UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
April 21, 2009
Commission File Number 1-9929
Insteel Industries, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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North Carolina
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56-0674867
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(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
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1373 Boggs Drive, Mount Airy, North Carolina
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27030
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code)
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Registrants telephone number, including area code: (
336) 786-2141
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the
filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17
CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17
CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
See Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders for a discussion of the April
25, 2009 amendment to the Insteel Industries, Inc. (the Company) Rights Agreement. That
discussion is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.
(a) On April 21, 2009, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized it to enter into Amendment
No. 1 to Rights Agreement (Amendment No. 1), effective as of April 25, 2009, amending the
Companys Rights Agreement dated as of April 27, 1999 (the Rights Agreement) between the Company
and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the Rights Agent). The Rights Agreement is
attached as Exhibit 99.1 to the Companys Form 8-A filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) on May 7, 1999. On April 26, 1999, the Board of Directors of the Company
declared a dividend distribution of one Right for each outstanding share of the Companys Common
Stock, with each Right entitling the registered holder to purchase from the Company, upon the
occurrence of a Distribution Date, a Unit, representing one two-hundredth of a share (as adjusted
for stock splits), of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock for $40.00 (as adjusted).
Defined terms used in this report and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in
the Rights Agreement as amended by Amendment No. 1. The Rights Agent also serves as the transfer
agent for the Companys Common Stock.
Amendment No. 1:
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extends the Final Expiration Date of the Rights Agreement to April 24, 2019;
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changes the Purchase Price from $40.00 to $46.00;
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modifies the definition of Beneficial Owner to address certain derivative
security contexts; and
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provides a procedure for determining the number of shares of Common Stock of
the Company to which such Persons derivative position relates.
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The Rights Agreement, as modified by Amendment No. 1, remains in full force and effect.
The foregoing summary of Amendment No. 1 does not purport to be complete and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement and to Amendment No. 1, a copy of which is filed
as Exhibit 4.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
On April 21, 2009, the Board of Directors of the Company approved certain amendments to
Article 2, Section 11 of the Companys bylaws. Article 2, Section 11 of the bylaws specifies the
business which may be conducted at meetings of shareholders, including procedures for proposing
actions, such as nominations for director, to be taken at the Companys annual shareholders
meeting.
The bylaws previously provided that advance notice of shareholder proposals for consideration
at the annual meeting (other than those included in the Companys proxy materials) must be
delivered to the secretary of the Company at least 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the
date of mailing of the notice for the preceding years annual meeting. The amendments to the bylaws
clarify that such time period is not affected by any postponement or adjournment of the annual
meeting.
The bylaws also previously provided that a shareholder who submits a proposal for
consideration at the annual meeting (other than those included in the Companys proxy materials)
must, in addition to requirements imposed by applicable law, provide information regarding his or
her name, address, beneficial ownership of Company securities and material interest in the
proposal. The amendments to the bylaws expand the information which must be supplied by the
proposing shareholder by requiring:
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the same information (name, address, ownership, and material interest) regarding any
Shareholder Associated Person;
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the name and address of any other shareholder supporting the proposal; and
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a description of any hedging or other transactions entered into by the shareholder
submitting the proposal or any Shareholder Associated Person if the effect of such
transactions is to mitigate loss or manage risk of stock price changes, or to increase
the voting power of such shareholder or Shareholder Associated Person.
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The amendments to the bylaws define Shareholder Associated Person to mean (i) any person
controlling, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with, such shareholder, (ii) any
beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Company owned or controlled by such shareholder, and
(iii) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Shareholder
Associated Person.
The amendments further provide that information submitted pursuant to Article 2, Section 11 of
the bylaws shall be updated upon written request by the Secretary of the Company, and that
information which is inaccurate to a material extent or not timely updated may be deemed not to
have been provided in accordance with the bylaws. If information does not meet the requirements of
Article 2, Section 11 of the bylaws, the proposal will not be presented for a shareholder vote.
This summary of the amendments to the Companys bylaws is qualified by the full text of the
revised bylaws. A copy of the revised bylaws, which is marked to show the changes described, is
attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 to this current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by
reference. The amendment was effective April 21, 2009.
Item 8.01 Other Events
On April 21, 2009, the Company issued a press release announcing that its Board of Directors
has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.03 per share payable on July 6, 2009 to shareholders
of record as of June 19, 2009. A copy of this release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current
Report on Form 8-K.
While the Company intends to pay regular quarterly cash dividends for the foreseeable future,
the declaration and payment of future dividends, if any, are discretionary and will be subject to
determination by the board of directors each quarter after taking into account various factors,
including general business conditions and the Companys financial condition, operating results,
cash requirements and expansion plans.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the Companys
intent and ability to pay future dividends. Although the Company believes that its plans,
intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by such forward-looking statements are
reasonable, such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and
the Company can provide no assurances that such plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved.
Many of these risks and uncertainties are discussed in detail in the Companys reports and
statements that it files with the SEC, in particular in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended September 27, 2008. You should carefully review these risks and uncertainties.
All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are
expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. All forward-looking
statements speak only to the respective dates on which such statements are made and the Company
does not undertake and specifically declines any obligation to publicly release the results of any
revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect any future events or
circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or
unanticipated events.
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Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
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Exhibit No.
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Description of Exhibit
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3.1
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Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, marked to show the amendments.
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4.2
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Amendment No. 1 to the Rights Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2009,
between Insteel Industries, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust
Company, LLC (as the Rights Agent).
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99.1
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Press release dated April 21, 2009 announcing declaration of a quarterly
cash dividend of $0.03 per share.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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Insteel Industries, Inc.
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By:
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/s/ James F. Petelle
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Name:
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James F. Petelle
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Title:
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Vice President and Secretary
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Date: April 27, 2009
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit No.
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Description of Exhibit
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3.1
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Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, marked to show the amendments.
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4.2
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Amendment No. 1 to the Rights Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2009,
between Insteel Industries, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust
Company, LLC (as the Rights Agent).
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99.1
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Press release dated April 21, 2009 announcing declaration of a quarterly
cash dividend of $0.03 per share.
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Exhibit 3.1
BYLAWS
OF
INSTEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
Effective August 21, 1990
As last amended
September 18, 2007
April 21, 2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS TO BYLAWS
OF INSTEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
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Page
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ARTICLE 1- OFFICES
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1
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Section 1. Principal and Registered Office
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1
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Section 2. Other Offices
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1
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ARTICLE 2- MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
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1
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Section 1. Place of Meeting
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1
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Section 2. Annual Meeting
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1
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Section 3. Substitute Annual Meeting
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1
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Section 4. Special Meetings
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1
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Section 5. Notice of Meetings
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1
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Section 6. Quorum
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2
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Section 7. Shareholders List
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2
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Section 8. Voting of Shares
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2
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Section 9. Inspectors of Election.
