Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On June 4, 2009, Axsys Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Axsys"),
entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("General Dynamics"), and Vision Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a
wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics' parent ("Merger Sub"). The Merger
Agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
in the Merger Agreement, Axsys will merge with and into Merger Sub (the
"Merger"), with Axsys continuing as the surviving corporation ("Surviving
Corporation") and as a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics' parent.
At the effective time and as a result of the Merger, each share of Axsys
common stock (including each restricted share, which will fully vest) will be
converted into the right to receive $54.00 in cash payable by General Dynamics.
The closing price of Axsys common stock on June 3, 2009, the latest trading day
prior to announcement of the Merger Agreement, was $50.00. Each outstanding
Axsys stock option (whether vested or unvested) will be converted into the right
to receive a cash payment equal to the excess, if any, of $54.00 over the
exercise price of such option.
Axsys has made customary representations, warranties and covenants in the
Merger Agreement, including, among others, covenants to conduct its businesses
in the ordinary course between the execution and delivery of the Merger
Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and not to engage in certain kinds
of transactions during such period. In addition, Axsys made certain other
customary covenants, including, among others, covenants, subject to certain
exceptions, (A) to cause a stockholders meeting to be held to consider adopting
the Merger Agreement, (B) for its Board of Directors to recommend adoption by
Axsys' stockholders of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by
the Merger Agreement, (C) not to solicit proposals relating to alternative
business combination transactions and (D) not to enter into discussions
concerning or provide confidential information in connection with alternative
business combination transactions.
Consummation of the Merger is subject to customary conditions, including,
among others, (i) approval of Axsys' stockholders, (ii) expiration or
termination of the applicable Hart-Scott-Rodino Act waiting period,
(iii) absence of any order or injunction prohibiting the consummation of the
Merger, (iv) subject to certain exceptions, the accuracy of representations and
warranties with respect to Axsys' business and compliance by Axsys with its
covenants contained in the Merger Agreement and (v) stockholders owning no more
than 12% of Axsys outstanding common stock dissent from the Merger.
The Merger Agreement contains certain termination rights for both Axsys and
General Dynamics, and further provides that, in connection with the termination
of the Merger Agreement under specified circumstances, Axsys may be required to
pay General Dynamics a termination fee of $23.6 million and/or reimburse certain
out-of-pocket expenses up to $2 million.
The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement, a copy of which
is filed as Exhibit 2.1 hereto, and is incorporated into this report by this
reference.
Axsys' Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Stephen W. Bershad
and a holding corporation controlled by Mr. Bershad, who collectively
beneficially own approximately 14.5% of Axsys' outstanding common stock, have
agreed, among other things, to vote their shares in favor of the adoption of the
Merger Agreement pursuant to the terms of a voting agreement entered into with
Merger Sub and General Dynamics (the "Voting Agreement"). The foregoing
description of the Voting Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the full text of the Voting Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1
hereto, and is incorporated into this report by this reference.
Item 8.01 Other Events
On June 4, 2009, Axsys disseminated a memorandum to its employees discussing
the announcement of the signing of the Merger Agreement. A copy of the
memorandum is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and incorporated into this report
by this reference.
* * *
Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. One can identify
these forward-looking statements by the use of the words such as "expect,"
"anticipate," "plan," "may," "will," "estimate" or other similar expressions.
Because such statements apply to future events, they are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially.
Important factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially,
including, without limitation: the ability to obtain regulatory approvals of the
acquisition on the proposed terms and schedule; the failure of Axsys'
stockholders to approve the acquisition; the risk that the acquisition may not
be completed in the time frame expected by the parties or at all; the risk that
the businesses will not be integrated successfully; and disruptions from the
acquisition making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers,
employees or suppliers. Additional factors that may affect future results are
described in Axsys' reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filed with the SEC.
Additional Information
In connection with the proposed transaction, Axsys will file a proxy
statement with the SEC. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT WHEN IT
BECOMES AVAILABLE BECAUSE IT WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. You will be
able to obtain the proxy statement, as well as other filings containing
information
about Axsys, free of charge, at the website maintained by the SEC at
www.sec.gov. Copies of the proxy statement and other filings made by Axsys with
the SEC can also be obtained, free of charge, by directing a request to Axsys
Technologies, Inc., 175 Capital Boulevard, Suite 103, Rocky Hill, Connecticut
06067, Attention: Director of Investor Relations.
Participants in the Solicitation
The directors and executive officers of Axsys and other persons may be
deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the
proposed transaction. Information regarding Axsys' directors and executive
officers is available in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on
February 17, 2009 and its Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on
March 20, 2009. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy
solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by
security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement and
other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.
Investors should read the proxy statement carefully when it becomes available
before making any voting or investment decisions.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit No. Exhibit Description
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated June 4, 2009, by and among General
Dynamics, Axsys and Merger Sub*
10.1 Voting Agreement, dated June 4, 2009, by and among General Dynamics,
Merger Sub, SWB Holding Corporation and Stephen W. Bershad
99.1 Press release issued jointly by Axsys and General Dynamics, dated
June 4, 2009
99.2 Memorandum to Axsys employees, transmitted June 4, 2009
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* Certain exhibits and schedules have been omitted, and Axsys agrees to furnish
supplementally to the Commission a copy of any omitted exhibits or schedules
upon request.