As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 1, 2018
Registration No. 0001727263
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10
GENERAL FORM FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES
Pursuant to Section 12(b) or (g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
frontdoor, inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
82-3871179
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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150 Peabody Place, Memphis, Tennessee (Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
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38103 (Zip Code) |
901-701-5002
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
to be so registered |
Name of exchange on which
each class is to be registered |
|
---|---|---|
Common Stock, $0.01 par value | Nasdaq Global Select Market |
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o | Accelerated filer o |
Non-accelerated filer
ý
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Smaller reporting company
o
Emerging growth company o |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
FRONTDOOR, INC.
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT
CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET BETWEEN INFORMATION STATEMENT
AND ITEMS OF FORM 10
Certain information required to be included herein is incorporated by reference to specifically identified portions of the body of the information statement filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1. None of the information contained in the information statement shall be incorporated by reference herein or deemed to be a part hereof unless such information is specifically incorporated by reference.
The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled "Information Statement Summary," "Risk Factors," "Business," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions," and "Where You Can Find More Information." Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled "Risk Factors." That section is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2.
Financial Information
.
The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled "Selected Historical Combined Financial Data," "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements," and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled "Business." That section is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
.
The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management." That section is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.
Directors and Executive Officers
.
The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled "Management" and "Board of Directors and Corporate Governance." Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 6.
Executive Compensation
.
The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled "Executive Compensation." That section is incorporated herein by reference.
ii
Item 7.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
.
The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled "Management" and "Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions." Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled "BusinessLegal Proceedings." That section is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.
Market Price of, and Dividends on, the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
.
The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled "The Separation and Distribution," "Dividend Policy," "Capitalization," and "Description of Our Capital Stock." Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 10.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
.
The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled "Description of Material Indebtedness" and "Description of Our Capital StockSale of Unregistered Securities." Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 11.
Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered
.
The information required by this item is contained under the sections of the information statement entitled "The Separation and Distribution," "Dividend Policy," and "Description of Our Capital Stock." Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
.
The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled "Description of Our Capital StockLimitations on Liability, Indemnification of Officers and Directors and Insurance." That section is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
.
The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled "Index to Financial Statements" and the financial statements referenced therein. That section is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
.
None.
Item 15.
Financial Statements and Exhibits
.
The information required by this item is contained under the section of the information statement entitled "Index to Financial Statements" and the financial statements referenced therein. That section is incorporated herein by reference.
See below.
iii
The following documents are filed as exhibits hereto:
iv
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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frontdoor, inc. | |||||
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By: |
/s/ REXFORD J. TIBBENS
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||||
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Name: | Rexford J. Tibbens | ||||
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Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |
Date: August 1, 2018
Exhibit 2.1
SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
SERVICEMASTER GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.
AND
AHS HOLDING COMPANY, INC.
DATED AS OF []
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page |
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ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS |
2 |
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ARTICLE II THE SEPARATION |
13 |
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2.1 |
Transfer of Assets and Assumption of Liabilities |
13 |
2.2 |
SpinCo Assets; Parent Assets |
15 |
2.3 |
SpinCo Liabilities; Parent Liabilities |
17 |
2.4 |
Approvals and Notifications |
18 |
2.5 |
Novation of Liabilities |
21 |
2.6 |
Release of Guarantees |
23 |
2.7 |
Termination of Agreements |
24 |
2.8 |
Treatment of Shared Contracts |
25 |
2.9 |
Bank Accounts; Cash Balances |
26 |
2.10 |
Ancillary Agreements |
26 |
2.11 |
Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties |
26 |
2.12 |
SpinCo Financing Arrangements; SpinCo Notes Issuance |
27 |
2.13 |
Financial Information Certifications |
27 |
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ARTICLE III THE DISTRIBUTION |
28 |
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3.1 |
Sole and Absolute Discretion; Cooperation |
28 |
3.2 |
Actions Prior to the Distribution |
28 |
3.3 |
Conditions to the Distribution |
29 |
3.4 |
The Distribution |
31 |
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ARTICLE IV MUTUAL RELEASES; INDEMNIFICATION |
33 |
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4.1 |
Release of Pre-Distribution Claims |
33 |
4.2 |
Indemnification by SpinCo |
35 |
4.3 |
Indemnification by Parent |
35 |
4.4 |
Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds and Other Amounts |
36 |
4.5 |
Procedures for Indemnification of Third-Party Claims |
37 |
4.6 |
Additional Matters |
39 |
4.7 |
Right of Contribution |
41 |
4.8 |
Covenant Not to Sue |
41 |
4.9 |
Remedies Cumulative |
41 |
4.10 |
Survival of Indemnities |
42 |
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ARTICLE V CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS |
42 |
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5.1 |
Insurance Matters |
42 |
5.2 |
Late Payments |
45 |
5.3 |
Inducement |
45 |
5.4 |
Post-Effective Time Conduct |
45 |
5.5 |
Corporate Names; Trademarks |
45 |
5.6 |
Nonsolicitation |
46 |
ARTICLE VI EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY |
47 |
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6.1 |
Agreement for Exchange of Information |
47 |
6.2 |
Ownership of Information |
48 |
6.3 |
Compensation for Providing Information |
48 |
6.4 |
Record Retention |
48 |
6.5 |
Limitations of Liability |
49 |
6.6 |
Other Agreements Providing for Exchange of Information |
49 |
6.7 |
Production of Witnesses; Records; Cooperation |
50 |
6.8 |
Privileged Matters |
51 |
6.9 |
Confidentiality |
53 |
6.10 |
Protective Arrangements |
54 |
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ARTICLE VII DISPUTE RESOLUTION |
55 |
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7.1 |
Good Faith Officer Negotiation |
55 |
7.2 |
General Counsel Negotiation |
55 |
7.3 |
CEO Negotiation |
55 |
7.4 |
Arbitration |
56 |
7.5 |
Litigation and Unilateral Commencement of Arbitration |
57 |
7.6 |
Conduct During Dispute Resolution Process |
57 |
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ARTICLE VIII FURTHER ASSURANCES AND ADDITIONAL COVENANTS |
57 |
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8.1 |
Further Assurances |
57 |
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ARTICLE IX TERMINATION |
58 |
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9.1 |
Termination |
58 |
9.2 |
Effect of Termination |
58 |
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ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS |
59 |
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10.1 |
Counterparts; Entire Agreement; Corporate Power |
59 |
10.2 |
Governing Law |
60 |
10.3 |
Assignability |
60 |
10.4 |
Third-Party Beneficiaries |
60 |
10.5 |
Notices |
60 |
10.6 |
Severability |
62 |
10.7 |
Force Majeure |
62 |
10.8 |
No Set-Off |
62 |
10.9 |
Expenses |
62 |
10.10 |
Headings |
63 |
10.11 |
Survival of Covenants |
63 |
10.12 |
Waivers of Default |
63 |
10.13 |
Specific Performance |
63 |
10.14 |
Amendments |
63 |
10.15 |
Interpretation |
63 |
10.16 |
Limitations of Liability |
64 |
10.17 |
Performance |
64 |
10.18 |
Mutual Drafting |
64 |
SCHEDULES
Schedule 1.1 |
Parent Software |
Schedule 1.2 |
Parent Technology |
Schedule 1.3 |
SpinCo Discontinued or Divested Businesses |
Schedule 1.4 |
SpinCo Contracts |
Schedule 1.5 |
SpinCo Indemnified Liabilities |
Schedule 1.6 |
SpinCo Intellectual Property |
Schedule 1.7 |
SpinCo Software |
Schedule 1.8 |
SpinCo Technology |
Schedule 1.9 |
Transferred Entities |
Schedule 2.1(a) |
Plan of Reorganization |
Schedule 2.2(a)(x) |
SpinCo Assets |
Schedule 2.2(b)(iii) |
Parent Intellectual Property |
Schedule 2.2(b)(vi) |
Parent Assets |
Schedule 2.3(a) |
SpinCo Liabilities |
Schedule 2.3(b) |
Parent Liabilities |
Schedule 2.5(a) |
Novation of SpinCo Liabilities |
Schedule 2.7(b)(ii) |
Intercompany Agreements |
Schedule 4.3(e) |
Specified Parent Information |
Schedule 10.9 |
Allocation of Certain Costs and Expenses |
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EXHIBITS |
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Exhibit A |
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of AHS Holding Company, Inc. |
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Exhibit B |
Amended and Restated Bylaws of AHS Holding Company, Inc. |
SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
This SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT, dated as of [] (this Agreement ), is by and between ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ( Parent ), and AHS Holding Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation ( SpinCo ). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in Article I .
R E C I T A L S
WHEREAS, the board of directors of Parent (the Parent Board ) has determined that it is in the best interests of Parent and its stockholders to create a new publicly traded company that shall operate the SpinCo Business;
WHEREAS, in furtherance of the foregoing, the Parent Board has determined that it is appropriate and desirable to separate the SpinCo Business from the Parent Business (the Separation ) and, following the Separation, make a distribution, on a pro rata basis, to holders of Parent Shares on the Record Date of at least [] percent ([]%) of the outstanding SpinCo Shares owned by Parent (the Distribution );
WHEREAS, SpinCo has been incorporated solely for these purposes and has not engaged in activities, except in connection with the Separation and the Distribution;
WHEREAS, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Contribution and the Distribution, taken together, are intended to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, and this Agreement is intended to be, and is hereby adopted as, a plan of reorganization within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-2(g);
WHEREAS, SpinCo and Parent have prepared, and SpinCo has filed with the SEC, the Form 10, which includes the Information Statement, and which sets forth disclosures concerning SpinCo, the Separation and the Distribution;
WHEREAS, each of Parent and SpinCo has determined that it is appropriate and desirable to set forth the principal corporate transactions required to effect the Separation and the Distribution and certain other agreements that will govern certain matters relating to the Separation and the Distribution and the relationship of Parent, SpinCo and the members of their respective Groups following the Distribution; and
WHEREAS, the Parties acknowledge that this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements represent the integrated agreement of Parent and SpinCo relating to the Separation and the Distribution, are being entered into together, and would not have been entered into independently.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Action shall mean any demand, action, claim, dispute, suit, countersuit, arbitration, inquiry, subpoena, proceeding or investigation of any nature (whether criminal, civil, legislative, administrative, regulatory, prosecutorial or otherwise) by or before any federal, state, local, foreign or international Governmental Authority or any arbitration or mediation tribunal.
Affiliate shall mean, when used with respect to a specified Person, a Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such specified Person. For the purpose of this definition, control (including, with correlative meanings, controlled by and under common control with ), when used with respect to any specified Person shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or other interests, by contract, agreement, obligation, indenture, instrument, lease, promise, arrangement, release, warranty, commitment, undertaking or otherwise. It is expressly agreed that, prior to, at and after the Effective Time, solely for purposes of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, (a) no member of the SpinCo Group shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any member of the Parent Group and (b) no member of the Parent Group shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any member of the SpinCo Group.
Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
Ancillary Agreements shall mean all agreements (other than this Agreement) entered into by the Parties or the members of their respective Groups (but only agreements as to which no Third Party is a party) in connection with the Separation, the Distribution or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Transition Services Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement, the Employee Matters Agreement, any sublease agreements and the Transfer Documents.
Approvals or Notifications shall mean any consents, waivers, approvals, permits or authorizations to be obtained from, notices, registrations or reports to be submitted to, or other filings to be made with, any Third Party, including any Governmental Authority.
Arbitration Request shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.4(a) .
Assets shall mean, with respect to any Person, the assets, properties, claims and rights (including goodwill) of such Person, wherever located (including in the possession of vendors or other Third Parties or elsewhere), of every kind, character and description, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible, intangible or contingent, in each case whether or not recorded or reflected or required to be recorded or reflected on the books and records or financial statements of such Person, including rights and benefits pursuant to any contract, license, permit, indenture, note, bond, mortgage, agreement, concession, franchise, instrument, undertaking, commitment, understanding or other arrangement.
CEO Negotiation Request shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.3 .
Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Contribution shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.
Customer Information shall mean, with respect to any business, all information relating to customers of such business, including names, addresses and transaction data (including merchandise or service purchased, purchase price paid, purchase location (such as particular branch or online), date and time of day of purchase, adjustments and related information and means of payment).
Debt Exchange shall mean the exchange that Parent intends to effect, prior to the Effective Time, of (a) the SpinCo Debt for, and in satisfaction and discharge of, (b) certain indebtedness of Parent (or an entity disregarded as separate from Parent for U.S. federal income tax purposes).
Deductibles shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(b) .
Delayed Parent Asset shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(h) .
Delayed Parent Liability shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(h) .
Delayed SpinCo Asset shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(c) .
Delayed SpinCo Liability shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(c) .
Disclosure Document shall mean any registration statement (including the Form 10) filed with the SEC by or on behalf of any Party or any member of its Group, and also includes any information statement (including the Information Statement), prospectus, offering memorandum, offering circular, periodic report or similar disclosure document, whether or not filed with the SEC or any other Governmental Authority, in each case that describes the Separation or the Distribution or the SpinCo Group or primarily relates to the transactions contemplated hereby.
Dispute shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1 .
Distribution shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Distribution Agent shall mean the trust company or bank duly appointed by Parent to act as distribution agent, transfer agent and registrar for the SpinCo Shares in connection with the Distribution.
Distribution Date shall mean the date of the consummation of the Distribution, which shall be determined by the Parent Board in its sole and absolute discretion.
Distribution Ratio shall mean a number equal to [].
e-mail shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.5 .
Effective Time shall mean [], New York City time, on the Distribution Date.
Employee Matters Agreement shall mean the Employee Matters Agreement to be entered into by and between Parent and SpinCo or the members of their respective Groups in connection with the Separation, the Distribution or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time.
Environmental Law shall mean any Law relating to pollution, protection or restoration of or prevention of harm to the environment or natural resources, including the use, handling, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal, Release or discharge of Hazardous Materials or the protection of or prevention of harm to human health and safety.
Environmental Liabilities shall mean all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from any Hazardous Materials, Environmental Law or contract or agreement relating to environmental, health or safety matters (including all removal, remediation or cleanup costs, investigatory costs, response costs, natural resources damages, property damages, personal injury damages, costs of compliance with any product take-back requirements or with any settlement, judgment or other determination of Liability and indemnity, contribution or similar obligations) and all costs and expenses, interest, fines, penalties or other monetary sanctions in connection therewith.
Exchange Act shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Force Majeure shall mean, with respect to a Party, an event beyond the reasonable control of such Party (or any Person acting on its behalf), which event (a) does not arise or result from the fault or negligence of such Party (or any Person acting on its behalf) and (b) by its nature would not reasonably have been foreseen by such Party (or such Person), or, if it would reasonably have been foreseen, was unavoidable, and includes acts of God, acts of civil or military authority, embargoes, epidemics, war, riots, insurrections, fires, explosions, earthquakes, floods, unusually severe weather conditions, labor problems or unavailability of parts, or, in the case of computer systems, any significant and prolonged failure in electrical or air conditioning equipment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the receipt by a Party of an unsolicited takeover offer or other acquisition proposal, even if unforeseen or unavoidable, and such Partys response thereto shall not be deemed an event of Force Majeure.
Form 10 shall mean the registration statement on Form 10 filed by SpinCo with the SEC to effect the registration of SpinCo Shares pursuant to the Exchange Act in connection with the Distribution, as such registration statement may be amended or supplemented from time to time prior to the Distribution.
General Counsel Negotiation Request shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2 .
Governmental Approvals shall mean any Approvals or Notifications to be made to, or obtained from, any Governmental Authority.
Governmental Authority shall mean any nation or government, any territory, state, municipality or other political subdivision thereof, and any entity, body, agency, commission, department, board, bureau, court, tribunal or other instrumentality, whether federal, state, local, domestic, foreign or multinational, exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, administrative or other similar functions of, or pertaining to, a government and any executive official thereof.
Group shall mean either the SpinCo Group or the Parent Group, as the context requires.
Hazardous Materials shall mean any chemical, material, substance, waste, pollutant, emission, discharge, release or contaminant that could result in Liability under, or that is prohibited, limited or regulated by or pursuant to, any Environmental Law, and any natural or artificial substance (whether solid, liquid or gas, noise, ion, vapor or electromagnetic) that could cause harm to human health or the environment, including petroleum, petroleum products and byproducts, asbestos and asbestos-containing materials, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, electronic, medical or infectious wastes, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, radioactive substances, chlorofluorocarbons and all other ozone-depleting substances.
Indemnifying Party shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(a) .
Indemnitee shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(a) .
Indemnity Payment shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(a) .
Information shall mean information, whether or not patentable or copyrightable, in written, oral, electronic or other tangible or intangible forms, stored in any medium, including studies, reports, records, books, contracts, instruments, surveys, discoveries, ideas, concepts, know-how, techniques, designs, specifications, drawings, blueprints, artwork, design, research and development files, diagrams, models, prototypes, samples, flow charts, data, computer data, disks, diskettes, tapes, computer programs or other software, marketing plans, Customer Information, cost information, sales and pricing data, customer prospect lists, supplier records and vendor data, correspondence and lists, product literature, communications by or to attorneys (including attorney-client privileged communications), memoranda and other materials prepared by attorneys or under their direction (including attorney work product), and other technical, financial, employee or business information or data; provided that Information shall not include Intellectual Property.
Information Statement shall mean the information statement to be made available to the holders of Parent Shares in connection with the Distribution, as such information statement may be amended or supplemented from time to time prior to the Distribution.
Insurance Proceeds shall mean those monies:
(a) received by an insured from an insurance carrier; or
(b) paid by an insurance carrier on behalf of the insured;
in any such case net of any applicable premium adjustments (including reserves and retrospectively rated premium adjustments) and net of any costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof; provided that in each case Insurance Proceeds shall not include any monies received or paid from an insurance carrier that is an Affiliate of either Parent or SpinCo.
Intellectual Property shall mean all of the following whether arising under the Laws of the United States or of any foreign or multinational jurisdiction: any (a) Marks or other trademarks, service marks, trade names and trade dress, Internet domain names, accounts or handles with Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or similar social media platforms, and the goodwill associated with any and all of the foregoing and symbolized thereby, (b) copyrights, (c) rights in Software and Internet websites, (d) registrations and applications to register or renew the registration of any of the foregoing, (e) patents and patent applications, including all reissues, divisions, renewals, extensions, provisionals, continuations and continuations-in-part thereof, (f) confidential and proprietary information, including trade secrets, invention disclosures, processes and know-how and any rights therein and thereto and (g) other intellectual property rights.
IRS shall mean the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
JAMS Comprehensive Rules has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4 .
JAMS Streamlined Rules has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4 .
Law shall mean any national, supranational, federal, state, territorial, provincial, local or similar law (including common law), statute, code, order, ordinance, rule, regulation, treaty (including any income tax treaty), license, permit, authorization, approval, consent, decree, injunction, binding judicial or administrative interpretation or other requirement, in each case enacted, promulgated, issued or entered by a Governmental Authority.
Liabilities shall mean all debts, guarantees, assurances, commitments, liabilities, responsibilities, Losses, remediation, deficiencies, damages, fines, penalties, settlements, sanctions, costs, expenses, interest and obligations of any nature or kind, whether accrued or fixed, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, accrued or not accrued, asserted or unasserted, liquidated or unliquidated, foreseen or unforeseen, known or unknown, reserved or unreserved, or determined or determinable, including those arising under any Law, claim (including any Third-Party Claim), demand, Action, or order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, stipulation, determination or award entered by or with any Governmental Authority or arbitration tribunal, and those arising under any contract, agreement, obligation, indenture, instrument, lease, promise, arrangement, release, warranty, commitment or undertaking, or any fines, damages or equitable relief that is imposed, in each case, including all costs and expenses relating thereto.
Linked shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a) .
Losses shall mean actual losses (including any diminution in value), costs, damages, penalties and expenses (including legal and accounting fees and expenses and costs of investigation and litigation), whether or not involving a Third-Party Claim.
Marks shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.5 .
Materials shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.5 .
NYSE shall mean the New York Stock Exchange.
Officer Negotiation Request shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1 .
Parent shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
Parent Accounts shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a) .
Parent Assets shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b) .
Parent Board shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Parent Business shall mean all businesses, operations and activities (whether or not such businesses, operations or activities are or have been terminated, divested or discontinued) conducted at any time prior to the Effective Time by either Party or any member of its Group, other than the SpinCo Business.
Parent Group shall mean Parent and each Person that is a Subsidiary of Parent (other than SpinCo and any other member of the SpinCo Group).
Parent Indemnitees shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2 .
Parent Liabilities shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b) .
Parent Policies shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(b) .
Parent Shares shall mean the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Parent.
Parent Software shall mean all Software, other than SpinCo Software, owned or licensed by either Party or any member of its Group as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, and shall include the Software set forth on Schedule 1.1 .
Parent Technology shall mean all Technology, other than SpinCo Technology, owned or licensed by either Party or any member of its Group as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, and shall include the Technology set forth on Schedule 1.2 .
Parties shall mean the parties to this Agreement.
Permits shall mean any permits, approvals, authorizations, consents, licenses or certificates issued by any Governmental Authority.
Person shall mean an individual, a general or limited partnership, a corporation, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, a limited liability entity, any other entity and any Governmental Authority.
Plan of Reorganization shall mean the plan and structure set forth on Schedule 2.1(a) .
Policies shall mean insurance policies, reinsurance policies and insurance contracts of any kind, including property, excess and umbrella, commercial general liability, director and officer liability, fiduciary liability, cyber technology, professional liability, libel liability, employment practices liability, automobile, aircraft, marine, workers compensation and employers liability, employee dishonesty/crime/fidelity, foreign, bonds and self-insurance and captive insurance company arrangements, together with the rights, benefits, privileges and obligations thereunder.
Pre-Deconsolidation Period shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.
Prime Rate shall mean the rate that Bloomberg displays as Prime Rate by Country United States or Prime Rate by Country US-BB Comp at http://www.bloomberg.com/quote/PRIME:IND or on a Bloomberg terminal at PRIMBB Index.
Privileged Information shall mean any information, in written, oral, electronic or other tangible or intangible forms, including any communications by or to attorneys (including attorney-client privileged communications), memoranda and other materials prepared by attorneys or under their direction (including attorney work product), as to which a Party or any member of its Group would be entitled to assert or have asserted a privilege or other protection, including the attorney-client and attorney work product privileges.
Record Date shall mean the close of business on the date to be determined by the Parent Board as the record date for determining holders of Parent Shares entitled to receive SpinCo Shares pursuant to the Distribution.
Record Holders shall mean the holders of record of Parent Shares as of the Record Date.
Release shall mean any release, spill, emission, discharge, leaking, pumping, pouring, dumping, injection, deposit, disposal, dispersal, leaching or migration of Hazardous Materials into the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater and surface or subsurface strata).
Retention Date shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(b) .
Representatives shall mean, with respect to any Person, any of such Persons directors, officers, employees, agents, consultants, advisors, accountants, attorneys or other representatives.
Restricted Employees shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.6(a) .
SEC shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Security Interest shall mean any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien, charge, claim, option, right to acquire, voting or other restriction, right-of-way, covenant, condition, easement, encroachment, restriction on transfer, or other encumbrance of any nature whatsoever.
Separation shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Shared Contract shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(a) .
Software shall mean any and all (a) computer programs, including any and all software implementation of algorithms, models and methodologies, whether in source code, object code, human readable form or other form, (b) databases and compilations, including any and all data and collections of data, whether machine readable or otherwise, (c) descriptions, flow charts and other work products used to design, plan, organize and develop any of the foregoing, (d) screens, user interfaces, report formats, firmware, development tools, templates, menus, buttons and icons and (e) documentation, including user manuals and other training documentation, relating to any of the foregoing.
SpinCo shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
SpinCo Accounts shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a) .
SpinCo Assets shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a) .
SpinCo Balance Sheet shall mean the pro forma combined balance sheet of the SpinCo Business, including any notes and subledgers thereto, as of [], as presented in the Information Statement made available to the Record Holders.
SpinCo Business shall mean (a) the business, operations and activities of the American Home Shield segment of Parent conducted at any time prior to the Effective Time by either Party or any of their current or former Subsidiaries and (b) any terminated, divested or discontinued businesses, operations and activities that, at the time of termination, divestiture or discontinuation, primarily related to the business, operations or activities described in clause (a) as then conducted, including those set forth on Schedule 1.3 , excluding, in the case of each of clauses (a) and (b), the business, operations and activities primarily related to the Parent Assets.
SpinCo Bylaws shall mean the Amended and Restated Bylaws of SpinCo, substantially in the form of Exhibit B .
SpinCo Cash Amount shall mean $[] million.
SpinCo Certificate of Incorporation shall mean the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of SpinCo, substantially in the form of Exhibit A .
SpinCo Contracts shall mean the following contracts and agreements to which either Party or any member of its Group is a party or by which it or any member of its Group or any of their respective Assets is bound, whether or not in writing; provided that SpinCo Contracts shall not include (a) any contract or agreement that is contemplated to be retained by
Parent or any member of the Parent Group from and after the Effective Time pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or (b) any contract or agreement that would constitute SpinCo Software or SpinCo Technology:
(i) (x) any customer, distribution, supply or vendor contract or agreement with a Third Party entered into prior to the Effective Time primarily related to the SpinCo Business and (y) with respect to any customer, distribution, supply or vendor contract or agreement with a Third Party entered into prior to the Effective Time that relates to the SpinCo Business but is not primarily related to the SpinCo Business, that portion of any such customer, distribution, supply or vendor contract or agreement that relates to the SpinCo Business;
(ii) (x) any license agreement entered into prior to the Effective Time primarily related to the SpinCo Business and (y) with respect to any license agreement entered into prior to the Effective Time that relates to the SpinCo Business but is not primarily related to the SpinCo Business, that portion of any such license agreement that relates to the SpinCo Business;
(iii) any guarantee, indemnity, representation, covenant, warranty or other Liability of either Party or any member of its Group in respect of any other SpinCo Contract, any SpinCo Liability or the SpinCo Business;
(iv) any contract or agreement that is entered into pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements to be assigned to SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group;
(v) any interest rate, currency, commodity or other swap, collar, cap or other hedging or similar agreements or arrangements primarily related to the SpinCo Business;
(vi) any credit agreement, indenture, note or other financing agreement or instrument entered into by SpinCo and/or any member of the SpinCo Group in connection with the Separation, including any SpinCo Financing Arrangements;
(vii) any contract or agreement entered into in the name of, or expressly on behalf of, any division, business unit or member of the SpinCo Group;
(viii) any other contract or agreement not otherwise set forth herein and primarily related to the SpinCo Business or SpinCo Assets;
(ix) any employment, change of control, retention, consulting, indemnification, termination, severance or other similar agreements with any SpinCo Group Employee or consultants of the SpinCo Group that are in effect as of the Effective Time; and
(x) any contracts, agreements or settlements set forth on Schedule 1.4 , including the right to recover any amounts under such contracts, agreements or settlements.
SpinCo Designees shall mean any and all entities (including corporations, general or limited partnerships, trusts, joint ventures, unincorporated organizations, limited liability entities or other entities) designated by Parent that will be members of the SpinCo Group as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.
SpinCo Financing Arrangements shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(a) .
SpinCo Group shall mean (a) prior to the Effective Time, SpinCo and each Person that will be a Subsidiary of SpinCo as of immediately after the Effective Time, including the Transferred Entities, even if, prior to the Effective Time, such Person is not a Subsidiary of SpinCo; and (b) on and after the Effective Time, SpinCo and each Person that is a Subsidiary of SpinCo.
SpinCo Group Employee shall have the meaning set forth in the Employee Matters Agreement.
SpinCo Indemnified Liability shall mean those Liabilities set forth on Schedule 1.5 .
SpinCo Indemnitees shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.3 .
SpinCo Intellectual Property shall mean all Intellectual Property owned by, licensed by or to, or sublicensed by or to either Party or any member of its Group as of the Effective Time primarily used or primarily held for use in the SpinCo Business, and all Intellectual Property set forth on Schedule 1.6 .
SpinCo IP/IT shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a)(vi) .
SpinCo Liabilities shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a) .
SpinCo Permits shall mean all Permits owned or licensed by either Party or any member of its Group primarily used or held for use in the SpinCo Business as of the Effective Time.
SpinCo Shares shall mean the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of SpinCo.
SpinCo Software shall mean all Software owned or licensed by either Party or member of its Group primarily used or primarily held for use in the SpinCo Business as of the Effective Time, including Software set forth on Schedule 1.7 , but excluding Software set forth on Schedule 1.1 .
SpinCo Technology shall mean all Technology owned or licensed by either Party or any member of its Group primarily used or primarily held for use in the SpinCo Business as of the Effective Time, including Technology set forth on Schedule 1.8 , but excluding Technology set forth on Schedule 1.2 .
Straddle Period shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.13 .
Subsidiary shall mean, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, joint venture or partnership of which such Person (a) beneficially owns, either directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of (i) the total combined voting power of all classes of voting securities, (ii) the total combined equity interests or (iii) the capital or profit interests, in the case of a partnership, or (b) otherwise has the power to vote, either directly or indirectly, sufficient securities to elect a majority of the board of directors or similar governing body.
Tangible Information shall mean information that is contained in written, electronic or other tangible forms.
Tax shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.
Tax Authority shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.
Tax Contests shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.
Tax Matters Agreement shall mean the Tax Matters Agreement to be entered into by and between Parent and SpinCo or any members of their respective Groups in connection with the Separation, the Distribution or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time.
Tax Records shall mean any Tax Returns, Tax Return workpapers, documentation relating to any Tax Contests, and any other books of account or records (whether or not in written, electronic or other tangible or intangible forms and whether or not stored on electronic or any other medium) required to be maintained under the Code or other applicable Tax Laws or under any record retention agreement with any Tax Authority.
Tax Return shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.
Technology shall mean all technology, hardware, computers, servers, workstations, routers, hubs, switches, data communication lines, network and telecommunications equipment, Internet-related information technology infrastructure, and other information technology equipment, in each case, other than Software.
Third Party shall mean any Person other than the Parties or any members of their respective Groups.
Third-Party Claim shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(a) .
Transfer Documents shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b) .
Transferred Entities shall mean the entities set forth on Schedule 1.9 .
Transition Services Agreement shall mean the Transition Services Agreement to be entered into by and between Parent and SpinCo or any members of their respective Groups
in connection with the Separation, the Distribution or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time.
Unreleased Parent Liability shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(b)(ii) .