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3
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Section 10. Action Without Meeting
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3
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Section 11. Action to Be Taken at Annual or Special Meetings of Shareholders
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3
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ARTICLE 3- BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Section 1. General Powers
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Section 2. Number, Term and Qualification
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5
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Section 3. Removal
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Section 4. Vacancies
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Section 5. Compensation
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6
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ARTICLE 4- MEETINGS OF DIRECTORS
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Section 1. Annual and Regular Meetings
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Section 2. Special Meetings
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Section 3. Notice of Meetings
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Section 4. Quorum
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Section 5. Manner of Acting
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Section 6. Presumption of Assent
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Section 7. Action Without Meeting
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Section 8. Meeting by Communications Device
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ARTICLE 5- COMMITTEES
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Section 1. Election and Powers
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Section 2. Removal; Vacancies
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Section 3. Meetings
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Section 4. Minutes
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Page
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ARTICLE 6- OFFICERS
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Section 1. Titles
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Section 2. Election; Appointment
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Section 3. Removal
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Section 4. Vacancies
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Section 5. Compensation
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Section 6. Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors
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Section 7. Chief Executive Officer
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Section 8. President
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Section 9. Vice Presidents
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Section 10. Secretary
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Section 11. Assistant Secretaries
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Section 12. Treasurer
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Section 13. Assistant Treasurers
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Section 14. Controller and Assistant Controllers
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Section 15. Voting Upon Stocks
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11
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ARTICLE 7- CAPITAL STOCK
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10
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Section 1. Certificates
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Section 2. Transfer of Shares
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Section 3. Transfer Agent and Registrar
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Section 4. Regulations
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Section 5. Fixing Record Date
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Section 6. Lost Certificates
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12
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ARTICLE 8- INDEMNIFICATION OP DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
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Section 1. Indemnification Provisions
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Section 2. Definitions
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Section 3. Settlements
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Section 4. Litigation Expense Advances.
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Section 5. Approval of Indemnification Payments
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Section 6. Suits by Claimant
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Section 7. Consideration; Personal Representatives and Other Remedies
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Section 8. Scope of Indemnification Rights
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14
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ARTICLE 9- GENERAL PROVISIONS
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Section 1. Dividends and Other Distributions
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Section 2. Seal
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Section 3. Waiver of Notice
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Section 4. Checks
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Section 5. Fiscal Year
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Section 6. Amendments
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Section 7. Applicability of Antitakeover Statutes
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ii
BYLAWS QF
INSTEEL INDUSTRIES. INC.
ARTICLE 1- OFFICES
Section 1.
Principal and Registered Office
. The principal office of the corporation
shall be located at 1373 Boggs Drive, Mount Airy, North Carolina, which shall also be the
registered office of the corporation.
Section 2.
Other Offices
. The corporation may have offices at such other places,
either within or without the State of North Carolina, as the board of directors may from time to
time determine.
ARTICLE 2- MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
Section 1.
Place of Meeting
. Meetings of shareholders shall be held at the principal
office of the corporation, or at such other place, either within or without the State of North
Carolina, as shall be designated in the notice of the meeting.
Section 2.
Annual Meeting
. The annual meeting of shareholders shall be held at such
time and on such day (except a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday) during the month of February in
each year as the directors shall from time to time determine for the purpose of electing directors
of the corporation and the transaction of such other business as may be properly brought before the
meeting.
Section 3.
Substitute Annual Meeting
. If the annual meeting is not held on the day
designated by these bylaws, a substitute annual meeting may be called in accordance with Section 4
of this Article. A meeting so called shall be designated and treated for all purposes as the
annual meeting.
Section 4.
Special Meetings
. Special meetings of the shareholders may be called at
any time by the resident or the board of directors.
Section 5.
Notice of Meetings
. At least 10 and no more than 60 days prior to any
annual or special meeting of shareholders, the corporation shall notify shareholders of the date,
time and place of the meeting and, in the case of a special or substitute annual meeting or where
otherwise required by law, shall briefly describe the purpose or purposes of the meeting. Only
business within the purpose or purposes described in the notice may be taken at a special meeting.
Unless otherwise required by the articles of incorporation or by law (for example, in the event of
a meeting to consider the adoption of a plan of merger or share exchange, a sale of assets other
than in the ordinary course of business or a voluntary dissolution), the corporation shall be
required to give notice only to shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting. If an annual or
special shareholders meeting is adjourned to a different date, time or place, notice thereof need
not be given if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment. If a
new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed pursuant to Article 7, Section 5 hereof, notice
of the adjourned meeting shall be given to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date.
It shall be the primary responsibility of the secretary to give the notice, but notice may be
given by or at the direction of the president or other person or persons calling the meeting.
If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be effective when deposited in the United States mail
with postage thereon prepaid, correctly addressed to the shareholders address shown in the
corporations current record of shareholders.
Section 6.
Quorum
. A majority of the votes entitled to be cast by a voting group on
a matter, represented in person or by proxy at a meeting of shareholders, shall constitute a quorum
for that voting group for any action on that matter, unless quorum requirements are otherwise fixed
by a court of competent jurisdiction acting pursuant to Section 55-7-03 of the General Statutes of
North Carolina. Once a share is represented for any purpose at a meeting, it is deemed present for
quorum purposes for the remainder of the meeting and any adjournment thereof, unless a new record
date is or must be set for the adjournment. Action may be taken by a voting group at any meeting
at which a quorum of that voting group is represented, regardless of whether action is taken at
that meeting by any other voting group. In the absence of a quorum at the opening of any meeting
of shareholders, such meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a vote of the majority of the
shares voting on the motion to adjourn.
Section 7.
Shareholders List
. After a record date is fixed for a meeting, the
secretary of the corporation shall prepare an alphabetical list of the names of all its
shareholders who are entitled to notice of the shareholders meeting. Such list shall be arranged
by voting group (and within each voting group by class or series of shares) and shall show the
address of and number of shares held by each shareholder. The shareholders list shall be made
available for inspection by any shareholder beginning two business days after notice of the meeting
is given for which the list was prepared and continuing through the meeting, at the corporations
principal office or at such other place identified in the meeting notice in the city where the
meeting will be held. The corporation shall make the shareholders list available at the meeting,
and any shareholder or his agent or attorney is entitled to inspect the list at any time during the
meeting or any adjournment.
Section 8.
Voting of Shares
. Except as otherwise provided by the articles of
incorporation or by law, each outstanding share of voting capital stock of the corporation shall be
entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of the shareholders. Unless
otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, cumulative voting for directors shall not be
allowed. Action on a matter by a voting group for which a quorum is present is approved if the
votes cast within the voting group favoring the action exceed the votes cast opposing the action,
unless the vote of a greater number is required by law or by the articles of incorporation. Voting
on all matters shall be by voice vote or by a show of hands, unless the holders of one-tenth of the
shares represented at the meeting shall demand a ballot vote on a particular matter. Absent
special circumstances, the shares of the corporation are not entitled to vote if they are owned,
directly or indirectly, by a second corporation, domestic or foreign, and the corporation owns,
directly or indirectly, a majority of the shares entitled to vote for directors of the second
corporation, except that this provision shall not limit the power of the corporation to vote shares
held by it in a fiduciary capacity.
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Section 9.
Inspectors of Election
.
(a)
Appointment of inspectors of election
. In advance of any meeting of shareholders,
the board of directors may appoint any persons, other than nominees for office, as inspectors of
election to act at such meeting or any adjournment thereof. If inspectors of election are not so
appointed, the chairman of any such meeting may, and on the request of any shareholder or his proxy
shall, appoint inspectors of election at the meeting. The number of inspectors shall be either one
or three. If appointed at a meeting on the request of one or more shareholders or proxies, the
majority of shares present shall determine whether one or three inspectors are to be appointed. In
case any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, the vacancy may
be filled by appointment by the board of directors in advance of the meeting, or at the meeting by
the person acting as chairman.
(b)
Duties of inspectors
. The inspectors of election shall determine the number of
shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting, the
existence of a quorum, the authenticity, validity, and effect of proxies, receive votes, ballots,
or consents, hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with
the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes or consents, determine the result, and do such acts
as may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders. The inspectors
of election shall perform their duties impartially, in good faith, to the best of their ability and
as expeditiously as is practical.
