeting and at any adjournment of such meeting (unless a new record date is or
must be set for the adjourned meeting), notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough
shareholders from either meeting to leave less than a quorum. Once a share is
represented for any purpose at a meeting other than solely to object to holding
the meeting or transacting business at the meeting, it is deemed present for
quorum purposes for the remainder of the meeting and for any adjournment of that
meeting unless a new record date is or must be set for the adjourned
meeting.
2.5 Voting of
Shares. Except
as otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, every
shareholder of record shall have the right at every shareholders’ meeting to one
vote for every share standing in his name on the books of the Corporation. If a
quorum exists, action on a matter, other than the election of directors, is
approved by a voting group if the votes cast within the voting group favoring
the action exceed the votes cast within the voting group opposing the action,
unless a greater number is required by the Articles of Incorporation or the
Washington Business Corporation Act.
2.6 Adjourned
Meetings.
One-half of the shares represented at a meeting, even if less than a quorum, may
adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. When a meeting is
adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned
meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the
adjournment is taken. However, if a new record date for the adjourned meeting is
or must be fixed in accordance with the Washington Business Corporation Act,
notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to persons who are shareholders as
of the new record date. At any adjourned meeting, the Corporation may transact
any business which might have been transacted at the original
meeting.
2.7 Record
Date. For the
purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any
meeting of shareholders, or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive
payment of any dividend, the Board of Directors may fix in advance a record date
for any such determination of shareholders, such date to be not more than
seventy (70) days and, in the case of a meeting of shareholders, not less than
ten (10) days prior to the meeting or action requiring such determination of
shareholders. If no record date is fixed for the determination of shareholders
entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders, or shareholders
entitled to receive payment of a dividend, the day before the date on which
notice of the meeting is mailed or the date on which the resolution of the Board
of Directors declaring such dividend is adopted, as the case may be, shall be
the record date for such determination of shareholders. When a determination of
shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders has been made as
provided in this section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment
thereof, unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date, which it must do
if the meeting is adjourned more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the
date is fixed for the original meeting.
2.8 Record of
Shareholders Entitled to Vote. After
fixing a record date for a shareholders’ meeting, the Corporation shall prepare
an alphabetical list of the names of all shareholders on the record date who are
entitled to notice of the shareholders’ meeting. The list shall be arranged by
voting group, and within each voting group by class or series of shares, and
show the address of and number of shares held by each shareholder. A
shareholder, shareholder’s agent, or a shareholder’s attorney may inspect the
shareholders list, beginning ten days prior to the shareholders’ meeting and
continuing through the meeting, at the Corporation’s principal office or at a
place identified in the meeting notice in the city where the meeting will be
held during regular business hours and at the shareholder’s expense. The
shareholders list shall be kept open for inspection during such meeting or any
adjournment. Failure to comply with the requirements of this Section shall
not affect the validity of any action taken at such meeting.
2.9 Telephonic
Meetings.
Shareholders may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or
other communications equipment by which all persons participating in the meeting
can hear each other during the meeting, and participation by such means shall
constitute presence in person at a meeting.
2.10
Proxies. At all
meetings of shareholders, a shareholder may vote by proxy executed in writing by
the shareholder or by his duly authorized attorney in fact. Such proxy shall be
filed with the secretary of the Corporation before or at the time of the
meeting. No proxy shall be valid after eleven (11) months from the date of its
execution, unless otherwise provided in the proxy.
2.11
Organization
(a)
At every meeting of shareholders, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, or,
if a Chairperson has not been appointed or is absent, the Chief Executive
Officer, or, if the Chief Executive Officer is absent, a chairman of the meeting
chosen by a majority in interest of the shareholders entitled to vote, present
in person or by proxy, shall act as chairman. The Secretary, or, in his absence,
an Assistant Secretary directed to do so by the Chief Executive Officer, shall
act as secretary of the meeting.
(b)
The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be entitled to make such rules
or regulations for the conduct of meetings of shareholders as it shall deem
necessary, appropriate or convenient. Subject to such rules and regulations of
the Board of Directors, if any, the chairman of the meeting shall have the right
and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all
such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are necessary, appropriate or
convenient for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation,
establishing an agenda or order of business for the meeting, rules and
procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present,
limitations on participation in such meeting to shareholders of record of the
Corporation and their duly authorized and constituted proxies and such other
persons as the chairman shall permit, restrictions on entry to the meeting after
the time fixed for the commencement thereof, limitations on the time allotted to
questions or comments by participants and regulation of the opening and closing
of the polls for balloting on matters which are to be voted on by ballot. Unless
and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the
meeting, meetings of shareholders shall not be required to be held in accordance
with rules of parliamentary procedure.
ARTICLE
3.
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
3.1 Management
Responsibility. All
corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the authority of, and the
business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of,
the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise provided in the Articles of
Incorporation or the Washington Business Corporation Act.
3.2 Number of
Directors, Qualification. The
authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall be not less than three
(3) nor more than thirteen (13), the specific number to be set by resolution of
the Board of Directors. Directors need not be shareholders. No reduction of the
authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director
before that director’s term of office expires.
3.3 Election. Except
as provided in Sections 3.4 and 3.5, and unless otherwise provided in the
Articles of Incorporation, directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of
stockholders to hold office until the next annual meeting. If, for any reason,
the directors shall not have been elected at an annual meeting, they may be
elected at a special meeting of shareholders called for that purpose in
accordance with these Bylaws. Despite the expiration of a director’s term, the
director shall continue to serve until the director’s successor shall have been
elected and qualified or until there is a decrease in the number of
directors.
3.4 Vacancies. Any
vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors (whether caused by resignation,
death, an increase in the number of directors, or otherwise) may be filled the
Board of Directors or the shareholders if not filled by the Board. If the
directors in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the Board, they may fill
the vacancy by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors in
office. A director elected to fill any vacancy shall hold office until the next
shareholders meeting at which directors are elected.
3.5 Resignation. Any
director may resign at any time by delivering his written resignation to the
Secretary, such resignation to specify whether it will be effective at a
particular time, upon receipt by the Secretary or at the pleasure of the Board
of Directors. If no such specification is made, it shall be deemed effective at
the pleasure of the Board of Directors. When one or more directors shall resign
from the Board of Directors, effective at a future date, a majority of the
directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power
to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such
resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each Director so chosen
shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of the Director whose
place shall be vacated and until his successor shall have been duly elected and
qualified.
3.6 Removal. One or
more members of the Board of Directors (including the entire Board) may be
removed, with cause, at a meeting of shareholders called expressly for that
purpose. A director may be removed only if the number of votes cast to remove
the director exceeds the number of votes cast not to remove the director.
Neither the Board of Directors nor any individual director may be removed
without cause.
3.7 Annual
Meeting. The
first meeting of each newly elected Board of Directors shall be known as the
annual meeting thereof and shall be held without notice immediately after the
annual shareholders’ meeting or any special shareholders’ meeting at which a
Board is elected. Said meeting shall be held at the same place as such
shareholders’ meeting unless some other place shall be specified by resolution
of the Board of Directors.