Unreleased SpinCo Liability shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(a)(ii) .
ARTICLE II
THE SEPARATION
2.1 Transfer of Assets and Assumption of Liabilities .
(a) On or prior to the Effective Time, but in any case prior to the Distribution, in accordance with the Plan of Reorganization:
(i) Transfer and Assignment of SpinCo Assets . Parent shall, and shall cause the applicable members of its Group to, contribute, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to SpinCo, or the applicable SpinCo Designees, and SpinCo or such SpinCo Designees shall accept from Parent and the applicable members of the Parent Group, all of Parents and such Parent Group members respective direct or indirect right, title and interest in and to all of the SpinCo Assets (it being understood that if any SpinCo Asset shall be held by a Transferred Entity or a wholly owned Subsidiary of a Transferred Entity, such SpinCo Asset may be assigned, transferred, conveyed and delivered to SpinCo as a result of the transfer of all of the equity interests in such Transferred Entity from Parent or the applicable members of the Parent Group to SpinCo or the applicable SpinCo Designee);
(ii) Acceptance and Assumption of SpinCo Liabilities . SpinCo and the applicable SpinCo Designees shall accept, assume and agree faithfully to perform, discharge and fulfill all the SpinCo Liabilities in accordance with their respective terms. SpinCo and such SpinCo Designees shall be responsible for all SpinCo Liabilities, regardless of when or where such SpinCo Liabilities arose or arise, or whether the facts on which they are based occurred prior to or subsequent to the Effective Time, regardless of where or against whom such SpinCo Liabilities are asserted or determined (including any SpinCo Liabilities arising out of claims made by Parents or SpinCos respective directors, officers, employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates against any member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group) or whether asserted or determined prior to the date hereof, and regardless of whether arising from or alleged to arise from negligence, recklessness, violation of Law, fraud or misrepresentation by any member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates;
(iii) Transfer and Assignment of Parent Assets . Parent and SpinCo shall cause SpinCo and the SpinCo Designees to contribute, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to Parent or certain members of the Parent Group designated by Parent, and Parent or such other members of the Parent Group shall accept from SpinCo and the
SpinCo Designees , all of SpinCos and such SpinCo Designees respective direct or indirect right, title and interest in and to all Parent Assets held by SpinCo or a SpinCo Designee; and
(iv) Acceptance and Assumption of Parent Liabilities . Parent and certain of members of the Parent Group designated by Parent shall accept and assume and agree faithfully to perform, discharge and fulfill all of the Parent Liabilities held by SpinCo or any SpinCo Designee and Parent and the applicable members of the Parent Group shall be responsible for all Parent Liabilities in accordance with their respective terms, regardless of when or where such Parent Liabilities arose or arise, whether the facts on which they are based occurred prior to or subsequent to the Effective Time, where or against whom such Parent Liabilities are asserted or determined (including any such Parent Liabilities arising out of claims made by Parents or SpinCos respective directors, officers, employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates against any member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group) or whether asserted or determined prior to the date hereof, and regardless of whether arising from or alleged to arise from negligence, recklessness, violation of Law, fraud or misrepresentation by any member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates.
(b) Transfer Documents . In furtherance of the contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance and delivery of the Assets and the assumption of the Liabilities in accordance with Section 2.1(a) , (i) each Party shall execute and deliver, and shall cause the applicable members of its Group to execute and deliver, to the other Party, such bills of sale, quitclaim deeds, stock powers, certificates of title, assignments of contracts and other instruments of transfer, conveyance and assignment as and to the extent necessary to evidence the transfer, conveyance and assignment of all of such Partys and the applicable members of its Groups right, title and interest in and to such Assets to the other Party and the applicable members of its Group in accordance with Section 2.1(a) , and (ii) each Party shall execute and deliver, and shall cause the applicable members of its Group to execute and deliver, to the other Party, such assumptions of contracts and other instruments of assumption as and to the extent necessary to evidence the valid and effective assumption of the Liabilities by such Party and the applicable members of its Group in accordance with Section 2.1(a) . All of the foregoing documents contemplated by this Section 2.1(b) shall be referred to collectively herein as the Transfer Documents .
(c) Misallocations . In the event that at any time or from time to time (whether prior to, at or after the Effective Time), one Party (or any member of such Partys Group) shall receive or otherwise possess any Asset that is allocated to the other Party (or any member of such Partys Group) pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, such Party shall promptly transfer, or cause to be transferred, such Asset to the Party so entitled thereto (or to any member of such Partys Group), and such Party (or member of such Partys Group) so entitled thereto shall accept such Asset. Prior to any such transfer, the Person receiving or possessing such Asset shall hold such Asset in trust for such other Person. In the event that at any time or from time to time (whether prior to, at or after the Effective Time), one Party hereto (or any member of such Partys Group) shall receive or otherwise assume any Liability that is allocated to the other Party (or any member of such Partys Group) pursuant to
this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, such other Party shall promptly assume, or cause to be assumed, such Liability and agree to faithfully perform such Liability in accordance with this Agreement.
(d) Waiver of Bulk-Sale and Bulk-Transfer Laws . To the extent permissible under applicable Law, SpinCo hereby waives compliance by each and every member of the Parent Group with the requirements and provisions of any bulk-sale or bulk-transfer Laws of any jurisdiction that may otherwise be applicable with respect to the transfer or sale of any or all of the SpinCo Assets to any member of the SpinCo Group. To the extent permissible under applicable Law, Parent hereby waives compliance by each and every member of the SpinCo Group with the requirements and provisions of any bulk-sale or bulk-transfer Laws of any jurisdiction that may otherwise be applicable with respect to the transfer or sale of any or all of the Parent Assets to any member of the Parent Group.
2.2 SpinCo Assets ; Parent Assets .
(a) SpinCo Assets . For purposes of this Agreement, SpinCo Assets shall mean:
(i) all issued and outstanding capital stock or other equity interests of the Transferred Entities that are owned by either Party or any members of its Group as of the Effective Time;
(ii) all Assets of either Party or any members of its Group included or reflected as assets of the SpinCo Group on the SpinCo Balance Sheet, subject to any dispositions of such Assets subsequent to the date of the SpinCo Balance Sheet; provided that the amounts set forth on the SpinCo Balance Sheet with respect to any Assets shall not be treated as minimum amounts or limitations on the amount of such Assets that are included in the definition of SpinCo Assets pursuant to this clause (ii);
(iii) all Assets of either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time that are of a nature or type that would have resulted in such Assets being included as Assets of SpinCo or members of the SpinCo Group on a pro forma combined balance sheet of the SpinCo Group or any notes or subledgers thereto as of the Effective Time (were such balance sheet, notes and subledgers to be prepared on a basis consistent with the determination of the Assets included on the SpinCo Balance Sheet), it being understood that (x) the SpinCo Balance Sheet shall be used to determine the types of, and methodologies used to determine, those Assets that are included in the definition of SpinCo Assets pursuant to this clause (iii); and (y) the amounts set forth on the SpinCo Balance Sheet with respect to any Assets shall not be treated as minimum amounts or limitations on the amount of such Assets that are included in the definition of SpinCo Assets pursuant to this clause (iii);
(iv) all Assets of either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time that are expressly provided by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement as Assets to be transferred to SpinCo or any other member of the SpinCo Group;
(v) all SpinCo Contracts as of the Effective Time and all rights, interests or claims of either Party or any of the members of its Group thereunder as of the Effective Time;
(vi) all SpinCo Intellectual Property, SpinCo Software and SpinCo Technology as of the Effective Time and all rights, interests or claims of either Party or any of the members of its Group thereunder as of the Effective Time (collectively, the SpinCo IP/IT );
(vii) all SpinCo Permits as of the Effective Time and all rights, interests or claims of either Party or any of the members of its Group thereunder as of the Effective Time;
(viii) all Assets of either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time that are primarily related to the SpinCo Business;
(ix) all rights, interests and claims of either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time with respect to Information primarily related to the SpinCo Assets, the SpinCo Liabilities, the SpinCo Business or the Transferred Entities and, subject to the provisions of the applicable Ancillary Agreements, a non-exclusive right to all Information that is related to, but not primarily related to, the SpinCo Assets, the SpinCo Liabilities, the SpinCo Business or the Transferred Entities;
(x) the SpinCo Cash Amount; and
(xi) any and all Assets set forth on Schedule 2.2(a)(xi) .
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the SpinCo Assets shall not in any event include any Asset referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) of Section 2.2(b) .
(b) Parent Assets . For the purposes of this Agreement, Parent Assets shall mean all Assets of either Party or the members of its Group as of the Effective Time, other than the SpinCo Assets, it being understood that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Parent Assets shall include:
(i) all Assets that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (or the Schedules hereto or thereto) as Assets to be retained by Parent or any other member of the Parent Group;
(ii) all contracts and agreements of either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time (other than the SpinCo Contracts);
(iii) (x) the Intellectual Property set forth on Schedule 2.2(b)(iii) , and (y) all Intellectual Property, Software and Technology of either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time (other than, in the case of this clause (y), the SpinCo IP/IT);
(iv) all Permits of either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time (other than the SpinCo Permits);
(v) all cash and cash equivalents of either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time (other than the SpinCo Cash Amount); and
(vi) any and all Assets set forth on Schedule 2.2(b)(vi) .
2.3 SpinCo Liabilities ; Parent Liabilities .
(a) SpinCo Liabilities . For the purposes of this Agreement, SpinCo Liabilities shall mean the following Liabilities of either Party or any of the members of its Group:
(i) all Liabilities included or reflected as liabilities or obligations of SpinCo or the members of the SpinCo Group on the SpinCo Balance Sheet, subject to any discharge of such Liabilities subsequent to the date of the SpinCo Balance Sheet; provided that the amounts set forth on the SpinCo Balance Sheet with respect to any Liabilities shall not be treated as minimum amounts or limitations on the amount of such Liabilities that are included in the definition of SpinCo Liabilities pursuant to this clause (i);
(ii) all Liabilities as of the Effective Time that are of a nature or type that would have resulted in such Liabilities being included or reflected as liabilities or obligations of SpinCo or the members of the SpinCo Group on a pro forma combined balance sheet of the SpinCo Group or any notes or subledgers thereto as of the Effective Time (were such balance sheet, notes and subledgers to be prepared on a basis consistent with the determination of the Liabilities included on the SpinCo Balance Sheet), it being understood that (x) the SpinCo Balance Sheet shall be used to determine the types of, and methodologies used to determine, those Liabilities that are included in the definition of SpinCo Liabilities pursuant to this clause (ii); and (y) the amounts set forth on the SpinCo Balance Sheet with respect to any Liabilities shall not be treated as minimum amounts or limitations on the amount of such Liabilities that are included in the definition of SpinCo Liabilities pursuant to this clause (ii);
(iii) all Liabilities, including any Environmental Liabilities, relating to, arising out of or resulting from the actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to the Effective Time (whether or not such Liabilities cease being contingent, mature, become known, are asserted or foreseen, or accrue, in each case before, at or after the Effective Time), in each case to the extent that such Liabilities relate to, arise out of or result from the SpinCo Business or a SpinCo Asset;
(iv) any and all Liabilities that are expressly provided by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (or the Schedules hereto or thereto) as Liabilities to be assumed by SpinCo or any other member of the SpinCo Group, and all agreements, obligations and Liabilities of any member of the SpinCo Group under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements;
(v) all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from the SpinCo Contracts, the SpinCo Intellectual Property, the SpinCo Software, the SpinCo Technology, the SpinCo Permits or the SpinCo Financing Arrangements;
(vi) any and all Liabilities set forth on Schedule 2.3(a) ; and
(vii) all Liabilities arising out of claims made by any Third Party (including Parents or SpinCos respective directors, officers, stockholders, employees and agents) against any member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from the SpinCo Business or the SpinCo Assets or the other business, operations, activities or Liabilities of SpinCo referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) above;
provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties agree that the Liabilities set forth on Schedule 2.3(b) and any Liabilities of any member of the Parent Group pursuant to the Ancillary Agreements shall not be SpinCo Liabilities but instead shall be Parent Liabilities.
(b) Parent Liabilities . For the purposes of this Agreement, Parent Liabilities shall mean (i) all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to the Effective Time (whether or not such Liabilities cease being contingent, mature, become known, are asserted or foreseen, or accrue, in each case before, at or after the Effective Time) of any member of the Parent Group and, prior to the Effective Time, any member of the SpinCo Group, in each case that are not SpinCo Liabilities, including any and all Liabilities set forth on Schedule 2.3(b) ; and (ii) all Liabilities arising out of claims made by any Third Party (including Parents or SpinCos respective directors, officers, stockholders, employees and agents) against any member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from the Parent Business or the Parent Assets.
2.4 Approvals and Notifications .
(a) Approvals and Notifications for SpinCo Assets and Liabilities . To the extent that the transfer or assignment of any SpinCo Asset, the assumption of any SpinCo Liability, the Separation, or the Distribution requires any Approvals or Notifications, the Parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain or make such Approvals or Notifications as soon as reasonably practicable; provided , however , that, except to the extent expressly provided in this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements or as otherwise agreed between Parent and SpinCo, neither Parent nor SpinCo shall be obligated to contribute capital or pay any consideration in any form (including providing any letter of credit, guaranty or other financial accommodation) to any Person in order to obtain or make such Approvals or Notifications.
(b) Delayed SpinCo Transfers . If and to the extent that the valid, complete and perfected transfer or assignment to the SpinCo Group of any SpinCo Asset or assumption by the SpinCo Group of any SpinCo Liability in connection with the Separation or the Distribution would be a violation of applicable Law or require any Approvals or Notifications that have not been obtained or made by the Effective Time then, unless the Parties shall otherwise mutually
determine, the transfer or assignment to the SpinCo Group of such SpinCo Assets or the assumption by the SpinCo Group of such SpinCo Liabilities, as the case may be, shall be automatically deemed deferred and any such purported transfer, assignment or assumption shall be null and void until such time as all legal impediments are removed or such Approvals or Notifications have been obtained or made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such SpinCo Assets or SpinCo Liabilities shall continue to constitute SpinCo Assets and SpinCo Liabilities for all other purposes of this Agreement.
(c) Treatment of Delayed SpinCo Assets and Delayed SpinCo Liabilities . If any transfer or assignment of any SpinCo Asset (or a portion thereof) or any assumption of any SpinCo Liability (or a portion thereof) intended to be transferred, assigned or assumed hereunder, as the case may be, is not consummated on or prior to the Effective Time, whether as a result of the provisions of Section 2.4(b) or for any other reason (any such SpinCo Asset (or a portion thereof), a Delayed SpinCo Asset and any such SpinCo Liability (or a portion thereof), a Delayed SpinCo Liability ), then, insofar as reasonably possible and subject to applicable Law, the member of the Parent Group retaining such Delayed SpinCo Asset or such Delayed SpinCo Liability, as the case may be, shall thereafter hold such Delayed SpinCo Asset or Delayed SpinCo Liability, as the case may be, for the use and benefit of the member of the SpinCo Group entitled thereto (at the expense of the member of the SpinCo Group entitled thereto). In addition, the member of the Parent Group retaining such Delayed SpinCo Asset or such Delayed SpinCo Liability shall, insofar as reasonably possible and to the extent permitted by applicable Law, treat such Delayed SpinCo Asset or Delayed SpinCo Liability in the ordinary course of business in accordance with SpinCo Group past practice and take such other actions as may be reasonably requested by the member of the SpinCo Group to whom such Delayed SpinCo Asset is to be transferred or assigned, or which will assume such Delayed SpinCo Liability, as the case may be, in order to place such member of the SpinCo Group in a substantially similar position as if such Delayed SpinCo Asset or Delayed SpinCo Liability had been transferred, assigned or assumed as contemplated hereby and so that all the benefits and burdens relating to such Delayed SpinCo Asset or Delayed SpinCo Liability, as the case may be, including use, risk of loss, potential for gain, and dominion, control and command over such Delayed SpinCo Asset or Delayed SpinCo Liability, as the case may be, and all costs and expenses related thereto, shall inure from and after the Effective Time to the SpinCo Group.
(d) Transfer of Delayed SpinCo Assets and Delayed SpinCo Liabilities . If and when the Approvals or Notifications, the absence of which caused the deferral of transfer or assignment of any Delayed SpinCo Asset or the deferral of assumption of any Delayed SpinCo Liability pursuant to Section 2.4(b) , are obtained or made, and, if and when any other legal impediments for the transfer or assignment of any Delayed SpinCo Asset or the assumption of any Delayed SpinCo Liability have been removed, the transfer or assignment of the applicable Delayed SpinCo Asset or the assumption of the applicable Delayed SpinCo Liability, as the case may be, shall be effected in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and/or the applicable Ancillary Agreement.
(e) Costs for Delayed SpinCo Assets and Delayed SpinCo Liabilities . Any member of the Parent Group retaining a Delayed SpinCo Asset or Delayed SpinCo Liability due to the deferral of the transfer or assignment of such Delayed SpinCo Asset or the deferral of the assumption of such Delayed SpinCo Liability, as the case may be, shall not be obligated, in
connection with the foregoing, to expend any money , unless the necessary funds are advanced (or otherwise made available) by SpinCo or the member of the SpinCo Group entitled to the Delayed SpinCo Asset or Delayed SpinCo Liability, other than reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, attorneys fees and recording or similar fees, all of which shall be promptly reimbursed by SpinCo or the member of the SpinCo Group entitled to such Delayed SpinCo Asset or Delayed SpinCo Liability; provided , however , that the Parent Group shall not knowingly allow the loss or diminution in value of any Delayed SpinCo Asset without first providing the SpinCo Group commercially reasonable notice of such potential loss or diminution in value and affording the SpinCo Group commercially reasonable opportunity to take action to prevent such loss or diminution in value.
(f) Approvals and Notifications for Parent Assets . To the extent that the transfer or assignment of any Parent Asset, the assumption of any Parent Liability, the Separation or the Distribution requires any Approvals or Notifications, the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain or make such Approvals or Notifications as soon as reasonably practicable; provided , however , that, except to the extent expressly provided in this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements or as otherwise agreed between Parent and SpinCo, neither Parent nor SpinCo shall be obligated to contribute capital or pay any consideration in any form (including providing any letter of credit, guaranty or other financial accommodation) to any Person in order to obtain or make such Approvals or Notifications.
(g) Delayed Parent Transfers . If and to the extent that the valid, complete and perfected transfer or assignment to the Parent Group of any Parent Asset or assumption by the Parent Group of any Parent Liability in connection with the Separation or the Distribution would be a violation of applicable Law or require any Approval or Notification that has not been obtained or made by the Effective Time then, unless the Parties mutually shall otherwise determine, the transfer or assignment to the Parent Group of such Parent Assets or the assumption by the Parent Group of such Parent Liabilities, as the case may be, shall be automatically deemed deferred and any such purported transfer, assignment or assumption shall be null and void until such time as all legal impediments are removed or such Approval or Notification has been obtained or made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such Parent Assets or Parent Liabilities shall continue to constitute Parent Assets and Parent Liabilities for all other purposes of this Agreement.
(h) Treatment of Delayed Parent Assets and Delayed Parent Liabilities . If any transfer or assignment of any Parent Asset (or a portion thereof) or any assumption of any Parent Liability (or a portion thereof) intended to be transferred, assigned or assumed hereunder, as the case may be, is not consummated on or prior to the Effective Time whether as a result of the provisions of Section 2.4(g) or for any other reason (any such Parent Asset (or a portion thereof), a Delayed Parent Asset and any such Parent Liability (or a portion thereof), a Delayed Parent Liability ), then, insofar as reasonably possible and subject to applicable Law, the member of the SpinCo Group retaining such Delayed Parent Asset or such Delayed Parent Liability, as the case may be, shall thereafter hold such Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability, as the case may be, for the use and benefit of the member of the Parent Group entitled thereto (at the expense of the member of the Parent Group entitled thereto). In addition, the member of the SpinCo Group retaining such Delayed Parent Asset or such Delayed Parent Liability shall, insofar as reasonably possible and to the extent permitted by applicable Law, treat
such Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability in the ordinary course of business in accordance with Parent Group past practice and take such other actions as may be reasonably requested by the member of the Parent Group to which such Delayed Parent Asset is to be transferred or assigned, or which will assume such Delayed Parent Liability, as the case may be, in order to place such member of the Parent Group in a substantially similar position as if such Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability had been transferred, assigned or assumed and so that all the benefits and burdens relating to such Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability, as the case may be, including use, risk of loss, potential for gain, and dominion, control and command over such Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability, as the case may be, and all costs and expenses related thereto, shall inure from and after the Effective Time to the Parent Group.
(i) Transfer of Delayed Parent Assets and Delayed Parent Liabilities . If and when the Approvals or Notifications, the absence of which caused the deferral of transfer or assignment of any Delayed Parent Asset or the deferral of assumption of any Delayed Parent Liability pursuant to Section 2.4(g) , are obtained or made, and, if and when any other legal impediments for the transfer or assignment of any Delayed Parent Asset or the assumption of any Delayed Parent Liability have been removed, the transfer or assignment of the applicable Delayed Parent Asset or the assumption of the applicable Delayed Parent Liability, as the case may be, shall be effected in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and/or the applicable Ancillary Agreement.
(j) Costs for Delayed Parent Assets and Delayed Parent Liabilities . Any member of the SpinCo Group retaining a Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability due to the deferral of the transfer or assignment of such Delayed Parent Asset or the deferral of the assumption of such Delayed Parent Liability, as the case may be, shall not be obligated, in connection with the foregoing, to expend any money, unless the necessary funds are advanced (or otherwise made available) by Parent or the member of the Parent Group entitled to the Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability, other than reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, attorneys fees and recording or similar fees, all of which shall be promptly reimbursed by Parent or the member of the Parent Group entitled to such Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability; provided , however , that the SpinCo Group shall not knowingly allow the loss or diminution in value of any Delayed Parent Asset without first providing the Parent Group commercially reasonable notice of such potential loss or diminution in value and affording the Parent Group commercially reasonable opportunity to take action to prevent such loss or diminution in value.
2.5 Novation of Liabilities .
(a) Novation of SpinCo Liabilities.
(i) Except as set forth in Schedule 2.5(a) , each of Parent and SpinCo, at the request of the other, shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, as soon as reasonably practicable, any consent, substitution, approval or amendment required to novate or assign all SpinCo Liabilities and obtain in writing the unconditional release of each member of the Parent Group that is a party to any such arrangements, so that, in any such case, the members of the SpinCo Group shall
be solely responsible for such SpinCo Liabilities; provided , however , that, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, neither Parent nor SpinCo shall be obligated to contribute any capital or pay any consideration in any form (including providing any letter of credit, guaranty or other financial accommodation) to any Third Party from whom any such consent, substitution, approval, amendment or release is requested.
(ii) If Parent or SpinCo is unable to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, any such required consent, substitution, approval, amendment or release and the applicable member of the Parent Group continues to be bound by such agreement, lease, license or other obligation or Liability (each, an Unreleased SpinCo Liability ), SpinCo shall, to the extent not prohibited by Law, as indemnitor, guarantor, agent or subcontractor for such member of the Parent Group, as the case may be, (x) pay, perform and discharge fully all the obligations or other Liabilities of such member of the Parent Group that constitute Unreleased SpinCo Liabilities from and after the Effective Time and (y) use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such payment, performance or discharge prior to any demand for such payment, performance or discharge is permitted to be made by the obligee thereunder on any member of the Parent Group. If and when any such consent, substitution, approval, amendment or release shall be obtained or the Unreleased SpinCo Liabilities shall otherwise become assignable or able to be novated, Parent shall promptly assign, or cause to be assigned, and SpinCo or the applicable SpinCo Group member shall assume, such Unreleased SpinCo Liabilities without exchange of further consideration.
(b) Novation of Parent Liabilities.
(i) Each of Parent and SpinCo, at the request of the other, shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, as soon as reasonably practicable, any consent, substitution, approval or amendment required to novate or assign all Parent Liabilities and obtain in writing the unconditional release of each member of the SpinCo Group that is a party to any such arrangements, so that, in any such case, the members of the Parent Group shall be solely responsible for such Parent Liabilities; provided , however , that, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, neither Parent nor SpinCo shall be obligated to contribute any capital or pay any consideration in any form (including providing any letter of credit, guaranty or other financial accommodation) to any Third Party from whom any such consent, substitution, approval, amendment or release is requested.
(ii) If Parent or SpinCo is unable to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, any such required consent, substitution, approval, amendment or release and the applicable member of the SpinCo Group continues to be bound by such agreement, lease, license or other obligation or Liability (each, an Unreleased Parent Liability ), Parent shall, to the extent not prohibited by Law, as indemnitor, guarantor, agent or subcontractor for such member of the SpinCo Group, as the case may be, (x) pay, perform and discharge fully all the obligations or other Liabilities of such member of the SpinCo Group that constitute Unreleased Parent Liabilities from and after the Effective
Time and (y) use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such payment, performance or discharge prior to any demand for such payment, performance or discharge is permitted to be made by the obligee thereunder on any member of the SpinCo Group. If and when any such consent, substitution, approval, amendment or release shall be obtained or the Unreleased Parent Liabilities shall otherwise become assignable or able to be novated, SpinCo shall promptly assign, or cause to be assigned, and Parent or the applicable Parent Group member shall assume, such Unreleased Parent Liabilities without exchange of further consideration.
2.6 Release of Guarantees . In furtherance of, and not in limitation of, the obligations set forth in Section 2.5 :
(a) On or prior to the Effective Time or as soon as practicable thereafter, each of Parent and SpinCo shall, at the request of the other Party and with the reasonable cooperation of such other Party and the applicable member(s) of such other Partys Group, use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) have any member(s) of the Parent Group removed as guarantor of or obligor for any SpinCo Liability to the extent that such guarantee or obligation relates to SpinCo Liabilities, including the removal of any Security Interest on or in any Parent Asset that may serve as collateral or security for any such SpinCo Liability; and (ii) have any member(s) of the SpinCo Group removed as guarantor of or obligor for any Parent Liability to the extent that such guarantee or obligation relates to Parent Liabilities, including the removal of any Security Interest on or in any SpinCo Asset that may serve as collateral or security for any such Parent Liability.
(b) To the extent required to obtain a release from a guarantee of:
(i) any member of the Parent Group, SpinCo shall execute a guarantee agreement in the form of the existing guarantee or such other form as is agreed to by the relevant parties to such guarantee agreement, which agreement shall include the removal of any Security Interest on or in any Parent Asset that may serve as collateral or security for any SpinCo Liability, except to the extent that such existing guarantee contains representations, covenants or other terms or provisions either (x) with which SpinCo would be reasonably unable to comply or (y) which SpinCo would not reasonably be able to avoid breaching; and
(ii) any member of the SpinCo Group, Parent shall execute a guarantee agreement in the form of the existing guarantee or such other form as is agreed to by the relevant parties to such guarantee agreement, which agreement shall include the removal of any Security Interest on or in any SpinCo Asset that may serve as collateral or security for any Parent Liability, except to the extent that such existing guarantee contains representations, covenants or other terms or provisions either (x) with which Parent would be reasonably unable to comply or (y) which Parent would not reasonably be able to avoid breaching.
(c) If Parent or SpinCo is unable to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, any such required removal or release as set forth in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 2.6 , (i) the Party or the relevant member of its Group that has assumed the Liability with respect to such
guarantee shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the guarantor or obligor against or from any Liability arising from or relating thereto in accordance with the provisions of Article IV and shall, as agent or subcontractor for such guarantor or obligor, pay, perform and discharge fully all the obligations or other Liabilities of such guarantor or obligor thereunder; and (ii) each of Parent and SpinCo, on behalf of itself and the other members of their respective Groups, agree not to renew or extend the term of, increase any obligations under, or transfer to a Third Party, any loan, guarantee, lease, contract or other obligation for which the other Party or a member of its Group is or may be liable, unless all obligations of such other Party and the members of such other Partys Group with respect thereto are thereupon terminated by documentation satisfactory in form and substance to such other Party.
2.7 Termination of Agreements .
(a) Except as set forth in Section 2.7(b) , in furtherance of the releases and other provisions of Section 4.1 , SpinCo and each member of the SpinCo Group, on the one hand, and Parent and each member of the Parent Group, on the other hand, hereby terminate any and all agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings, whether or not in writing, between or among SpinCo and/or any member of the SpinCo Group, on the one hand, and Parent and/or any member of the Parent Group, on the other hand, effective as of the Effective Time. No such terminated agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding (including any provision thereof which purports to survive termination) shall be of any further force or effect after the Effective Time. Each Party shall, at the reasonable request of the other Party, take, or cause to be taken, such other actions as may be necessary to effect the foregoing.
(b) The provisions of Section 2.7(a) shall not apply to any of the following agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings (or to any of the provisions thereof): (i) this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements (and each other agreement or instrument expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement to be entered into by any of the Parties or any of the members of their respective Groups or to be continued from and after the Effective Time); (ii) any agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings listed or described on Schedule 2.7(b)(ii) ; (iii) any agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings to which any Third Party is a party thereto; (iv) any intercompany accounts payable or accounts receivable accrued as of the Effective Time that are reflected in the books and records of the Parties or otherwise documented in writing in accordance with past practices, which shall be settled in the manner contemplated by Section 2.7(c) ; (v) any agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings to which any non-wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent or SpinCo, as the case may be, is a party (it being understood that directors qualifying shares or similar interests will be disregarded for purposes of determining whether a Subsidiary is wholly owned); and (vi) any Shared Contracts.
(c) All of the intercompany accounts receivable and accounts payable between any member of the Parent Group, on the one hand, and any member of the SpinCo Group, on the other hand, outstanding as of the Effective Time shall, as promptly as practicable after the Effective Time, be repaid, settled or otherwise eliminated by means of cash payments, a dividend, capital contribution, a combination of the foregoing, or otherwise as determined by Parent in its sole and absolute discretion.