(c)
Vote of inspectors
. If there are three inspectors of election the decision, act,
or certificate of a majority is effective in all respects as the decision, act, or certificate of
all.
(d)
Report of inspectors
. On request of the chairman of the meeting or of any
shareholder or his proxy the inspectors shall make a report in writing of any challenge or question
or matter determined by them and execute a certificate of any fact found by them. Any report or
certificate made by them is prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
Section 10.
Action Without Meeting
. Any action which the share-holders could take at
a meeting may be taken without a meeting if one or more written consents, setting forth the action
taken, shall be signed, before or after such action, by all the shareholders who would be entitled
to vote upon the action at a meeting. The consent shall be delivered to the corporation for
inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate records. The corporation must give its
nonvoting shareholders written notice of the proposed action at least 10 days before the action is
taken, which notice must contain or be accompanied by the same material that would have been
required by law to be sent to nonvoting shareholders in a notice of meeting at which the proposed
action would have been submitted to the shareholders for action.
Section 11.
Action to Be Taken at Annual or Special Meetings of Shareholders
.
Business to be conducted at meetings of shareholders shall be limited to (a) business properly
specified in the notice of meeting given as provided in Article 2, Section 5 hereof; (b) business
otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors; and
(c) business (which may include nominations for director if in accordance with the procedures
established herein) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a holder of voting securities
entitled to vote at the meeting in compliance with the procedures set forth in
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this Section 11. In addition to any other applicable requirements, including, but not limited
to, requirements established pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the Exchange Act), and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder,
for
no
business
to
may
be brought before an annual or special
meeting by a holder of voting securities pursuant to (c) above,
unless
the
holder must
have
shareholder has
given timely
, accurate and complete
notice in writing to
the secretary of the corporation as
provided in
required by
this Section 11. In
the case of an annual meeting, to be timely, notice must be delivered to, or mailed to and received
by, the secretary of the corporation at the principal offices of the corporation not less than 90
days prior to the anniversary of the mailing date for the prior years annual meeting proxy
statement. In the case of a special meeting, to be timely, notice must be delivered to, or mailed
to and received by, the secretary of the corporation at the principal offices of the corporation
not less than 90 days prior to the date of the special meeting; provided, however, that if less
than 100 days notice or prior public disclosure of the meeting is given or made by the
corporation, notice will be timely if received not later than the close of business on the tenth
day following the day on which such notice or public disclosure of the meeting was given or made.
Neither the postponement or adjournment of an annual meeting, nor the prior public disclosure
of such postponement or adjournment, shall commence a new time period for the giving of a
shareholders notice pursuant to (c) above. For purposes of this Section 11, prior public
disclosure shall mean disclosure (i) in a press release either transmitted to the principal
securities exchange on which shares of the corporations common stock are traded or reported by a
recognized news service or (ii) in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities
and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act.
In addition to any requirements imposed by applicable law (including, but not limited to,
Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder), notice of the
business to be brought before an annual or special meeting pursuant to (c) above shall set forth
the following as to each matter the holder of voting securities proposes to bring before the
meeting: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the
reasons for bringing such business before the meeting; (ii) the name and address, as they appear on
the corporations books, of each holder of voting securities proposing such business
and each
Shareholder Associated Person (as defined below)
; (iii) the classes and number of shares or
other securities of the corporation that are owned of record or beneficially by such holder;
and
by each Shareholder Associated Person;
(iv) any material interest of such holder
and each Shareholder Associated Person
in such business other than
his
such
persons
interest as a shareholder
of the corporation (including any anticipated benefit
to the shareholder or Shareholder Associated Person therefrom); (v) to the extent known by the
shareholder giving the notice, the name and address of any other shareholder supporting the
proposal on the date of such shareholders notice; and (vi) whether and the extent to which any
hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of
such shareholder or Shareholder Associated Person with respect to any share of the corporation, or
any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or
lending of shares of the corporation) has been made, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate
loss to or manage risk of stock price changes for, or to increase the voting power of, such
shareholder or Shareholder Associated Person with respect to any share
of the corporation.
4
Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made
pursuant to (c) above
by a holder of securities entitled to vote for the election of directors if written notice of
the
nomination of such person(s) shall have been delivered to the secretary of the corporation in
accordance with the provisions of this Article 2, Section 11 and such notice shall set forth the
information required herein with respect to matters to be brought by a shareholder, as well as (i)
the name and address of the person(s) to be nominated by the shareholder; (ii) a representation
that the shareholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the
person(s) specified in the notice; (iii) a description of all arrangements or understandings
between the shareholder
(and any Shareholder Associated Person)
and each nominee and any
other person(s) (naming such person(s)) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by the
shareholder; (iv) such other information regarding each such nominee as would be required to be
included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations adopted thereunder if the nominee had been nominated by the board of directors or a
committee thereof; and (v) the written consent of each nominee to
be nominated and to
serve as a director of the corporation if so elected.
If information submitted pursuant to this Article 2, Section 11, by any shareholder
proposing any proposal for other business at the annual meeting shall be inaccurate to a material
extent, such information may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Article 2,
Section 11. Upon written request by the secretary of the corporation or the Board of Directors,
any shareholder proposing any proposal for other business at a meeting of the shareholders shall
provide, within five business days of delivery of such request (or such other period as may be
specified in such request), (1) written verification, satisfactory, in the discretion of the Board
of Directors or any authorized officer of the corporation, to demonstrate the accuracy of any
information submitted by the shareholder pursuant to this Article 2, Section 11, or (2) a written
update of any information previously submitted by the shareholder pursuant to this Article 2,
Section 11 as of an earlier date. If a shareholder fails to provide such written verification or
written update within such period, the information as to which written verification or a written
update was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Article 2,
Section 11.
For purposes of this Article 2, Section 11, Shareholder Associated Person of any
shareholder shall mean (i) any person controlling, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert
with, such shareholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the corporation owned of
record or beneficially by such shareholder, and (iii) any person controlling, controlled by or
under common control with such Shareholder Associated Person.
Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at an
annual or special meeting except in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Section 11.
If the chairman of the meeting determines that any business was not properly submitted, the
chairman shall so declare to the meeting, and to the extent permitted by law, any such business not
properly submitted shall not be transacted at the meeting.
All judgments made by the chairman
of the meeting as to submission of proposals shall be final and binding unless determined by a
court of competent jurisdiction to have clearly been made in bad faith.
(Article 2, Section 11 was adopted by the Board of Directors effective April 26, 1999.
and
amended by the Board of Directors on April 21, 2009
)
5
ARTICLE 3- BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1.
General Powers
. The business and affairs of the corporation shall be
managed under the direction of the board of directors except as otherwise provided by the articles
of incorporation or by a valid shareholders agreement.
Section 2.
Number, Term and Qualification
. The number of directors constituting the
board of directors shall be not less than seven nor more than twelve as may be fixed by resolution
duly adopted by the shareholders or by the board of directors prior to the annual meeting at which
such directors are to be elected, but, in the absence of such resolution, the number of directors
elected at the meeting shall constitute the number of directors of the corporation until the next
annual meeting of shareholders. The directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal
in number as may be, to serve in the first instance for terms of one, two and three years,
respectively, and until their successors shall be elected and shall qualify, and thereafter the
successors in each class of directors shall be elected to serve for terms of three years and until
their successors shall be elected and shall qualify. In the event of any increase or decrease in
the number of directors, the additional or eliminated directorships shall be so classified or
chosen that all classes of directors shall remain or become equal in number, as nearly as may be.