3.8 Regular
Meetings. Regular
meetings of the Board of Directors or of any committee designated by the Board
may be held at such place and such day and hour as shall from time to time be
fixed by resolution of the Board or committee, without other notice than the
delivery of such resolution as provided in Section 3.10 below.
3.9 Special
Meetings. Special
meetings of the Board of Directors or any committee designated by the Board may
be called by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chairperson of the Board (if one
be elected) or any director or committee member, to be held at such place and
such day and hour as specified by the person or persons calling the
meeting.
3.10
Notice of Meeting. Notice
of the date, time, and place of all special meetings of the Board of Directors
or any committee designated by the Board shall be given by the Secretary, or by
the person calling the meeting, by mail, private carrier, telegram, facsimile
transmission, or personal communication over the telephone or otherwise,
provided such notice is received at least one (1) day prior to the day upon
which the meeting is to be held.
No notice
of any regular meeting need be given if the time and place thereof shall have
been fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors or any committee designated
by the Board and a copy of such resolution has been delivered by mail, private
carrier, telegram or facsimile transmission to every director or committee
member and is received at least one (1) day before the first meeting held in
pursuance thereof.
Notice of
any meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee designated by the Board
need not be given to any director or committee member if it is waived in a
writing signed by the director entitled to the notice, whether before or after
such meeting is held.
A
director’s attendance at or participation in a meeting waives any required
notice to the director of the meeting unless the director at the beginning of
the meeting, or promptly upon the director’s arrival, objects to holding the
meeting or transacting business at the meeting and does not thereafter vote for
or assent to action taken at the meeting. Neither the business to be transacted
at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors
or any committee designated by the Board need be specified in the notice or
waiver of notice of such meeting unless required by the Articles of
Incorporation or these Bylaws.
Any
meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee designated by the Board shall
be a legal meeting without any notice thereof having been given if all of the
directors or committee members have received valid notice thereof, are present
without objecting, or waive notice thereof in a writing signed by the director
and delivered to the Corporation for inclusion in the minutes or filing with the
corporate records, or any combination thereof.
3.11
Quorum of Directors. A
majority of the number of directors fixed by or in the manner provided by these
Bylaws shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is
present when a vote is taken, the affirmative vote of a majority of directors
present is the act of the Board of Directors unless the Articles of
Incorporation or these Bylaws require the vote of a greater number of
directors.
A
majority of the directors present, whether or not constituting a quorum, may
adjourn any meeting to another time and place. If the meeting is adjourned for
more than forty-eight (48) hours, then notice of the time and place of the
adjourned meeting shall be given before the adjourned meeting takes place, in
the manner specified in Section 3.10 of these Bylaws, to the directors who
were not present at the time of the adjournment.
3.12
Presumption of Assent. Any
director who is present at any meeting of the Board of Directors at which action
on any corporate matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the
action taken unless (a) the director objects at the beginning of the
meeting, or promptly upon the director’s arrival, to holding the meeting or
transacting business at the meeting; (b) the director’s dissent or
abstention from the action taken is entered in the minutes of the meeting; or
(c) the director delivers written notice of dissent or abstention to the
presiding officer of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or to the
Corporation within a reasonable time after adjournment of the meeting. Such
right to dissent or abstain shall not be available to any director who voted in
favor of such action.
3.13
Action by Directors Without a Meeting. Any
action required by law to be taken or which may be taken at a meeting of the
Board of Directors or of a committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if
one or more written consents, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed
by all of the directors or all of the members of the committee, as the case may
be, either before or after the action taken and delivered to the Corporation for
inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate records. Such consent
shall have the same effect as a unanimous vote at a meeting duly held upon
proper notice on the date of the last signature thereto, unless the consent
specifies a later effective date.
3.14
Telephonic Meetings. Members
of the Board of Directors or any committee designated by the Board may
participate in a meeting of the Board or committee by means of a conference
telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons
participating in the meeting can hear each other during the meeting.
Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a
meeting.
3.15
Compensation. By
resolution of the Board of Directors, the directors and committee members may be
paid their expenses, if any, or a fixed sum or a stated salary as a director or
committee member for attendance at each meeting of the Board or of such
committee as the case may be. No such payment shall preclude any director or
committee member from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and
receiving compensation therefor.
3.16
Committees. The
Board of Directors, by resolution adopted by a majority of the full Board, may
from time to time designate from among its members one or more committees, each
of which must have two (2) or more members and, to the extent provided in such
resolution, shall have and may exercise all the authority of the Board of
Directors, except that no such committee shall have the authority
to:
(a) authorize or
approve a distribution except according to a general formula or method
prescribed by the Board of Directors;
(b) approve or
propose to shareholders action that the Washington Business Corporation Act
requires to be approved by shareholders;
(c) fill
vacancies on the Board of Directors or on any of its committees;
(d) adopt any
amendment to the Articles of Incorporation;
(e) adopt, amend
or repeal these Bylaws;
(f) approve a
plan of merger; or
(g) authorize or
approve the issuance or sale or contract for sale of shares, or determine the
designation and relative rights, preferences and limitations of a class or
series of shares, except that the Board of Directors may authorize a committee,
or a senior executive officer of the Corporation, to do so within limits
specifically prescribed by the Board of Directors.
Meetings
of such committees shall be governed by the same procedures as govern the
meetings of the Board of Directors. All committees so appointed shall keep
regular minutes of their meetings and shall cause them to be recorded in books
kept for that purpose at the office of the Corporation.
ARTICLE
4.
OFFICERS
4.1 Appointment. The
officers of the Corporation shall be appointed annually by the Board of
Directors at its annual meeting held after the annual meeting of the
shareholders. If the appointment of officers is not held at such meeting, such
appointment shall be held as soon thereafter as a Board meeting conveniently may
be held. Except in the case of death, resignation or removal, each officer shall
hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until the next annual
meeting of the Board and until his successor is appointed and
qualified.
4.2 Qualification. None of
the officers of the Corporation need be a director, except as specified below.
Any two or more of the corporate offices may be held by the same
person.
4.3 Officers
Designated. The
officers of the Corporation shall include, if and when designated by the Board
of Directors, a Chief Executive Officer, a President, one or more Vice
Presidents (the number thereof to be determined by the Board of Directors), a
Secretary, a Chief Financial Officer and a Treasurer. The Board of Directors may
also appoint such other officers and assistant officers as it may deem
necessary.
The Board
of Directors may, in its discretion, appoint a Chairperson of the Board of
Directors; and, if a Chairperson has been appointed, the Chairperson shall, when
present, preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and the shareholders
and shall have such other powers commonly incident to his office and as the
Board may prescribe.