2.8 Treatment of Shared Contracts .
(a) Subject to applicable Law and without limiting the generality of the obligations set forth in Section 2.1 , unless the Parties otherwise agree or the benefits of any contract, agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding described in this Section 2.8 are expressly conveyed to the applicable Party pursuant to this Agreement or an Ancillary Agreement, any contract or agreement, a portion of which is a SpinCo Contract, but the remainder of which is a Parent Asset (any such contract or agreement, a Shared Contract ), shall be assigned in relevant part to the applicable member(s) of the applicable Group, if so assignable, or appropriately amended prior to, on or after the Effective Time, so that each Party or the member of its Group shall, as of the Effective Time, be entitled to the rights and benefits, and shall assume the related portion of any Liabilities, inuring to its respective businesses; provided , however , that (i) in no event shall any member of any Group be required to assign (or amend) any Shared Contract in its entirety or to assign a portion of any Shared Contract that is not assignable (or cannot be amended) by its terms (including any terms imposing consents or conditions on an assignment where such consents or conditions have not been obtained or fulfilled) and (ii) if any Shared Contract cannot be so partially assigned by its terms or otherwise, or cannot be amended or if such assignment or amendment would impair the benefit the parties thereto derive from such Shared Contract, then the Parties shall, and shall cause each of the members of their respective Groups to, take such other reasonable and permissible actions (including by providing prompt notice to the other Party with respect to any relevant claim of Liability or other relevant matters arising in connection with a Shared Contract so as to allow such other Party the ability to exercise any applicable rights under such Shared Contract) to cause a member of the SpinCo Group or the Parent Group, as the case may be, to receive the rights and benefits of that portion of each Shared Contract that relates to the SpinCo Business or the Parent Business, as the case may be (in each case, to the extent so related), as if such Shared Contract had been assigned to a member of the applicable Group (or amended to allow a member of the applicable Group to exercise applicable rights under such Shared Contract) pursuant to this Section 2.8 , and to bear the burden of the corresponding Liabilities (including any Liabilities that may arise by reason of such arrangement), as if such Liabilities had been assumed by a member of the applicable Group pursuant to this Section 2.8 .
(b) Each of Parent and SpinCo shall, and shall cause the members of its Group to, (i) treat for all Tax purposes the portion of each Shared Contract inuring to its respective businesses as an Asset owned by, and/or a Liability of, as applicable, such Party, or the members of its Group, as applicable, not later than the Effective Time, and (ii) neither report nor take any Tax position (on a Tax Return or otherwise) inconsistent with such treatment (unless required by applicable Law).
(c) Nothing in this Section 2.8 shall require any member of any Group to make any non- de minimis payment (except to the extent advanced, assumed or agreed in advance to be reimbursed by any member of the other Group), incur any non- de minimis obligation or grant any non- de minimis concession for the benefit of any member of any other Group in order to effect any transaction contemplated by this Section 2.8 .
2.9 Bank Accounts; Cash Balances .
(a) Each Party agrees to take, or cause the members of its Group to take, at the Effective Time (or such earlier time as the Parties may agree), all actions necessary to amend all contracts or agreements governing each bank and brokerage account owned by SpinCo or any other member of the SpinCo Group (collectively, the SpinCo Accounts ) and all contracts or agreements governing each bank or brokerage account owned by Parent or any other member of the Parent Group (collectively, the Parent Accounts ) so that each such SpinCo Account and Parent Account, if currently Linked (whether by automatic withdrawal, automatic deposit or any other authorization to transfer funds from or to, hereinafter L inked ) to any Parent Account or SpinCo Account, respectively, is de-Linked from such Parent Account or SpinCo Account, respectively.
(b) It is intended that, following consummation of the actions contemplated by Section 2.9(a) , there will be in place a cash management process pursuant to which the SpinCo Accounts will be managed and funds collected will be transferred into one (1) or more accounts maintained by SpinCo or a member of the SpinCo Group.
(c) It is intended that, following consummation of the actions contemplated by Section 2.9(a) , there will continue to be in place a cash management process pursuant to which the Parent Accounts will be managed and funds collected will be transferred into one (1) or more accounts maintained by Parent or a member of the Parent Group.
(d) With respect to any outstanding checks issued or payments initiated by Parent, SpinCo, or any of the members of their respective Groups prior to the Effective Time, such outstanding checks and payments shall be honored following the Effective Time by the Person or Group owning the account on which the check is drawn or from which the payment was initiated, respectively.
(e) As between Parent and SpinCo (and the members of their respective Groups), all payments made and reimbursements received after the Effective Time by either Party (or member of its Group) that relate to a business, Asset or Liability of the other Party (or member of its Group), shall be held by such Party in trust for the use and benefit of the Party entitled thereto and, promptly following receipt by such Party of any such payment or reimbursement, such Party shall pay over, or shall cause the applicable member of its Group to pay over to the other Party, the amount of such payment or reimbursement without right of set-off.
2.10 Ancillary Agreements . Effective on or prior to the Effective Time, each of Parent and SpinCo will, or will cause the applicable members of their Groups to, execute and deliver all Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party.
2.11 Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties . EACH OF PARENT (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND EACH MEMBER OF THE PARENT GROUP) AND SPINCO (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND EACH MEMBER OF THE SPINCO GROUP) UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN OR IN ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, NO PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY
ANCILLARY AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT OR OTHERWISE, IS REPRESENTING OR WARRANTING IN ANY WAY AS TO: (A) THE ASSETS, BUSINESSES OR LIABILITIES TRANSFERRED OR ASSUMED AS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, (B) ANY CONSENTS OR APPROVALS REQUIRED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, (C) THE VALUE OR FREEDOM FROM ANY SECURITY INTERESTS OF, OR ANY OTHER MATTER CONCERNING, ANY ASSETS OF SUCH PARTY, (D) THE ABSENCE OF ANY DEFENSES OR RIGHT OF SET-OFF OR FREEDOM FROM COUNTERCLAIM WITH RESPECT TO ANY CLAIM OR OTHER ASSET, INCLUDING ANY ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, OF ANY PARTY, OR (E) AS TO THE LEGAL SUFFICIENCY OF ANY ASSIGNMENT, DOCUMENT OR INSTRUMENT DELIVERED HEREUNDER TO CONVEY TITLE TO ANY ASSET OR THING OF VALUE UPON THE EXECUTION, DELIVERY AND FILING HEREOF OR THEREOF. EXCEPT AS MAY EXPRESSLY BE SET FORTH HEREIN OR IN ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, ALL SUCH ASSETS ARE BEING TRANSFERRED ON AN AS IS, WHERE IS BASIS (AND, IN THE CASE OF ANY REAL PROPERTY, BY MEANS OF A QUITCLAIM OR SIMILAR FORM OF DEED OR CONVEYANCE) AND THE RESPECTIVE TRANSFEREES SHALL BEAR THE ECONOMIC AND LEGAL RISKS THAT (I) ANY CONVEYANCE WILL PROVE TO BE INSUFFICIENT TO VEST IN THE TRANSFEREE GOOD AND MARKETABLE TITLE, FREE AND CLEAR OF ANY SECURITY INTEREST, AND (II) ANY NECESSARY APPROVALS OR NOTIFICATIONS ARE NOT OBTAINED OR MADE OR THAT ANY REQUIREMENTS OF LAWS OR JUDGMENTS ARE NOT COMPLIED WITH.
2.12 SpinCo Financing Arrangements; SpinCo Debt Incurrence .
(a) Prior to the Effective Time, and in accordance with the Plan of Reorganization, SpinCo and/or other members of the SpinCo Group will enter into one or more financing arrangements and agreements (the SpinCo Financing Arrangements ). Pursuant to the SpinCo Financing Arrangements, SpinCo shall issue senior notes to Parent (or an entity disregarded as separate from Parent for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and incur term loan debt from Parent (or an entity disregarded as separate from Parent for U.S. federal income tax purposes) in partial consideration for the transfer of the SpinCo Assets to SpinCo (collectively, the SpinCo Debt ).
(b) The Parties agree that SpinCo or another member of the SpinCo Group, as the case may be, and not Parent or any member of the Parent Group, are and shall be responsible for all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the SpinCo Financing Arrangements.
(c) Prior the Effective Time, Parent and SpinCo shall cooperate in the preparation of all materials as may be necessary or advisable to execute the SpinCo Financing Arrangements.
2.13 Financial Information Certifications . Parents disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting (as each is contemplated by the Exchange Act) are currently applicable to SpinCo as its Subsidiary. In order to enable the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of SpinCo to make the certifications
required of them under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 following the Distribution in respect of any quarterly or annual fiscal period of SpinCo that begins on or prior to the Distribution Date in respect of which financial statements are not included in the Form 10 (a Straddle Period ), upon twenty (20) Business Days advance written request by SpinCo, Parent shall provide SpinCo with one (1) or more certifications with respect to such disclosure controls and procedures and the effectiveness thereof and whether there were any changes in the internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the internal control over financing reporting, which certification(s) shall (x) be with respect to the applicable Straddle Period (it being understood that no certification need be provided with respect to any period or portion of any period after the Distribution Date) and (y) be in substantially the same form as those that had been provided by officers or employees of Parent in similar certifications delivered prior to the Distribution Date, with such changes thereto as Parent may reasonably determine. Such certification(s) shall be provided by Parent (and not by any officer or employee in their individual capacity).
ARTICLE III
THE DISTRIBUTION
3.1 Sole and Absolute Discretion; Cooperation .
(a) Parent shall, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine the terms of the Distribution, including the form, structure and terms of any transaction(s) and/or offering(s) to effect the Distribution and the timing and conditions to the consummation of the Distribution. In addition, Parent may, at any time and from time to time until the consummation of the Distribution, modify or change the terms of the Distribution, including by accelerating or delaying the timing of the consummation of all or part of the Distribution. Nothing shall in any way limit Parents right to terminate this Agreement or the Distribution as set forth in Article IX or alter the consequences of any such termination from those specified in Article IX .
(b) SpinCo shall cooperate with Parent to accomplish the Distribution and shall, at Parents direction, promptly take any and all actions necessary or desirable to effect the Distribution, including in respect of the registration under the Exchange Act of SpinCo Shares on the Form 10. Parent shall select any investment bank or manager in connection with the Distribution, as well as any financial printer, solicitation and/or exchange agent and financial, legal, accounting and other advisors for Parent. SpinCo and Parent, as the case may be, will provide to the Distribution Agent any information required in order to complete the Distribution.
3.2 Actions Prior to the Distribution . Prior to the Effective Time and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Parties shall take, or cause to be taken, the following actions in connection with the Distribution:
(a) Notice to NYSE . Parent shall, to the extent possible, give the NYSE not less than ten (10) days advance notice of the Record Date in compliance with Rule 10b-17 under the Exchange Act.
(b) SpinCo Certificate of Incorporation and SpinCo Bylaws . On or prior to the Distribution Date, Parent and SpinCo shall take all necessary actions so that, as of the
Effective Time, the SpinCo Certificate of Incorporation and the SpinCo Bylaws shall become the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of SpinCo, respectively.
(c) SpinCo Directors and Officers . On or prior to the Distribution Date, Parent and SpinCo shall take all necessary actions so that as of the Effective Time: (i) the directors and executive officers of SpinCo shall be those set forth in the Information Statement made available to the Record Holders prior to the Distribution Date, unless otherwise agreed by the Parties; (ii) each individual referred to in clause (i) shall have resigned from his or her position, if any, as a member of the Parent Board and/or as an executive officer of Parent; and (iii) SpinCo shall have such other officers as SpinCo shall appoint.
(d) [] Listing . SpinCo shall prepare and file, and shall use its best efforts to have approved, an application for the listing of the SpinCo Shares to be distributed in the Distribution on the [], subject to official notice of distribution.
(e) Securities Law Matters . SpinCo shall file any amendments or supplements to the Form 10 as may be necessary or advisable in order to cause the Form 10 to become and remain effective as required by the SEC or federal, state or other applicable securities Laws. Parent and SpinCo shall cooperate in preparing, filing with the SEC and causing to become effective registration statements or amendments thereof that are required to reflect the establishment of, or amendments to, any employee benefit and other plans necessary or advisable in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements. Parent and SpinCo will prepare, and SpinCo will, to the extent required under applicable Law, file with the SEC any such documentation and any requisite no-action letters that Parent determines are necessary or desirable to effectuate the Distribution, and Parent and SpinCo shall each use its reasonable best efforts to obtain all necessary approvals from the SEC with respect thereto as soon as practicable. Parent and SpinCo shall take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate under the securities or blue sky Laws of the United States (and any comparable Laws under any foreign jurisdiction) in connection with the Distribution.
(f) Availability of Information Statement . Parent shall, as soon as is reasonably practicable after the Form 10 is declared effective under the Exchange Act and the Parent Board has approved the Distribution, cause the Information Statement to be made available to the Record Holders.
(g) The Distribution Agent . Parent shall enter into a distribution agent agreement with the Distribution Agent or otherwise provide instructions to the Distribution Agent regarding the Distribution.
(h) Stock-Based Employee Benefit Plans . Parent and SpinCo shall take all actions as may be necessary to approve the grants of adjusted equity awards by Parent (in respect of Parent Shares) and SpinCo (in respect of SpinCo Shares) in connection with the Distribution in order to satisfy the requirements of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.
3.3 Conditions to the Distribution .
(a) The consummation of the Distribution will be subject to the satisfaction, or waiver by Parent in its sole and absolute discretion, of the following conditions:
(i) The SEC shall have declared effective the Form 10; no order suspending the effectiveness of the Form 10 shall be in effect; and no proceedings for such purposes shall have been instituted or threatened by the SEC;
(ii) The Information Statement shall have been made available to the Record Holders;
(iii) Parent shall have received a private letter ruling from the IRS, satisfactory to the Parent Board, regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters;
(iv) Parent shall have received one or more opinions from its tax advisors, in each case satisfactory to the Parent Board, regarding the qualification of the Contribution and the Distribution, taken together, as a transaction described in Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code;
(v) An independent appraisal firm acceptable to Parent shall have delivered one (1) or more opinions to the Parent Board confirming the solvency and financial viability of Parent prior to the Distribution and of Parent and SpinCo after consummation of the Distribution, and such opinions shall be acceptable to Parent in form and substance in Parents sole discretion and such opinions shall not have been withdrawn or rescinded;
(vi) The transfer of the SpinCo Assets (other than any Delayed SpinCo Asset) and SpinCo Liabilities (other than any Delayed SpinCo Liability) contemplated to be transferred from Parent (or the applicable members of its Group) to SpinCo on or prior to the Distribution shall have occurred as contemplated by Section 2.1 , and the transfer of the Parent Assets (other than any Delayed Parent Asset) and Parent Liabilities (other than any Delayed Parent Liability) contemplated to be transferred from SpinCo to Parent (or the applicable members of its Group) on or prior to the Distribution Date shall have occurred as contemplated by Section 2.1 , in each case pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization;
(vii) The actions and filings necessary or appropriate under applicable U.S. federal, U.S. state or other securities Laws or blue sky Laws and the rules and regulations thereunder shall have been taken or made, and, where applicable, have become effective or been accepted by the applicable Governmental Authority;
(viii) The actions and filings necessary or appropriate with respect to applicable state insurance and residential service contract regulators, including in California, Florida and Texas, shall have been taken or made, and, where applicable, have become effective or been accepted by the applicable Governmental Authority;
(ix) Each of the Ancillary Agreements shall have been duly executed and delivered by the applicable parties thereto;
(x) No order, injunction or decree issued by any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the
consummation of the Separation, the Distribution or any of the transactions related thereto shall be pending or in effect;
(xi) The SpinCo Shares to be distributed to the Parent stockholders in the Distribution shall have been accepted for listing on the [], subject to official notice of distribution;
(xii) SpinCo and/or other members of the SpinCo Group shall have consummated, as applicable, the SpinCo Financing Arrangements. SpinCo shall have issued and incurred the SpinCo Debt on terms satisfactory to Parent in its sole and absolute discretion. Parent shall be satisfied in its sole and absolute discretion that, as of the Effective Time, it shall have no Liability whatsoever under the SpinCo Financing Arrangements;
(xiii) The Debt Exchange shall have been consummated in a manner satisfactory to Parent in its sole and absolute discretion; and
(xiv) No other events or developments shall exist or shall have occurred that, in the judgment of the Parent Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, makes it inadvisable to effect the Separation, the Distribution or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.
(b) The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of Parent and shall not give rise to or create any duty on the part of Parent or the Parent Board to waive or not waive any such condition or in any way limit Parents right to terminate this Agreement as set forth in Article IX or alter the consequences of any such termination from those specified in Article IX . Any determination made by the Parent Board prior to the Distribution concerning the satisfaction or waiver of any or all of the conditions set forth in Section 3.3(a) shall be conclusive and binding on the Parties. If Parent waives any material condition, it shall promptly issue a press release disclosing such fact and file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC describing such waiver.
3.4 The Distribution .
(a) Subject to Section 3.3 , on or prior to the Effective Time, SpinCo will deliver to the Distribution Agent, for the benefit of the Record Holders, book-entry transfer authorizations for such number of the outstanding SpinCo Shares as is necessary to effect the Distribution, and shall cause the transfer agent for the Parent Shares to instruct the Distribution Agent to distribute at the Effective Time the appropriate number of SpinCo Shares to each such holder or designated transferee or transferees of such holder by way of direct registration in book-entry form. SpinCo will not issue paper stock certificates in respect of the SpinCo Shares. The Distribution shall be effective at the Effective Time.
(b) Subject to Sections 3.3 and 3.4(c) , each Record Holder will be entitled to receive in the Distribution a number of whole SpinCo Shares equal to the number of Parent Shares held by such Record Holder on the Record Date multiplied by the Distribution Ratio, rounded down to the nearest whole number.
(c) No fractional shares will be distributed or credited to book-entry accounts in connection with the Distribution, and any such fractional share interests to which a Record Holder would otherwise be entitled shall not entitle such Record Holder to vote or to any other rights as a stockholder of SpinCo. In lieu of retaining any such fractional shares, each Record Holder who, but for the provisions of this Section 3.4(c) , would be entitled to a fractional share interest of a SpinCo Share pursuant to the Distribution, shall be paid cash, without any interest thereon, as hereinafter provided. As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, Parent shall direct the Distribution Agent to determine the number of whole and fractional SpinCo Shares allocable to each Record Holder, to aggregate all such fractional shares into whole shares, and to sell the whole shares obtained thereby in the open market at the then-prevailing prices on behalf of each Record Holder who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional share interests (with the Distribution Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, determining when, how and through which broker-dealer and at what price to make such sales), and to cause to be distributed to each such Record Holder, in lieu of any fractional share, such Record Holders or owners ratable share of the total proceeds of such sale, after deducting any Taxes required to be withheld and applicable transfer Taxes, and after deducting the costs and expenses of such sale and distribution, including brokers fees and commissions. None of Parent, SpinCo or the Distribution Agent will be required to guarantee any minimum sale price for the fractional SpinCo Shares sold in accordance with this Section 3.4(c) . Neither Parent nor SpinCo will be required to pay any interest on the proceeds from the sale of fractional shares. Neither the Distribution Agent nor the broker-dealers through which the aggregated fractional shares are sold shall be Affiliates of Parent or SpinCo. Solely for purposes of computing fractional share interests pursuant to this Section 3.4(c) and Section 3.4(d) , the beneficial owner of Parent Shares held of record in the name of a nominee in any nominee account shall be treated as the Record Holder with respect to such shares.
(d) Any SpinCo Shares or cash in lieu of fractional shares with respect to SpinCo Shares that remain unclaimed by any Record Holder one hundred eighty (180) days after the Distribution Date shall be delivered to SpinCo, and SpinCo or its transfer agent on its behalf shall hold such SpinCo Shares and cash for the account of such Record Holder, and the Parties agree that all obligations to provide such SpinCo Shares and cash, if any, in lieu of fractional share interests shall be obligations of SpinCo, subject in each case to applicable escheat or other abandoned property Laws, and Parent shall have no Liability with respect thereto.
(e) Until the SpinCo Shares are duly transferred in accordance with this Section 3.4 and applicable Law, from and after the Effective Time, SpinCo will regard the Persons entitled to receive such SpinCo Shares as record holders of SpinCo Shares in accordance with the terms of the Distribution without requiring any action on the part of such Persons. SpinCo agrees that, subject to any transfers of such shares, from and after the Effective Time, (i) each such holder will be entitled to receive all dividends, if any, payable on, and exercise voting rights and all other rights and privileges with respect to, the SpinCo Shares then held by such holder, and (ii) each such holder will be entitled, without any action on the part of such holder, to receive evidence of ownership of the SpinCo Shares then held by such holder.
ARTICLE IV
MUTUAL RELEASES; INDEMNIFICATION
4.1 Release of Pre- Distribution Claims .
(a) SpinCo Release of Parent. Except as provided in Sections 4.1(c) and 4.1(d) , effective as of the Effective Time, SpinCo does hereby, for itself and each other member of the SpinCo Group, and their respective successors and assigns, and, to the extent permitted by Law, all Persons who at any time prior to the Effective Time have been stockholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the SpinCo Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), remise, release and forever discharge (i) Parent and the members of the Parent Group, and their respective successors and assigns, (ii) all Persons who at any time prior to the Effective Time have been stockholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the Parent Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and (iii) all Persons who at any time prior to the Effective Time are or have been stockholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of a Transferred Entity and who are not, as of immediately following the Effective Time, directors, officers or employees of SpinCo or a member of the SpinCo Group, in each case from: (A) all SpinCo Liabilities, (B) all Liabilities arising from or in connection with the transactions and all other activities to implement the Separation and the Distribution and (C) all Liabilities arising from or in connection with actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to the Effective Time (whether or not such Liabilities cease being contingent, mature, become known, are asserted or foreseen, or accrue, in each case before, at or after the Effective Time), in each case to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from the SpinCo Business, the SpinCo Assets or the SpinCo Liabilities.
(b) Parent Release of SpinCo. Except as provided in Section s 4.1(c) and 4.1(d) , effective as of the Effective Time, Parent does hereby, for itself and each other member of the Parent Group and their respective successors and assigns, and, to the extent permitted by Law, all Persons who at any time prior to the Effective Time have been stockholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the Parent Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), remise, release and forever discharge (i) SpinCo and the members of the SpinCo Group and their respective successors and assigns, and (ii) all Persons who at any time prior to the Effective Time have been stockholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the SpinCo Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, from (A) all Parent Liabilities, (B) all Liabilities arising from or in connection with the transactions and all other activities to implement the Separation and the Distribution and (C) all Liabilities arising from or in connection with actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to the Effective Time (whether or not such Liabilities cease being contingent, mature, become known, are asserted or foreseen, or accrue, in each case before, at or after the Effective Time), in each case to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from the Parent Business, the Parent Assets or the Parent Liabilities.
(c) Obligations Not Affected. Nothing contained in Section 4.1(a) or 4.1(b) shall impair any right of any Person to enforce this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or any agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings that are specified in Section 2.7(b) or
the applicable Schedules thereto as not to terminate as of the Effective Time, in each case in accordance with its terms. Nothing contained in Section 4.1(a) or 4.1(b) shall release any Person from:
(i) any Liability provided in or resulting from any agreement among any members of the Parent Group or any members of the SpinCo Group that is specified in Section 2.7(b) or the applicable Schedules thereto as not to terminate as of the Effective Time, or any other Liability specified in Section 2.7(b) as not to terminate as of the Effective Time;
(ii) any Liability, contingent or otherwise, assumed, transferred, assigned or allocated to the Group of which such Person is a member in accordance with, or any other Liability of any member of any Group under, this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement;
(iii) any Liability for the sale, lease, construction or receipt of goods, property or services purchased, obtained or used in the ordinary course of business by a member of one Group from a member of the other Group prior to the Effective Time;
(iv) any Liability that the Parties may have with respect to indemnification or contribution or other obligation pursuant to this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or otherwise for claims brought against the Parties by Third Parties, which Liability shall be governed by the provisions of this Article IV and Article V and, if applicable, the appropriate provisions of the Ancillary Agreements; or
(v) any Liability the release of which would result in the release of any Person other than a Person released pursuant to this Section 4.1 .
In addition, nothing contained in Section 4.1(a) shall release any member of the Parent Group from honoring its existing obligations to indemnify any director, officer or employee of SpinCo who was a director, officer or employee of any member of the Parent Group on or prior to the Effective Time, to the extent such director, officer or employee becomes a named defendant in any Action with respect to which such director, officer or employee was entitled to such indemnification pursuant to such existing obligations; it being understood that, if the underlying obligation giving rise to such Action is a SpinCo Liability, SpinCo shall indemnify Parent for such Liability (including Parents costs to indemnify the director, officer or employee) in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Article IV .
(d) No Claims. SpinCo shall not make, and shall not permit any other member of the SpinCo Group to make, any claim or demand, or commence any Action asserting any claim or demand, including any claim of contribution or any indemnification, against Parent or any other member of the Parent Group, or any other Person released pursuant to Section 4.1(a) , with respect to any Liabilities released pursuant to Section 4.1(a) . Parent shall not make, and shall not permit any other member of the Parent Group to make, any claim or demand, or commence any Action asserting any claim or demand, including any claim of contribution or any indemnification, against SpinCo or any other member of the SpinCo Group, or any other Person
released pursuant to Section 4.1(b) , with respect to any Liabilities released pursuant to Section 4.1(b) .
(e) Execution of Further Releases. At any time at or after the Effective Time, at the request of either Party, the other Party shall cause each member of its respective Group to execute and deliver releases reflecting the provisions of this Section 4.1 .
4.2 Indemnification by SpinCo . Except as otherwise specifically set forth in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, SpinCo shall, and shall cause the other members of the SpinCo Group to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless Parent, each member of the Parent Group and each of their respective past, present and future directors, officers, employees and agents, in each case in their respective capacities as such, and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing (collectively, the Parent Indemnitees ), from and against any and all Liabilities of the Parent Indemnitees relating to, arising out of or resulting from, directly or indirectly, any of the following items (without duplication):
(a) any SpinCo Liability;
(b) any failure of SpinCo, any other member of the SpinCo Group or any other Person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any SpinCo Liabilities in accordance with their terms, whether prior to, on or after the Effective Time;
(c) any breach by SpinCo or any other member of the SpinCo Group of this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements;
(d) except to the extent it relates to a Parent Liability, any guarantee, indemnification or contribution obligation, surety bond or other credit support agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding for the benefit of any member of the SpinCo Group by any member of the Parent Group that survives following the Distribution;
(e) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, with respect to all information contained in the Form 10, the Information Statement (as amended or supplemented if SpinCo shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or any other Disclosure Document, other than the matters described in clause (e) of Section 4.3 ; or
(f) [any SpinCo Indemnified Liability.]
4.3 Indemnification by Parent . Except as otherwise specifically set forth in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, Parent shall, and shall cause the other members of the Parent Group to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless SpinCo, each member of the SpinCo Group and each of their respective past, present and future directors, officers, employees or agents, in each case in their respective capacities as such, and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing (collectively, the SpinCo Indemnitees ), from and against any and all Liabilities of the SpinCo
Indemnitees relating to, arising out of or resulting from, directly or indirectly, any of the following items (without duplication):
(a) any Parent Liability;
(b) any failure of Parent, any other member of the Parent Group or any other Person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any Parent Liabilities in accordance with their terms, whether prior to, on or after the Effective Time;
(c) any breach by Parent or any other member of the Parent Group of this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements;
(d) except to the extent it relates to a SpinCo Liability, any guarantee, indemnification or contribution obligation, surety bond or other credit support agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding for the benefit of any member of the Parent Group by any member of the SpinCo Group that survives following the Distribution; and
(e) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, with respect to statements made explicitly in Parents name in the Form 10, the Information Statement (as amended or supplemented if SpinCo shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or any other Disclosure Document; it being agreed that the statements set forth on Schedule 4.3(e) shall be the only statements made explicitly in Parents name in the Form 10, the Information Statement or any other Disclosure Document, and all other information contained in the Form 10, the Information Statement or any other Disclosure Document shall be deemed to be information supplied by SpinCo.
4.4 Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds and Other Amounts .
(a) The Parties intend that any Liability subject to indemnification, contribution or reimbursement pursuant to this Article IV or Article V will be net of Insurance Proceeds or other amounts actually recovered (net of any out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof) from any Person by or on behalf of the Indemnitee in respect of any indemnifiable Liability. Accordingly, the amount that either Party (an Indemnifying Party ) is required to pay to any Person entitled to indemnification or contribution hereunder (an Indemnitee ) will be reduced by any Insurance Proceeds or other amounts actually recovered (net of any out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof) from any Person by or on behalf of the Indemnitee in respect of the related Liability. If an Indemnitee receives a payment (an Indemnity Payment ) required by this Agreement from an Indemnifying Party in respect of any Liability and subsequently receives Insurance Proceeds or any other amounts in respect of such Liability, then the Indemnitee will pay to the Indemnifying Party an amount equal to the excess of the Indemnity Payment received over the amount of the Indemnity Payment that would have been due if the Insurance Proceeds or such other amounts (net of any out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof) had been received, realized or recovered before the Indemnity Payment was made.
(b) The Parties agree that an insurer that would otherwise be obligated to pay any claim shall not be relieved of the responsibility with respect thereto or, solely by virtue of any provision contained in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, have any subrogation rights with respect thereto, it being understood that no insurer or any other Third Party shall be entitled to a windfall ( i.e. , a benefit they would not be entitled to receive in the absence of the indemnification provisions) by virtue of the indemnification and contribution provisions hereof. Each Party shall, and shall cause the members of its Group to, use commercially reasonable efforts (taking into account the probability of success on the merits and the cost of expending such efforts, including attorneys fees and expenses) to collect or recover any Insurance Proceeds that may be collectible or recoverable respecting the Liabilities for which indemnification or contribution may be available under this Article IV . Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Indemnifying Party may not delay making any indemnification payment required under the terms of this Agreement, or otherwise satisfying any indemnification obligation, pending the outcome of any Action to collect or recover Insurance Proceeds, and an Indemnitee need not attempt to collect any Insurance Proceeds prior to making a claim for indemnification or contribution or receiving any Indemnity Payment otherwise owed to it under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.
4.5 Procedures for Indemnification of Third-Party Claims .
(a) Notice of Claims. If, at or following the Effective Time, an Indemnitee shall receive notice or otherwise learn of the assertion by a Person (including any Governmental Authority) who is not a member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group of any claim or of the commencement by any such Person of any Action (collectively, a Third-Party Claim ) with respect to which an Indemnifying Party may be obligated to provide indemnification to such Indemnitee pursuant to Section 4.2 or 4.3 , or any other Section of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, such Indemnitee shall give such Indemnifying Party written notice thereof as soon as practicable, but in any event within fourteen (14) days (or sooner if the nature of the Third-Party Claim so requires) after becoming aware of such Third-Party Claim. Any such notice shall describe the Third-Party Claim in reasonable detail, including the facts and circumstances giving rise to such claim for indemnification, and include copies of all notices and documents (including court papers) received by the Indemnitee relating to the Third-Party Claim. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure of an Indemnitee to provide notice in accordance with this Section 4.5(a) shall not relieve an Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement, except to the extent to which the Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced by the Indemnitees failure to provide notice in accordance with this Section 4.5(a) .