In the event of the death, resignation, retirement, removal or disqualification of a director
during his elected term of office, his successor shall be elected to serve only until the
expiration of the term of his predecessor. Directors need not be residents of the State of North
Carolina or shareholders of the corporation unless the articles of incorporation so provide. This
Section 2, although adopted by a vote of the corporations shareholders, may be amended or repealed
by the corporations Board of Directors without a shareholder vote.
Section 3.
Removal
. Directors may be removed from office with or without cause
(unless the articles of incorporation provide that directors may be removed only for cause)
provided the notice of the shareholders meeting at which such action is to be taken states that a
purpose of the meeting is removal of the director and the number of votes cast to remove the
director exceeds the number of votes cast not to remove him.
Section 4.
Vacancies
. Except as otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation,
a vacancy occurring in the board of directors, including, without limitation, a vacancy resulting
from an increase in the number of directors or from the failure by the shareholders to elect the
full authorized number of directors, may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors or by
the sole director remaining in office. The shareholders may elect a director at any time to fill a
vacancy not filled by the directors. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the
unexpired term of his predecessor in office.
Section 5.
Compensation
. The directors shall not receive compensation for their
services as such, except that by resolution of the board of directors, the directors may be paid
fees, which may include but are not restricted to fees for attendance at meetings of the board or
of a committee, and they may be reimbursed for expenses of attendance. Any director may serve the
corporation in any other capacity and receive compensation therefor.
6
ARTICLE 4- MEETINGS OF DIRECTORS
Section 1.
Annual and Regular Meetings
. The annual meeting of the board of directors
shall be held immediately following the annual meeting of the shareholders. The board of directors
may by resolution provide for the holding of regular meetings of the board on specified dates and
at specified times. Notice of regular meetings held at the principal office of the corporation and
at the usual scheduled time shall not be required. If any date for which a regular meeting is
scheduled shall be a legal holiday, the meeting shall be held on a date designated in the notice of
the meeting, if any, during either the same week in which the regularly scheduled date falls or
during the preceding or following week. Regular meetings of the board shall be held at the
principal office of the corporation or at such other place as may be designated in the notice of
the meeting.
Section 2.
Special Meetings
. Special meetings of the board of directors may be
called by or at the request of the chairman of the board, the president or any two directors. Such
meetings may be held at the time and place designated in the notice of the meeting.
Section 3.
Notice of Meetings
. Unless the articles of incorporation provide
otherwise, the annual and regular meetings of the board of directors may be held without notice of
the date, time, place or purpose of the meeting. The secretary or other person or persons calling
a special meeting shall give notice by any usual means of communication to be sent at least two
days before the meeting if notice is sent by means of telephone, telecopy or personal delivery and
at least five days before the meeting if notice is sent by mail. A directors attendance at, or
participation in, a meeting for which notice is required shall constitute a waiver of notice,
unless the director at the beginning of the meeting (or promptly upon 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.
Section 4.
Quorum
. Except as otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, a
majority of the directors in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a
meeting of the board of directors.
Section 5.
Manner of Acting
. Except as otherwise provided in the articles of
incorporation, the act of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is
present shall be the act of the board of directors.
Section 6.
Presumption of Assent
. A director of the corporation who is present at a
meeting of the board of directors at which action on any corporate matter is taken is deemed to
have assented to the action taken unless he objects at the beginning of the meeting (or promptly
upon arrival) to holding, or transacting business at, the meeting, or unless his dissent or
abstention is entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless he shall file written notice of his
dissent or abstention to such action with the presiding officer of the meeting before its
adjournment or with the corporation immediately after adjournment of the meeting. The right of
dissent or abstention shall not apply to a director who voted in favor of such action.
Section 7.
Action Without Meeting
. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of
incorporation, action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the board of directors may
7
be taken without a meeting if the action is taken by all members of the board. The action
must be evidenced by one or more written consents signed by each director before or after such
action, describing the action taken, and included in the minutes or filed with the corporate
records. Action taken without a meeting is effective when the last director signs the consent,
unless the consent specifies a different effective date.
Section 8.
Meeting by Communications Device
. Unless otherwise provided in the
articles of incorporation, the board of directors may permit any or all directors to participate in
a regular or special meeting by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, any means of
communication by which all directors participating may simultaneously hear each other during the
meeting. A director participating in a meeting by this means is deemed to be present in person at
the meeting.
ARTICLE 5- COMMITTEES
Section 1.
Election and Powers
. Unless otherwise provided by the articles of
incorporation, a majority of the board of directors may create one or more committees and appoint
two or more directors to serve at the pleasure of the board on each such committee. To the extent
specified by the board of directors or in the articles of incorporation, each committee shall have
and may exercise the powers of the board in the management of the business and affairs of the
corporation, except that no committee shall have authority to do the following:
(a) Authorize distributions.
(b) Approve or propose to shareholders action required to be approved by shareholders.
(c) Fill vacancies on the board of directors or on any of its committees.
(d) Amend the articles of incorporation.
(e) Adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws.
(f) Approve a plan of merger not requiring shareholder approval.
(g) Authorize or approve the reacquisition of shares, except according to a formula or method
prescribed by the board of directors.
(h) Authorize or approve the issuance, 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 the executive committee (or a senior executive officer of
the corporation) to do so within limits specifically prescribed by the board of directors.
Section 2.
Removal; Vacancies
. Any member of a committee may be removed at any time
with or without cause, and vacancies in the membership of a committee by means of death,
resignation, disqualification or removal shall be filled by a majority of the whole board of
directors.
8
Section 3.
Meetings
. The provisions of Article 4 governing meetings of the board of
directors, action without meeting, notice, waiver of notice and quorum and voting requirements
shall apply to the committees of the board and its members.
Section 4.
Minutes
. Each committee shall keep minutes of its proceedings and shall
report thereon to the board of directors at or before the next meeting of the board.
ARTICLE 6- OFFICERS
Section 1.
Titles
. The officers of the corporation shall be a president, a vice
president, a secretary and a treasurer and may include a chairman and vice chairman of the board of
directors, a chief executive officer, an executive vice president, one or more additional vice
presidents, a controller, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, one
or more assistant controllers, and such other officers as shall be deemed necessary. The officers
shall have the authority and perform the duties as set forth herein or as from time to time may be
prescribed by the board of directors or by the president (to the extent that the president is
authorized by the board of directors to prescribe the authority and duties of officers). Any two
or more offices may be held by the same individual, but no officer may act in more than one
capacity where action of two or more officers is required.
Section 2.
Election; Appointment
. The officers of the corporation shall be elected
from time to time by the board of directors or appointed from time to time by the president (to the
extent that the president is authorized by the board to appoint officers).
Section 3.
Removal
. Any officer may be removed by the board at any time with or
without cause whenever in its judgment the best interests of the corporation will be served, but
removal shall not itself affect the officers contract rights, if any, with the corporation.
Section 4.
Vacancies
. Vacancies among the officers may be filled and new offices may
be created and filled by the board of directors, or by the president (to the extent authorized by
the board).
Section 5.
Compensation
. The compensation of the officers shall be fixed by the
board of directors.
Section 6.
Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors
. The chairman of the
board of directors, if such officer is elected, shall preside at meetings of the board of directors
and shareholders and shall have such other authority and perform such other duties as the board of
directors shall designate. The vice chairman, if elected, shall preside at meetings of the board
and shareholders in the absence of the chairman and shall have such other authority and perform
such other duties as the board of directors shall designate.