(a) Chief
Executive Officer. The
Chief Executive Officer shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation
and, subject to the direction and control of the Board, shall supervise and
control all of the assets, business, and affairs of the corporation. The Chief
Executive Officer shall vote the shares owned by the corporation in other
corporations, domestic or foreign, unless otherwise prescribed by resolution of
the Board. In general, the Chief Executive Officer shall perform all duties
incident to the office of Chief Executive Officer and such other duties as may
be prescribed by the Board from time to time.
The Chief
Executive Officer shall, unless a Chairperson of the Board of Directors has been
appointed and is present, preside at all meetings of the shareholders and the
Board of Directors.
(b) President. The
President shall report to the Chief Executive Officer. In the absence of the
Chief Executive Officer or his inability to act, the President, if any, shall
perform all the duties of the Chief Executive Officer and when so acting shall
have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the Chief
Executive Officer; provided that no such President shall assume the authority to
preside as Chairperson of meetings of the Board unless such President is a
member of the Board. In general, the President shall perform all duties incident
to the office of President and such other duties as may be prescribed by the
Board from time to time.
(c) Vice
Presidents. In the
absence of the President or his inability to act, the Vice Presidents, if any,
in order of their rank as fixed by the Board of Directors or, if not ranked a
Vice President designated by the Board shall perform all the duties of the
President and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all
the restrictions upon, the President; provided that no such Vice President shall
assume the authority to preside as Chairperson of meetings of the Board unless
such Vice President is a member of the Board. The Vice Presidents shall have
such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be
respectively prescribed for them by the Board, these Bylaws or the
President.
(d) Secretary. The
Secretary shall attend all meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of
Directors and shall record all acts and proceedings thereof in the minute book
of the Corporation. The Secretary shall give notice in conformity with these
Bylaws of all meetings of the shareholders and of all meetings of the Board of
Directors and any committee thereof requiring notice. The Secretary shall
perform all other duties given him in these Bylaws and other duties commonly
incident to his office and shall also perform such other duties and have such
other powers, as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time. The
President may direct any Assistant Secretary to assume and perform the duties of
the Secretary in the absence or disability of the Secretary, and each Assistant
Secretary shall perform other duties commonly incident to his office and shall
also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of
Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.
(e) Chief
Financial Officer. The
Chief Financial Officer shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of
the Corporation in a thorough and proper manner and shall render statements of
the financial affairs of the Corporation in such form and as often as required
by the Board of Directors or the President. The Chief Financial Officer, subject
to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have the custody of all funds and
securities of the Corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform other
duties commonly incident to his office and shall also perform such other duties
and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall
designate from time to time. The President may direct the Treasurer or any
Assistant Treasurer, or the Controller or any Assistant Controller to assume and
perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence or disability
of the Chief Financial Officer, and each Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer and
each Controller and Assistant Controller shall perform other duties commonly
incident to his office and shall also perform such other duties and have such
other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from
time to time.
(f) Treasurer. Subject
to the direction and control of the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall have
charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the
Corporation; and, at the expiration of his term of office, he shall turn over to
his successor all property of the Corporation in his possession.
In the
absence of the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer may perform the duties of the
Treasurer.
4.4
Delegation. In case
of the absence or inability to act of any officer of the Corporation and of any
person herein authorized to act in his place, the Board of Directors may from
time to time delegate the powers or duties of such officer to any other officer
or director or other person whom it may select.
4.5
Resignation. Any
officer may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the Corporation.
Any such resignation shall take effect when the notice is delivered unless the
notice specifies a later date. Unless otherwise specified in the notice,
acceptance of such resignation by the Corporation shall not be necessary to make
it effective. Any resignation shall be without prejudice to the rights, if any,
of the Corporation under any contract to which the officer is a
party.
4.6
Removal. Any
officer or agent elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed
by the Board at any time with or without cause. Election or appointment of an
officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights.
4.7
Vacancies. A
vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification,
creation of a new office, or any other cause may be filled by the Board of
Directors for the unexpired portion of the term or for a new term established by
the Board.
4.8
Compensation.
Compensation, if any, for officers and other agents and employees of the
Corporation shall be determined by the Board of Directors, or by the Chief
Executive Officer to the extent such authority may be delegated to him by the
Board. No officer shall be prevented from receiving compensation in such
capacity by reason of the fact that he is also a director of the
Corporation.
ARTICLE
5.
EXECUTION OF CORPORATION INSTRUMENTS AND VOTING
OF
SECURITIES OWNED BY THE CORPORATION
5.1 Execution of Corporate
Instruments. The
Board of Directors may, in its discretion, determine the method and designate
the signatory officer or officers, or other person or persons, to execute on
behalf of the Corporation any corporate instrument or document, or to sign on
behalf of the Corporation the corporate name without limitation, or to enter
into contracts on behalf of the Corporation, except where otherwise provided by
law or these Bylaws, and such execution or signature shall be binding upon the
Corporation.
All
checks and drafts drawn on banks or other depositaries on funds to the credit of
the Corporation or in special accounts of the Corporation shall be signed by
such person or persons as the Board of Directors shall authorize so to
do.
Unless
authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the agency power of
an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to
bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to
render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.
5.2 Voting
of Securities Owned by the Corporation. All
stock and other securities of other corporations owned or held by the
Corporation for itself, or for other parties in any capacity, shall be voted,
and all proxies with respect thereto shall be executed, by the person authorized
so to do by resolution of the Board of Directors, or, in the absence of such
authorization, by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive
Officer, the President or any Vice President.
ARTICLE
6.
STOCK
6.1 Form
and Execution of Certificates.
Certificates for the shares of stock of the Corporation shall be in such form as
is consistent with the Articles of Incorporation and applicable law. Every
holder of stock in the Corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate
signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairperson of the Board of
Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President and
by the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or Assistant Secretary,
certifying the number of shares owned by him in the Corporation. Any or all of
the signatures on the certificate may be facsimiles. In case any officer,
transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has
been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer
agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued with the
same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date
of issue. Each certificate shall state upon the face or back thereof, in full or
in summary, all of the powers, designations, preferences, and rights, and the
limitations or restrictions of the shares authorized to be issued or shall,
except as otherwise required by law, set forth on the face or back a statement
that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each shareholder who so
requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating,
optional, or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and
the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or
rights. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of
uncertificated stock, the Corporation shall send to the registered owner thereof
a written notice containing the information required to be set forth or stated
on certificates pursuant to this Section or otherwise required by law or
with respect to this Section a statement that the Corporation will furnish
without charge to each shareholder who so requests the powers, designations,
preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights of each
class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or
restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Except as otherwise expressly
provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders of certificates
representing stock of the same class and series shall be identical.
6.2 Lost
Certificates. A new
certificate or certificates shall be issued in place of any certificate or
certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost,
stolen, or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person
claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen, or destroyed. The
corporation may require, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new
certificate or certificates, the owner of such lost, stolen, or destroyed
certificate or certificates, or his legal representative, to agree to indemnify
the Corporation in such manner as it shall require or to give the Corporation a
surety bond in such form and amount as it may direct as indemnity against any
claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate
alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed.