(b) Control of Defense. An Indemnifying Party may elect to defend (and seek to settle or compromise), at its own expense and with its own counsel, any Third-Party Claim; provided that, prior to the Indemnifying Party assuming and controlling the defense of such Third-Party Claim, it shall first confirm to the Indemnitee in writing that, assuming the facts presented to the Indemnifying Party by the Indemnitee are true, the Indemnifying Party shall indemnify the Indemnitee for any such damages to the extent resulting from, or arising out of, such Third-Party-Claim. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Indemnifying Party assumes such defense and, in the course of defending such Third-Party Claim, (i) the Indemnifying Party discovers that the facts presented at the time the Indemnifying Party acknowledged its indemnification obligation in respect of such Third-Party Claim were not true in all material
respects and (ii) such untruth provides a reasonable basis for asserting that the Indemnifying Party does not have an indemnification obligation in respect of such Third-Party Claim, then (A) the Indemnifying Party shall not be bound by such acknowledgment, (B) the Indemnifying Party shall promptly thereafter provide the Indemnitee written notice of its assertion that it does not have an indemnification obligation in respect of such Third-Party Claim and (C) the Indemnitee shall have the right to assume the defense of such Third-Party Claim. Within thirty (30) days after the receipt of a notice from an Indemnitee in accordance with Section 4.5(a) (or sooner, if the nature of the Third-Party Claim so requires), the Indemnifying Party shall provide written notice to the Indemnitee indicating whether the Indemnifying Party shall assume responsibility for defending the Third-Party Claim. If an Indemnifying Party elects not to assume responsibility for defending any Third-Party Claim or fails to notify an Indemnitee of its election within thirty (30) days after receipt of the notice from an Indemnitee as provided in Section 4.5(a) , then the Indemnitee that is the subject of such Third-Party Claim shall be entitled to continue to conduct and control the defense of such Third-Party Claim.
(c) Allocation of Defense Costs . If an Indemnifying Party has elected to assume the defense of a Third-Party Claim, then such Indemnifying Party shall be solely liable for all fees and expenses incurred by it in connection with the defense of such Third-Party Claim and shall not be entitled to seek any indemnification or reimbursement from the Indemnitee for any such fees or expenses incurred by the Indemnifying Party during the course of the defense of such Third-Party Claim by such Indemnifying Party, regardless of any subsequent decision by the Indemnifying Party to reject or otherwise abandon its assumption of such defense. If an Indemnifying Party elects not to assume responsibility for defending any Third-Party Claim or fails to notify an Indemnitee of its election within thirty (30) days after receipt of a notice from an Indemnitee as provided in Section 4.5(a) , and the Indemnitee conducts and controls the defense of such Third-Party Claim and the Indemnifying Party has an indemnification obligation with respect to such Third-Party Claim, then the Indemnifying Party shall be liable for all reasonable, documented fees and expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense of such Third-Party Claim.
(d) Right to Monitor and Participate. An Indemnitee that does not conduct and control the defense of any Third-Party Claim, or an Indemnifying Party does not elect to defend any Third-Party Claim as contemplated hereby, nevertheless shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel as necessary) of its own choosing to monitor and participate in (but not control) the defense of any Third-Party Claim for which it is a potential Indemnitee or Indemnifying Party, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnitee or Indemnifying Party, as the case may be, and the provisions of Section 4.5(c) shall not apply to such fees and expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to Sections 6.7 and 6.8 , such Party shall cooperate with the Party entitled to conduct and control the defense of such Third-Party Claim in such defense and make available to the controlling Party, at the non-controlling Partys expense, all witnesses, information and materials in such Partys possession or under such Partys control relating thereto as are reasonably required by the controlling Party. In addition to the foregoing, if any Indemnitee reasonably determines in good faith that such Indemnitee and the Indemnifying Party have actual or potential differing defenses or conflicts of interest between them that make joint representation inappropriate, then the Indemnitee shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel) and to participate in (but not control) the defense, compromise, or settlement
thereof, and in such case the Indemnifying Party shall bear the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel for all Indemnitees.
(e) No Settlement. Neither Party may settle or compromise any Third-Party Claim for which either Party is seeking to be indemnified hereunder without the prior written consent of the other Party, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, unless such settlement or compromise is solely for monetary damages that are fully payable by the settling or compromising Party, does not involve any admission, finding or determination of wrongdoing or violation of Law by the other Party and provides for a full, unconditional and irrevocable release of the other Party from all Liability in connection with the Third-Party Claim. The Parties hereby agree that if a Party delivers the other Party a written notice containing a proposal to settle or compromise a Third-Party Claim for which either Party is seeking to be indemnified hereunder and the Party receiving such proposal does not respond in any manner to the Party presenting such proposal within ten (10) business days (or within any such shorter time period that may be required by applicable Law or court order) of receipt of such proposal, then the Party receiving such proposal shall be deemed to have consented to the terms of such proposal.
4.6 Additional Matters .
(a) Timing of Payments. Indemnification or contribution payments in respect of any Liabilities for which an Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or contribution under this Article IV shall be paid reasonably promptly (but in any event within forty five (45) days of the final determination of the amount that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or contribution under this Article IV ) by the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnitee as such Liabilities are incurred upon demand by the Indemnitee, including reasonably satisfactory documentation setting forth the basis for the amount of such indemnification or contribution payment, including documentation with respect to calculations made and consideration of any Insurance Proceeds that actually reduce the amount of such Liabilities. The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Article IV shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Indemnitee, and (ii) the knowledge by the Indemnitee of Liabilities for which it might be entitled to indemnification hereunder.
(b) Notice of Direct Claims. Any claim for indemnification or contribution under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement that does not result from a Third-Party Claim shall be asserted by written notice given by the Indemnitee to the applicable Indemnifying Party; provided that the failure by an Indemnitee to so assert any such claim shall not prejudice the ability of the Indemnitee to do so at a later time, except to the extent (if any) that the Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced thereby. Such Indemnifying Party shall have a period of thirty (30) days after the receipt of such notice within which to respond thereto. If such Indemnifying Party does not respond within such thirty (30)-day period, such specified claim shall be conclusively deemed a Liability of the Indemnifying Party under this Section 4.6(b) or, in the case of any written notice in which the amount of the claim (or any portion thereof) is estimated, on such later date when the amount of the claim (or such portion thereof) becomes finally determined. If such Indemnifying Party does not respond within such thirty (30)-day period or rejects such claim in whole or in part, such Indemnitee shall, subject to the provisions of Article VII , be free to pursue such remedies as may be available to such party as contemplated
by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements , as applicable, without prejudice to its continuing rights to pursue indemnification or contribution hereunder.
(c) Pursuit of Claims Against Third Parties. If (i) a Party incurs any Liability arising out of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement; (ii) an adequate legal or equitable remedy is not available for any reason against the other Party to satisfy the Liability incurred by the incurring Party; and (iii) a legal or equitable remedy may be available to the other Party against a Third Party for such Liability, then the other Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the incurring Party, at the incurring Partys expense, to permit the incurring Party to obtain the benefits of such legal or equitable remedy against the Third Party.
(d) Subrogation. In the event of payment by or on behalf of any Indemnifying Party to any Indemnitee in connection with any Third-Party Claim, such Indemnifying Party shall be subrogated to and shall stand in the place of such Indemnitee as to any events or circumstances in respect of which such Indemnitee may have any right, defense or claim relating to such Third-Party Claim against any claimant or plaintiff asserting such Third-Party Claim or against any other Person. Such Indemnitee shall cooperate with such Indemnifying Party in a reasonable manner, and at the cost and expense of such Indemnifying Party, in prosecuting any subrogated right, defense or claim.
(e) Substitution. In the event of an Action in which the Indemnifying Party is not a named defendant, if either the Indemnitee or Indemnifying Party shall so request, the Parties shall endeavor to substitute the Indemnifying Party for the named defendant. If such substitution or addition cannot be achieved for any reason or is not requested, the named defendant shall allow the Indemnifying Party to manage the Action as set forth in Section 4.5 and this Section 4.6 , and the Indemnifying Party shall fully indemnify the named defendant against all reasonable costs of defending the Action (including court costs, sanctions imposed by a court, attorneys fees, experts fees and all other external expenses), the costs of any judgment or settlement and the cost of any interest or penalties relating to any judgment or settlement.
(f) Director and Officer Liability . For six (6) years after the Distribution Date, Parent shall (i) provide officers and directors liability insurance in respect of acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time covering each of the present and former officers and directors of SpinCo and each of its subsidiaries currently covered by Parents officers and directors liability insurance policies on terms with respect to coverage and amount no less favorable than those of such policies as are in effect as of the date hereof with respect to Parents then-current officers and directors and (ii) provide written notice to SpinCo at least twenty (20) days in advance of any changes in the terms with respect to coverage and amount in Parents officers and directors liability insurance policies that are materially less favorable than the coverage and amount of such insurance policies as of the date hereof.
(g) Tax Matters Agreement Coordination. The above provisions of this Section 4.6 and the provisions of Section 4.2 through Section 4.10 shall not apply to Taxes. It is understood and agreed that Taxes and Tax matters, including the control of Tax-related proceedings, shall be governed by the Tax Matters Agreement (and Section 6.4(b) ). In the case of any conflict or inconsistency between this Agreement (other than Section 6.4(b) ) and the Tax
Matters Agreement (and Section 6.4(b) ) in relation to any matters addressed by the Tax Matters Agreement (or Section 6.4(b) ), the Tax Matters Agreement (and Section 6.4(b) ) shall prevail.
4.7 Right of Contribution .
(a) Contribution. If any right of indemnification contained in Section 4.2 or Section 4.3 is held unenforceable or is unavailable for any reason, or is insufficient to hold harmless an Indemnitee in respect of any Liability for which such Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder, then the Indemnifying Party shall contribute to the amounts paid or payable by the Indemnitees as a result of such Liability (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and the members of its Group, on the one hand, and the Indemnitees entitled to contribution, on the other hand, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.
(b) Allocation of Relative Fault. Solely for purposes of determining relative fault pursuant to this Section 4.7 : (i) any fault associated with the business conducted with the Delayed SpinCo Assets or Delayed SpinCo Liabilities (except for the gross negligence or intentional misconduct of a member of the Parent Group) or with the ownership, operation or activities of the SpinCo Business prior to the Effective Time shall be deemed to be the fault of SpinCo and the other members of the SpinCo Group, and no such fault shall be deemed to be the fault of Parent or any other member of the Parent Group; (ii) any fault associated with the business conducted with Delayed Parent Assets or Delayed Parent Liabilities (except for the gross negligence or intentional misconduct of a member of the SpinCo Group) shall be deemed to be the fault of Parent and the other members of the Parent Group, and no such fault shall be deemed to be the fault of SpinCo or any other member of the SpinCo Group; and (iii) any fault associated with the ownership, operation or activities of the Parent Business prior to the Effective Time shall be deemed to be the fault of Parent and the other members of the Parent Group, and no such fault shall be deemed to be the fault of SpinCo or any other member of the SpinCo Group.
4.8 Covenant Not to Sue . Each Party hereby covenants and agrees that none of it, the members of such Partys Group or any Person claiming through it shall bring suit or otherwise assert any claim against any Indemnitee, or assert a defense against any claim asserted by any Indemnitee, before any court, arbitrator, mediator or administrative agency anywhere in the world, alleging that: (a) the assumption of any SpinCo Liabilities by SpinCo or a member of the SpinCo Group on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements is void or unenforceable for any reason; (b) the retention of any Parent Liabilities by Parent or a member of the Parent Group on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements is void or unenforceable for any reason; or (c) the provisions of this Article IV are void or unenforceable for any reason.
4.9 Remedies Cumulative . The remedies provided in this Article IV shall be cumulative and, subject to the provisions of Article VIII , shall not preclude assertion by any Indemnitee of any other rights or the seeking of any and all other remedies against any Indemnifying Party.
4.10 Survival of Indemnities . The rights and obligations of each of Parent and SpinCo and their respective Indemnitees under this Article IV shall survive (a) the sale or other transfer by either Party or any member of its Group of any assets or businesses or the assignment by it of any Liabilities; or (b) any merger, consolidation, business combination, sale of all or substantially all of its Assets, restructuring, recapitalization, reorganization or similar transaction involving either Party or any of the members of its Group.
ARTICLE V
CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS
5.1 Insurance Matters .
(a) Parent and SpinCo agree to cooperate in good faith to provide for an orderly transition of insurance coverage from the date hereof through the Effective Time. In no event shall Parent, any other member of the Parent Group or any Parent Indemnitee have Liability or obligation whatsoever to any member of the SpinCo Group in the event that any insurance policy or other contract or policy of insurance shall be terminated or otherwise cease to be in effect for any reason, shall be unavailable or inadequate to cover any Liability of any member of the SpinCo Group for any reason whatsoever or shall not be renewed or extended beyond the current expiration date.
(b) Parent agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to cause the interests and rights of SpinCo and the members of the SpinCo Group as of the Effective Time as insureds or beneficiaries or in any other capacity under occurrence-based insurance policies and programs (and under claims-made policies and programs to the extent a claim has been submitted prior to the Effective Time) of Parent or any member of the Parent Group (collectively, the Parent Policies ) in respect of the period prior to the Effective Time to survive the Effective Time for the period for which such interests and rights would have survived without regard to the transactions contemplated hereby to the extent permitted by such policies; and any proceeds received by Parent or any member of the Parent Group after the Effective Time under such policies and programs in respect of SpinCo and any member of the SpinCo Group shall be for the benefit of SpinCo and the SpinCo Group; provided that the interests and rights of SpinCo and the members of the SpinCo Group shall be subject to the terms and conditions of such insurance policies and programs, including any limits on coverage or scope, any deductibles and other fees and expenses and Parents allocation. In addition, to the extent that deductibles under the general liability, automobile liability, or workers compensation policies of Parent (the Deductibles ) apply to claims under the Policies, Parent shall facilitate the administration and processing of such claims in a manner that makes available to the members of the SpinCo Group the benefit of the deductible reimbursement policies issued by Steward Insurance Company to American Home Shield Corporation prior to []. In addition, Parent will process and pay all deductibles with respect to claims under the Policies, and reimbursement, if any, by Steward Insurance Company with respect to any such claims shall be paid to SpinCo.
(i) SpinCo shall report any claim to Parent as promptly as practicable, and in any event in sufficient time so that such claim may be made in accordance with the policies terms and conditions;
(ii) SpinCo and the other members of the SpinCo Group shall be responsible for making payments directly to insurers where possible, and shall indemnify, hold harmless and reimburse Parent and the members of the Parent Group for any deductibles, self-insured retention, retrospective premium payments, and fees and expenses incurred by any member of the Parent Group to the extent resulting from any access to, or any claims made by SpinCo or any other members of the SpinCo Group under, any insurance provided pursuant to this Section 5.1(b) , including claims previously reported and any indemnity payments, settlements, judgments, legal fees and allocated claims expenses and claim handling fees, whether such claims are made by a member of the SpinCo Group, employees or Third Parties;
(iii) SpinCo shall, and shall cause the other members of the SpinCo Group to, cooperate with and assist Parent and the members of the Parent Group and share such Information as is reasonably necessary in order to permit Parent and the members of the Parent Group to manage and conduct the insurance matters contemplated by this Section 5.1 ; and
(iv) SpinCo shall exclusively bear (and neither Parent nor any members of the Parent Group shall have any obligation to repay or reimburse SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group for) and shall be liable for all excluded, uninsured, uncovered, unavailable or uncollectible amounts of all such claims made by SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group under the policies as provided for in this Section 5.1(b) . In the event an insurance policy aggregate is exhausted, or believed likely to be exhausted, due to noticed claims, the SpinCo Group, on the one hand, and the Parent Group, on the other hand, shall be responsible for their pro rata portion of the reinstatement premium, if any, based upon the losses of such Group submitted to Parents insurance carrier(s) (including any submissions prior to the Effective Time). To the extent that the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group is allocated more than its pro rata portion of such premium due to the timing of losses submitted to Parents insurance carrier(s), the other party shall promptly pay the first party an amount so that each Group has been properly allocated its pro rata portion of the reinstatement premium. Subject to the following sentence, Parent may elect not to reinstate the policy aggregate. In the event that Parent elects not to reinstate the policy aggregate, it shall provide prompt written notice to SpinCo, and SpinCo may direct Parent in writing to, and Parent shall, in such case reinstate the policy aggregate; provided that SpinCo shall be responsible for all reinstatement premiums and other costs associated with such reinstatement.
In the event that any member of the Parent Group incurs any losses, damages or Liability prior to or in respect of the period prior to the Effective Time for which such member of the Parent Group is entitled to coverage under SpinCo third-party insurance policies, the same process pursuant to this Section 5.1(b) shall apply, substituting Parent for SpinCo and SpinCo for Parent.
(c) Except as provided in Section 5.1(b) , from and after the Effective Time, neither SpinCo nor any member of the SpinCo Group shall have any rights to or under any of the insurance policies of Parent or any other member of the Parent Group. At the Effective Time, SpinCo shall have in effect all insurance programs required to comply with SpinCo and the
SpinCo Group s contractual obligations and such other Policies required by Law or as reasonably necessary or appropriate for companies operating a business similar to SpinCos.
(d) Neither SpinCo nor any member of the SpinCo Group, in connection with making a claim under any insurance policy of Parent or any member of the Parent Group pursuant to this Section 5.1 , shall take any action that would be reasonably likely to (i) have an adverse impact on the then-current relationship between Parent or any member of the Parent Group, on the one hand, and the applicable insurance company, on the other hand; (ii) result in the applicable insurance company terminating or reducing coverage, or increasing the amount of any premium owed by Parent or any member of the Parent Group under the applicable insurance policy; or (iii) otherwise compromise, jeopardize or interfere with the rights of Parent or any member of the Parent Group under the applicable insurance policy; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, this Section 5.1(d) shall not preclude or otherwise restrict any member of the SpinCo Group from reporting claims to insurers in the ordinary course of business.
(e) All payments and reimbursements by SpinCo pursuant to this Section 5.1 will be made within fifteen (15) days after SpinCos receipt of an invoice therefor from Parent. In the event that SpinCo makes payments to insurance companies directly, then SpinCo shall make payments in compliance with the requirements and policies and procedures with respect to insurance payments in effect prior to the Effective Time. If Parent incurs costs to enforce SpinCos obligations herein, SpinCo agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Parent for such enforcement costs, including reasonable attorneys fees pursuant to Section 4.6 . Parent shall retain the exclusive right to control its insurance policies and programs, including the right to exhaust, settle, release, commute, buy-back or otherwise resolve disputes with respect to any of its insurance policies and programs and to amend, modify or waive any rights under any such insurance policies and programs, notwithstanding whether any such policies or programs apply to any SpinCo Liabilities and/or claims SpinCo has made or could make in the future, and no member of the SpinCo Group shall erode, exhaust, settle, release, commute, buy-back or otherwise resolve disputes with Parents insurers with respect to any of Parents insurance policies and programs, or amend, modify or waive any rights under any such insurance policies and programs. SpinCo shall cooperate with Parent and share such information as is reasonably necessary in order to permit Parent to manage and conduct its insurance matters as Parent deems appropriate. No member of the Parent Group shall have any obligation secure extended reporting for any claims under any Liability policies of any member of the Parent Group for any acts or omissions of any member of the SpinCo Group incurred prior to the Effective Time.
(f) This Agreement shall not be considered as an attempted assignment of any policy of insurance or as a contract of insurance and shall not be construed to waive any right or remedy of any member of the Parent Group in respect of any insurance policy or any other contract or policy of insurance.
(g) SpinCo does hereby, for itself and each other member of the SpinCo Group, agree that no member of the Parent Group shall have any Liability whatsoever as a result of the insurance policies and practices of Parent and the members of the Parent Group as in effect at any time, including as a result of the level or scope of any such insurance, the creditworthiness of any insurance carrier, the terms and conditions of any policy, or the adequacy
or timeliness of any notice to any insurance carrier with respect to any claim or potential claim or otherwise .
5.2 Late Payments . Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, any amount not paid when due pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (and any amounts billed or otherwise invoiced or demanded and properly payable that are not paid within forty-five (45) days of such bill, invoice or other demand) shall accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to the Prime Rate plus two percent (2%).
5.3 Inducement . SpinCo acknowledges and agrees that Parents willingness to cause, effect and consummate the Separation and the Distribution has been conditioned upon and induced by SpinCos covenants and agreements in this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, including SpinCos assumption of the SpinCo Liabilities pursuant to the Separation and the provisions of this Agreement and SpinCos covenants and agreements contained in Article IV .
5.4 Post-Effective Time Conduct . The Parties acknowledge that, after the Effective Time, each Party shall be independent of the other Party, with responsibility for its own actions and inactions and its own Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from the conduct of its business, operations and activities following the Effective Time, except as may otherwise be provided in any Ancillary Agreement, and each Party shall (except as otherwise provided in Article IV ) use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent such Liabilities from being inappropriately borne by the other Party.
5.5 Corporate Names; Trademarks . After the Distribution Effective Time, no member of one Group may use any trademark, service mark, trade dress, Internet domain name, logo or other source identifier (collectively, the Marks ) owned by any member of the other Group, except as permitted under applicable Law or subsequent agreement in writing between the applicable parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, any member of one Group may utilize existing stationery, business cards, signage, websites, advertising materials, inventory, packaging, product, service and training literature, and other similar materials bearing the Marks of the other Group member ( Materials ) following the Distribution Effective Time in the conduct of the its business, as currently conducted, until the existing supply of such items is depleted or until one hundred eighty (180) days following the Distribution Effective Time, whichever occurs first. Subject to the foregoing sentence, on or prior to the date that is one hundred eighty (180) days following the Distribution Effective Time, each Group shall (x) cease using all Materials in its possession pertaining to the other Group; provided that, in the case of Materials that are used solely for internal purposes, each Group shall cease using such internal Materials to the extent reasonably practicable, (y) to the extent reasonably practicable, destroy all Materials in its possession pertaining to the other Group and (z) send a written statement to the other Group confirming that such Group has exhausted or destroyed all such Materials. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 5.5 shall preclude such Group from making any reference to the Marks of the other Group in internal historical, tax, employment or similar records or for purposes of disclosures as are reasonably necessary and appropriate to describe the historical relationship of the Parties. The foregoing permitted uses are subject to (x) compliance by the applicable Group with the reasonable quality control requirements and
guidelines in effect for the Marks of the other Group as of the Distribution Effective Time and (y) to the extent reasonably practicable, the placement of a reasonably appropriate disclaimer on such Materials identifying in a readily observable manner that the Group members are no longer Affiliates of each other. Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary, no member of one Group shall be required to take any action to remove any reference to any Mark of a member of the other Group from (a) products bearing the Marks of the other Group member that have already been placed on the market as of the Distribution Effective Time or (b) Materials already in the rightful possession of customers or other Third Parties prior to the depletion of such Materials or as of the date that is one hundred eighty (180) days following the Distribution Effective Time, whichever comes first. If, after the date that is one hundred eighty (180) days following the Distribution Effective Time, a member of any Group discovers the use of any Marks of another Group on its website, such Group members shall notify the other Group members and shall remove all use of such Mark of the other Group member within a reasonable period.
5.6 Non-Solicitation .
(a) Non-Solicitation . Each Party covenants and agrees that, from the Effective Time through the first (1st) anniversary of the Distribution Date, no Party will, and each Party will cause its respective Subsidiaries not to, directly or indirectly, employ, hire, enter into an agency or consulting relationship with, recruit or solicit for employment or interfere with the employment of any employee of the members of the other Group ( Restricted Employees ); provided that the foregoing restrictions shall not apply to (i) any Restricted Employee whose employment was involuntarily terminated by the applicable Party or its Affiliates, (ii) any Restricted Employee who has not been employed by the applicable Party or any of its Subsidiaries for at least six (6) months, (iii) any Restricted Employee whose prospective employment is agreed to in writing by Parent and SpinCo and (iv) any Restricted Employee who responds to general solicitations not targeted at Restricted Employees (including through the use of recruiting firms not directed at Restricted Employees) or advertisement in any newspaper, magazine, trade publication, electronic medium or other media.
(b) Remedies; Enforcement . Each Party acknowledges and agrees that (i) injury to the other Party from any breach of the obligations of such party set forth in this Section 5.6 would be irreparable and impossible to measure and (ii) the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach of this Section 5.6 , including monetary damages, would therefore be inadequate compensation for any loss and the other Party shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief in accordance with Section 10.13 , in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. Each Party understands and acknowledges that that the restrictive covenants and other agreements contained in this Section 5.6 are an essential part of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. It is the intent of the Parties that the provisions of this Section 5.6 shall be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under applicable Law applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. If any particular provision or portion of this Section 5.6 shall be adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision or portion thereof shall be deemed amended to the minimum extent necessary to render such provision or portion valid and enforceable, such amendment to apply
only with respect to the operation of such provision or portion thereof in the particular jurisdiction in which such adjudication is made.
ARTICLE VI
EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY
6.1 Agreement for Exchange of Information .
(a) Subject to Section 6.9 and any other applicable confidentiality obligations, each of Parent and SpinCo, on behalf of itself and each member of its Group, agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide or make available, or cause to be provided or made available, to the other Party and the members of such other Partys Group, at any time before, on or after the Effective Time, as soon as reasonably practicable after written request therefor, any information (or a copy thereof) in the possession or under the control of such Party or its Group that the requesting Party or its Group requests and, with respect to clause (iii), access to the facilities, systems, infrastructure and personnel of such Party or its Group, in each case to the extent that (i) such information relates to the SpinCo Business, or any SpinCo Asset or SpinCo Liability, if SpinCo is the requesting Party, or to the Parent Business, or any Parent Asset or Parent Liability, if Parent is the requesting Party; (ii) such information is required by the requesting Party to comply with its obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement; or (iii) such information is required by the requesting Party to comply with any obligation imposed by any Governmental Authority, including, without limitation, the obligation to verify the accuracy of internal controls over information technology reporting of financial data and related processes employed in connection with verifying compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; provided , however , that, in the event that the Party to whom the request has been made determines that any such provision of information could be detrimental to the Party providing the information, violate any Law or agreement, or waive any privilege available under applicable Law, including any attorney-client privilege, then the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to permit compliance with such obligations to the extent and in a manner that avoids any such harm or consequence. The Party providing information pursuant to this Section 6.1 shall only be obligated to provide such information in the form, condition and format in which it then exists, and in no event shall such Party be required to perform any improvement, modification, conversion, updating or reformatting of any such information, and nothing in this Section 6.1 shall expand the obligations of any Party under Section 6.4 . Each Party shall cause its and its Subsidiaries employees to, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause its Representatives employees to, when on the property of SpinCo or its Subsidiaries, or when given access to any facilities, systems, infrastructure or personnel of the other Party or any members of its Group, conform to the policies and procedures of such Party and its Group concerning health, safety, conduct and security that are made known or provided to the accessing Party from time to time.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, until the end of Parents fiscal year during which the Distribution Date occurs (and for a reasonable period of time afterwards as required for each Party to prepare consolidated financial statements or complete a financial statement audit for the fiscal year during which the Distribution Date occurs), each Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the other Partys information requests to enable (i) the other Party to meet its timetable for dissemination of its
earnings releases, financial statements and managements assessment of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures and its internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Items 307 and 308, respectively, of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act; and (ii) the other Partys accountants to timely complete their review of the quarterly financial statements and audit of the annual financial statements, including, to the extent applicable to such Party, its auditors audit of its internal control over financial reporting and managements assessment thereof in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the SECs and Public Company Accounting Oversight Boards rules and auditing standards thereunder and any other applicable Laws.
(c) Subject to any limitation imposed by applicable Law and to the extent that it has not done so before the Effective Time, Parent shall transfer to SpinCo any employment records (including any Form I-9, Form W-2 or other IRS forms) with respect to SpinCo Group Employees and Former SpinCo Group Employees and other records reasonably required by SpinCo to enable SpinCo properly to carry out its obligations under this Agreement. Such transfer of records generally shall occur as soon as administratively practicable at or after the Effective Time. Each Party shall permit the other Party reasonable access to its Employee records, to the extent reasonably necessary for such accessing Party to carry out its obligations hereunder.
6.2 Ownership of Information . The provision of any information pursuant to Section 6.1 or Section 6.7 shall not affect the ownership of such information (which shall be determined solely in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements), or constitute a grant of rights in or to any such information.
6.3 Compensation for Providing Information . The Party requesting information agrees to reimburse the other Party for the reasonable costs, if any, of creating, gathering, copying, transporting and otherwise complying with the request with respect to such information (including any reasonable costs and expenses incurred in any review of information for purposes of protecting the Privileged Information of the providing Party or in connection with the restoration of backup media for purposes of providing the requested information). Except as may be otherwise specifically provided elsewhere in this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or any other agreement between the Parties, such costs shall be computed in accordance with the providing Partys standard methodology and procedures.
6.4 Record Retention .
(a) To facilitate the possible exchange of information pursuant to this Article VI and other provisions of this Agreement after the Effective Time, the Parties agree to use their commercially reasonable efforts, which shall be no less rigorous than those used for retention of such Partys own information, to retain all information in their respective possession or control at the Effective Time, including all Employee-related information, in accordance with the policies of Parent as in effect at the Effective Time or such other policies as may be adopted by Parent after the Effective Time ( provided , in the case of SpinCo, that Parent notifies SpinCo of any such change).
(b) Each Party shall preserve and keep all Tax Records exclusively relating to the assets and activities of its Group for Pre-Deconsolidation Periods, and Parent shall preserve and keep all other Tax Records relating to Taxes of the Groups for Pre-Deconsolidation Tax Periods, for so long as the contents thereof may become material in the administration of any matter under the Code or other applicable Tax Law, but in any event until the later of (i) the expiration of any applicable statutes of limitations, or (ii) three years after the Deconsolidation Date (such later date, the Retention Date ). After the Retention Date, each Party may dispose of Tax Records pertaining to the assets or activities of the other Group only upon ninety (90) days prior written notice to the other Group. If, prior to the Retention Date, a Party reasonably determines that any Tax Records which it would otherwise be required to preserve and keep under this Section 6.4(b) are no longer material in the administration of any matter under the Code or other applicable Tax Law, it may dispose of such Tax Records; provided , that if such Tax Records pertain to the assets or activities of the other Group, the Party shall provide such other Group with ninety (90) days prior written notice. Any notice of an intent to dispose given pursuant to this Section 6.4(b) shall include a list of the Tax Records to be disposed of describing in reasonable detail each file, book, or other record accumulation being disposed. The notified Party shall have the opportunity, at its cost and expense, to copy or remove, within such 90-day period, all or any part of such Tax Records. If, at any time prior to the Retention Date, SpinCo determines to decommission or otherwise discontinue any computer program or information technology system used to access or store any Tax Records, then SpinCo may decommission or discontinue such program or system upon ninety (90) days prior notice to Parent and Parent shall have the opportunity, at its cost and expense, to copy, within such 90-day period, all or any part of the underlying data relating to the Tax Records accessed by or stored on such program or system.