Section 7.
Chief Executive Officer
. The chief executive officer shall be the
principal executive officer of the corporation and, subject to the control of the board of
directors, shall, in general, supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the
corporation. He shall have such other authority and perform such other duties as the board of
directors shall designate.
9
Section 8.
President
. The president shall be the principal operating officer of the
corporation and shall be in general charge of the affairs of the corporation in the ordinary course
of its business. Subject to the direction of the chief executive officer, the president may
perform such acts, not inconsistent with applicable law or the provisions of these bylaws, as may
be performed by the president of a corporation and may sign and execute all authorized notes,
bonds, contracts and other obligations in the name of the corporation. The president shall have
such other powers and perform such other duties as the board of directors shall designate or as may
be provided by applicable law or elsewhere in these bylaws.
Section 9.
Vice Presidents
. In the absence or inability to act of both the chief
executive officer and the president, the executive vice president, if such officer is elected or
appointed, shall exercise the powers of the president during that officers absence or inability to
act. In default of the chief executive officer and both the president and the executive vice
president, any other vice president may exercise the powers of the president. Any action taken by
a vice president in the performance of the duties of the president shall be presumptive evidence of
the absence or inability to act of the president at the time the action was taken. The vice
presidents shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the
board of directors or by the president (to the extent that the president is authorized by the board
of directors to prescribe the authority and duties of other officers).
Section 10.
Secretary
. The secretary shall keep accurate records of the acts and
proceedings of all meetings of shareholders and of the board of directors and shall give all
notices required by law and by these bylaws. The secretary shall have general charge of the
corporate books and records and shall have the responsibility and authority to maintain and
authenticate such books and records. The secretary shall have general charge of the corporate seal
and shall affix the corporate seal to any lawfully executed instrument requiring it. The secretary
shall have general charge of the stock transfer books of the corporation and shall keep at the
principal office of the corporation a record of shareholders, showing the name and address of each
shareholder and the number and class of the shares held by each. The secretary shall sign such
instruments as may require the signature of the secretary, and in general shall perform the duties
incident to the office of secretary and such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by
the board of directors or the president (to the extent that the president is authorized by the
board of directors to prescribe the authority and duties of other officers).
Section 11.
Assistant Secretaries
. Each assistant secretary, if such officer is
elected, shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned by the board of
directors or the president (if authorized by the board of directors to prescribe the authority and
duties of other officers), and the assistant secretaries shall exercise the powers of the secretary
during that officers absence or inability to act.
Section 12.
Treasurer
. The treasurer shall have custody of all funds and securities
belonging to the corporation and shall receive, deposit or disburse the same under the direction of
the board of directors. The treasurer shall keep full and accurate accounts of the finances of the
corporation, which may be consolidated or combined statements of the corporation and one or more of
its subsidiaries as appropriate, that include a balance sheet as of the end of the fiscal year, an
income statement for that year, and a statement of cash flows for the year unless that information
appears elsewhere in the financial statements. If financial statements are prepared
10
for the corporation on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles, the annual
financial statements must also be prepared on that basis. The corporation shall mail the annual
financial statements, or a written notice of their availability, to each shareholder within 120
days of the close of each fiscal year. The treasurer shall in general perform all duties incident
to the office and such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the board of directors
or the president (to the extent that the president is authorized by the board of directors to
prescribe the authority and duties of other officers).
Section 13.
Assistant Treasurers
. Each assistant treasurer, if such officer is
elected, shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned by the board of
directors or the president (to the extent that the president is authorized by the board of
directors to prescribe the authority and duties of other officers), and the assistant treasurers
shall exercise the powers of the treasurer during that officers absence or inability to act.
Section 14.
Controller and Assistant Controllers
. The controller, if such officer is
elected, shall have charge of the accounting affairs of the corporation and shall have such other
powers and perform such other duties as the board of directors or the president (to the extent that
the president is authorized by the board of directors to prescribe the authority and duties of
other officers) shall designate. Each assistant controller shall have such powers and perform such
duties as may be assigned by the board of directors or the president (to the extent that the
president is authorized by the board of directors to prescribe the authority and duties of other
officers), and the assistant controllers shall exercise the powers of the controller during that
officers absence or inability to act.
Section 15.
Voting Upon Stocks
. Unless otherwise ordered by the board of directors,
the president shall have full power and authority in behalf of the corporation to attend, act and
vote at meetings of the shareholders of any corporation in which this corporation may hold stock,
and at such meetings shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and powers incident to the
ownership of such stock and which, as the owner, the corporation might have possessed and exercised
if present. The board of directors may by resolution from time to time confer such power and
authority upon any other person or persons.
ARTICLE 7- CAPITAL STOCK
Section 1.
Certificates
. Shares of the capital stock of the corporation may be
certificated or without certificate. The name and address of the persons to whom shares of capital
stock of the corporation are issued, with the number of shares and date of issue, shall be entered
on the stock transfer records of the corporation. Certificates for shares of the capital stock of
the corporation shall be in such form not inconsistent with the articles of incorporation of the
corporation as shall be approved by the board of directors. Each certificate shall be signed
(either manually or by facsimile) by (a) the president or any vice president and by the secretary,
assistant secretary, treasurer or assistant treasurer or (b) any two officers designated by the
board of directors. Each certificate may be sealed with the seal of the corporation or a facsimile
thereof. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of shares without certificates,
the corporation shall send, or cause to be sent, to the shareholder a written statement including
the information required by law to be set forth on certificates for shares of capital stock.
11
Section 2.
Transfer of Shares
. Transfer of certificated shares shall be made on the
stock transfer records of the corporation, and transfers shall be made only upon surrender of the
certificate for the shares sought to be transferred by the recordholder or by a duly authorized
agent, transferee or legal representative. All certificates surrendered for transfer or reissue
shall be cancelled before new certificates for the shares or shares without certificate shall be
issued. Shares without certificate shall be transferable on the stock transfer records of the
corporation upon proper instruction from the holder of such shares.
Section 3.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
. The board of directors may appoint one or
more transfer agents and one or more registrars of transfers and may require all stock certificates
to be signed or countersigned by the transfer agent and registered by the registrar of transfers.
Section 4.
Regulations
. The board of directors may make rules and regulations as it
deems expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of shares of capital stock of the
corporation.
Section 5.
Fixing Record Date
. For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled
to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders, or entitled to receive payment of any
dividend, or in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other purpose, the board of
directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for the determination of shareholders. The
record date shall be not more than 70 days before the meeting or action requiring a determination
of shareholders. A determination of shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a
shareholders meeting shall be effective for any adjournment of the meeting unless the board of
directors fixes a new record date, which it shall do if the meeting is adjourned to a date more
than 120 days after the date fixed for the original meeting. If no record date is fixed for the
determination of shareholders, the record date shall be the day the notice of the meeting is mailed
or the day the action requiring a determination of shareholders is taken. If no record date is
fixed for action without a meeting, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to take
action without a meeting shall be the date the first shareholder signs consent to the action taken.
Section 6.
Lost Certificates
. The board of directors must authorize the issuance of
a new certificate or share without certificate in place of a certificate claimed to have been lost,
destroyed or wrongfully taken, upon receipt of (a) an affidavit from the person explaining the
loss, destruction or wrongful taking, and (b) a bond from the claimant in a sum as the corporation
may reasonably direct to indemnify the corporation against loss from any claim with respect to the
certificate claimed to have been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken. The board of directors may,
in its discretion, waive the affidavit and bond and authorize the issuance of a new certificate or
share without certificate in place of a certificate claimed to have been lost, destroyed or
wrongfully taken.