6.3 Transfers
(a) Transfers
of record of shares of stock of the Corporation shall be made only upon its
books by the holders thereof, in person or by attorney duly authorized, and upon
the surrender of a properly endorsed certificate or certificates for a like
number of shares.
(b) The
corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any
number of shareholders of any one or more classes of stock of the Corporation to
restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the Corporation of any one or more
classes owned by such shareholders in any manner not prohibited by the
Act.
6.4 Registered
Shareholders. The
corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person
registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote
as such owner, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim
to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person whether
or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise
provided by the laws of Washington.
6.5 Execution
of Other Securities. All
bonds, debentures and other corporate securities of the Corporation, other than
stock certificates (covered in Section 6.1), may be signed by the
Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the
President or any Vice President, or such other person as may be authorized by
the Board of Directors, and the corporate seal impressed thereon or a facsimile
of such seal imprinted thereon and attested by the signature of the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary, or the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer or an
Assistant Treasurer; provided, however, that where any such bond, debenture or
other corporate security shall be authenticated by the manual signature, or
where permissible facsimile signature, of a trustee under an indenture pursuant
to which such bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be issued, the
signatures of the persons signing and attesting the corporate seal on such bond,
debenture or other corporate security may be the imprinted facsimile of the
signatures of such persons. Interest coupons appertaining to any such bond,
debenture or other corporate security, authenticated by a trustee as aforesaid,
shall be signed by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the Corporation or
such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, or bear
imprinted thereon the facsimile signature of such person. In case any officer
who shall have signed or attested any bond, debenture or other corporate
security, or whose facsimile signature shall appear thereon or on any such
interest coupon, shall have ceased to be such officer before the bond, debenture
or other corporate security so signed or attested shall have been delivered,
such bond, debenture or other corporate security nevertheless may be adopted by
the Corporation and issued and delivered as though the person who signed the
same or whose facsimile signature shall have been used thereon had not ceased to
be such officer of the Corporation.
Except as
otherwise specifically provided in these Bylaws, no shares of stock shall be
transferred on the books of the Corporation until the outstanding certificate
therefor has been surrendered to the Corporation. All certificates surrendered
to the Corporation for transfer shall be cancelled, and no new certificate shall
be issued until the former certificate for a like number of shares shall have
been surrendered and cancelled, except that in case of a lost, destroyed, or
mutilated certificate a new one may be issued therefor upon such terms
(including indemnity to the Corporation) as the Board of Directors may
prescribe.
ARTICLE
7.
BOOKS AND RECORDS
7.1 Books
of Accounts, Minutes and Share Register. The
corporation shall
keep as permanent records minutes of all meetings of its
shareholders and Board of Directors, a record of all actions taken by the
shareholders or Board of Directors without a meeting, and a record of all
actions taken by a committee of the Board of Directors exercising the authority
of the Board of Directors on behalf of the Corporation. The corporation shall
maintain appropriate accounting records. The corporation or its agent shall
maintain a record of its shareholders, in a form that permits preparation of a
list of the names and addresses of all shareholders, in alphabetical order by
class of shares showing the number and class of shares held by each. The
corporation shall keep a copy of the following records at its principal office:
the Articles or Restated Articles of Incorporation and all amendments to them
currently in effect; the Bylaws or Restated Bylaws and all amendments to them
currently in effect; the minutes of all shareholders’ meetings, and records of
all actions taken by shareholders without a meeting, for the past three years;
its financial statements for the past three years, including balance sheets
showing in reasonable detail the financial condition of the Corporation as of
the close of each fiscal year, and an income statement showing the results of
its operations during each fiscal year prepared on the basis of generally
accepted accounting principles or, if not, prepared on a basis explained
therein; all written communications to shareholders generally within the past
three years; a list of the names and business addresses of its current directors
and officers; and its most recent annual report delivered to the Secretary of
State of Washington.
7.2 Copies
of Resolutions. Any
person dealing with the Corporation may rely upon a copy of any of the records
of the proceedings, resolutions, or votes of the Board of Directors or
shareholders, when certified by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or
Secretary.
ARTICLE
8.
FISCAL YEAR
The
fiscal year of the Corporation shall be set by resolution of the Board of
Directors.
ARTICLE
9.
CORPORATE SEAL
The Board
of Directors may adopt a corporate seal for the Corporation which shall have
inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation, the year and state of
incorporation and the words “corporate seal”.
ARTICLE
10.
INDEMNIFICATION
10.1 Right
to Indemnification. Each
individual (hereinafter an “indemnitee”) who
was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise
involved (including, without limitation, as a witness) in any actual or
threatened action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative
or investigative and whether formal or informal (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by
reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the
Corporation or that, while serving as a director or officer of the Corporation,
he or she is or was also serving at the request of the Corporation as a
director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another foreign or
domestic corporation or of a foreign or domestic partnership, joint venture,
trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, whether the basis of the
proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as such a director,
officer, employee, partner, trustee, or agent or in any other capacity while
serving as such director, officer, employee, partner, trustee, or agent, shall
be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the full extent permitted
by applicable law as then in effect, against all expense, liability and loss
(including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise
taxes or penalties and amounts to be paid in settlement) incurred or suffered by
such indemnitee in connection therewith, and such indemnification shall continue
as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee, partner,
trustee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs,
executors and administrators; provided, however, that no indemnification shall
be provided to any such indemnitee if the Corporation is prohibited by the
Washington Business Corporation Act or other applicable law as then in effect
from paying such indemnification; and provided, further, that except as provided
in Section 10.2 of this Article with respect to proceedings seeking to
enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify any such
indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such
indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized or ratified
by the Board of Directors. The right to indemnification conferred in this
Section 10.1 shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be
paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in
advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an “advancement
of expenses”). Any
advancement of expenses shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of a
written undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or
on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall
ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no
further right to appeal that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified
for such expenses under this Section 10.1 and upon delivery to the
Corporation of a written affirmation (hereinafter an “affirmation”) by the
indemnitee of his or her good faith belief that such indemnitee has met the
standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Corporation pursuant to
this Article.
10.2 Right
of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. If a
written claim for indemnification under Section 10.1 of this
Article is not paid in full by the Corporation within ninety (90) days
after the Corporation’s receipt thereof, except in the case of a claim for an
advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be twenty
(20) days, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the
Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful, in whole
or in part, in any such suit or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover
an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the
indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expenses of prosecuting or
defending such suit. The indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to
indemnification under this Article upon submission of a written claim (and,
in an action brought to enforce a claim for an advancement of expenses, where
the required undertaking and affirmation have been tendered to the Corporation)
and thereafter the Corporation shall have the burden of proof to overcome the
presumption that the indemnitee is so entitled. Neither the failure of the
Corporation (including the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or the
shareholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such
suit that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances nor
an actual determination by the Corporation (including the Board of Directors,
independent legal counsel or the shareholders) that the indemnitee is not
entitled to indemnification shall be a defense to the suit or create a
presumption that the indemnitee is not so entitled.