6.5 Limitations of Liability . Neither Party shall have any Liability to the other Party in the event that any information exchanged or provided pursuant to this Agreement is found to be inaccurate in the absence of gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct by the Party providing such information. Neither Party shall have any Liability to any other Party if any information is destroyed after commercially reasonable efforts by such Party to comply with the provisions of Section 6.4 .
6.6 Other Agreements Providing for Exchange of Information .
(a) The rights and obligations granted under this Article VI are subject to any specific limitations, qualifications or additional provisions on the sharing, exchange, retention or confidential treatment of information set forth in any Ancillary Agreement.
(b) Any party that receives, pursuant to a request for information in accordance with this Article VI , Tangible Information that is not relevant to its request shall, at the request of the providing Party, (i) return it to the providing Party or, at the providing Partys request, destroy such Tangible Information; and (ii) deliver to the providing Party written confirmation that such Tangible Information was returned or destroyed, as the case may be, which confirmation shall be signed by an authorized representative of the requesting Party.
6.7 Production of Witnesses; Records; Cooperation .
(a) After the Effective Time, except in the case of a Dispute between Parent and SpinCo, or any members of their respective Groups, each Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to make available to the other Party, upon written request, the former, current and future directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents of the members of its respective Group as witnesses and any books, records or other documents within its control or which it otherwise has the ability to make available without undue burden, to the extent that any such person (giving consideration to business demands of such directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents) or books, records or other documents may reasonably be required in connection with any Action in which the requesting Party (or member of its Group) may from time to time be involved, regardless of whether such Action is a matter with respect to which indemnification may be sought hereunder. The requesting Party shall bear all costs and expenses in connection therewith.
(b) If an Indemnifying Party chooses to defend or to seek to compromise or settle any Third-Party Claim, the other Party shall make available to such Indemnifying Party, upon written request, the former, current and future directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents of the members of its respective Group as witnesses and any books, records or other documents within its control or which it otherwise has the ability to make available without undue burden, to the extent that any such person (giving consideration to business demands of such directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents) or books, records or other documents may reasonably be required in connection with such defense, settlement or compromise, or such prosecution, evaluation or pursuit, as the case may be, and shall otherwise cooperate in such defense, settlement or compromise, or such prosecution, evaluation or pursuit, as the case may be.
(c) Without limiting the foregoing, the Parties shall cooperate and consult to the extent reasonably necessary with respect to any Actions.
(d) Without limiting any provision of this Section 6.7 , each of the Parties agrees to cooperate, and to cause each member of its respective Group to cooperate, with each other in the defense of any infringement or similar claim with respect to any Intellectual Property and shall not claim to acknowledge, or permit any member of its respective Group to claim to acknowledge, the validity or infringing use of any Intellectual Property of a Third Party in a manner that would hamper or undermine the defense of such infringement or similar claim.
(e) The obligation of the Parties to provide witnesses pursuant to this Section 6.7 is intended to be interpreted in a manner so as to facilitate cooperation and shall include the obligation to provide as witnesses directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents without regard to whether such person or the employer of such person could assert a possible business conflict (subject to the exception set forth in the first sentence of Section 6.7(a) ).
(f) Without limiting any provision of this Section 6.7 , Each Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate and work together to unify, consolidate and share (to the extent permissible under applicable privacy/data protection Laws) all relevant documents, resolutions, government filings, data, payroll, employment and benefit plan information on
regular timetables and cooperate as needed with respect to (i) any claims under or audit of or litigation with respect to any employee benefit plan, policy or arrangement contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) efforts to seek a determination letter, private letter ruling or advisory opinion from the IRS or U.S. Department of Labor on behalf of any employee benefit plan, policy or arrangement contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) any filings that are required to be made or supplemented to the IRS, U.S. Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, U.S. Department of Labor or any other Governmental Authority, and (iv) any audits by a Governmental Authority or corrective actions, relating to any Benefit Plan, labor or payroll practices; provided , however , that requests for cooperation must be reasonable and not interfere with daily business operations
6.8 Privileged Matters .
(a) The Parties recognize that legal and other professional services that have been and will be provided prior to the Effective Time have been and will be rendered for the collective benefit of each of the members of the Parent Group and the SpinCo Group, and that each of the members of the Parent Group and the SpinCo Group should be deemed to be the client with respect to such services for the purposes of asserting all privileges that may be asserted under applicable Law in connection therewith. The Parties recognize that legal and other professional services will be provided following the Effective Time, which services will be rendered solely for the benefit of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group, as the case may be. In furtherance of the foregoing, each Party shall authorize the delivery to and/or retention by the other Party of materials existing as of the Effective Time that are necessary for such other Party to perform such services.
(b) The Parties agree as follows:
(i) Parent shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges and immunities in connection with any Privileged Information that relates solely to the Parent Business and not to the SpinCo Business, whether or not the Privileged Information is in the possession or under the control of any member of the Parent Group or any member of the SpinCo Group. Parent shall also be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges and immunities in connection with any Privileged Information that relates solely to any Parent Liabilities resulting from any Actions that are now pending or may be asserted in the future, whether or not the Privileged Information is in the possession or under the control of any member of the Parent Group or any member of the SpinCo Group.
(ii) SpinCo shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges and immunities in connection with any Privileged Information that relates solely to the SpinCo Business and not to the Parent Business, whether or not the Privileged Information is in the possession or under the control of any member of the SpinCo Group or any member of the Parent Group. SpinCo shall also be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges and immunities in connection with any Privileged Information that relates solely to any SpinCo Liabilities resulting from any Actions that are now pending or may be asserted in the future, whether or not the Privileged Information is in the possession or under the control of any member of the SpinCo Group or any member of the Parent Group.
(iii) If the Parties do not agree as to whether certain information is Privileged Information, then such information shall be treated as Privileged Information, and the Party that believes that such information is Privileged Information shall be entitled to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges and immunities in connection with any such information, unless the Parties otherwise agree. The Parties shall use the procedures set forth in Article VII to resolve any disputes as to whether any information relates solely to the Parent Business, solely to the SpinCo Business, or to both the Parent Business and the SpinCo Business.
(c) Subject to the remaining provisions of this Section 6.8 , the Parties agree that they shall have a shared privilege or immunity with respect to all privileges and immunities not allocated pursuant to Section 6.8(b) and all privileges and immunities relating to any Actions or other matters that involve both Parties (or one (1) or more members of their respective Groups) and in respect of which both Parties have Liabilities under this Agreement, and that no such shared privilege or immunity may be waived by either Party without the consent of the other Party.
(d) If any Dispute arises between the Parties or any members of their respective Groups regarding whether a privilege or immunity should be waived to protect or advance the interests of either Party and/or any member of their respective Groups, each Party agrees that it shall (i) negotiate with the other Party in good faith; (ii) endeavor to minimize any prejudice to the rights of the other Party; and (iii) not unreasonably withhold consent to any request for waiver by the other Party. Further, each Party specifically agrees that it shall not withhold its consent to the waiver of a privilege or immunity for any purpose, except in good faith to protect its own legitimate interests.
(e) In the event of any Dispute between Parent and SpinCo, or any members of their respective Groups, either Party may waive a privilege in which the other Party or member of such other Partys Group has a shared privilege, without obtaining consent pursuant to Section 6.8(c) ; provided that the Parties intend such waiver of a shared privilege to be effective only as to the use of information with respect to the Action between the Parties and/or the applicable members of their respective Groups, and is not intended to operate as a waiver of the shared privilege with respect to any Third Party.
(f) Upon receipt by either Party, or by any member of its respective Group, of any subpoena, discovery or other request that may reasonably be expected to result in the production or disclosure of Privileged Information subject to a shared privilege or immunity or as to which another Party has the sole right hereunder to assert a privilege or immunity, or if either Party obtains knowledge that any of its, or any member of its respective Groups, current or former directors, officers, agents or employees have received any subpoena, discovery or other requests that may reasonably be expected to result in the production or disclosure of such Privileged Information, such Party shall promptly notify the other Party of the existence of the request (which notice shall be delivered to such other Party no later than five (5) business days following the receipt of any such subpoena, discovery or other request) and shall provide the other Party a reasonable opportunity to review the Privileged Information and to assert any rights it or they may have under this Section 6.8 or otherwise, to prevent the production or disclosure of such Privileged Information.
(g) Any furnishing of, or access or transfer of, any information pursuant to this Agreement is made in reliance on the agreement between Parent and SpinCo set forth in this Section 6.8 and in Section 6.9 to maintain the confidentiality of Privileged Information and to assert and maintain all applicable privileges and immunities. The Parties agree that their respective rights to any access to information, witnesses and other Persons, the furnishing of notices and documents and other cooperative efforts between the Parties contemplated by this Agreement, and the transfer of Privileged Information between the Parties and members of their respective Groups as needed pursuant to this Agreement, shall not be deemed a waiver of any privilege that has been or may be asserted under this Agreement or otherwise.
(h) In connection with any matter contemplated by Section 6.7 or this Section 6.8 , the Parties agree to, and to cause the applicable members of their Group to, use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain their respective separate and joint privileges and immunities, including by executing joint defense and/or common interest agreements where necessary or useful for this purpose.
6.9 Confidentiality .
(a) Confidentiality. Subject to Section 6.10 , from and after the Effective Time until the three (3)-year anniversary of the Effective Time, each of Parent and SpinCo, on behalf of itself and each member of its respective Group, agrees to hold, and to cause its respective Representatives to hold, in strict confidence, with at least the same degree of care that applies to Parents confidential and proprietary information pursuant to policies in effect as of the Effective Time, all confidential and proprietary information concerning the other Party or any member of the other Partys Group or their respective businesses that is either in its possession (including confidential and proprietary information in its possession prior to the date hereof) or furnished by any such other Party or any member of such Partys Group or their respective Representatives at any time pursuant to this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or otherwise, and shall not use any such confidential and proprietary information other than for such purposes as shall be expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder, except, in each case, to the extent that such confidential and proprietary information has been (i) in the public domain or generally available to the public, other than as a result of a disclosure by such Party or any member of such Partys Group or any of their respective Representatives in violation of this Agreement, (ii) later lawfully acquired from other sources by such Party (or any member of such Partys Group), which sources are not themselves bound by a confidentiality obligation or other contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality with respect to such confidential and proprietary information or (iii) independently developed or generated without reference to or use of any proprietary or confidential information of the other Party or any member of such Partys Group. If any confidential and proprietary information of one Party or any member of its Group is disclosed to the other Party or any member of such other Partys Group in connection with providing services to such first Party or any member of such first Partys Group under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, then such disclosed confidential and proprietary information shall be used only as required to perform such services.
(b) No Release; Return or Destruction. Each Party agrees not to release or disclose, or permit to be released or disclosed, any information addressed in Section 6.9(a) to any other Person, except its Representatives who need to know such information in their capacities as
such (who shall be advised of their obligations hereunder with respect to such information), and except in compliance with Section 6.10 . Without limiting the foregoing, when any such information is no longer needed for the purposes contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, and is no longer subject to any legal hold or other document preservation obligation, each Party will promptly after request of the other Party either return to the other Party all such information in a tangible form (including all copies thereof and all notes, extracts or summaries based thereon) or notify the other Party in writing that it has destroyed such information (and such copies thereof and such notes, extracts or summaries based thereon); provided , that the Parties may retain electronic backup versions of such information maintained on routine computer system backup tapes, disks or other backup storage devices; provided further , that any such information so retained shall remain subject to the confidentiality provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.
(c) Third-Party Information; Privacy or Data Protection Laws. Each Party acknowledges that it and members of its Group may presently have and, following the Effective Time, may gain access to or possession of confidential or proprietary information of, or legally protected personal information relating to, Third Parties (i) that was received under privacy policies and/or confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements entered into between such Third Parties, on the one hand, and the other Party or members of such other Partys Group, on the other hand, prior to the Effective Time; or (ii) that, as between the two (2) Parties, was originally collected by the other Party or members of such other Partys Group and that may be subject to and protected by privacy policies, as well as privacy, data protection or other applicable Laws. Each Party agrees that it shall hold, protect and use, and shall cause the members of its Group and its and their respective Representatives to hold, protect and use, in strict confidence the confidential and proprietary information of, or legally protected personal information relating to, Third Parties in accordance with privacy policies and privacy, data protection or other applicable Laws and the terms of any agreements that were either entered into before the Effective Time or affirmative commitments or representations that were made before the Effective Time by, between or among the other Party or members of the other Partys Group, on the one hand, and such Third Parties, on the other hand.
6.10 Protective Arrangements . In the event that a Party or any member of its Group either determines on the advice of its counsel that it is required to disclose any information pursuant to applicable Law or receives any request or demand under lawful process or from any Governmental Authority to disclose or provide information of the other Party (or any member of the other Partys Group) that is subject to the confidentiality provisions hereof, such Party shall notify the other Party (to the extent legally permitted) as promptly as practicable under the circumstances prior to disclosing or providing such information and shall cooperate, at the expense of the other Party, in seeking any appropriate protective order requested by the other Party. In the event that such other Party fails to receive such appropriate protective order in a timely manner and the Party receiving the request or demand reasonably determines that its failure to disclose or provide such information shall actually prejudice the Party receiving the request or demand, then the Party that received such request or demand may thereafter disclose or provide information to the extent required by such Law (as so advised by its counsel) or by lawful process or such Governmental Authority, and the disclosing Party shall promptly provide the other Party with a copy of the information so disclosed, in the same form and format so
disclosed, together with a list of all Persons to whom such information was disclosed, in each case to the extent legally permitted.
ARTICLE VII
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
7.1 Good Faith Officer Negotiation . Subject to Section 7.5 , either Party seeking resolution of any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (including regarding whether any Assets are SpinCo Assets, any Liabilities are SpinCo Liabilities or the validity, interpretation, breach or termination of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement) (a Dispute ), shall provide written notice thereof to the other Party (the Officer Negotiation Request ). Within fifteen (15) days of the delivery of the Officer Negotiation Request, the Parties shall attempt to resolve the Dispute through good faith negotiation. All such negotiations shall be conducted by executives who hold, at a minimum, the title of Vice President and who have authority to settle the Dispute. All such negotiations shall be confidential and shall be treated as compromise and settlement negotiations for purposes of applicable rules of evidence. If the Parties are unable for any reason to resolve any Dispute within thirty (30) days of receipt of the Officer Negotiation Request, and such thirty (30)-day period is not extended by mutual written consent of the Parties, the General Counsel of the Parties shall enter into good faith negotiations in accordance with Section 7.2 .
7.2 General Counsel Negotiation . If any Dispute is not resolved pursuant to Section 7.1 , the Party that delivered the Officer Negotiation Request shall provide written notice of such Dispute to the General Counsel of each Party (a General Counsel Negotiation Request ). As soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of a General Counsel Negotiation Request, the General Counsel of the Parties shall begin conducting good faith negotiations with respect to such Dispute. All such negotiations shall be confidential and shall be treated as compromise and settlement negotiations for purposes of applicable rules of evidence. If the General Counsel of the Parties are unable for any reason to resolve a Dispute within thirty (30) days of receipt of a General Counsel Negotiation Request, and such thirty (30)-day period is not extended by mutual written consent of the Parties, the Chief Executive Officers of the Parties shall enter into good faith negotiations in accordance with in accordance with Section 7.3 .
7.3 CEO Negotiation . If any Dispute is not resolved pursuant to Section 7.1 , the Party that delivered the Officer Negotiation Request shall provide written notice of such Dispute to the Chief Executive Officer of each Party (a CEO Negotiation Request ). As soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of a CEO Negotiation Request, the Chief Executive Officers of the Parties shall begin conducting good faith negotiations with respect to such Dispute. All such negotiations shall be confidential and shall be treated as compromise and settlement negotiations for purposes of applicable rules of evidence. If the Chief Executive Officers of the Parties are unable for any reason to resolve a Dispute within thirty (30) days of receipt of a CEO Negotiation Request, and such thirty (30)-day period is not extended by mutual written consent of the Parties, the Dispute shall be submitted to arbitration in accordance with Section 7.4 .
7.4 Arbitration .
(a) In the event that a Dispute has not been resolved within thirty (30) days of the receipt of a CEO Negotiation Request in accordance with Section 7.3 , or within such longer period as the Parties may agree in writing, then such Dispute shall, upon the written request of a Party (the Arbitration Request ) be submitted to be finally resolved by binding arbitration. If the disputed claim or counterclaim exceeds $250,000, not including interest or attorneys fees, the JAMS Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures ( JAMS Comprehensive Rules ) in effect at the time of the arbitration shall govern the arbitration, except as they may be modified herein or by mutual written agreement of the Parties. If no disputed claim or counterclaim exceeds $250,000, not including interest or attorneys fees, the JAMS Streamlined Arbitration Rules and Procedures ( JAMS Streamlined Rules ) in effect at the time of the arbitration shall govern the arbitration, except as they may be modified herein or by mutual written agreement of the Parties. The arbitration shall be held in (i) New York City, New York or (ii) such other place as the Parties may mutually agree in writing. Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties in writing, any Dispute to be decided pursuant to this Section 7.4 will be decided (x) before a sole arbitrator if the amount in dispute, inclusive of all claims and counterclaims, totals less than $250,000; or (y) by a panel of three (3) arbitrators if the amount in dispute, inclusive of all claims and counterclaims, totals $250,000 or more.
(b) The panel of three (3) arbitrators will be chosen as follows: (i) within fifteen (15) days from the date of the receipt of the Arbitration Request, each Party will name an arbitrator; and (ii) the two (2) Party-appointed arbitrators will thereafter, within thirty (30) days from the date on which the second (2nd) of the two (2) arbitrators was named, name a third (3rd), independent arbitrator who will act as chairperson of the arbitral tribunal. In the event that either Party fails to name an arbitrator within fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of the Arbitration Request, then upon written application by either Party, that arbitrator shall be appointed pursuant to the JAMS Comprehensive Rules. In the event that the two (2) Party-appointed arbitrators fail to appoint the third (3rd), then the third (3rd) independent arbitrator will be appointed pursuant to the JAMS Comprehensive Rules. If the arbitration will be before a sole independent arbitrator, then the sole independent arbitrator will be appointed by agreement of the Parties within fifteen (15) days of the date of receipt of the Arbitration Request. If the Parties cannot agree to a sole independent arbitrator during such fifteen (15)-day period, then upon written application by either party, the sole independent arbitrator will be appointed pursuant to the JAMS Streamlined Rules.
(c) The arbitrator(s) will have the right to award, on an interim basis, or include in the final award, any relief that it deems proper in the circumstances, including money damages (with interest on unpaid amounts from the due date), injunctive relief (including specific performance) and attorneys fees and costs; provided that the arbitrator(s) will not award any relief not specifically requested by the Parties and, in any event, will not award any indirect, punitive, exemplary, remote, speculative or similar damages in excess of compensatory damages of the other arising in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (other than any such Liability with respect to a Third-Party Claim). Upon selection of the arbitrator(s) following any grant of interim relief by a special arbitrator or court pursuant to Section 7.5 , the arbitrator(s) may affirm or disaffirm that relief, and the Parties will seek modification or rescission of the order entered by the court as necessary to accord with the decision of the arbitrator(s). The
award of the arbitrator(s) shall be final and binding on the Parties, and may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction. The initiation of arbitration pursuant to this Article VII will toll the applicable statute of limitations for the duration of any such proceedings. Notwithstanding applicable state law, the arbitration and this agreement to arbitrate shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. § 1, et seq .
7.5 Litigation and Unilateral Commencement of Arbitration . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article VII , (a) a Party may seek preliminary provisional or injunctive judicial relief with respect to a Dispute without first complying with the procedures set forth in Section 7.1 , Section 7.2 , Section 7.3 and Section 7.4 if such action is reasonably necessary to avoid irreparable damage and (b) either Party may initiate arbitration before the expiration of the periods specified in Section 7.1 , Section 7.2 , Section 7.3 and Section 7.4 if such Party has submitted an Officer Negotiation Request, a General Counsel Negotiation Request, a CEO Negotiation Request and/or an Arbitration Request and the other Party has failed to comply with Section 7.1 , Section 7.2 , Section 7.3 and/or Section 7.4 in good faith with respect to such negotiation and/or the commencement and engagement in arbitration. In such event, the other Party may commence and prosecute such arbitration unilaterally in accordance with the provisions of JAMS Comprehensive Rules or the JAMS Streamlined Rules, as applicable.
7.6 Conduct During Dispute Resolution Process . Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the Parties shall, and shall cause the respective members of their Groups to, continue to honor all commitments under this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to the extent required by such agreements during the course of dispute resolution pursuant to the provisions of this Article VII , unless such commitments are the specific subject of the Dispute at issue.
ARTICLE VIII
FURTHER ASSURANCES AND ADDITIONAL COVENANTS
8.1 Further Assurances .
(a) In addition to the actions specifically provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, each of the Parties shall use its reasonable best efforts, prior to, on and after the Effective Time, to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things, reasonably necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws, regulations and agreements to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.
(b) Without limiting the foregoing, prior to, on and after the Effective Time, each Party hereto shall cooperate with the other Party, and without any further consideration, but at the expense of the requesting Party, to execute and deliver, or use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be executed and delivered, all instruments, including instruments of conveyance, assignment and transfer, and to make all filings with, and to obtain all Approvals or Notifications of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person under any permit, license, agreement, indenture or other instrument (including any consents or Governmental Approvals), and to take all such other actions as such Party may reasonably be requested to take by the other Party from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, in order to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and
the transfers of the SpinCo Assets and the Parent Assets and the assignment and assumption of the SpinCo Liabilities and the Parent Liabilities and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Without limiting the foregoing, each Party will, at the reasonable request, cost and expense of the other Party, take such other actions as may be reasonably necessary to vest in such other Party good and marketable title to the Assets allocated to such Party under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, free and clear of any Security Interest, if and to the extent it is practicable to do so.
(c) On or prior to the Effective Time, Parent and SpinCo in their respective capacities as direct and indirect stockholders of the members of their Groups, shall each ratify any actions that are reasonably necessary or desirable to be taken by Parent, SpinCo or any of the members of their respective Groups, as the case may be, to effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.
(d) Parent and SpinCo, and each of the members of their respective Groups, waive (and agree not to assert against any of the others) any claim or demand that any of them may have against any of the others for any Liabilities or other claims relating to or arising out of: (i) the failure of SpinCo or any other member of the SpinCo Group, on the one hand, or of Parent or any other member of the Parent Group, on the other hand, to provide any notification or disclosure required under any state Environmental Law in connection with the Separation or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the transfer by any member of any Group to any member of the other Group of ownership or operational control of any Assets not previously owned or operated by such transferee; or (ii) any inadequate, incorrect or incomplete notification or disclosure under any such state Environmental Law by the applicable transferor. To the extent any Liability to any Governmental Authority or any Third Party arises out of any action or inaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above, the transferee of the applicable Asset hereby assumes and agrees to pay any such Liability.
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION
9.1 Termination . This Agreement and all Ancillary Agreements may be terminated and the Distribution may be amended, modified or abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time by Parent, in its sole and absolute discretion, without the approval or consent of any other Person, including SpinCo. After the Effective Time, this Agreement may not be terminated, except by an agreement in writing signed by a duly authorized officer of each of the Parties.
9.2 Effect of Termination . In the event of any termination of this Agreement prior to the Effective Time, no Party (nor any of its directors, officers or employees) shall have any Liability or further obligation to the other Party by reason of this Agreement.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 Counterparts; Entire Agreement; Corporate Power .
(a) This Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Party.
(b) This Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the Exhibits, Schedules and appendices hereto and thereto contain the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, supersede all previous agreements, negotiations, discussions, writings, understandings, commitments and conversations with respect to such subject matter, and there are no agreements or understandings between the Parties other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein. This Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements together govern the arrangements in connection with the Separation and the Distribution and would not have been entered into independently.
(c) Parent represents on behalf of itself and each other member of the Parent Group, and SpinCo represents on behalf of itself and each other member of the SpinCo Group, as follows:
(i) each such Person has the requisite corporate or other power and authority and has taken all corporate or other action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which it is a party and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; and
(ii) this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which it is a party has been duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of it enforceable in accordance with the terms thereof.
(d) Each Party acknowledges that it and each other Party is executing certain of the Ancillary Agreements by facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature, and that delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (whether executed by manual, stamp or mechanical signature) by facsimile or by e-mail in portable document format (.pdf) shall be effective as delivery of such executed counterpart of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement. Each Party expressly adopts and confirms each such facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature (regardless of whether delivered in person, by mail, by courier, by facsimile or by e-mail in portable document format (.pdf)) made in its respective name as if it were a manual signature delivered in person, agrees that it will not assert that any such signature or delivery is not adequate to bind such Party to the same extent as if it were signed manually and delivered in person and agrees that, at the reasonable request of the other Party at any time, it will as promptly as reasonably practicable cause each such Ancillary Agreement to be manually executed (any such execution to be as of the date of the initial date thereof) and delivered in person, by mail or by courier.
10.2 Governing Law . This Agreement and, unless expressly provided therein, each Ancillary Agreement (and any claims or disputes arising out of or related hereto or thereto or to the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby or to the inducement of any party to enter herein and therein, whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct or otherwise and whether predicated on common law, statute or otherwise) shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware irrespective of the choice of laws principles of the State of Delaware, including all matters of validity, construction, effect, enforceability, performance and remedies.
10.3 Assignability . Except as set forth in any Ancillary Agreement, this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and the parties thereto, respectively, and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided , however , that neither Party nor any such party thereto may assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement without the express prior written consent of the other Party hereto or other parties thereto, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such consent shall be required for the assignment of a Partys rights and obligations under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements (except as may be otherwise provided in any such Ancillary Agreement) in whole ( i.e. , the assignment of a Partys rights and obligations under this Agreement and all Ancillary Agreements at the same time) in connection with a change of control of a Party so long as the resulting, surviving or transferee Person assumes all the obligations of the relevant party thereto by operation of Law or pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the other Party.
10.4 Third-Party Beneficiaries . Except for the indemnification rights under this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement of any Parent Indemnitee or SpinCo Indemnitee in their respective capacities as such, (a) the provisions of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement are solely for the benefit of the Parties and are not intended to confer upon any Person except the Parties any rights or remedies hereunder, and (b) there are no third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement and neither this Agreement nor any Ancillary Agreement shall provide any Third Party with any remedy, claim, Liability, reimbursement, claim of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.
10.5 Notices . All notices, requests, claims, demands or other communications under this Agreement and, to the extent applicable and unless otherwise provided therein, under each of the Ancillary Agreements, shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and except as provided herein, shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service, by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by electronic mail ( e-mail ), so long as confirmation of receipt of such e-mail is requested and received, to the respective Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 10.5 ):
If to Parent, to:
ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc.
150 Peabody Place
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
Attention: General Counsel
E-mail: James.Lucke@ServiceMaster.com
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice), to:
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
51 West 52nd Street
New York, New York 10019
Attention:
S. Iliana Ongun
E-mail: ARBrownstein@wlrk.com
SIOngun@wlrk.com
If to SpinCo (prior to the Effective Time), to:
AHS Holding Company, Inc.
150 Peabody Place
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
Attention:
General Counsel
E-mail: James.Lucke@ServiceMaster.com
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice), to:
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
51 West 52nd Street
New York, New York 10019
Attention:
S. Iliana Ongun
E-mail: ARBrownstein@wlrk.com
SIOngun@wlrk.com
If to SpinCo (from and after the Effective Time), to:
AHS Holding Company, Inc.
[]
[]
Attention:
[]
E-mail: []
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice), to:
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
51 West 52nd Street
New York, New York 10019
Attention:
Andrew Brownstein
S. Iliana Ongun
E-mail: ARBrownstein@wlrk.com
SIOngun@wlrk.com
A Party may, by notice to the other Party, change the address to which such notices are to be given or made.
10.6 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof or thereof, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances or in jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby. Upon such determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon such a suitable and equitable provision to effect the original intent of the Parties.
10.7 Force Majeure . No Party shall be deemed in default of this Agreement or, unless otherwise expressly provided therein, any Ancillary Agreement for any delay or failure to fulfill any obligation (other than a payment obligation) hereunder or thereunder so long as and to the extent to which any delay or failure in the fulfillment of such obligation is prevented, frustrated, hindered or delayed as a consequence of circumstances of Force Majeure. In the event of any such excused delay, the time for performance of such obligations (other than a payment obligation) shall be extended for a period equal to the time lost by reason of the delay. A Party claiming the benefit of this provision shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the occurrence of any such event, (a) provide written notice to the other Party of the nature and extent of any such Force Majeure condition; and (b) use commercially reasonable efforts to remove any such causes and resume performance under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, as applicable, as soon as reasonably practicable.
10.8 No Set-Off . Except as expressly set forth in any Ancillary Agreement or as otherwise mutually agreed to in writing by the Parties, neither Party nor any member of such Partys group shall have any right of set-off or other similar rights with respect to (a) any amounts received pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement; or (b) any other amounts claimed to be owed to the other Party or any member of its Group arising out of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.
10.9 Expenses . Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, or as otherwise agreed to in writing by the Parties, all fees, costs and expenses incurred on or prior to the Effective Time in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery and implementation of this Agreement, including the Separation and the Distribution, and any Ancillary Agreement, the Separation, the registration statement, the Plan of Reorganization and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will be borne by the Party or its applicable Subsidiary incurring such fees, costs or expenses. The Parties agree that certain specified costs and expenses shall be allocated between the Parties as set forth on Schedule 10.9 .
10.10 Headings . The article, section and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement and in the Ancillary Agreements are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.
10.11 Survival of Covenants . Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, the covenants, representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement, and Liability for the breach of any obligations contained herein, shall survive the Separation and the Distribution and shall remain in full force and effect.