ARTICLE 8- INDEMNIFICATION OP DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 1.
Indemnification Provisions
. Any person who at any time serves or has
served as a director or officer of the corporation or of any wholly owned subsidiary of the
corporation, or in such capacity at the request of the corporation for any other foreign or
domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or as a trustee or
administrator under any employee benefit plan of the corporation or of any wholly owned subsidiary
thereof (a
12
Claimant), shall have the right to be indemnified and held harmless by the corporation to
the fullest extent from time to time permitted by law against all liabilities and litigation
expenses (as hereinafter defined) in the event a claim shall be made or threatened against that
person in, or that person is made or threatened to be made a party to, any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, and
whether or not brought by or on behalf of the corporation, including all appeals therefrom (a
proceeding), arising out of that persons status as such or that persons activities in any such
capacity; provided, that such indemnification shall not be effective with respect to (a) that
portion of any liabilities or litigation expenses with respect to which the Claimant is entitled to
receive payment under any insurance policy or (b) any liabilities or litigation expenses incurred
on account of any of the Claimants activities which were at the time taken known or believed by
the Claimant to be clearly in conflict with the best interests of the corporation.
Section 2.
Definitions
. As used in this Article, (a) liabilities shall include,
without limitation, (1) payments in satisfaction of any judgment, money decree, excise tax, fine or
penalty for which Claimant had become liable in any proceeding and (2) payments in settlement of
any such proceeding subject, however, to Section 3 of this Article 8; (b) litigation expenses
shall include, without limitation, (1) reasonable costs and expenses and attorneys fees and
expenses actually incurred by the Claimant in connection with any proceeding and (2) reasonable
costs and expenses and attorneys fees and expenses in connection with the enforcement of rights to
the indemnification granted hereby or by applicable law, if such enforcement is successful in whole
or in part; and (c) disinterested directors shall mean directors who are not party to the
proceeding in question.
Section 3.
Settlements
. The corporation shall not be liable to indemnify the
Claimant for any amounts paid in settlement of any proceeding effected without the corporations
written consent. The corporation will not unreasonably withhold its consent to any proposed
settlement.
Section 4.
Litigation Expense Advances
.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) below, any litigation expenses shall be advanced to
any Claimant within 30 days of receipt by the secretary of the corporation of a demand therefor,
together with an undertaking by or on behalf of the Claimant to repay to the corporation such
amount unless it is ultimately determined that Claimant is entitled to be indemnified by the
corporation against such expenses. The secretary shall promptly forward notice of the demand and
undertaking immediately to all directors of the corporation.
(b) Within 10 days after mailing of notice to the directors pursuant to subsection (a) above,
any disinterested director may, if desired, call a meeting of all disinterested directors to review
the reasonableness of the expenses so requested. No advance shall be made if a majority of the
disinterested directors affirmatively determines that the item of expense is unreasonable in
amount; but if the disinterested directors determine that a portion, of the expense item is
reasonable, the corporation shall advance such portion.
Section 5.
Approval of Indemnification Payments
. Except as provided in Section 4 of
this Article, the board of directors of the corporation shall take all such action as may be
necessary and appropriate to authorize the corporation to pay the indemnification required by
13
Section 1 of this Article, including, without limitation, making a good faith evaluation of
the manner in which the Claimant acted and of the reasonable amount of indemnity due the Claimant.
In taking any such action, any Claimant who is a director of the corporation shall not be entitled
to vote on any matter concerning such Claimants right to indemnification.
Section 6.
Suits by Claimant
. No Claimant shall be entitled to bring suit against
the corporation to enforce his rights under this Article until sixty days after a written claim has
been received by the corporation, together with any undertaking to repay as required by Section 4
of this Article. It shall be a defense to any such action that the Claimants liabilities or
litigation expenses were incurred on account of activities described in clause (b) of Section 1,
but the burden of proving this defense shall be on the corporation. Neither the failure of the
corporation to have made a determination prior to the commencement of the action to the effect that
indemnification of the Claimant is proper in the circumstances, nor an actual determination by the
corporation that the Claimant had not met the standard of conduct described in clause (b) of
Section 1, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the Claimant has not met
the applicable standard of conduct.
Section 7.
Consideration; Personal Representatives and Other Remedies
. Any person
who during such time as this Article or corresponding provisions of predecessor bylaws is or has
been in effect serves or has served in any of the aforesaid capacities for or on behalf of the
corporation shall be deemed to be doing so or to have done so in reliance upon, and as
consideration for, the right of indemnification provided herein or therein. The right of
indemnification provided herein or therein shall inure to the benefit of the legal representatives
of any person who qualifies or would qualify as a Claimant hereunder, and the right shall not be
exclusive of any other rights to which the person or legal representative may be entitled apart
from this Article.
Section 8.
Scope of Indemnification Rights
. The rights granted herein shall not be
limited by the provisions of Section 55-8-51 of the General Statutes of North Carolina or any
successor statute.
ARTICLE 9- GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1.
Dividends and Other Distributions
. The board of directors may from time
to time declare and the corporation may pay dividends or make other distributions with respect to
its outstanding shares in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by law.
Section 2.
Seal
. The seal of the corporation shall be any form approved from time to
time or at any time by the board of directors.
Section 3.
Waiver of Notice
. Whenever notice is required to be given to a
shareholder, director or other person under the provisions of these bylaws, the articles of
incorporation or applicable law, a waiver in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to
the notice, whether before or after the date and time stated in the notice, and delivered to the
corporation shall be equivalent to giving the notice.
14
Section 4.
Checks
. All checks, drafts or orders for the payment of money shall be
signed by the officer or officers or other individuals that the board of directors may from time to
time designate.
Section 5.
Fiscal Year
. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by the
board of directors.
Section 6.
Amendments
. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or
a bylaw adopted by the shareholders or by law, these bylaws may be amended or repealed by the board
of directors, except that a bylaw adopted, amended or repealed by the shareholders may not be
readopted, amended or repealed by the board of directors if neither the articles of incorporation
nor a bylaw adopted by the shareholders authorizes the board of directors to adopt, amend or repeal
that particular bylaw or the bylaws generally. These bylaws may be amended or repealed by the
shareholders even though the bylaws may also be amended or repealed by the board of directors. A
bylaw that fixes a greater quorum or voting requirement for the board of directors may be amended
or repealed (a) if originally adopted by the shareholders, only by the shareholders, unless such
bylaw as originally adopted by the shareholders provides that such bylaw may be amended or repealed
by the board of directors or (b) if originally adopted by the board of directors, either by the
shareholders or by the board of directors. A bylaw that fixes a greater quorum or voting
requirement may not be adopted by the board of directors by a vote less than a majority of the
directors then in office and may not itself be amended by a quorum or vote of the directors less
than the quorum or vote prescribed in such bylaw or prescribed by the shareholders.
Section 7.
Applicability of Antitakeover Statutes
. The provisions of Article 9 and
Article 9A of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act shall not be applicable to the
corporation.
THIS IS TO CERTIFY that the above bylaws of Insteel Industries, Inc., were adopted by the
board of directors of the corporation by action taken at a meeting held on August 21, 1990, as
amended
by the shareholders of the corporation as to Article 3, Section 2, on February 5, 1991,
as further amended by the board of directors of the corporation as to Article 2, Section 11 on
April 26, 1999, as further amended by the board of directors of the corporation as to Article 3,
Section 2 on October 24, 2005, and as further amended by the board of directors as to Article 7,
Sections 1, 2 and 6 on September 18, 2007.