10.3 Nonexclusivity
of Rights. The
right to indemnification and the advancement of expenses conferred in this
Article X shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may
have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws of the Corporation, general or specific action of the
Board of Directors, contract or otherwise.
10.4 Insurance,
Contracts and Funding. The
corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any
individual who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
Corporation or who, while a director, officer, employee or agent of the
Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a agent of
another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust,
employee benefit plan or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss
asserted against or incurred by the individual in that capacity or arising from
the individual’s status as a director, officer, employee or agent, whether or
not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such
expense, liability or loss under the Washington Business Corporation Act. The
corporation may enter into contracts with any director, officer, employee or
agent of the Corporation in furtherance of the provisions of this
Article and may create a trust fund, grant a security interest or use other
means (including, without limitation, a letter of credit) to ensure the payment
of such amounts as may be necessary to effect indemnification as provided in
this Article.
10.5 Indemnification
of Employees and Agents of the Corporation. The
corporation may, by action of the Board of Directors, grant rights to
indemnification and advancement of expenses to employees and agents of the
Corporation with the same scope and effect as the provisions of this
Article with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of
directors and officers of the Corporation or pursuant to rights granted pursuant
to, or provided by, the Washington Business Corporation Act or
otherwise.
10.6 Persons
Serving Other Entities. Any
individual who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Corporation who,
while a director, officer or employee of the Corporation, is or was serving
(a) as a director or officer of another foreign or domestic corporation of
which a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of its directors
is held by the Corporation, (b) as a trustee of an employee benefit plan
and the duties of the director or officer to the Corporation also impose duties
on, or otherwise involve services by, the director or officer to the plan or to
participants in or beneficiaries of the plan or (c) in an executive or
management capacity in a foreign or domestic partnership, joint venture, trust
or other enterprise of which the Corporation or a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Corporation is a general partner or has a majority ownership or interest shall
be deemed to be so serving at the request of the Corporation and entitled to
indemnification and advancement of expenses under this Article.
ARTICLE
11.
AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
11.1 These
Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed and new Bylaws may be adopted by the
Board, except that the Board may not repeal or amend any Bylaw that the
shareholders have expressly provided, in amending or repealing such Bylaw, may
not be amended or repealed by the Board. The shareholders may also alter, amend
and repeal these Bylaws or adopt new Bylaws. All Bylaws made by the Board may be
amended, repealed, altered or modified by the shareholders.
APPENDIX
D
WASHINGTON
BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT CHAPTER 23B.13 - DISSENTERS'
RIGHTS
(As set
forth in the Revised Code of Washington ("RCW"))
RCW
23B.13.010
Definitions.
As used
in this chapter:
(1)
"Corporation" means the issuer of the shares held by a dissenter before the
corporate action, or the surviving or acquiring corporation by merger or share
exchange of that issuer.
(2)
"Dissenter" means a shareholder who is entitled to dissent from corporate action
under RCW 23B.13.020 and who
exercises that right when and in the manner required by RCW
23B.13.200 through
23B.13.280.
(3) "Fair
value," with respect to a dissenter's shares, means the value of the shares
immediately before the effective date of the corporate action to which the
dissenter objects, excluding any appreciation or depreciation in anticipation of
the corporate action unless exclusion would be inequitable.
(4)
"Interest" means interest from the effective date of the corporate action until
the date of payment, at the average rate currently paid by the corporation on
its principal bank loans or, if none, at a rate that is fair and equitable under
all the circumstances.
(5)
"Record shareholder" means the person in whose name shares are registered in the
records of a corporation or the beneficial owner of shares to the extent of the
rights granted by a nominee certificate on file with a corporation.
(6)
"Beneficial shareholder" means the person who is a beneficial owner of shares
held in a voting trust or by a nominee as the record shareholder.
(7)
"Shareholder" means the record shareholder or the beneficial
shareholder.
RCW
23B.13.020
Right
to dissent.
(1) A
shareholder is entitled to dissent from, and obtain payment of the fair value of
the shareholder's shares in the event of, any of the following corporate
actions:
(a)
Consummation of a plan of merger to which the corporation is a party (i) if
shareholder approval is required for the merger by RCW 23B.11.030, 23B.11.080,
or the articles of incorporation, and the shareholder is entitled to vote on the
merger, or (ii) if the corporation is a subsidiary that is merged with its
parent under RCW 23B.11.040;
(b)
Consummation of a plan of share exchange to which the corporation is a party as
the corporation whose shares will be acquired, if the shareholder is entitled to
vote on the plan;
(c)
Consummation of a sale or exchange of all, or substantially all, of the property
of the corporation other than in the usual and regular course of business, if
the shareholder is entitled to vote on the sale or exchange, including a sale in
dissolution, but not including a sale pursuant to court order or a sale for cash
pursuant to a plan by which all or substantially all of the net proceeds of the
sale will be distributed to the shareholders within one year after the date of
sale;
(d) An
amendment of the articles of incorporation, whether or not the shareholder was
entitled to vote on the amendment, if the amendment effects a redemption or
cancellation of all of the shareholder's shares in exchange for cash or other
consideration other than shares of the corporation; or
(e) Any
corporate action taken pursuant to a shareholder vote to the extent the articles
of incorporation, bylaws, or a resolution of the board of directors provides
that voting or nonvoting shareholders are entitled to dissent and obtain payment
for their shares.
(2) A
shareholder entitled to dissent and obtain payment for the shareholder's shares
under this chapter may not challenge the corporate action creating the
shareholder's entitlement unless the action fails to comply with the procedural
requirements imposed by this title, RCW 25.10.900 through 25.10.955, the
articles of incorporation, or the bylaws, or is fraudulent with respect to the
shareholder or the corporation.
(3) The
right of a dissenting shareholder to obtain payment of the fair value of the
shareholder's shares shall terminate upon the occurrence of any one of the
following events:
(a) The
proposed corporate action is abandoned or rescinded;
(b) A
court having jurisdiction permanently enjoins or sets aside the corporate
action; or
(c) The
shareholder's demand for payment is withdrawn with the written consent of the
corporation.
RCW
23B.13.030
Dissent
by nominees and beneficial owners.
(1) A
record shareholder may assert dissenters' rights as to fewer than all the shares
registered in the shareholder's name only if the shareholder dissents with
respect to all shares beneficially owned by any one person and delivers to the
corporation a notice of the name and address of each person on whose behalf the
shareholder asserts dissenters' rights. The rights of a partial dissenter under
this subsection are determined as if the shares as to which the dissenter
dissents and the dissenter's other shares were registered in the names of
different shareholders.