10.12 Waivers of Default . Waiver by a Party of any default by the other Party of any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver by the waiving Party of any subsequent or other default, nor shall it prejudice the rights of the other Party. No failure or delay by a Party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof prejudice any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.
10.13 Specific Performance . Subject to the provisions of Article VII , in the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, the Party or Parties who are, or are to be, thereby aggrieved shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief in respect of its or their rights under this Agreement or such Ancillary Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. The Parties agree that the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is waived. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are waived by each of the Parties.
10.14 Amendments . No provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement shall be deemed waived, amended, supplemented or modified by a Party, unless such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized representative of the Party against whom it is sought to enforce such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification.
10.15 Interpretation . In this Agreement and in any Ancillary Agreement, (a) words in the singular shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa and words of one gender shall be deemed to include the other genders as the context requires; (b) the terms hereof, herein, and herewith and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement (or the applicable Ancillary Agreement) as a whole (including all of the Schedules, Exhibits and Appendices hereto and thereto) and not to any particular provision of this Agreement (or such Ancillary Agreement); (c) Article, Section, Schedule, Exhibit and Appendix references are to the Articles, Sections, Schedules, Exhibits and Appendices to this Agreement (or the applicable Ancillary Agreement), unless otherwise specified; (d) unless otherwise stated, all references to any agreement (including this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement) shall be deemed to include the exhibits, schedules and annexes
(including all Schedules, Exhibits and Appendixes) to such agreement; (e) the word including and words of similar import when used in this Agreement (or the applicable Ancillary Agreement) shall mean including, without limitation, unless otherwise specified; (f) the word or shall not be exclusive; (g) unless otherwise specified in a particular case, the word days refers to calendar days; (h) references to business day shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions are generally authorized or required by law to close in the United States or Memphis, Tennessee; (i) references herein to this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein shall be deemed to refer to this Agreement or such other agreement as of the date on which it is executed and as it may be amended, modified or supplemented thereafter, unless otherwise specified; and (j) unless expressly stated to the contrary in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, all references to the date hereof, the date of this Agreement, hereby and hereupon and words of similar import shall all be references to [].
10.16 Limitations of Liability . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group, on the one hand, nor Parent or any member of the Parent Group, on the other hand, shall be liable under this Agreement to the other for any indirect, incidental, punitive, exemplary, remote, speculative or similar damages in excess of compensatory damages of the other arising in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (other than any such Liability with respect to a Third-Party Claim).
10.17 Performance . Parent will cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement to be performed by any member of the Parent Group. SpinCo will cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement to be performed by any member of the SpinCo Group. Each Party (including its permitted successors and assigns) further agrees that it will (a) give timely notice of the terms, conditions and continuing obligations contained in this Agreement and any applicable Ancillary Agreement to all of the other members of its Group and (b) cause all of the other members of its Group not to take any action or fail to take any such action inconsistent with such Partys obligations under this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
10.18 Mutual Drafting . This Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements shall be deemed to be the joint work product of the Parties and any rule of construction that a document shall be interpreted or construed against a drafter of such document shall not be applicable.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Separation and Distribution Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first written above.
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[Signature Page to Separation and Distribution Agreement]
Exhibit 2.2
TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
SERVICEMASTER GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.
AND
AHS HOLDING COMPANY, INC.
DATED AS OF []
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS |
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Section 1.01. |
Definitions |
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2 |
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ARTICLE II SERVICES |
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6 |
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Section 2.01. |
Services |
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6 |
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Section 2.02. |
Performance of Services |
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7 |
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Section 2.03. |
Charges for Services |
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8 |
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Section 2.04. |
Reimbursement for Out-of-Pocket Costs and Expenses |
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9 |
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Section 2.05. |
Changes in the Performance of Services |
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9 |
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Section 2.06. |
Transitional Nature of Services |
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9 |
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Section 2.07. |
Subcontracting |
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10 |
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Section 2.08. |
Contract Manager |
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10 |
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ARTICLE III BILLING; TAXES |
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10 |
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Section 3.01. |
Procedure |
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10 |
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Section 3.02. |
Late Payments |
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11 |
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Section 3.03. |
Taxes |
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11 |
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Section 3.04. |
No Set-Off |
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11 |
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ARTICLE IV TERM AND TERMINATION |
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11 |
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Section 4.01. |
Term |
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11 |
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Section 4.02. |
Early Termination |
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11 |
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Section 4.03. |
Interdependencies |
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12 |
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Section 4.04. |
Effect of Termination |
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12 |
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Section 4.05. |
Information Transmission |
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13 |
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ARTICLE V CONFIDENTIALITY; PROTECTIVE ARRANGEMENTS |
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13 |
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Section 5.01. |
Parent and SpinCo Obligations |
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13 |
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Section 5.02. |
No Release; Return or Destruction |
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13 |
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Section 5.03. |
Privacy and Data Protection Laws |
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14 |
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Section 5.04. |
Protective Arrangements |
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14 |
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ARTICLE VI LIMITED LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION |
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14 |
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Section 6.01. |
Limitations on Liability |
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14 |
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Section 6.02. |
Obligation to Re-Perform; Liabilities |
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15 |
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Section 6.03. |
Third-Party Claims |
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15 |
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Section 6.04. |
Provider Indemnity |
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16 |
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Section 6.05. |
Indemnification Procedures |
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16 |
ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS |
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16 |
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Section 7.01. |
Mutual Cooperation |
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16 |
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Section 7.02. |
Further Assurances |
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16 |
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Section 7.03. |
Audit Assistance |
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16 |
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Section 7.04. |
Title to Intellectual Property |
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17 |
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Section 7.05. |
Independent Contractors |
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17 |
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Section 7.06. |
Counterparts; Entire Agreement; Corporate Power |
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17 |
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Section 7.07. |
Governing Law |
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18 |
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Section 7.08. |
Assignability |
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18 |
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Section 7.09. |
Third-Party Beneficiaries |
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18 |
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Section 7.10. |
Notices |
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19 |
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Section 7.11. |
Severability |
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19 |
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Section 7.12. |
Force Majeure |
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19 |
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Section 7.13. |
Headings |
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20 |
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Section 7.14. |
Survival of Covenants |
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20 |
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Section 7.15. |
Waivers of Default |
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20 |
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Section 7.16. |
Dispute Resolution |
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20 |
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Section 7.17. |
Specific Performance |
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21 |
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Section 7.18. |
Amendments |
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21 |
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Section 7.19. |
Precedence of Schedules |
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21 |
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Section 7.20. |
Interpretation |
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21 |
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Section 7.21. |
Mutual Drafting |
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22 |
TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT
This TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT (this Agreement ) is entered into as of [], by and between ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ( Parent ), and AHS Holding Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation ( SpinCo ).
R E C I T A L S :
WHEREAS, the board of directors of Parent (the Parent Board ) has determined that it is in the best interests of Parent and its stockholders to create a new publicly traded company that shall operate the SpinCo Business;
WHEREAS, in furtherance of the foregoing, the Parent Board has determined that it is appropriate and desirable to separate the SpinCo Business from the Parent Business (the Separation ) and, following the Separation, make a distribution, on a pro rata basis, to holders of Parent Shares on the Record Date of [] percent ([]%) of the outstanding SpinCo Shares owned by Parent (the Distribution );
WHEREAS, SpinCo has been incorporated solely for these purposes and has not engaged in activities, except in connection with the Separation and the Distribution;
WHEREAS, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Separation and the Distribution, taken together, are intended to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, and this Agreement is intended to be, and is hereby adopted as, a plan of reorganization within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-2(g);
WHEREAS, SpinCo and Parent have prepared, and SpinCo has filed with the SEC, the Form 10, which includes the Information Statement, and which sets forth disclosures concerning SpinCo, the Separation and the Distribution;
WHEREAS, in order to effectuate the Separation and the Distribution, Parent and SpinCo have entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of [] (the Separation and Distribution Agreement );
WHEREAS, in order to facilitate and provide for an orderly transition in connection with the Separation and the Distribution, the Parties desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions pursuant to which each of the Parties shall provide Services to the other Party for a transitional period; and
WHEREAS, the Parties acknowledge that this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement, and the other Ancillary Agreements represent the integrated agreement of Parent and SpinCo relating to the Separation and the Distribution, are being entered together, and would not have been entered independently.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01. Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement (including the Recitals hereof), the following terms have the following meanings, and capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Separation and Distribution Agreement:
Action means any demand, action, claim, dispute, suit, countersuit, arbitration, inquiry, subpoena, proceeding or investigation of any nature (whether criminal, civil, legislative, administrative, regulatory, prosecutorial or otherwise) by or before any federal, state, local, foreign or international Governmental Authority or any arbitration or mediation tribunal.
Additional Services has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(b) .
Affiliate has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Agreement has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
Ancillary Agreements has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Charge and Charges have the meaning set forth in Section 2.03 .
Confidential Information means all Information that is either confidential or proprietary.
Contract Manager has the meaning set forth in Section 2.08 .
Dispute has the meaning set forth in Section 7.16(a) .
Distribution has the meaning set forth in the Recitals .
Distribution Date means the date of the consummation of the Distribution, which shall be determined by the Parent Board in its sole and absolute discretion.
e-mail has the meaning set forth in Section 7.10 .
Effective Time means [], New York City time, on the Distribution Date.
Force Majeure means, with respect to a Party, an event beyond the reasonable control of such Party (or any Person acting on its behalf), which event (a) does not arise or result from the fault or negligence of such Party (or any Person acting on its behalf) and (b) by its nature would not reasonably have been foreseen by such Party (or such Person), or, if it would reasonably have been foreseen, was unavoidable, and includes acts of God, acts of civil or
military authority, embargoes, epidemics, war, riots, insurrections, fires, explosions, earthquakes, floods, unusually severe weather conditions, labor problems or unavailability of parts, or, in the case of computer systems, any significant and prolonged failure in electrical or air conditioning equipment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the receipt by a Party of an unsolicited takeover offer or other acquisition proposal, even if unforeseen or unavoidable, and such Partys response thereto and (ii) the inability to obtain sufficient funds needed for the performance of a Partys obligation hereunder, shall not be deemed an event of Force Majeure.
Governmental Authority means any nation or government, any state, municipality or other political subdivision thereof, and any entity, body, agency, commission, department, board, bureau, court, tribunal or other instrumentality, whether federal, state, local, domestic, foreign or multinational, exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, administrative or other similar functions of, or pertaining to, government and any executive official thereof.
Information means information, whether or not patentable or copyrightable, in written, oral, electronic or other tangible or intangible forms, stored in any medium, including studies, reports, records, books, contracts, instruments, surveys, discoveries, ideas, concepts, know-how, techniques, designs, specifications, drawings, blueprints, diagrams, models, prototypes, samples, flow charts, data, computer data, disks, diskettes, tapes, computer programs or other software, marketing plans, customer names, communications by or to attorneys (including attorney-client privileged communications), memos and other materials prepared by attorneys or under their direction (including attorney work product), and other technical, financial, employee or business information or data.
Interest Payment has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02 .
Law means any national, supranational, federal, state, provincial, local or similar law (including common law), statute, code, order, ordinance, rule, regulation, treaty (including any income tax treaty), license, permit, authorization, approval, consent, decree, injunction, binding judicial or administrative interpretation or other requirement, in each case, enacted, promulgated, issued or entered by a Governmental Authority.
Level of Service has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(c) .
Liabilities means all debts, guarantees, assurances, commitments, liabilities, responsibilities, Losses, remediation, deficiencies, damages, fines, penalties, settlements, sanctions, costs, expenses, interest and obligations of any nature or kind, whether accrued or fixed, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, accrued or not accrued, asserted or unasserted, liquidated or unliquidated, foreseen or unforeseen, known or unknown, reserved or unreserved, or determined or determinable, including those arising under any Law, claim (including any Third-Party Claim), demand, Action, or order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, stipulation, determination or award entered by or with any Governmental Authority or arbitration tribunal, and those arising under any contract, agreement, obligation, indenture, instrument, lease, promise, arrangement, release, warranty, commitment or undertaking, or any fines, damages or equitable relief that is imposed, in each case, including all costs and expenses relating thereto.
Losses means actual losses (including any diminution in value), costs, damages, penalties and expenses (including legal and accounting fees and expenses and costs of investigation and litigation), whether or not involving a Third-Party Claim.
Parent has the meaning set forth in the Preamble .
Parent Board has the meaning set forth in the Recitals .
Parent Business has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Parent Shares means the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Parent.
Party or Parties means the parties to this Agreement.
Person means an individual, a general or limited partnership, a corporation, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, a limited liability entity, any other entity and any Governmental Authority.
Provider means, with respect to any Service, the Party providing such Service.
Provider Indemnitees has the meaning set forth in Section 6.03 .
Recipient means, with respect to any Service, the Party receiving such Service.
Recipient Indemnitees has the meaning set forth in Section 6.04 .
Record Date means the close of business on the date to be determined by the Parent Board as the record date for determining holders of Parent Shares entitled to receive SpinCo Shares pursuant to the Distribution.
Representatives means, with respect to any Person, any of such Persons directors, officers, employees, agents, consultants, advisors, accountants, attorneys or other representatives.
Separation has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Separation and Distribution Agreement has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Service Baseline Period has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(c) .
Service Period means, with respect to any Service, the period commencing on the Distribution Date and ending on the earliest of (a) the date that a Party terminates the provision of such Service pursuant to Section 4.02 , (b) the date that is the two (2)-year anniversary of the Distribution Date and (c) the date specified for termination of such Service on the Schedules hereto.
Services has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a) .
SpinCo has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
SpinCo Business has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
SpinCo Change of Control means the first of the following events, if any, to occur following the Distribution Date:
(i) the acquisition by any person, entity or group (as defined in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of beneficial ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of SpinCos then-outstanding voting securities, other than any such acquisition by SpinCo, any of its Subsidiaries, any employee benefit plan of SpinCo or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Affiliates of any of the foregoing;
(ii) the merger, consolidation or other similar transaction involving SpinCo, as a result of which persons who were stockholders of SpinCo immediately prior to such merger, consolidation, or other similar transaction do not, immediately thereafter, own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the merged or consolidated company;
(iii) within any twenty-four (24)-month period, the persons who were directors of SpinCo at the beginning of such period shall cease to constitute at least a majority of the directors of SpinCo; or
(iv) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of SpinCo and its Subsidiaries.
SpinCo Shares means the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of SpinCo.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, joint venture or partnership of which such Person (a) beneficially owns, either directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of (i) the total combined voting power of all classes of voting securities, (ii) the total combined equity interests or (iii) the capital or profit interests, in the case of a partnership, or (b) otherwise has the power to vote, either directly or indirectly, sufficient securities to elect a majority of the board of directors or similar governing body.
Tax means any and all forms of taxation, whenever created or imposed by a Taxing Authority, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall include net income, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated, gross income, sales, use, ad valorem, gross receipts, value-added, franchise, profits, license, transfer, recording, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, windfall profit, custom duty or other tax, governmental fee or other like assessment or charge of any kind whatsoever, together with
any related interest, penalties or other additions to tax, or additional amounts imposed by any such Taxing Authority.
Taxing Authority means a national, foreign, municipal, state, federal or other Governmental Authority responsible for the administration of any Tax.
Termination Charges shall mean, with respect to the termination of any Service pursuant to Section 4.02(a)(i), the sum of (a) any and all costs, fees and expenses (other than any severance or retention costs) payable by the Provider of such Service to a Third Party principally because of the early termination of such Service; provided , however , that the Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize any costs, fees or expenses payable to any Third Party in connection with such early termination of such Service and credit any such reductions against the Termination Charges payable by Recipient; and (b) any additional severance and retention costs, if any, because of the early termination of such Service that the Provider of such terminated Service incurs to employees who had been retained primarily to provide such terminated Service (it being agreed that the costs set forth in this clause (b) shall only be the amount, if any, in excess of the severance and retention costs that such Provider would have paid to such employees if the Service had been provided for the full period during which such Service would have been provided hereunder but for such early termination).
Third Party means any Person other than the Parties or any of their respective Affiliates.
Third-Party Claim means any Action commenced by any Third Party against any Party or any of its Affiliates.
ARTICLE II
SERVICES
Section 2.01. Services .
(a) Commencing as of the Effective Time, Provider agrees to provide, or to cause one (1) or more of its Subsidiaries to provide, to Recipient, or any Subsidiary of Recipient, the applicable services (the Services ) set forth on the Schedules hereto.
(b) After the date of this Agreement, if (i) SpinCo identifies a service that Parent provided to SpinCo prior to the Distribution Date that SpinCo reasonably needs in order for the SpinCo Business to continue to operate in substantially the same manner in which the SpinCo Business operated prior to the Distribution Date, and such service was not included on the Schedules hereto (other than because the Parties agreed such service shall not be provided), or (ii) Parent identifies a service that SpinCo provided to Parent prior to the Distribution Date that Parent reasonably needs in order for the Parent Business to continue to operate in substantially the same manner in which the Parent Business operated prior to the Distribution Date, and such service was not included on the Schedules hereto (other than because the Parties agreed such service shall not be provided) then, in each case, if such Party provides written notice to the other Party within sixty (60) days after the Distribution Date requesting such additional services, then the Party receiving such notice shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to provide such requested additional services (such requested additional services, the
Additional Services ); provided , however , that neither Party shall not be obligated to provide any Additional Service if it does not, in its commercially reasonable judgment, have adequate resources to provide such Additional Service or if the provision of such Additional Service would significantly disrupt the operation of such Partys or its Subsidiaries businesses; and provided , further , that a Party shall not be required to provide any Additional Services if the Parties, acting reasonably and in good faith, are unable to reach agreement on the terms thereof (including with respect to Service Charges therefor). In connection with any request for Additional Services in accordance with this Section 2.01(b) , the Parties shall negotiate in good faith the terms of a supplement to the applicable Schedule, which terms shall be consistent with the terms of, and the pricing methodology used for, similar Services provided under this Agreement. Upon the mutual written agreement of the Parties, the supplement to the applicable Schedule shall describe in reasonable detail the nature, scope, Service Period(s), termination provisions and other terms applicable to such Additional Services in a manner similar to that in which the Services are described in the existing Schedules. Each supplement to the applicable Schedule, as agreed to in writing by the Parties, shall be deemed part of this Agreement as of the date of such agreement and the Additional Services set forth therein shall be deemed Services provided under this Agreement, in each case subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Section 2.02. Performance of Services .
(a) Subject to Section 2.05 , Provider shall perform, or shall cause one or more of its Subsidiaries to perform (directly, through one (1) or more of its Subsidiaries, or through a Third-Party service provider in accordance herewith), all Services to be provided in a manner that is substantially similar in all material respects to the analogous services provided by or on behalf of Provider or any of its Subsidiaries to its applicable functional group or Subsidiary prior to the Effective Time and that in any event, conforms in all material respects with the terms of the Schedules hereto.
(b) Nothing in this Agreement shall require Provider to perform or cause to be performed any Service to the extent that the manner of such performance would constitute a violation of any applicable Law or any existing contract or agreement with a Third Party. If Provider is or becomes aware of that any such violation is reasonably likely, Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly advise Recipient of such potential violation, and Provider and Recipient will mutually seek an alternative that addresses such potential violation. The Parties agree to cooperate in good faith and use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any necessary Third-Party consents required under any existing contract or agreement with a Third Party to allow Provider to perform, or cause to be performed, all Services to be provided hereunder in accordance with the standards set forth in this Section 2.02 . Recipient shall reimburse Provider for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (if any) incurred by Provider or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with obtaining any such Third-Party consent that is required to allow Provider to perform or cause to be performed such Services. If, with respect to a Service, the Parties, despite the use of such commercially reasonable efforts, are unable to obtain a required Third-Party consent, or the performance of such Service by Provider would constitute a violation of any applicable Law, Provider shall have no obligation whatsoever to perform or cause to be performed such Service.
(c) Unless otherwise provided with respect to a specific Service on the Schedules hereto, Provider shall not be obligated to perform or cause to be performed any Service in a manner that is more burdensome (with respect to service quality or quantity) than analogous services provided by Provider or its applicable functional group or Subsidiary (collectively referred to as the Level of Service ) during the one (1)-year period ending on the last day of Providers last fiscal quarter completed on or prior to the date of the Distribution (the Service Baseline Period ). If Recipient requests that Provider perform or cause to be performed any Service that exceeds the Level of Service during the Service Baseline Period, then the Parties shall cooperate and negotiate in good faith to determine whether Provider will be required to provide such requested increased Level of Service. If the Parties determine that Provider shall provide the requested increased Level of Service, then such increased Level of Service shall be documented in a written agreement signed by the Parties. Each amended section of the Schedules hereto, as agreed in writing by the Parties, shall be deemed part of this Agreement as of the date of such written agreement, and the Level of Service increases set forth in such written agreement shall be deemed a part of the Services provided under this Agreement, in each case subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
(d) (i) Neither Provider nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to perform or cause to be performed any of the Services for the benefit of any Third Party or any other Person other than Recipient and its Subsidiaries, and (ii) EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION 2.02 OR SECTION 6.04 , RECIPIENT ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ALL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON AN AS-IS BASIS, THAT RECIPIENT ASSUMES ALL RISK AND LIABILITY ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO ITS USE OF AND RELIANCE UPON THE SERVICES, AND THAT PROVIDER MAKES NO OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR GRANTS ANY WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, EITHER IN FACT OR BY OPERATION OF LAW, BY STATUTE OR OTHERWISE, WITH RESPECT TO THE SERVICES. PROVIDER SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL, OR EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF QUALITY, MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE OR PURPOSE OR THE NON-INFRINGEMENT OF ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES.
(e) Each Party shall be responsible for its own compliance with any and all Laws applicable to its performance under this Agreement. No Party shall knowingly take any action in violation of any such applicable Law that results in Liability being imposed on the other Party.
Section 2.03. Charges for Services . Unless otherwise provided with respect to a specific Service on the Schedules hereto, Recipient shall pay Provider a fee (either one (1)-time or recurring) for such Services (or category of Services, as applicable) (each fee, a Charge and, collectively, Charges ), which Charges shall be set forth on the applicable Schedules hereto, or if not so set forth, then, unless otherwise provided with respect to a specific Service on the Schedule hereto, based upon the cost of providing such Services as shall be agreed by the Parties from time to time. During the term of this Agreement, the amount of a Charge for any Service may be modified to the extent of (a) any adjustments mutually agreed by the Parties, (b) any adjustments due to a change in Level of Service requested by Recipient and agreed by Provider,
and ( c) any adjustment in the rates or charges imposed by any Third-Party provider that is providing Services; provided that Provider will notify Recipient in writing of any such change in rates at least thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of such rate change. Together with any invoice for Charges, Provider shall provide Recipient with reasonable documentation, including any additional documentation reasonably requested by Recipient to the extent that such documentation is in Providers or its Subsidiaries possession or control, to support the calculation of such Charges.
Section 2.04. Reimbursement for Out-of-Pocket Costs and Expenses . In addition to any increase to a Charge contemplated by Section 2.02(c) and Section 2.03 , Recipient shall reimburse Provider for reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by Provider or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with providing the Services (including reasonable travel-related expenses) to the extent that such costs and expenses are not reflected in the Charges for such Services; provided , however , that any such cost or expense in excess of [] dollars ($[]) that is not consistent with historical practice between the Parties for any individual Service (including business travel and related expenses) shall require advance written approval of Recipient; provided , further , that if Recipient does not provide such advance written approval and the incurrence of such cost or expense is reasonably necessary for Provider to provide such Service in accordance with the standards set forth in this Agreement, Provider shall not be required to perform such Service. Any authorized travel-related expenses incurred in performing the Services shall be charged to Recipient in accordance with Providers then-applicable business travel policies.
Section 2.05. Changes in the Performance of Services .
(a) Subject to the performance standards for Services set forth in Sections 2.02(a) , 2.02(b) and 2.02(c) , Provider may make changes from time to time in the manner of performing the Services if Provider is making similar changes in performing analogous services for itself and if Provider furnishes to Recipient reasonable prior written notice (in content and timing) of such changes; provided , that if such change shall materially adversely affect the timeliness or quality of, or the Charges for, the applicable Service, the Parties shall cooperate in good faith to agree on modifications to such Services as are commercially reasonable in consideration of the circumstances.
(b) Subject to the limitations on Additional Services set forth in Section 2.02(b) , Recipient may request a change to a Service by submitting a request in writing to Provider describing the proposed change in reasonable detail. Provider shall respond to the request as soon as reasonably practicable, and the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to agree to such request, unless the change requested would adversely impact the cost, liability, or risk associated with providing or receiving the applicable Service, or cause any other disruption or adverse impact on the business or operations of Recipient or its Affiliates. Each agreed upon change shall be documented by an amendment in writing to the applicable Schedule.
Section 2.06. Transitional Nature of Services . The Parties acknowledge the transitional nature of the Services and agree to cooperate in good faith and to use commercially reasonable efforts to avoid a disruption in the transition of the Services from Provider to Recipient (or its
designee). Recipient agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to reduce or eliminate its and its Affiliates dependency on each Service to the extent and as soon as is reasonably practicable.
Section 2.07. Subcontracting . Provider may hire or engage one (1) or more Third Parties to perform any or all of its obligations under this Agreement; provided , however , that (a) Provider shall use the same degree of care (but at least reasonable care) in selecting each such Third Party as it would if such Third Party was being retained to provide similar services to Provider and (b) Provider shall in all cases remain responsible (as primary obligor) for all of its obligations under this Agreement with respect to the scope of the Services, the performance standard for Services set forth in Sections 2.02(a) , 2.02(b) and 2.02(c) and the content of the Services provided to Recipient. Provider shall be liable for any breach of its obligations under this Agreement by any Third-Party service provider engaged by Provider. Subject to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Article V , Provider shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, provide, upon fifteen (15) business days prior written notice, any Information within Providers or its Affiliates control that Recipient reasonably requests in connection with any Services being provided to Recipient by a Third Party, including any applicable invoices, agreements documenting the arrangements between such Third Party and Provider and other supporting documentation; provided , further , that Recipient may make no more than one (1) such request per Third Party during any calendar quarter.
Section 2.08. Contract Manager . Each Party shall appoint an individual to act as its primary point of operational contact for the administration and operation of this Agreement (each, a Contract Manager ) who shall have overall responsibility for coordinating all activities undertaken by such Party hereunder, for acting as a day-to-day contact with the other Party, and for making available to the other Party the data, facilities, resources and other support services required for the performance of the services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; provided that for each Service, the Contract Manager shall be permitted to delegate the foregoing responsibilities for such Service to an individual identified on the Schedules, and such representative shall be deemed to be the Contract Manager with respect to such Service. The initial Contract Managers for the Parties are set forth on the applicable Transition Services Schedules. The Parties may change their respective Contract Managers from time to time upon notice to the other Party in accordance herewith.
ARTICLE III
BILLING; TAXES
Section 3.01. Procedure . Recipient shall pay, or cause to be paid to, Provider the fees for the Services as set forth on the Schedules, and, without duplication, all other costs incurred by Provider as set forth in this Agreement. Amounts payable pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid by wire transfer or Automated Clearing House payment (or such other method of payment as may be agreed between the Parties from time to time) to Provider (as directed by Provider), which amounts shall be due (a) in the case of recurring fees, on a monthly basis on or prior to the first (1st) day of the calendar month for which the applicable Service is to be provided, and (b) in the case of all other amounts, within thirty (30) days of Recipients receipt of each invoice for Charges, including reasonable documentation pursuant to Section 2.03 . All amounts due and payable hereunder shall be paid in U.S. dollars. In the event of any billing dispute, Recipient shall promptly pay any undisputed amount.
Section 3.02. Late Payments . Charges not paid when due (including any undisputed amounts) pursuant to this Agreement (and any amounts billed or otherwise invoiced or demanded and properly payable that are not paid within fifteen (15) days of the receipt of such bill, invoice or other demand) shall accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to the Prime Rate plus two percent (2%) (the Interest Payment ).
Section 3.03. Taxes . Without limiting any provisions of this Agreement, Recipient shall bear any and all Taxes and other similar charges (and any related interest and penalties) imposed on, or payable with respect to, any fees or charges, including any Charges, payable by it pursuant to this Agreement, including all sales, use, value-added, and similar Taxes, but excluding any Taxes on Providers income. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the previous sentence or elsewhere in this Agreement, Recipient shall be entitled to withhold from any payments to Provider any such Taxes that Recipient is required by applicable Law to withhold and shall pay such Taxes to the applicable Taxing Authority.
Section 3.04. No Set-Off . Except as mutually agreed in writing by the Parties, no Party nor any of its Affiliates shall have any right of set-off or other similar rights with respect to (a) any amounts received pursuant to this Agreement or (b) any other amounts claimed to be owed to the other Party or any of its Subsidiaries arising out of this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
TERM AND TERMINATION
Section 4.01. Term . This Agreement shall commence at the Effective Time and shall terminate upon the earliest to occur of (a) the last date on which either Party is obligated to provide any Service to the other Party in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; (b) the mutual written agreement of the Parties to terminate this Agreement in its entirety; and (c) [the date that is the twelve (12)-month anniversary of the Distribution Date][December 31, 2019]. Unless otherwise terminated pursuant to Section 4.02 , this Agreement shall terminate with respect to each Service as of the close of business on the last day of the Service Period for such Service. The Parties may, by written consent executed at least ten (10) days prior to the last day of the Service Period for any individual Service, extend the Service Period for such Service on a month-to-month basis for a period not to exceed the two (2)-year anniversary of the Distribution Date. To the extent that Providers ability to provide a Service is dependent on the continuation of a specified Service, Providers obligation to provide such dependent Service shall terminate automatically with the termination of such supporting Service.
Section 4.02. Early Termination .
(a) Without prejudice to Recipients rights with respect to Force Majeure, Recipient may from time to time terminate this Agreement with respect to the entirety of any Service (but not any portion thereof) (i) for any reason or no reason, upon the giving of at least sixty (60) days prior written notice to Provider; provided , however , that such termination (x) may only be effective as of the last day of a calendar month and (y) shall be subject to the obligation to pay any applicable Termination Charges pursuant to Section 4.04 , or (ii) if Provider has failed to perform any of its material obligations under this Agreement with respect to such Service, and such failure shall continue to be uncured by Provider for a period of at least thirty
(30) days after receipt by Provider of written notice of such failure from Recipient; provided , however , that (i) such termination may only be effective as of the last day of a month and (ii) Recipient shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement with respect to the applicable Service if, as of the end of such period, there remains a good-faith Dispute between the Parties (undertaken in accordance with the terms of Section 7.16 ) as to whether Provider has cured the applicable breach.