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by the shareholders of the corporation as to Article 3, Section 2, on
February 5, 1991,
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by the board of directors of the corporation as to Article 2, Section 11
on April 26, 1999,
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by the board of directors of the corporation as to Article 3, Section 2
on October 24, 2005,
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by the board of directors as to Article 7, Sections 1, 2 and 6 on
September 18, 2007, and
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by the board of directors as to Article 2, Section 11 on April 21,
2009.
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This
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21st
day of
___, 2007.
April,
2009.
[Corporate Seal]
15
Exhibit 4.2
INSTEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the Amendment No. 1) is dated as of the 25th day
of April 2009 between Insteel Industries, Inc., a North Carolina corporation (the Company), and
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (as successor rights agent to First Union National
Bank, the Rights Agent).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company and the Rights Agent are parties to that certain Rights Agreement dated
as of April 27, 1999 (the Rights Agreement);
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has considered the reasons underlying the
adoption of the Rights Agreement, obtained the advice of its counsel and financial advisor, and has
determined those reasons continue to be valid and in the best interests of the Company at present;
WHEREAS, the Company and the Rights Agent desire to amend the Rights Agreement on the terms
and conditions hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has duly authorized this Amendment No. 1.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual promise, covenants and agreements
contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and legal sufficiency of
which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto do hereby agree to amend the Rights Agreement, in
accordance with Section 27 of the Rights Agreement, as follows:
1. Section 1(a) of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the last sentence of
such subsection in its entirety and replacing it with the following:
Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 1(a), no person shall be deemed
to be an Acquiring Person if the Board of Directors of the Company determines in
good faith that such Person became the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding inadvertently and such Person divests, as
promptly as practicable after receipt of a written notice from the Company, a
sufficient number of shares of Common Stock (or, for the avoidance of doubt, with
respect to any Derivative Common Shares, terminates the subject derivative
transaction or transactions or disposes of the subject derivative security or
securities) so that such Person is no longer the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of
the shares of Common Stock then outstanding.
2. Section 1(d)(ii) of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the term or at the
end of the subsection.
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3. Section 1(d)(iii) of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended by deleting acquisition. at
the end of such subsection and replacing it with acquisition; or.
4. Section 1(d) of the Rights Agreement is amended by adding the following subsection (iv) to
follow subsection (iii):
(iv) that are the subject of a derivative transaction entered into by such
Person or any of such Persons Affiliates or Associates, or derivative security
acquired by such Person or any of such Persons Affiliates or Associates, which
gives such Person or any of such Persons Affiliates or Associates the economic
equivalent of ownership of an amount of such securities due to the fact that the
value of the derivative is explicitly determined by reference to the price or value
of such securities, or which provides such Person or any of such Persons
Affiliates or Associates an opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit, or to
share in any profit, derived from any change in the value of such securities, in
any case without regard to whether (A) such derivative conveys any voting rights in
such securities to such Person or any of such Persons Affiliates or Associates,
(B) the derivative is required to be, or capable of being, settled through delivery
of such securities, or (C) such Person or any of such Persons Affiliates or
Associates may have entered into other transactions that hedge the economic effect
of such derivative. In determining the number of shares of Common Stock of the
Company beneficially owned by virtue of the operation of this Section 1(d)(iv), the
subject Person shall be deemed to beneficially own (without duplication) the
notional or other number of shares of Common Stock of the Company specified in the
documentation evidencing the derivative position as being subject to be acquired
upon the exercise or settlement of the applicable right or as the basis upon which
the value or settlement amount of such right, or the opportunity of the holder of
such right to profit or share in any profit, is to be calculated in whole or in
part, and in any case (or if no such number of shares of Common Stock of the
Company is specified in such documentation or otherwise), as determined by the
Board of Directors in good faith to be the number of shares of Common Stock of the
Company to which the derivative position relates. Such shares of Common Stock of
the Company that are deemed so beneficially owned pursuant to the operation of this
Section 1(d)(iv) shall be referred to herein as Derivative Common Shares.
5. Section 1(r) of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended by deleting it in its entirety and
replacing it with the following:
(r) Final Expiration Date shall mean the Close of Business on April 24,
2019, unless extended by the Board of Directors of the Company as provided in
Section 27 hereof.
6. Section 7(b) of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended by deleting it in its entirety and
replacing it with the following:
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(b) The Purchase Price for each one two-hundredths of a share of Preferred
Stock pursuant to the exercise of a Right shall be $46.00 as of April 21, 2009 and
shall be subject to adjustment from time to time thereafter as provided in Sections
11 and 13(a) hereof and shall be payable in accordance with paragraph (c) below.
7. The Company and Rights Agent acknowledge and agree that Rights Agent has succeeded to the
rights and obligations of First Union National Bank pursuant to Section 19 of the Rights Agreement,
and that the contact information for Rights Agent set forth in Section 26 of the Rights Agreement
is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
10150 Mallard Creek Road
Suite 307
Charlotte, NC 28262
Attention: Holly H. Drummond, VP/Senior Account Administrator
Telephone: (718) 921-8521
Facsimile: (718) 765-8742
8. The Company and Rights Agent hereby acknowledge and agree that the amended and restated
form of Rights Certificate attached hereto as Exhibit A supersedes the Exhibit A that was attached
to the original form of this Rights Agreement as of April 27, 1999.
9. Rights Agent acknowledges receipt of an officers certificate notifying Rights Agent of
this Amendment in accordance with Section 27 of the Rights Agreement.
10. This Amendment No. 1 shall be effective as of the date hereof and, except as set forth
herein, the Rights Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall be otherwise
unaffected hereby. The term Agreement as used in the Rights Agreement shall be deemed to refer
to the Rights Agreement as amended hereby.
11. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Amendment No. 1 is held by a court
of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of
the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Amendment No. 1 shall remain in full
force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.
12. The Amendment No. 1 shall be deemed to be a contract under the laws of the State of North
Carolina and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
such State applicable to contracts to be made and performed entirely within such State.
13. This Amendment No. 1 may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such
counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall
together constitute but one and the same instrument.
[Signature Page Follows]
3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment No. 1 to be duly executed as
of the date first written above.
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INSTEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
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By:
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/s/ James F. Petelle
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Name:
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James F. Petelle
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Title:
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Vice President and Secretary
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AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC
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By:
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/s/ Paula Caroppoli
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Name:
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Paula Caroppoli
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Title:
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Vice President
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EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATE]
Certificate No. R____________
NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER APRIL 24, 2019 OR EARLIER IF REDEEMED BY THE COMPANY. THE RIGHTS ARE
SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION, AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY, AT $0.005 PER RIGHT ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN
THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY AN ACQUIRING
PERSON (AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND ANY SUBSEQUENT HOLDER OF SUCH RIGHTS
MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID. [THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED BY THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE ARE OR WERE
BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY A PERSON WHO WAS OR BECAME AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE
OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT). ACCORDINGLY, THIS RIGHTS
CERTIFICATE AND THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES
SPECIFIED IN SECTION 7(e) OF THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT.]