(2) A
beneficial shareholder may assert dissenters' rights as to shares held on the
beneficial shareholder's behalf only if:
(a) The
beneficial shareholder submits to the corporation the record shareholder's
consent to the dissent not later than the time the beneficial shareholder
asserts dissenters' rights, which consent shall be set forth either (i) in a
record or (ii) if the corporation has designated an address, location, or system
to which the consent may be electronically transmitted and the consent is
electronically transmitted to the designated address, location, or system, in an
electronically transmitted record; and
(b) The
beneficial shareholder does so with respect to all shares of which such
shareholder is the beneficial shareholder or over which such shareholder has
power to direct the vote.
RCW
23B.13.200
Notice
of dissenters' rights.
(1) If
proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights under RCW
23B.13.020 is
submitted to a vote at a shareholders' meeting, the meeting notice must state
that shareholders are or may be entitled to assert dissenters' rights under this
chapter and be accompanied by a copy of this chapter.
(2) If
corporate action creating dissenters' rights under RCW 23B.13.020 is taken
without a vote of shareholders, the corporation, within ten days after the
effective date of such corporate action, shall deliver a notice to all
shareholders entitled to assert dissenters' rights that the action was taken and
send them the notice described in RCW 23B.13.220.
RCW
23B.13.210
Notice
of intent to demand payment.
(1) If
proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights under RCW
23B.13.020 is
submitted to a vote at a shareholders' meeting, a shareholder who wishes to
assert dissenters' rights must (a) deliver to the corporation before the vote is
taken notice of the shareholder's intent to demand payment for the shareholder's
shares if the proposed action is effected, and (b) not vote such shares in favor
of the proposed action.
(2) A
shareholder who does not satisfy the requirements of subsection (1) of this
section is not entitled to payment for the shareholder's shares under this
chapter.
RCW
23B.13.220
Dissenters'
rights—Notice.
(1) If
proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights under RCW
23B.13.020 is
authorized at a shareholders' meeting, the corporation shall deliver a notice to
all shareholders who satisfied the requirements of RCW 23B.13.210.
(2) The
notice must be sent within ten days after the effective date of the corporate
action, and must:
(a) State
where the payment demand must be sent and where and when certificates for
certificated shares must be deposited;
(b)
Inform holders of uncertificated shares to what extent transfer of the shares
will be restricted after the payment demand is received;
(c)
Supply a form for demanding payment that includes the date of the first
announcement to news media or to shareholders of the terms of the proposed
corporate action and requires that the person asserting dissenters' rights
certify whether or not the person acquired beneficial ownership of the shares
before that date;
(d) Set a
date by which the corporation must receive the payment demand, which date may
not be fewer than thirty nor more than sixty days after the date the notice in
subsection (1) of this section is delivered; and
(e) Be
accompanied by a copy of this chapter.
RCW
23B.13.230
Duty
to demand payment.
(1) A
shareholder sent a notice described in RCW 23B.13.220 must
demand payment, certify whether the shareholder acquired beneficial ownership of
the shares before the date required to be set forth in the notice pursuant to
RCW 23B.13.220(2)(c), and deposit the shareholder's certificates, all in
accordance with the terms of the notice.
(2) The
shareholder who demands payment and deposits the shareholder's share
certificates under subsection (1) of this section retains all other rights of a
shareholder until the proposed corporate action is effected.
(3) A
shareholder who does not demand payment or deposit the shareholder's share
certificates where required, each by the date set in the notice, is not entitled
to payment for the shareholder's shares under this chapter.
RCW
23B.13.240
Share
restrictions.
(1) The
corporation may restrict the transfer of uncertificated shares from the date the
demand for their payment is received until the proposed corporate action is
effected or the restriction is released under RCW 23B.13.260.
(2) The
person for whom dissenters' rights are asserted as to uncertificated shares
retains all other rights of a shareholder until the effective date of the
proposed corporate action.
RCW
23B.13.250
Payment.
(1)
Except as provided in RCW 23B.13.270, within thirty days of the later of the
effective date of the proposed corporate action, or the date the payment demand
is received, the corporation shall pay each dissenter who complied with RCW
23B.13.230 the
amount the corporation estimates to be the fair value of the shareholder's
shares, plus accrued interest.
(2) The
payment must be accompanied by:
(a) The
corporation's balance sheet as of the end of a fiscal year ending not more than
sixteen months before the date of payment, an income statement for that year, a
statement of changes in shareholders' equity for that year, and the latest
available interim financial statements, if any;
(b) An
explanation of how the corporation estimated the fair value of the
shares;
(c) An
explanation of how the interest was calculated;
(d) A
statement of the dissenter's right to demand payment under RCW 23B.13.280;
and
(e) A
copy of this chapter.
RCW
23B.13.260
Failure
to take action.
(1) If
the corporation does not effect the proposed action within sixty days after the
date set for demanding payment and depositing share certificates, the
corporation shall return the deposited certificates and release any transfer
restrictions imposed on uncertificated shares.
(2) If
after returning deposited certificates and releasing transfer restrictions, the
corporation wishes to undertake the proposed action, it must send a new
dissenters' notice under RCW 23B.13.220 and
repeat the payment demand procedure.
RCW
23B.13.270
After-acquired
shares.
(1) A
corporation may elect to withhold payment required by RCW 23B.13.250 from a
dissenter unless the dissenter was the beneficial owner of the shares before the
date set forth in the dissenters' notice as the date of the first announcement
to news media or to shareholders of the terms of the proposed corporate
action.
(2) To
the extent the corporation elects to withhold payment under subsection (1) of
this section, after taking the proposed corporate action, it shall estimate the
fair value of the shares, plus accrued interest, and shall pay this amount to
each dissenter who agrees to accept it in full satisfaction of the dissenter's
demand. The corporation shall send with its offer an explanation of how it
estimated the fair value of the shares, an explanation of how the interest was
calculated, and a statement of the dissenter's right to demand payment under RCW
23B.13.280.
RCW
23B.13.280
Procedure if shareholder dissatisfied with payment
or offer.
(1) A
dissenter may deliver a notice to the corporation informing the corporation of
the dissenter's own estimate of the fair value of the dissenter's shares and
amount of interest due, and demand payment of the dissenter's estimate, less any
payment under RCW 23B.13.250, or reject the corporation's offer under RCW
23B.13.270 and
demand payment of the dissenter's estimate of the fair value of the dissenter's
shares and interest due, if:
(a) The
dissenter believes that the amount paid under RCW 23B.13.250 or
offered under RCW 23B.13.270 is less
than the fair value of the dissenter's shares or that the interest due is
incorrectly calculated;
(b) The
corporation fails to make payment under RCW 23B.13.250 within
sixty days after the date set for demanding payment; or
(c) The
corporation does not effect the proposed action and does not return the
deposited certificates or release the transfer restrictions imposed on
uncertificated shares within sixty days after the date set for demanding
payment.
(2) A
dissenter waives the right to demand payment under this section unless the
dissenter notifies the corporation of the dissenter's demand under subsection
(1) of this section within thirty days after the corporation made or offered
payment for the dissenter's shares.
RCW
23B.13.300
Court
action.