(b) Provider may terminate this Agreement with respect to the entirety of any Service (but not any portion thereof) at any time upon prior written notice to Recipient, if Recipient has failed to perform any of its material obligations under this Agreement with respect to such Service, including making payment of Charges for such Service when due, and such failure shall continue to be uncured by Recipient for a period of at least thirty (30) days after receipt by Recipient of a written notice of such failure from Provider; provided , however , that (x) such termination may only be effective as of the last day of a calendar month and (y) Provider shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement with respect to the applicable Service if, as of the end of such period, there remains a good-faith Dispute between the Parties (undertaken in accordance with the terms of Section 7.16 ) as to whether Recipient has cured the applicable breach.
(c) Parent may terminate this Agreement with respect to all Services if there is a SpinCo Change of Control.
(d) The Schedules hereto shall be updated to reflect any terminated Service.
Section 4.03. Interdependencies . The Parties acknowledge and agree that (a) there may be interdependencies among the Services being provided under this Agreement; (b) upon the request of either Party, the Parties shall cooperate and act in good faith to determine whether (i) any such interdependencies exist with respect to the particular Service that Recipient is seeking to terminate pursuant to Section 4.02 , and (ii) in the case of such termination, Providers ability to provide a particular Service in accordance with this Agreement would be materially and adversely affected by such termination of another Service; and (c) in the event that the Parties have determined that such interdependencies exist and such termination would materially and adversely affect Providers ability to provide a particular Service in accordance with this Agreement, the Parties shall (i) negotiate in good faith to amend the Schedules hereto with respect to such impacted Service prior to such termination, which amendment shall be consistent with the terms of comparable Services, and (ii) if after such negotiation, the Parties are unable to agree on such amendment, Providers obligation to provide such Service shall terminate automatically with such termination.
Section 4.04. Effect of Termination . Upon the termination of any Service pursuant to this Agreement, Provider shall have no further obligation to provide the terminated Service, and Recipient shall have no obligation to pay any future Charges relating to such Service; provided , however , that Recipient shall remain obligated to Provider for (a) the Charges owed and payable in respect of Services provided prior to the effective date of termination for such Service and (b) any applicable Termination Charges (which, in the case of each of clauses (a) and (b), shall be payable only in the event that Recipient terminates any Service pursuant to Section 4.02(a)(i) ). In connection with the termination of any Service, the provisions of this Agreement not relating
solely to such terminated Service shall survive any such termination, and in connection with a termination of this Agreement, Article I , this Article IV , Article VI and Article VII , all confidentiality obligations under this Agreement and Liability for all due and unpaid Charges and Termination Charges shall continue to survive indefinitely.
Section 4.05. Information Transmission . Provider, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide or make available, or cause to be provided or made available, to Recipient, in accordance with Section 6.1 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, any Information received or computed by Provider for the benefit of Recipient concerning the relevant Service during the Service Period; provided , however , that, except as otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties, (a) Provider shall not have any obligation to provide, or cause to be provided, Information in any nonstandard format, (b) Provider and its Subsidiaries shall be reimbursed for their reasonable costs in accordance with Section 6.3 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement for creating, gathering, copying, transporting and otherwise providing such Information and (c) Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain any such Information in accordance with Section 6.4 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
ARTICLE V
CONFIDENTIALITY; PROTECTIVE ARRANGEMENTS
Section 5.01. Parent and SpinCo Obligations . Subject to Section 5.04 , until the three (3)-year anniversary of the date of the termination of this Agreement in its entirety, each of Parent and SpinCo, on behalf of itself and each of its Subsidiaries, agrees to hold, and to cause its respective Representatives to hold, in strict confidence, with at least the same degree of care that applies to Parents Confidential Information pursuant to policies in effect as of the Effective Time, all Confidential Information concerning the other Party or its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses that is either in its possession (including Confidential Information in its possession prior to the date hereof) or furnished by such other Party or such other Partys Subsidiaries or their respective Representatives at any time pursuant to this Agreement, and shall not use any such Confidential Information other than for such purposes as may be expressly permitted hereunder, except , in each case, to the extent that such Confidential Information (a) is in the public domain or is generally available to the public, other than as a result of a disclosure by such Party or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Representatives in violation of this Agreement; (b) is lawfully acquired from other sources by such Party or any of its Subsidiaries, which sources are not themselves known by such Party or any of its Subsidiaries to be bound by a confidentiality obligation or other contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality with respect to such Confidential Information; or (c) is independently developed or generated without reference to or use of the Confidential Information of the other Party or any of its Subsidiaries. If any Confidential Information of a Party or any of its Subsidiaries is disclosed to the other Party or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with providing the Services, then such disclosed Confidential Information shall be used only as required to perform such Services.
Section 5.02. No Release; Return or Destruction . Each Party agrees (a) not to release or disclose, or permit to be released or disclosed, any Confidential Information of the other Party pursuant to Section 5.01 to any other Person, except its Representatives who need to know such
Confidential Information in their capacities as such (who shall be advised of their obligations hereunder with respect to such Confidential Information) and except in compliance with Section 5.04 , and (b) to use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain such Confidential Information in accordance with Section 6.4 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, when any such Confidential Information is no longer needed for the purposes contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement, this Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreements, each Party will promptly after request of the other Party either return to the other Party all such Confidential Information in a tangible form (including all copies thereof and all notes, extracts or summaries based thereon) or notify the other Party in writing that it has destroyed such information (and such copies thereof and such notes, extracts or summaries based thereon); provided that the Parties may retain electronic back-up versions of such Confidential Information maintained on routine computer system back-up tapes, disks or other back-up storage devices; and provided , further , that any such retained back-up information shall remain subject to the confidentiality provisions of this Agreement.
Section 5.03. Privacy and Data Protection Laws . Each Party shall comply with all applicable state, federal and foreign privacy and data protection Laws that are or that may in the future be applicable to the provision of the Services under this Agreement.
Section 5.04. Protective Arrangements . In the event that a Party or any of its Subsidiaries either determines on the advice of its counsel that it is required to disclose any information pursuant to applicable Law or receives any request or demand under lawful process or from any Governmental Authority to disclose or provide information of the other Party (or any of its Subsidiaries) that is subject to the confidentiality provisions hereof, such Party shall notify the other Party (to the extent legally permitted) as promptly as practicable under the circumstances prior to disclosing or providing such information and shall cooperate, at the expense of the other Party, in seeking any appropriate protective order requested by the other Party. In the event that such other Party fails to receive such appropriate protective order in a timely manner and the Party receiving the request or demand reasonably determines that its failure to disclose or provide such information shall actually prejudice the Party receiving the request or demand, then the Party that received such request or demand may thereafter disclose or provide information to the extent required by such Law (as so advised by its counsel) or by lawful process or such Governmental Authority, and the disclosing Party shall promptly provide the other Party with a copy of the information so disclosed, in the same form and format so disclosed, together with a list of all Persons to whom such information was disclosed, in each case to the extent legally permitted.
ARTICLE VI
LIMITED LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
Section 6.01. Limitations on Liability .
(a) SUBJECT TO SECTION 6.02 , THE LIABILITIES OF PROVIDER AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE REPRESENTATIVES, COLLECTIVELY, UNDER THIS AGREEMENT FOR ANY ACT OR FAILURE TO ACT IN CONNECTION HEREWITH (INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OR BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT), OR FROM THE SALE, DELIVERY, PROVISION OR USE OF ANY SERVICES PROVIDED
UNDER OR CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE AND STRICT LIABILITY) OR OTHERWISE, SHALL NOT EXCEED []% OF THE AGGREGATE CHARGES PAID AND PAYABLE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT TO SUCH PROVIDER IN RESPECT OF SUCH SERVICE; PROVIDED THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE TOTAL LIABILITIES OF PROVIDER AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE REPRESENTATIVES, COLLECTIVELY, UNDER THIS AGREEMENT FOR ANY ACT OR FAILURE TO ACT IN CONNECTION HEREWITH (INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE OR BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT), OR FROM THE SALE, DELIVERY, PROVISION OR USE OF ANY SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER OR CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE AND STRICT LIABILITY) OR OTHERWISE, SHALL NOT EXCEED $[].
(b) IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY, ITS SUBSIDIARIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE REPRESENTATIVES BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, REMOTE, SPECULATIVE OR SIMILAR DAMAGES IN EXCESS OF COMPENSATORY DAMAGES OF THE OTHER PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT (OTHER THAN ANY SUCH LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO A THIRD-PARTY CLAIM), AND EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ON BEHALF OF ITSELF, ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND ITS REPRESENTATIVES ANY CLAIM FOR SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE.
(c) The limitations in Section 6.01(a) and Section 6.01(b) shall not apply in respect of any Liability arising out of or in connection with (i) either Partys Liability for breaches of confidentiality under Article V , (ii) the Parties respective obligations under Section 6.03 or 6.04 or (iii) the willful misconduct or fraud of or by the Party to be charged.
Section 6.02. Obligation to Re-Perform; Liabilities . In the event of any breach of this Agreement by Provider with respect to the provision of any Services (with respect to which Provider can reasonably be expected to re-perform in a commercially reasonable manner), Provider shall, at the request of Recipient, promptly correct in all material respects such error, defect or breach or re-perform in all material respects such Services at the sole cost and expense of Provider. The remedy set forth in this Section 6.02 shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of Recipient for any such breach of this Agreement; provided , however , that the foregoing shall not prohibit Recipient from exercising its right to terminate this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02(a)(ii) or to seek specific performance in accordance with Section 7.17 . Any request for re-performance in accordance with this Section 6.02 by Recipient must be in writing and specify in reasonable detail the particular error, defect or breach, and such request must be made no more than one month from the later of (a) the date on which such breach occurred and (b) the date on which such breach was reasonably discovered by Recipient.
Section 6.03. Third-Party Claims . In addition to (but not in duplication of) its other indemnification obligations (if any) under the Separation and Distribution Agreement, this Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement, Recipient shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Provider, its Subsidiaries and each of their respective Representatives, and each of the successors and assigns of any of the foregoing (collectively, the Provider Indemnitees ), from
and against any and all claims of Third Parties relating to, arising out of or resulting from Recipients use or receipt of the Services provided by Provider hereunder, other than Third-Party Claims arising out of the gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud of any Provider Indemnitee.
Section 6.04. Provider Indemnity . In addition to (but not in duplication of) its other indemnification obligations (if any) under the Separation and Distribution Agreement, this Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement, Provider shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Recipient, its Subsidiaries and each of their respective Representatives, and each of the successors and assigns of any of the foregoing (collectively, the Recipient Indemnitees ), from and against any and all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from the sale, delivery or provision of any Services provided by Provider hereunder, but only to the extent that such Liability relates to, arises out of or results from Providers gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud.
Section 6.05. Indemnification Procedures . The procedures for indemnification set forth in Sections 4.5, 4.6 and 4.7 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement shall govern claims for indemnification under this Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.01. Mutual Cooperation . Each Party shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, cooperate with the other Party and its Subsidiaries in connection with the performance of the Services hereunder; provided , however , that such cooperation shall not unreasonably disrupt the normal operations of such Party or its Subsidiaries; and, provided , further , that this Section 7.01 shall not require such Party to incur any out-of-pocket costs or expenses, unless and except as expressly provided in this Agreement or otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties.
Section 7.02. Further Assurances . Subject to the terms of this Agreement, each Party shall take, or cause to be taken, any and all reasonable actions, including the execution, acknowledgment, filing and delivery of any and all documents and instruments that any other Party may reasonably request in order to effect the intent and purpose of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 7.03. Audit Assistance . Each of the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries are or may be subject to regulation and audit by a Governmental Authority (including a Taxing Authority), standards organizations, customers or other parties to contracts with such Parties or their respective Subsidiaries under applicable Law, standards or contract provisions. If a Governmental Authority, standards organization, customer or other party to a contract with a Party or its Subsidiary exercises its right to examine or audit such Partys or its Subsidiarys books, records, documents or accounting practices and procedures pursuant to such applicable Law, standards or contract provisions, and such examination or audit relates to the Services, then the other Party shall provide, at the sole cost and expense of the requesting Party, all assistance reasonably requested by the Party that is subject to the examination or audit in responding to such examination or audits or requests for Information, to the extent that such assistance or
Information is within the reasonable control of the cooperating Party and is related to the Services.
Section 7.04. Title to Intellectual Property . Except as expressly provided for under the terms of this Agreement or the Separation and Distribution Agreement, Recipient acknowledges that it shall acquire no right, title or interest (including any license rights or rights of use) in any intellectual property that is owned or licensed by Provider, by reason of the provision of the Services hereunder. Recipient shall not remove or alter any copyright, trademark, confidentiality or other proprietary notices that appear on any intellectual property owned or licensed by Provider, and Recipient shall reproduce any such notices on any and all copies thereof. Recipient shall not attempt to decompile, translate, reverse engineer or make excessive copies of any intellectual property owned or licensed by Provider, and Recipient shall promptly notify Provider of any such attempt, regardless of whether by Recipient or any Third Party, of which Recipient becomes aware.
Section 7.05. Independent Contractors . The Parties each acknowledge and agree that they are separate entities, each of which has entered into this Agreement for independent business reasons. The relationships of the Parties hereunder are those of independent contractors and nothing contained herein shall be deemed to create a joint venture, partnership or any other relationship between the Parties. Employees performing Services hereunder do so on behalf of, under the direction of, and as employees of, Provider, and Recipient shall have no right, power or authority to direct such employees, unless otherwise specified with respect to a particular Service on the Schedules hereto.
Section 7.06. Counterparts; Entire Agreement; Corporate Power .
(a) This Agreement may be executed in one (1) or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one (1) and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one (1) or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Party.
(b) This Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement and the other Ancillary Agreements and the Exhibits, Schedules and appendices hereto and thereto contain the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, supersede all previous agreements, negotiations, discussions, writings, understandings, commitments and conversations with respect to such subject matter, and there are no agreements or understandings between the Parties other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein. This Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement, and the other Ancillary Agreements govern the arrangements in connection with the Separation and the Distribution and would not have been entered independently.
(c) Parent represents on behalf of itself and, to the extent applicable, each of its Subsidiaries, and SpinCo represents on behalf of itself and, to the extent applicable, each of its Subsidiaries, as follows:
(i) each such Person has the requisite corporate or other power and authority and has taken all corporate or other action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and
(ii) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of it and is enforceable in accordance with the terms hereof.
(d) Each Party acknowledges and agrees that delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement (whether executed by manual, stamp or mechanical signature) by facsimile or by e-mail in portable document format (PDF) shall be effective as delivery of such executed counterpart of this Agreement. Each Party expressly adopts and confirms each such facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature (regardless of whether delivered in person, by mail, by courier, by facsimile or by e-mail in portable document format (PDF)) made in its respective name as if it were a manual signature delivered in person, agrees that it will not assert that any such signature or delivery is not adequate to bind such Party to the same extent as if it were signed manually and delivered in person and agrees that, at the reasonable request of the other Party at any time, it will as promptly as reasonably practicable cause this Agreement to be manually executed (any such execution to be as of the date of the initial date thereof) and delivered in person, by mail or by courier.
Section 7.07. Governing Law . This Agreement (and any claims or disputes arising out of or related hereto or to the transactions contemplated hereby or to the inducement of any Party to enter herein, whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct or otherwise and whether predicated on common law, statute or otherwise) shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware, irrespective of the choice of Laws principles of the State of Delaware, including all matters of validity, construction, effect, enforceability, performance and remedies.
Section 7.08. Assignability . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided , however , that neither Party may assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Agreement without the express prior written consent of the other Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such consent shall be required for the assignment of a Partys rights and obligations under the Separation and Distribution Agreement, this Agreement and the other Ancillary Agreements in whole ( i.e. , the assignment of a Partys rights and obligations under the Separation and Distribution Agreement, this Agreement and all of the other Ancillary Agreements all at the same time) in connection with a merger, consolidation or other business combination of a Party with or into any other Person or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of a Party to another Person, in each case so long as the resulting, surviving or acquiring Person assumes all of the obligations of the relevant Party by operation of Law or pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the other Party.
Section 7.09. Third-Party Beneficiaries . Except as provided in Article VI with respect to the Provider Indemnitees and the Recipient Indemnitees in their respective capacities as such, (a) the provisions of this Agreement are solely for the benefit of the Parties and are not intended to confer upon any other Person except the Parties any rights or remedies hereunder; and (b) there are no other third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement and this Agreement shall not provide any other Third Party with any remedy, claim, Liability, reimbursement, claim of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.
Section 7.10. Notices . All notices, requests, claims, demands or other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and except as provided herein shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service, by certified mail, return receipt requested, by facsimile, or by electronic mail ( e-mail ), so long as confirmation of receipt of such e-mail is requested and received, to the respective Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 7.10 ):
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If to Parent, to: |
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ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. |
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150 Peabody Place |
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Memphis, Tennessee 38103 |
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Attention: |
General Counsel |
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James.Lucke@ServiceMaster.com |
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If to SpinCo, to: |
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AHS Holding Company, Inc. |
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Any Party may, by notice to the other Party, change the address to which such notices are to be given.
Section 7.11. Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances or in jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby. Upon such determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon such a suitable and equitable provision to effect the original intent of the Parties.
Section 7.12. Force Majeure . No Party shall be deemed in default of this Agreement for any delay or failure to fulfill any obligation hereunder so long as and to the extent to which any delay or failure in the fulfillment of such obligations is prevented, frustrated, hindered or delayed as a consequence of circumstances of Force Majeure. Without limiting the termination rights contained in this Agreement, in the event of any such excused delay, the time for performance shall be extended for a period equal to the time lost by reason of the delay. A Party claiming the benefit of this provision shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the occurrence of any such Force Majeure, (a) provide written notice to the other Party of the nature and extent of such Force Majeure; and (b) use commercially reasonable efforts to remove any such causes and resume performance under this Agreement as soon as reasonably practicable (and in no event later than the date that the affected Party resumes analogous performance under any other
agreement for itself, its Affiliates or any Third Party), unless this Agreement has previously been terminated under Article IV or this Section 7.12 . Recipient shall be (i) relieved of the obligation to pay Charges for the affected Service(s) throughout the duration of such Force Majeure and (ii) entitled to permanently terminate such Service(s) if the delay or failure in providing such Services because of a Force Majeure shall continue to exist for more than thirty (30) consecutive days (it being understood that Recipient shall not be required to provide any advance notice of such termination to Provider).
Section 7.13. Headings . The Article, Section and Paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
Section 7.14. Survival of Covenants . Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, the covenants, representations and warranties and other agreements contained in this Agreement, and Liability for the breach of any obligations contained herein, shall survive the Effective Time and shall remain in full force and effect thereafter.
Section 7.15. Waivers of Default . Waiver by any Party of any default by the other Party of any provision of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver by the waiving Party of any subsequent or other default, nor shall it prejudice the rights of the waiving Party. No failure or delay by any Party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof prejudice any other right or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.
Section 7.16. Dispute Resolution .
(a) In the event of any controversy, dispute or claim (a Dispute ) arising out of or relating to any Partys rights or obligations under this Agreement (whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise), calculation or allocation of the costs of any Service or otherwise arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement (including the interpretation or validity of this Agreement), such Dispute shall be resolved by submitting such Dispute first to the relevant Contract Manager of each Party, and the Contract Managers shall seek to resolve such Dispute through informal good faith negotiation. In the event that the Contract Managers fail to meet or, if they meet and fail to resolve a Dispute within twenty (20) Business Days, then either Party may pursue the remedy set forth in Section 7.16(b) .
(b) If the procedures set forth in Section 7.16(a) have been followed with respect to a Dispute and such Dispute remains unresolved, such Dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution process referred to in Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
(c) In any Dispute regarding the amount of a Charge or a Termination Charge, if such Dispute is finally resolved pursuant to the dispute resolution process set forth or referred to in Sections 7.16(a) and (b) and it is determined that the Charge or the Termination Charge, as applicable, that Provider has invoiced Recipient, and that Recipient has paid to Provider, is greater or less than the amount that the Charge or the Termination Charge, as applicable, should have been, then (i) if it is determined that Recipient has overpaid the Charge or the Termination
Charge, as applicable, Provider shall within ten (10) calendar days after such determination reimburse Recipient an amount of cash equal to such overpayment, plus the Interest Payment, accruing from the date of payment by Recipient to the time of reimbursement by Provider; and (ii) if it is determined that Recipient has underpaid the Charge or the Termination Charge, as applicable, Recipient shall within ten (10) calendar days after such determination reimburse Provider an amount of cash equal to such underpayment, plus the Interest Payment, accruing from the date such payment originally should have been made by Recipient to the time of payment by Recipient.
Section 7.17. Specific Performance . Subject to Section 7.16 , in the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, the Party or Parties who are, or are to be, thereby aggrieved shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief (on an interim or permanent basis) in respect of its rights or their rights under this Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. The Parties agree that the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach are inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any Action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is waived. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are hereby waived by each of the Parties. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Provider shall continue to provide Services and the Parties shall honor all other commitments under this Agreement during the course of dispute resolution pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.16 and this Section 7.17 with respect to all matters not subject to such Dispute; provided , however , that this obligation shall only exist during the term of this Agreement.
Section 7.18. Amendments . No provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed waived, amended, supplemented or modified by a Party, unless such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized representative of the Party against whom enforcement of such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is sought.
Section 7.19. Precedence of Schedules . Each Schedule attached to or referenced in this Agreement is hereby incorporated into and shall form a part of this Agreement; provided , however , that the terms contained in such Schedule shall only apply with respect to the Services provided under that Schedule. In the event of a conflict between the terms contained in an individual Schedule and the terms in the body of this Agreement, the terms in the Schedule shall take precedence with respect to the Services under such Schedule only. No terms contained in individual Schedules shall otherwise modify the terms of this Agreement.
Section 7.20. Interpretation . In this Agreement, (a) words in the singular shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa and words of one gender shall be deemed to include the other genders as the context requires; (b) the terms hereof, herein and herewith and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole (including all of the Schedules, Annexes and Exhibits hereto) and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; (c) Article, Section, Exhibit, Annex and Schedule references are to the Articles, Sections, Exhibits, Annexes and Schedules to this Agreement, unless otherwise specified; (d) unless otherwise stated, all references to any agreement shall be deemed to include the exhibits, schedules and annexes to such agreement; (e) the word including and words of
similar import when used in this Agreement shall mean including, without limitation, unless otherwise specified ; (f) the word or need not be exclusive; (g) unless otherwise specified in a particular case, the word days refers to calendar days; (h) references to business day shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions are generally authorized or required by Law to close in Memphis, Tennessee; (i) references herein to this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein shall be deemed to refer to this Agreement or such other agreement as of the date on which it is executed and as it may be amended, modified or supplemented thereafter, unless otherwise specified; and (j) unless expressly stated to the contrary in this Agreement, all references to the date hereof, the date of this Agreement and hereby and words of similar import shall all be references to [].
Section 7.21. Mutual Drafting . This Agreement shall be deemed to be the joint work product of the Parties and any rule of construction that a document shall be interpreted or construed against a drafter of such document shall not be applicable to this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first written above.
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SERVICEMASTER GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC. |
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AHS HOLDING COMPANY, INC. |
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[Signature Page to Transition Services Agreement]
TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF [ · ]
BY AND BETWEEN
SERVICEMASTER GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.,
AND
AHS HOLDING COMPANY, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Section 1. |
Definition of Terms |
2 |
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Section 2. |
Allocation of Tax Liabilities |
11 |
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Section 2.01 |
General Rule |
11 |
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Section 2.02 |
Allocation of United States Federal Income Tax and Federal Other Tax |
11 |
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Section 2.03 |
Allocation of State Income and State Other Taxes |
12 |
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Section 2.04 |
Allocation of Foreign Taxes |
13 |
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Section 2.05 |
Certain Transaction and Other Taxes |
13 |
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Section 3. |
Proration of Taxes for Straddle Periods |
14 |
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Section 4. |
Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns |
14 |
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Section 4.01 |
General |
14 |
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Section 4.02 |
Parents Responsibility |
14 |
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Section 4.03 |
SpinCos Responsibility |
15 |
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Section 4.04 |
Tax Accounting Practices |
15 |
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Section 4.05 |
Consolidated or Combined Tax Returns |
15 |
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Section 4.06 |
Right to Review Tax Returns |
16 |
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Section 4.07 |
SpinCo Carrybacks and Claims for Refund |
16 |
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Section 4.08 |
Apportionment of Earnings and Profits and Tax Attributes |
17 |
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Section 5. |
Tax Payments |
17 |
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Section 5.01 |
Payment of Taxes With Respect to Joint Returns |
17 |
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Section 5.02 |
Payment of Taxes With Respect to Section 2.03(c) Returns |
18 |
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Section 5.03 |
Indemnification Payments |
19 |
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Section 6. |
Tax Benefits |
19 |
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Section 6.01 |
Tax Benefits |
19 |
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Section 6.02 |
Parent and SpinCo Income Tax Deductions in Respect of Certain Equity Awards and Incentive Compensation |
20 |
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Section 7. |
Tax-Free Status |
21 |
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Section 7.01 |
Tax Opinions/Rulings and Representation Letters |
21 |
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Section 7.02 |
Restrictions on SpinCo |
21 |
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Section 7.03 |
Restrictions on Parent |
24 |
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Section 7.04 |
Procedures Regarding Opinions and Rulings |
24 |
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Section 7.05 |
Liability for Tax-Related Losses |
25 |
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Section 7.06 |
Section 336(e) Election |
27 |
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Section 8. |
Assistance and Cooperation |
28 |
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Section 8.01 |
Assistance and Cooperation |
28 |
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Section 8.02 |
Income Tax Return Information |
28 |
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Section 8.03 |
Reliance by Parent |
29 |
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Section 8.04 |
Reliance by SpinCo |
29 |
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Section 9. |
Tax Contests |
29 |
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Section 9.01 |
Notice |
29 |
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Section 9.02 |
Control of Tax Contests |
30 |
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Section 10. |
Effective Date; Termination of Prior Intercompany Tax Allocation Agreements |
32 |
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Section 11. |
Survival of Obligations |
32 |
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Section 12. |
Treatment of Payments; Tax Gross Up |
32 |
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Section 12.01 |
Treatment of Tax Indemnity and Tax Benefit Payments |
32 |
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Section 12.02 |
Tax Gross Up |
32 |
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Section 12.03 |
Interest Under This Agreement |
33 |
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Section 13. |
Disagreements |
33 |
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Section 13.01 |
Interaction with Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement |
33 |
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Section 13.02 |
Dispute Resolution |
33 |
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Section 14. |
Late Payments |
34 |
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Section 15. |
Expenses |
34 |
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Section 16. |
General Provisions |
34 |
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Section 16.01 |
Addresses and Notices |
34 |
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Section 16.02 |
Binding Effect |
35 |
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Section 16.03 |
Waiver |
35 |
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Section 16.04 |
Severability |
35 |
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Section 16.05 |
Authority |
35 |
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Section 16.06 |
Further Action |
35 |
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Section 16.07 |
Integration |
35 |
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Section 16.08 |
Construction |
36 |
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Section 16.09 |
No Double Recovery |
36 |
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Section 16.10 |
Counterparts |
36 |
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Section 16.11 |
Governing Law |
36 |
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Section 16.12 |
Jurisdiction |
36 |
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Section 16.13 |
Amendment |
36 |
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Section 16.14 |
SpinCo Subsidiaries |
36 |
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Section 16.15 |
Successors |
37 |
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Section 16.16 |
Injunctions |
37 |
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TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT
This TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT (this Agreement ) is entered into as of [ · ], by and between ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ( Parent ) and AHS Holding Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent ( SpinCo ) (Parent and SpinCo sometimes collectively referred to herein as the Companies and, as the context requires, individually referred to herein as a Company ).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the board of directors of Parent (the Parent Board ) has determined that it is in the best interests of Parent and its stockholders to create a new publicly traded company that shall operate the SpinCo Business;
WHEREAS, in furtherance of the foregoing, the Parent Board has determined that it is appropriate and desirable to separate the SpinCo Business from the Parent Business (the Separation ) and, following the Separation, to make a distribution, on a pro rata basis, to holders of Parent Shares on the Record Date of at least eighty percent (80%) of the outstanding SpinCo Shares (the Distribution );
WHEREAS, SpinCo has been incorporated solely for these purposes and has not engaged in activities, except in connection with the Separation and the Distribution;
WHEREAS, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Contribution and the Distribution, taken together, are intended to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code;
WHEREAS, in connection with the Separation, and in accordance with the Plan of Reorganization, SMCS Holdco II, Inc. (a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent, SMCS Holdco II ) has distributed or will distribute, prior to the Contribution and Distribution, stock possessing at least eighty percent (80%) of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of American Home Shield Corporation (a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent, AHS ) to The ServiceMaster Company, LLC (a Delaware limited liability company disregarded as separate from Parent for U.S. federal income tax purposes) in a transaction intended to qualify as generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 355 of the Code (the Internal Distribution );
WHEREAS, in order to effectuate the Separation and the Distribution, Parent and SpinCo have entered into that certain Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of [ · ] (together with the Schedules, Exhibits and Appendices thereto, the Separation and Distribution Agreement );
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Parent is the common parent of an affiliated group of corporations, including SpinCo, which affiliated group has elected to file consolidated U.S. federal income tax returns;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement, Parent and SpinCo have agreed to separate the SpinCo Business from Parent by means of, among other actions, (i) the Internal Distribution, (ii) the Contribution and (iii) the Distribution;
WHEREAS, as a result of the Distribution, SpinCo and its subsidiaries will cease to be members of the affiliated group (as that term is defined in Section 1504 of the Code) of which Parent is the common parent (the Deconsolidation );
WHEREAS, the parties desire to provide for and agree upon the allocation between the Companies of liabilities for Taxes arising prior to, as a result of, and subsequent to the Distribution, and to provide for and agree upon other matters relating to Taxes; and
WHEREAS, the Companies acknowledge that this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement and the other Ancillary Agreements represent the integrated agreement of Parent and SpinCo relating to the Separation and the Distribution, are being entered into together, and would not have been entered into independently.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements contained herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Definition of Terms . For purposes of this Agreement (including the recitals hereof), the following terms have the following meanings, and capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Separation and Distribution Agreement:
Accounting Cutoff Date means, with respect to SpinCo and any member of the SpinCo Group the Tax Items of which are included in the Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return, any date as of the end of which there is a closing of the financial accounting records for such entity.