RIGHTS CERTIFICATE
INSTEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
This certifies that _____________________, or registered assigns, is the registered
owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles the owner thereof, subject to
the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, dated as of April 27, 1999, as
amended by Amendment Number 1 dated April 25, 2009 (collectively, the Rights Agreement), between
Insteel Industries, Inc., a North Carolina corporation (the Company), and American Stock Transfer
& Trust Company, LLC, as successor in interest to First Union National Bank (the Rights Agent),
to purchase from the Company at any time prior to 5:00 P.M., Mount Airy, North Carolina time, on
April 24, 2019 at the office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, or its
successors as Rights Agent, one two-hundredths of a fully paid, nonassessable share of Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the Preferred Stock) of the Company, at a purchase price of
$46.00 per one two-hundredths of a share (the Purchase Price), upon presentation and surrender of
this Rights Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase and related Certificate
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duly executed. The Purchase Price may be paid in cash or by certified bank check or money order
payable to the order of the Company. The number of Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate
(and the number of shares of Preferred Stock which may be purchased upon exercise hereof) set forth
above, and the Purchase Price per share set forth above, are the number and Purchase Price as of
April 25, 2009, based on the Preferred Stock as constituted at such date.
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The portion of the legend in brackets shall be inserted
only if applicable and shall replace the immediately preceding sentence of the
legend.
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Upon the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event (as such term is defined in the Rights
Agreement), if the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are beneficially owned by (i) an
Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such terms are
defined in the Rights Agreement), (ii) a transferee of any such Acquiring Person or an Associate or
Affiliate of any such Acquiring Person, or (iii) under certain circumstances specified in the
Rights Agreement, a transferee of a person who, after such transfer, became an Acquiring Person or
an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person, such Rights shall become null and void and
no holder hereof shall have any right with respect to such Rights from and after the occurrence of
such Section 11(a)(ii) Event.
As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price and the number and kind of shares of
Preferred Stock or other securities which may be purchased upon the exercise of the Rights
evidenced by this Rights Certificate are subject to modification and adjustment upon the happening
of certain events, including Triggering Events (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement).
This Rights Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions, and conditions of the
Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are hereby incorporated herein by
reference and made a part hereof and to which Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full
description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of
the Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Rights Certificates, which limitations of
rights include the temporary suspension of the exercisability of such Rights under the specific
circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement. Copies of the Rights Agreement are available upon
written request to the Company.
This Rights Certificate, with or without other Rights Certificates, upon surrender at the
principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, may be exchanged for
another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing Rights
entitling the holder to purchase a like aggregate number of one two-hundredths of a share of
Preferred Stock as the Rights evidenced by the Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates
surrendered shall have entitled such holder to purchase. If this Rights Certificate shall be
exercised in part, the holder shall be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another Rights
Certificate or Rights Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised.
Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced by this Certificate
may be redeemed by the Company at its option at a redemption price of $0.005 per Right at any time
prior to the earliest of the Close of Business on (i) the tenth Business Day following the Stock
Acquisition Date (as such time period may be extended pursuant to the Rights Agreement) or (ii) the
Final Expiration Date. After the expiration of the redemption period referenced in clause (i)
above, the Companys right of redemption may be reinstated if an Acquiring Person reduces his
beneficial ownership to less than 20% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock in a transaction or
series of transactions not involving the Company and there are no other Acquiring Persons.
The Company may (but shall not be required to) issue fractional shares of Preferred Stock upon
the exercise of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than
fractions which are integral multiples of one two-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock, which may, at the
election
A-2
of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts), and in lieu thereof a cash payment
may be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.
No holder of this Rights Certificate, as such, shall be entitled to vote or receive dividends
or be deemed for any purpose the holder of shares of Preferred Stock or of any other securities of
the Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained
in the Rights Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any of
the rights of a shareholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or
upon any matter submitted to shareholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to
any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting shareholders
(except as provided in the Rights Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or
otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate shall have been exercised
as provided in the Rights Agreement.
This Rights Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until it shall have
been countersigned by the Rights Agent.
WITNESS, the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company and its corporate seal.
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ATTEST:
[Corporate Seal]
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Name:
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Title:
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Countersigned:
AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC
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By:
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Authorized Signature
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INSTEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
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By:
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Name:
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Howard O. Woltz, III
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Title:
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President
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[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATE]
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
[To be executed by the registered holder if such holder
desires to transfer the Rights Certificate.]
FOR VALUE RECEIVED ___________________________ hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto [NAME
AND ADDRESS OF TRANSFEREE] this Rights Certificate, together with all right, title and interest
therein, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ____________ Attorney, to transfer
the within Rights Certificate on the books of the within-named Company, with full power of
substitution.
Certificate
The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes that:
(1) this Rights Certificate [ ] is [ ] is not being sold, assigned and transferred by
or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of
any such Acquiring Person (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement); and
(2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, it [ ] did [ ] did
not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate from any Person who is, was or
subsequently became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring
Person.
Affix Medallion Guarantee Imprint in Box]
Note to Guarantor
: Numeric code on bottom of the medallion stamp must be legible.
IMPORTANT READ CAREFULLY
: The signatures on this form must correspond with the name as
written upon the face of the rights certificate in every particular without alteration or
enlargement or any changes whatsoever. The signature of the person executing this power must be
guaranteed by an Eligible Guarantor Institution such as a Commercial Bank, Securities Broker /
Dealer participating in a Medallion Program approved by the Securities Transfer Association, Inc.
Under S.E.C. Regulations, no other form of signature verification can be accepted.
A-4
NOTICE
The signature to the foregoing Assignment and Certificate must correspond to the name
as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate in every particular, without alteration
or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
[To be executed by the registered holder if such holder desires to exercise
Rights represented by the Rights Certificate.]
To: The Rights Agent
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise ____________ Rights represented
by this Rights Certificate to purchase the shares of Preferred Stock issuable upon the
exercise of the Rights (or such other securities of the Company or of any other Person which
may be issuable upon the exercise of the Rights) and requests that certificates for such
shares be issued in the name of and delivered to:
(Please print name and address)
Please insert social security or other identifying number:
________________________
If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate, a new Rights Certificate for the balance of such Rights shall be registered in
the name of and delivered to:
(Please print name and address)
Please insert social security or other identifying number:
________________________
Affix Medallion Guarantee Imprint in Box]
Affix Medallion Guarantee Imprint in Box]
Note to Guarantor
: Numeric code on bottom of the medallion stamp must be legible.
IMPORTANT READ CAREFULLY
: The signatures on this form must correspond with the name as
written upon the face of the rights certificate in every particular without alteration or
enlargement or any changes whatsoever. The signature of the person executing this power must be
guaranteed by an Eligible Guarantor Institution such as a Commercial Bank, Securities Broker /
Dealer participating in a Medallion Program approved by the Securities Transfer Association, Inc.
Under S.E.C. Regulations, no other form of signature verification can be accepted.
A-5
Certificate
The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes that:
(1) the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate [ ] are [ ] are not being exercised
by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate
of any such Acquiring Person (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement);
(2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, it [ ] did [ ] did
not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate from any Person who is, was or
became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person.
Affix Medallion Guarantee Imprint in Box]
Note to Guarantor
: Numeric code on bottom of the medallion stamp must be legible.
IMPORTANT READ CAREFULLY
: The signatures on this form must correspond with the name as
written upon the face of the rights certificate in every particular without alteration or
enlargement or any changes whatsoever. The signature of the person executing this power must be
guaranteed by an Eligible Guarantor Institution such as a Commercial Bank, Securities Broker /
Dealer participating in a Medallion Program approved by the Securities Transfer Association, Inc.
Under S.E.C. Regulations, no other form of signature verification can be accepted.
A-6