(1) If a
demand for payment under RCW 23B.13.280 remains
unsettled, the corporation shall commence a proceeding within sixty days after
receiving the payment demand and petition the court to determine the fair value
of the shares and accrued interest. If the corporation does not commence the
proceeding within the sixty-day period, it shall pay each dissenter whose demand
remains unsettled the amount demanded.
(2) The
corporation shall commence the proceeding in the superior court of the county
where a corporation's principal office, or, if none in this state, its
registered office, is located. If the corporation is a foreign corporation
without a registered office in this state, it shall commence the proceeding in
the county in this state where the registered office of the domestic corporation
merged with or whose shares were acquired by the foreign corporation was
located.
(3) The
corporation shall make all dissenters, whether or not residents of this state,
whose demands remain unsettled, parties to the proceeding as in an action
against their shares and 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
corporation may join as a party to the proceeding any shareholder who claims to
be a dissenter but who has not, in the opinion of the corporation, complied with
the provisions of this chapter. If the court determines that such shareholder
has not complied with the provisions of this chapter, the shareholder shall be
dismissed as a party.
(5) The
jurisdiction of the court in which the proceeding is commenced under subsection
(2) of this section is plenary and exclusive. The court may appoint one or more
persons as appraisers to receive evidence and recommend decision on the question
of fair value. The appraisers have the powers described in the order appointing
them, or in any amendment to it. The dissenters are entitled to the same
discovery rights as parties in other civil proceedings.
(6) Each
dissenter made a party to the proceeding is entitled to judgment (a) for the
amount, if any, by which the court finds the fair value of the dissenter's
shares, plus interest, exceeds the amount paid by the corporation, or (b) for
the fair value, plus accrued interest, of the dissenter's after-acquired shares
for which the corporation elected to withhold payment under RCW
23B.13.270.
RCW
23B.13.310
Court
costs and counsel fees.
(1) The
court in a proceeding commenced under RCW 23B.13.300 shall
determine all costs of the proceeding, including the reasonable compensation and
expenses of appraisers appointed by the court. The court shall assess the costs
against the corporation, except that the court may assess the 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 under RCW 23B.13.280.
(2) The
court may also assess the fees and expenses of counsel and experts for the
respective parties, in amounts the court finds equitable:
(a)
Against the corporation and in favor of any or all dissenters if the court finds
the corporation did not substantially comply with the requirements of RCW
23B.13.200 through
23B.13.280; or
(b)
Against either the corporation or a dissenter, in favor of any other party, if
the court finds that the party against whom the fees and expenses are assessed
acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith with respect to the rights
provided by chapter 23B.13 RCW.
(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 corporation, the court may
award to these counsel reasonable fees to be paid out of the amounts awarded the
dissenters who were benefited.
D-6
APPENDIX
E
Declaration
of Trust Amendment Resolution
The
following resolution must be approved by a majority of the votes cast by Mercer
Shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting.
BE
IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. |
The
Articles of Amendment to the Declaration of Trust of Mercer International
Inc. set out in Appendix F to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus is hereby
approved and adopted; |
2. |
Any
officer or trustee of Mercer is hereby authorized and directed for and on
behalf of Mercer to execute, under the seal of Mercer or otherwise, and to
deliver all documents as are necessary or desirable for filing in
connection with these resolutions; and |
3. |
Any
officer or trustee of Mercer is hereby authorized and directed for and on
behalf of Mercer to execute or cause to be executed, under the seal of
Mercer or otherwise, and to deliver or cause to be delivered, all such
other documents and instruments and to perform or cause to be performed
all such other acts and things as in such person's opinion may be
necessary or desirable to give full effect to the foregoing resolutions
and the matters authorized thereby, such determination to be conclusively
evidenced by the execution and delivery of such document, agreement or
instrument or the doing of any such act or
thing. |
E-1
APPENDIX
F
Articles
of Amendment to the Declaration of Trust of Mercer International
Inc.
ARTICLES
OF AMENDMENT TO
THE
DECLARATION OF TRUST OF
MERCER
INTERNATIONAL INC.
Mercer
International Inc., a Massachusetts trust organized pursuant to the provisions
of Chapter 23.90, et. seq., of the Revised Code of Washington, hereby amends its
Restated Declaration of Trust, as amended, as follows:
1. The name
of the Massachusetts trust is Mercer
International Inc.
2. The text
of the amendment is as follows:
A. The
following section is added to Article VII of the Declaration of
Trust:
7.4
Merger.
(a) The
Company may merge with a foreign or domestic corporation if the Board of
Trustees adopts and the Shareholders approve a plan of merger in accordance with
the applicable provisions of Chapter 23B.11 of the Washington Business
Corporation Act.
(b) The
Company shall cease its separate existence upon a merger in which it is not the
surviving entity.
3. These
Articles of Amendment were duly adopted by the shareholders of Mercer at a
special meeting held on ________, 2005.
4. These
Articles of Amendment shall be effective upon filing of these Articles of
Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Washington.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, Mercer International Inc. has caused these Articles of
Amendment to be executed on its behalf by the undersigned duly authorized
officer.
MERCER
INTERNATIONAL INC.
[Name][Title]
F-1
APPENDIX
G
Delaware
Reincorporation Resolution
The
following resolution must be approved by at least 66 2/3% of the votes cast by
Mercer Shareholders entitled to vote at the Meeting.
BE
IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. |
The
Proposed Delaware Reincorporation involving Mercer International Inc.
("Mercer") and Mercer Delaware Inc. ("Mercer-DE"), as more particularly
described and set forth in the Proxy Statement (the "Proxy Statement") of
Mercer accompanying the notice of this meeting is hereby authorized,
approved and adopted; |
2. |
The
agreement and plan of merger (the "Merger Agreement"), set out in Appendix
A to the Proxy Statement of Mercer
dated
,
2005, among Mercer, Mercer-DE and Mercer International Regco Inc.
("Mercer-WA"), is hereby approved and
adopted; |
3. |
Notwithstanding
that this resolution has been passed by the shareholders of Mercer, the
trustees of Mercer are hereby authorized and empowered (i) to amend the
Merger Agreement to the extent permitted by the Merger Agreement, and (ii)
not to proceed with the Proposed Delaware Reincorporation without further
approval of the shareholders of Mercer; |
4. |
Any
officer or trustee of Mercer is hereby authorized and directed for and on
behalf of Mercer to execute, under the seal of Mercer or otherwise, and to
deliver such other documents as are necessary or desirable in accordance
with the Merger Agreement for filing; and |
5. |
Any
officer or trustee of Mercer is hereby authorized and directed for and on
behalf of Mercer to execute or cause to be executed, under the seal of
Mercer or otherwise, and to deliver or cause to be delivered, all such
other documents and instruments and to perform or cause to be performed
all such other acts and things as in such person's opinion may be
necessary or desirable to give full effect to the foregoing resolutions
and the matters authorized thereby, such determination to be conclusively
evidenced by the execution and delivery of such document, agreement or
instrument or the doing of any such act or
thing. |
G-1
PART
II
INFORMATION
NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 20. Indemnification
of Directors and Officers
Sections
25B.08.500 through 23.B.08.600 of the Washington Business Corporation Act (the
"WBCA") authorize a court to award, or a corporation's board of directors to
grant, indemnification to directors and officers on terms sufficiently broad to
permit indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities arising under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The directors and
officers of the registrant also may be indemnified against liability they may
incur for serving in that capacity pursuant to a liability insurance policy
maintained by the registrant for this purpose.
Section
23B.008.320 of the WBCA authorizes a corporation to limit a director's liability
to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for acts or
omissions as a director, except in certain circumstances involving intentional
misconduct, knowing violations of law or illegal corporate loans or
distributions, or any transaction from which the director personally receives a
benefit in money, property or services to which the director is not legally
entitled.
The
registrant's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws contain provisions for
implementing, to the fullest extent permitted by Washington law, these
limitations on a director's or officer's liability to the registrant and its
shareholders.
The
registrant also will assume the obligations under
certain indemnity agreements entered into by Mercer International Inc.
("Mercer") with each of its trustees and certain officers. Mercer has
agreed under each of these agreements to indemnify each of the trustees and such
officers against any and all claims and costs that are or may be brought against
him as a result of his being a trustee, officer or employee or that of a company
related to Mercer. However, under the agreements, Mercer is not
obligated to indemnify a trustee or such officers against any claims or
costs in certain instances, including if it is determined that the trustee
or such officer failed to act honestly and in good faith with a view
to Mercer's best interests, if the trustee or such officer failed to
disclose his interest or conflicts as required under corporate legislation in
Washington state or Mercer is not permitted to indemnify the trustee
or such officer under such legislation, or if the trustee or such officer
has violated any insider trading rules under United States federal and state
securities laws.
Item 21. List
of Exhibits
See the
Exhibit Index attached to this registration statement and incorporated herein by
reference.
Item 22. Undertakings
(a) |
The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: |
|
(1) |
That
prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder
through use of a prospectus which is a part of this registration
statement, by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter
within the meaning of Rule 145(c), such reoffering prospectus will
contain the information called for by the applicable registration form
with respect to reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in
addition to the information called for by the other items of the
applicable form. |
|
(2) |
That
every prospectus (i) that is filed pursuant to
paragraph (1) immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports
to meet the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
1933 and is used in connection with an offering of securities subject to
Rule 415, will be filed as a part of an amendment to the registration
statement and will not be used until such amendment is effective, and
that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof. |
|
(3) |
That,
for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and,
where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report
pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)
that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
|
|
(4) |
To
respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into
the proxy statement/prospectus pursuant to Items 4, 10(b), 11 or 13
of this Form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to
send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally
prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed
subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the
date of responding to the request. |
|
(5) |
To
supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a
transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not
the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became
effective. |
(b) |
Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended may be permitted to directors, officers or controlling
persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described in
Item 20 above, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised
that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of
expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of
the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer of controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and will be governed
by the final adjudication of such issue. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly
caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada on the 15th day of July, 2005.
|
MERCER
INTERNATIONAL REGCO INC. |
|
By:
|
/s/ JIMMY
S.H. LEE
Name:
Jimmy S.H. Lee
Title:
Chief Executive Officer |
KNOW ALL
MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose individual signature appears below
hereby constitutes and appoints Jimmy S. H. Lee and David M. Gandossi, or either
of them acting alone or together, as attorneys-in-fact, with full power of
substitution, to execute in the name of and on behalf of each person,
individually and in each capacity stated below, and to file with the SEC, any
and all amendments to this registration statement, including any and all
post-effective amendments, with exhibits thereto and other documents in
connection therewith, and hereby ratifies and confirms all that said
attorney-in-fact, or his substitute, may do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
Name
|
|
Title
|
|
Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ JIMMY
S.H. LEE
Jimmy
S.H. Lee |
|
Chief
Executive Officer |
|
July
15, 2005 |
/s/ DAVID
M. GANDOSSI
David
M. Gandossi |
|
Chief
Financial Officer |
|
July
15, 2005 |
/s/ KENNETH
A. SHIELDS
Kenneth
A. Shields |
|
Director |
|
July
15, 2005 |
/s/ WILLIAM
D. MCCARTNEY
William
D. McCartney |
|
Director |
|
July
15, 2005 |
/s/ GRAEME
A. WITTS
Graeme
A. Witts |
|
Director |
|
July
15, 2005 |
/s/ GUY
W. ADAMS
Guy
W. Adams |
|
Director |
|
July
15, 2005 |
/s/ ERIC
LAURITZEN
Eric
Lauritzen |
|
Director |
|
July
15, 2005 |
EXHIBIT
INDEX
Exhibit
Number |
|
Description
|
2.1(1) |
|
Form
of Agreement and Plan of Merger among Mercer International Inc., the
Massachusetts trust, Mercer Delaware Inc., the Delaware corporation, and
Mercer International Regco Inc., the Washington corporation,
dated ,
2005. |
3.1(2) |
|
(a) |
|
Restated
Declaration of Trust of Mercer International Inc. as filed with the
Secretary of State of Washington on June 11, 1990 together with an
Amendment to Declaration of Trust dated December 12,
1991. |
|
|
(b) |
|
Amendments
to Declaration of Trust of Mercer International Inc. dated July 8,
1993; August 17, 1993; and September 9, 1993. |
3.2(2) |
|
Trustees'
Regulations of Mercer International Inc. dated September 24,
1973. |
3.3(3) |
|
Articles
of Incorporation of Mercer International Regco Inc., the Washington
corporation. |
3.4(4) |
|
Bylaws
of Mercer International Regco Inc., the Washington
corporation. |
4.1(5) |
|
Form
of Specimen Common Stock Certificate. |
5.1(5) |
|
Opinion
of Heller Ehrman LLP, as to the legality of the securities being
registered. |
8.1 |
|
Form
of Opinion of Heller Ehrman LLP, as to certain tax
matters. |
23.1 |
|
Consent
of Deloitte & Touche LLP. |
23.2 |
|
Consent
of Peterson Sullivan P.L.L.C. |
23.3 |
|
Consent
of Heller Ehrman LLP (included in exhibit 5.1). |
23.4 |
|
Consent
of Heller Ehrman LLP (included in exhibit 8.1). |
24 |
|
Power
of Attorney (included on signature page of this registration
statement). |
99.1 |
|
Form
of Proxy for Special Meeting of Mercer International
Inc. |
(1)
Included as Appendix A to the proxy statement/prospectus which forms a part of
this Registration Statement.
(2) Filed
in Form 10-K for prior years.
(3)
Included as Appendix B to the proxy statement/prospectus which forms a part of
this Registration Statement.
(4)
Included as Appendix C to the proxy statement/prospectus which forms a part of
this Registration Statement.
(5) To be
filed by amendment or on Form 8-K.