Active Trade or Business means the active conduct (as defined in Section 355(b)(2) of the Code and the regulations thereunder) by SpinCo and its separate affiliated group (as defined in Section 355(b)(3)(B) of the Code) of the AHS Business.
Adjustment Request means any formal or informal claim or request filed with any Tax Authority, or with any administrative agency or court, for the adjustment, refund, or credit of Taxes, including (a) any amended Tax Return claiming adjustment to the Taxes as reported on the Tax Return or, if applicable, as previously adjusted, (b) any claim for equitable recoupment or other offset, and (c) any claim for refund or credit of Taxes previously paid.
Affiliate means any entity that is directly or indirectly controlled by either the person in question or an Affiliate of such person. Control, for purposes of the definition of Affiliate, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. The term Affiliate shall refer to Affiliates of a person as determined immediately after the Distribution.
Agreement means this Tax Matters Agreement.
AHS shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
AHS Business means the business, operations and activities of providing home warranty plans for household systems and appliances in the United States, as conducted by AHS immediately prior to the Internal Distribution.
AHS Capital Stock means all classes or series of capital stock of AHS, including (i) the shares of common stock of AHS, (ii) all options, warrants and other rights to acquire such stock and (iii) all instruments properly treated as stock in AHS for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Board Certificate shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.02(e) of this Agreement.
Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions are generally authorized or required by law to close in the United States or New York, New York.
Code means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Companies and Company shall have the meaning provided in the first sentence of this Agreement.
Contribution means the transfer by Parent (or an entity disregarded as separate from Parent for U.S. federal income tax purposes) directly to SpinCo, pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement, of certain SpinCo Assets in actual or constructive exchange for (i) the issuance by SpinCo to Parent (or such disregarded entity) of SpinCo Shares, (ii) the assumption by SpinCo of certain SpinCo Liabilities and (iii) the issuance by SpinCo to Parent (or such disregarded entity) of the SpinCo Debt.
Controlling Party shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.02(f) of this Agreement.
Deconsolidation shall have the meaning provided in the Recitals.
Deconsolidation Date means the last date on which SpinCo qualifies as a member of the affiliated group (as defined in Section 1504 of the Code) of which Parent is the common parent.
DGCL means the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Distribution shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Due Date means with respect to a Tax Return, the date (taking into account all valid extensions) on which such Tax Return is required to be filed under applicable Law.
Employee Matters Agreement has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Federal Income Tax means any Tax imposed by Subtitle A of the Code, and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.
Federal Other Tax means any Tax imposed by the federal government of the United States of America (other than any Federal Income Taxes), and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.
Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest shall have the meaning ascribed to such term for purposes of Sections 355(d) and (e) of the Code.
Filing Date shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.05(d) of this Agreement.
Final Determination means the final resolution of liability for any Tax, which resolution may be for a specific issue or adjustment or for a Tax Period, (a) by IRS Form 870 or 870-AD (or any successor forms thereto), on the date of acceptance by or on behalf of the taxpayer, or by a comparable form under the laws of a State, local, or foreign taxing jurisdiction, except that a Form 870 or 870-AD or comparable form shall not constitute a Final Determination to the extent that it reserves (whether by its terms or by operation of law) the right of the taxpayer to file a claim for refund or the right of the Tax Authority to assert a further deficiency in respect of such issue or adjustment or for such Tax Period (as the case may be); (b) by a decision, judgment, decree, or other order by a court of competent jurisdiction, which has become final and unappealable; (c) by a closing agreement or accepted offer in compromise under Sections 7121 or 7122 of the Code, or a comparable agreement under the laws of a State, local, or foreign taxing jurisdiction; (d) by any allowance of a refund or credit in respect of an overpayment of Income Tax or Other Tax, but only after the expiration of all periods during which such refund may be recovered (including by way of offset) by the jurisdiction imposing such Income Tax or Other Tax; (e) by a final settlement resulting from a treaty-based competent authority determination; or (f) by any other final disposition, including by reason of the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations or by mutual agreement of the parties.
Foreign Income Tax means any Tax imposed by any foreign country or any possession of the United States, or by any political subdivision of any foreign country or United States possession, which is an income tax as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.901-2, and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.
Foreign Other Tax means any Tax imposed by any foreign country or any possession of the United States, or by any political subdivision of any foreign country or United States possession, other than any Foreign Income Taxes, and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.
Foreign Tax means any Foreign Income Taxes or Foreign Other Taxes.
Group means the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group, or both, as the context requires.
Income Tax means any Federal Income Tax, State Income Tax or Foreign Income Tax.
Indemnitee shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.03 of this Agreement.
Indemnitor shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.03 of this Agreement.
Internal Distribution shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Internal Restructuring means (i) any internal restructuring (including by making or revoking any election under Treasury Regulations Section 301.7701-3) involving SpinCo and/or any of its subsidiaries or (ii) any direct or indirect contribution, sale or other transfer by SpinCo to any of its subsidiaries of any of the assets contributed or transferred to SpinCo as part of the Contribution or pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
IRS means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
Joint Return shall mean any Return of a member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group that is not a Separate Return.
Non-Controlling Party shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.02(f) of this Agreement.
Notified Action shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.04(a) of this Agreement.
Other Tax means any Federal Other Tax, State Other Tax, or Foreign Other Tax.
Parent shall have the meaning provided in the first sentence of this Agreement.
Parent Adjustment means any proposed adjustment by a Tax Authority or claim for refund asserted in a Tax Contest to the extent Parent would be exclusively liable for any resulting Tax under this Agreement or exclusively entitled to receive any resulting Tax Benefit under this Agreement.
Parent Affiliated Group shall have the meaning provided in the definition of Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return.
Parent Board shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Parent Business shall have the meaning provided in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return means any United States Federal Income Tax Return for the affiliated group (as that term is defined in Section 1504 of the Code and the regulations thereunder) of which Parent is the common parent (the Parent Affiliated Group ).
Parent Foreign Combined Income Tax Return means a consolidated, combined or unitary or other similar Foreign Income Tax Return or any Foreign Income Tax Return with respect to any profit and/or loss sharing group, group payment or similar group or fiscal unity that actually includes, by election or otherwise, one or more members of the Parent Group together with one or more members of the SpinCo Group.
Parent Group means Parent and its Affiliates, excluding any entity that is a member of the SpinCo Group.
Parent Group Transaction Returns shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.04(b) of this Agreement.
Parent Separate Return means any Separate Return of Parent or any member of the Parent Group.
Parent State Combined Income Tax Return means a consolidated, combined or unitary State Income Tax Return that actually includes, by election or otherwise, one or more members of the Parent Group together with one or more members of the SpinCo Group.
Past Practices shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.04(a) of this Agreement.
Payment Date means (i) with respect to any Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return, the due date for any required installment of estimated taxes determined under Section 6655 of the Code, the due date (determined without regard to extensions) for filing the return determined under Section 6072 of the Code, and the date the return is filed, and (ii) with respect to any other Tax Return, the corresponding dates determined under the applicable Tax Law.
Payor shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(a) of this Agreement.
Person means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization or a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof, without regard to whether any entity is treated as disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Post-Deconsolidation Period means any Tax Period beginning after the Deconsolidation Date, and, in the case of any Straddle Period, the portion of such Straddle Period beginning the day after the Deconsolidation Date.
Pre-Deconsolidation Period means any Tax Period ending on or before the Deconsolidation Date, and, in the case of any Straddle Period, the portion of such Straddle Period ending on the Deconsolidation Date.
Privilege means any privilege that may be asserted under applicable law, including, any privilege arising under or relating to the attorney-client relationship (including the attorney-client and work product privileges), the accountant-client privilege and any privilege relating to internal evaluation processes.
Proposed Acquisition Transaction means a transaction or series of transactions (or any agreement, understanding or arrangement, within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.355-7, or any other regulations promulgated thereunder, to enter into a transaction or series of transactions), whether such transaction is supported by SpinCo management or shareholders (or AHS management or shareholders), is a hostile acquisition, or otherwise, as a result of which SpinCo or AHS would merge or consolidate with
any other Person or as a result of which any Person or any group of Persons would (directly or indirectly) acquire, or have the right to acquire, (I) from SpinCo and/or one or more holders of outstanding shares of SpinCo Capital Stock, a number of shares of SpinCo Capital Stock that would, when combined with any other changes in ownership of SpinCo Capital Stock pertinent for purposes of Section 355(e) of the Code, comprise 40% or more of (a) the value of all outstanding shares of stock of SpinCo as of the date of such transaction, or in the case of a series of transactions, the date of the last transaction of such series, or (b) the total combined voting power of all outstanding shares of voting stock of SpinCo as of the date of such transaction, or in the case of a series of transactions, the date of the last transaction of such series or (II) from AHS and/or one or more holders of outstanding shares of AHS Capital Stock, a number of shares of AHS Capital Stock that would, when combined with any other changes in ownership of AHS Capital Stock pertinent for purposes of Section 355(e) of the Code, comprise 40% or more of (a) the value of all outstanding shares of stock of AHS as of the date of such transaction, or in the case of a series of transactions, the date of the last transaction of such series, or (b) the total combined voting power of all outstanding shares of voting stock of AHS as of the date of such transaction, or in the case of a series of transactions, the date of the last transaction of such series. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Proposed Acquisition Transaction shall not include (A) the adoption by SpinCo of a shareholder rights plan or (B) issuances by SpinCo that satisfy Safe Harbor VIII (relating to acquisitions in connection with a persons performance of services) or Safe Harbor IX (relating to acquisitions by a retirement plan of an employer) of Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-7(d). For purposes of determining whether a transaction constitutes an indirect acquisition, any recapitalization resulting in a shift of voting power or any redemption of shares of stock shall be treated as an indirect acquisition of shares of stock by the non-exchanging shareholders. This definition and the application thereof is intended to monitor compliance with Section 355(e) of the Code and shall be interpreted accordingly. Any clarification of, or change in, the statute or regulations promulgated under Section 355(e) of the Code shall be incorporated in this definition and its interpretation.
Representation Letters means the representation letters and any other materials (including, without limitation, a Ruling Request and any related supplemental submissions to the IRS) delivered or deliverable by, or on behalf of, Parent, SpinCo and others in connection with the rendering by Tax Advisors and/or the issuance by the IRS of the Tax Opinions/Rulings.
Required Party shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(a) of this Agreement.
Responsible Company means, with respect to any Tax Return, the Company having responsibility for preparing and filing such Tax Return under this Agreement.
Ruling means a private letter ruling (including a supplemental private letter ruling) issued by the IRS to Parent pertaining to or in connection with the Internal Distribution, the Contribution and/or the Distribution.
Ruling Request means any letter filed by Parent with the IRS requesting a ruling regarding certain tax consequences of the Transactions (including all attachments, exhibits, and other materials submitted with such ruling request letter) and any amendment or supplement to such ruling request letter.
Section 2.03(c) Return means any Separate Tax Return of one Company (or its Affiliates) in respect of which the other Company could reasonably be expected to be responsible, pursuant to Section 2.03(c), for some or all of any State Other Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on such Return.
Section 336(e) Election has the meaning set forth in Section 7.06.
Section 7.02(e) Acquisition Transaction means any transaction or series of transactions that is not a Proposed Acquisition Transaction but would be a Proposed Acquisition Transaction if the percentage reflected in the definition of Proposed Acquisition Transaction were 25% instead of 40%.
Separate Return means (a) in the case of any Tax Return of any member of the SpinCo Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary return), any such Tax Return that does not include any member of the Parent Group and (b) in the case of any Tax Return of any member of the Parent Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary return), any such Tax Return that does not include any member of the SpinCo Group.
Separation shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Separation and Distribution Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
SMCS Holdco II shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
SpinCo shall have the meaning provided in the first sentence of this Agreement, and references herein to SpinCo shall include any entity treated as a successor to SpinCo.
SpinCo Adjustment means any proposed adjustment by a Tax Authority or claim for refund asserted in a Tax Contest to the extent SpinCo would be exclusively liable for any resulting Tax under this Agreement or exclusively entitled to receive any resulting Tax Benefit under this Agreement.
SpinCo Business has the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
SpinCo Capital Stock means all classes or series of capital stock of SpinCo, including (i) the shares of common stock of SpinCo, (ii) all options, warrants and other rights to acquire such stock and (iii) all instruments properly treated as stock in SpinCo for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
SpinCo Carryback means any net operating loss, net capital loss, excess tax credit, or other similar Tax item of any member of the SpinCo Group which may or must be carried from one Tax Period to another prior Tax Period under the Code or other applicable Tax Law.
SpinCo Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return means any United States federal Income Tax Return for the affiliated group (as that term is defined in Section 1504 of the Code) of which SpinCo is the common parent.
SpinCo Group means SpinCo and its Affiliates, as determined immediately after the Distribution.
SpinCo Separate Return means any Separate Return of SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group.
State Income Tax means any Tax imposed by any State of the United States (or by any political subdivision of any such State) or the District of Columbia, in each case, which is imposed on or measured by net income, including state and local franchise or similar Taxes measured by net income, and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.
State Other Tax means any Tax imposed by any State of the United States (or by any political subdivision of any such State) or the District of Columbia, in each case, other than any State Income Taxes, and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.
State Tax means any State Income Taxes or State Other Taxes.
Straddle Period means any Tax Period that begins on or before and ends after the Deconsolidation Date.
Tax or Taxes means any income, gross income, gross receipts, profits, capital stock, franchise, withholding, payroll, social security, workers compensation, unemployment, disability, property, ad valorem , stamp, excise, escheat, severance, occupation, service, sales, use, license, lease, transfer, import, export, value added, alternative minimum, estimated or other tax (including any fee, assessment, or other charge in the nature of or in lieu of any tax) imposed by any governmental entity or political subdivision thereof, and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.
Tax Advisor means a United States tax counsel or accountant of recognized national standing.
Tax Attribute or Attribute shall mean a net operating loss, net capital loss, unused investment credit, unused foreign tax credit, excess charitable contribution, general business credit or any other Tax Item that could reduce a Tax.
Tax Authority means, with respect to any Tax, the governmental entity or political subdivision thereof that imposes such Tax, and the agency (if any) charged with the collection of such Tax for such entity or subdivision.
Tax Benefit means any refund, credit, or other reduction in otherwise required Tax payments.
Tax Contest means an audit, review, examination, or any other administrative or judicial proceeding with the purpose or effect of redetermining Taxes (including any administrative or judicial review of any claim for refund).
Tax Control means the definition of control set forth in Section 368(c) of the Code (or in any successor statute or provision), as such definition may be amended from time to time.
Tax-Free Status means the qualification of (I) the Contribution and Distribution, taken together, (a) as a reorganization described in Sections 355(a) and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, (b) as a transaction in which the stock distributed thereby is qualified property for purposes of Sections 355(d), 355(e) and 361(c) of the Code, and (c) as a transaction in which the holders of Parent Shares recognize no income or gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes pursuant to Section 355 and (II) the Internal Distribution (a) as a transaction described in Section 355(a) of the Code, (b) as a transaction in which the stock of AHS distributed thereby is qualified property for purposes of Sections 355(d), 355(e) and 361(c) of the Code and (c) as a transaction in which Parent recognizes no income or gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes pursuant to Section 355.
Tax Item means, with respect to any Income Tax, any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, credit, recapture of credit or any other item which increases or decreases Taxes paid or payable.
Tax Law means the law of any governmental entity or political subdivision thereof relating to any Tax.
Tax Opinions/Rulings means (i) the opinions of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and of PwC deliverable to Parent pertaining to or in connection with, and regarding the Federal Income Tax treatment of, the Internal Distribution, the Contribution and/or the Distribution and (ii) any Rulings.
Tax Period means, with respect to any Tax, the period for which the Tax is reported as provided under the Code or other applicable Tax Law.
Tax-Related Losses means (i) all federal, state, local and foreign Taxes (including interest and penalties thereon) imposed (or that would be imposed) pursuant to any settlement, Final Determination, judgment or otherwise, (ii) all accounting, legal and other professional fees, and court costs incurred in connection therewith, and (iii) all costs, expenses and damages associated with stockholder litigation or controversies and any amount paid by Parent (or any Parent Affiliate) or SpinCo (or any SpinCo Affiliate) in respect of the liability of shareholders, whether paid to shareholders or to the IRS or any other Tax Authority, in the case of each of clauses (i) through (iii), resulting from the failure of the Internal Distribution, the Contribution or the Distribution to have Tax-Free Status.
Tax Return or Return means any report of Taxes due, any claim for refund of Taxes paid, any information return with respect to Taxes, or any other similar report, statement, questionnaire, declaration, or document filed or required to be filed under the Code or other Tax Law, including any attachments, exhibits, or other materials submitted with any of the foregoing, and including any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing.
Transactions means the Internal Distribution, the Contribution, the Distribution and the other transactions contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Treasury Regulations means the regulations promulgated from time to time under the Code as in effect for the relevant Tax Period.
Unqualified Tax Opinion means an unqualified will opinion of a Tax Advisor, which Tax Advisor is acceptable to Parent, on which Parent may rely to the effect that a transaction will not affect the Tax-Free Status of the Contribution and the Distribution (taken together) and the Internal Distribution; provided , that (i) any tax opinion obtained in connection with a proposed acquisition of SpinCo Capital Stock entered into on or before the two-year anniversary of the Distribution Date shall not qualify as an Unqualified Tax Opinion unless such tax opinion also concludes that such proposed acquisition (a) will not be treated as part of a plan (or series of related transactions), within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, that includes the Distribution and (b) will not be treated as part of a plan (or series of related transactions), within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, that includes the Internal Distribution and (ii) any tax opinion obtained in connection with a proposed acquisition of AHS Capital Stock entered into on or before the two-year anniversary of the Distribution Date shall not qualify as an Unqualified Tax Opinion unless such tax opinion also concludes that such proposed acquisition will not be treated as part of a plan (or series of related transactions), within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, that includes the Internal Distribution. Any such opinion must assume that the Contribution and Distribution (taken together) and the Internal Distribution would have qualified for Tax-Free Status if the transaction in question did not occur.
Section 2. Allocation of Tax Liabilities .
Section 2.01 General Rule .
(a) Parent Liability . Parent shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the SpinCo Group from and against any liability for, Taxes which are allocated to Parent under this Section 2.
(b) SpinCo Liability . SpinCo shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Parent Group from and against any liability for, Taxes which are allocated to SpinCo under this Section 2.
Section 2.02 Allocation of United States Federal Income Tax and Federal Other Tax . Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.05, Federal Income Tax and Federal Other Tax shall be allocated as follows:
(a) Allocation of Tax Relating to Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Returns. With respect to any Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return, Parent shall be responsible for any and all Federal Income Taxes due or required to be reported on any such Income Tax Return (including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination). For the absence of doubt, Parent shall be responsible for any and all Federal Income Taxes resulting from Section 965 of the Code with respect to any deferred foreign income corporations (as defined in Section 965 of the Code) owned directly or indirectly by Parent prior to the Distribution (regardless of
when the inclusion under Section 965 occurs and regardless of when the tax is paid or required to be paid).
(b) Allocation of Tax Relating to Federal Separate Income Tax Returns. (i) Parent shall be responsible for any and all Federal Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any Parent Separate Return (including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination); (ii) SpinCo shall be responsible for any and all Federal Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any SpinCo Separate Return (including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination).
(c) Allocation of Federal Other Tax . (i) Parent shall be responsible for any and all Federal Other Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any Parent Separate Return (including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination) or otherwise imposed on any member of the Parent Group; (ii) SpinCo shall be responsible for any and all Federal Other Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any SpinCo Separate Return (including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination) or otherwise imposed on any member of the SpinCo Group.
Section 2.03 Allocation of State Income and State Other Taxes . Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.05, State Income Tax and State Other Tax shall be allocated as follows:
(a) Allocation of Tax Relating to Parent State Combined Income Tax Returns. Parent shall be responsible for any and all State Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any Parent State Combined Income Tax Return (including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination).
(b) Allocation of State Income Tax Relating to Separate Returns. (i) Parent shall be responsible for any and all State Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any Parent Separate Return (including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination); (ii) SpinCo shall be responsible for any and all State Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any SpinCo Separate Return (including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination).
(c) Allocation of State Other Tax . (i) Parent shall be responsible for any and all State Other Taxes attributable to, or arising with respect to, assets or activities of the Parent Business (as determined by Parent) due with respect to or required to be reported on any SpinCo Separate Return, including any increase in such Taxes (as determined by Parent) as a result of a Final Determination; (ii) other than State Other Taxes for which Parent is responsible in accordance with clause (i) above, SpinCo shall be responsible for any and all State Other Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any SpinCo Separate Return; (iii) SpinCo shall be responsible for any and all State Other Taxes attributable to, or arising with respect to, assets or activities of the SpinCo Business (as determined by Parent) due with respect to or required to be reported on any Parent Separate Return, including any increase in such Taxes (as determined by Parent) as a result of a Final Determination; and (iv) other than State Other Taxes for which SpinCo is responsible in accordance with clause (iii) above, Parent shall be responsible for any and all State Other Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any Parent Separate Return.
Section 2.04 Allocation of Foreign Taxes . Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.05, Foreign Income Tax and Foreign Other Tax shall be allocated as follows:
(a) Allocation of Tax Relating to Parent Foreign Combined Income Tax Returns. Parent shall be responsible for any and all Foreign Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any Parent Foreign Combined Income Tax Return (including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination).
(b) Allocation of Foreign Income Tax Relating to Separate Returns. (i) Parent shall be responsible for any and all Foreign Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any Parent Separate Return (including any increase in such Foreign Income Tax as a result of a Final Determination); (ii) SpinCo shall be responsible for any and all Foreign Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any SpinCo Separate Return (including any increase in such Foreign Income Tax as a result of a Final Determination).
(c) Allocation of Foreign Other Tax . (i) Parent shall be responsible for any and all Foreign Other Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any Parent Separate Return (including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination) or otherwise imposed on any member of the Parent Group; (ii) SpinCo shall be responsible for any and all Foreign Other Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any SpinCo Separate Return (including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination) or otherwise imposed on any member of the SpinCo Group.
Section 2.05 Certain Transaction and Other Taxes .
(a) SpinCo Liability . SpinCo shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Parent Group from and against any liability for:
(i) Any stamp, sales and use, gross receipts, value-added or other transfer Taxes imposed by any Tax Authority on any member of the SpinCo Group (if such member is primarily liable for such Tax) on the transfers occurring pursuant to the Transactions;
(ii) Any Tax resulting from a breach by SpinCo of any representation or covenant in this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement, any Representation Letter or any Tax Opinion/Ruling; and
(iii) Any Tax-Related Losses for which SpinCo is responsible pursuant to Section 7.05 of this Agreement.
(b) Parent Liability . Parent shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the SpinCo Group from and against any liability for:
(i) Any stamp, sales and use, gross receipts, value-added or other transfer Taxes imposed by any Tax Authority on any member of the Parent Group (if such member is primarily liable for such Tax) on the transfers occurring pursuant to the Transactions;
(ii) Any Tax resulting from a breach by Parent of any representation or covenant in this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement, any Representation Letter or any Tax Opinion/Ruling; and
(iii) Any Tax-Related Losses for which Parent is responsible pursuant to Section 7.05 of this Agreement.
Section 3. Proration of Taxes for Straddle Periods .
(a) General Method of Proration . In the case of any Straddle Period, Tax Items shall be apportioned between Pre-Deconsolidation Periods and Post-Deconsolidation Periods in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-76(b) as reasonably interpreted and applied by Parent. With respect to the Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return for the taxable year that includes the Distribution, no election shall be made under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-76(b)(2)(ii) (relating to ratable allocation of a years items). If the Deconsolidation Date is not an Accounting Cutoff Date, the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-76(b)(2)(iii) will be applied to ratably allocate the items (other than extraordinary items) for the month which includes the Deconsolidation Date.
(b) Transactions Treated as Extraordinary Item . In determining the apportionment of Tax Items between Pre-Deconsolidation Periods and Post-Deconsolidation Periods, any Tax Items relating to the Transactions shall be treated as extraordinary items described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-76(b)(2)(ii)(C) and shall (to the extent occurring on or prior to the Deconsolidation Date) be allocated to Pre-Deconsolidation Periods, and any Taxes related to such items shall be treated under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-76(b)(2)(iv) as relating to such extraordinary item and shall (to the extent occurring on or prior to the Deconsolidation Date) be allocated to Pre-Deconsolidation Periods.
Section 4. Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns .
Section 4.01 General . Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4, Tax Returns shall be prepared and filed on or before their Due Date by the Person obligated to file such Tax Returns under the Code or applicable Tax Law. The Companies shall provide, and shall cause their Affiliates to provide, assistance and cooperation to one another in accordance with Section 8 with respect to the preparation and filing of Tax Returns, including by providing information required to be provided pursuant to Section 8.
Section 4.02 Parents Responsibility . Parent has the exclusive obligation and right to prepare and file, or to cause to be prepared and filed:
(a) Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Returns for any Tax Periods ending on, before or after the Deconsolidation Date;
(b) Parent State Combined Income Tax Returns, Parent Foreign Combined Income Tax Returns and any other Joint Returns which Parent reasonably determines are required to be filed (or which Parent chooses to be filed) by the Companies or any of their Affiliates for Tax Periods ending on, before or after the Deconsolidation Date; and
(c) Parent Separate Returns and SpinCo Separate Returns which Parent reasonably determines are required to be filed by the Companies or any of their Affiliates for Tax Periods ending on, before or after the Deconsolidation Date (limited, in the case of SpinCo Separate Returns, to such Returns for which the Due Date is on or before the Deconsolidation Date).
Section 4.03 SpinCos Responsibility . SpinCo shall prepare and file, or shall cause to be prepared and filed, all Tax Returns required to be filed by or with respect to members of the SpinCo Group other than those Tax Returns which Parent is required or entitled to prepare and file under Section 4.02. The Tax Returns required to be prepared and filed by SpinCo under this Section 4.03 shall include (a) any SpinCo Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return for Tax Periods ending after the Deconsolidation Date and (b) SpinCo Separate Returns for which the Due Date is after the Deconsolidation Date.
Section 4.04 Tax Accounting Practices .
(a) General Rule . Except as otherwise provided in Section 4.04(b), with respect to any Tax Return that SpinCo has the obligation and right to prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, under Section 4.03, (i) for any Pre-Deconsolidation Period or any Straddle Period (or any taxable period beginning after the Deconsolidation Date to the extent items reported on such Tax Return could reasonably be expected to affect items reported on any Tax Return that Parent has the obligation or right to prepare and file for any Pre-Deconsolidation Period or any Straddle Period) or (ii) that is Section 2.03(c) Return, such Tax Return shall be prepared in accordance with past practices, accounting methods, elections or conventions ( Past Practices ) used with respect to the Tax Returns in question (unless there is no reasonable basis for the use of such Past Practices or unless there is no adverse effect to Parent), and to the extent any items are not covered by Past Practices (or in the event that there is no reasonable basis for the use of such Past Practices or there is no adverse effect to Parent), in accordance with reasonable Tax accounting practices selected by SpinCo. Except as otherwise provided in Section 4.04(b), Parent shall prepare any Tax Return which it has the obligation and right to prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, under Section 4.02, in accordance with reasonable Tax accounting practices selected by Parent.
(b) Reporting of Transactions . The Tax treatment reported on any Tax Return of the Transactions shall be consistent with the treatment thereof in the Ruling Requests and the Tax Opinions/Rulings, unless there is no reasonable basis for such Tax treatment. The Tax treatment of the Transactions reported on any Tax Return for which SpinCo is the Responsible Company shall be consistent with that on any Tax Return filed or to be filed by Parent or any member of the Parent Group or caused or to be caused to be filed by Parent, in each case with respect to periods prior to the Distribution Date or with respect to Straddle Periods ( Parent Group Transaction Returns ), unless there is no reasonable basis for such Tax treatment. To the extent the Tax treatment relating to any aspect of the Transactions is not covered by the Ruling Requests, the Tax Opinions/Rulings or Parent Group Transaction Returns, the Companies shall report such Tax treatment on any and all Tax Returns in a manner that is consistent with Parents intention or determination with respect thereto.
Section 4.05 Consolidated or Combined Tax Returns . SpinCo will elect and join, and will cause its respective Affiliates to elect and join, in filing any Parent State Combined Income
Tax Returns, Parent Foreign Combined Income Tax Returns and any Joint Returns that Parent determines are required to be filed or that Parent chooses to file pursuant to Section 4.02(b). With respect to any SpinCo Separate Returns relating to any Tax Period (or portion thereof) ending on or prior to the Distribution Date, SpinCo will elect and join, and will cause its respective Affiliates to elect and join, in filing consolidated, unitary, combined, or other similar joint Tax Returns, to the extent each entity is eligible to join in such Tax Returns, if Parent reasonably determines that the filing of such Tax Returns is consistent with past reporting practices, or, in the absence of applicable past practices, will result in the minimization of the net present value of the aggregate Tax to the entities eligible to join in such Tax Returns.
Section 4.06 Right to Review Tax Returns .
(a) General . The Responsible Company with respect to any Tax Return shall make such Tax Return (or the relevant portions thereof) and related workpapers available for review by the other Company, if requested, to the extent (i) such Tax Return relates to Taxes for which the requesting party is or could reasonably be expected to be liable, (ii) the requesting party would reasonably be expected to be liable in whole or in part for any additional Taxes owing as a result of material adjustments to the amount of Taxes reported on such Tax Return, (iii) such Tax Return relates to Taxes for which the requesting party would reasonably be expected to have a claim for material Tax Benefits under this Agreement, (iv) reasonably necessary for the requesting party to confirm compliance with the terms of this Agreement or (v) such Tax Return is required by the requesting party to comply with its reporting obligations to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Responsible Company shall use reasonable efforts to make such Tax Return available for review as required under this paragraph sufficiently in advance of the Due Date of such Tax Return to provide the requesting party with a meaningful opportunity to analyze and comment on such Tax Return and shall use reasonable efforts to have such Tax Return modified before filing, taking into account the person responsible for payment of the Tax (if any) reported on such Tax Return and whether the amount of Tax liability with respect to such Tax Return is material. The Companies shall attempt in good faith to resolve any disagreement arising out of the review of such Tax Return and, failing that, such disagreement shall be resolved in accordance with the disagreement resolution provisions of Section 13 as promptly as practicable.
(b) Execution of Returns Prepared by Other Party . In the case of any Tax Return which is required to be prepared and filed by one Company under this Agreement and which is required by law to be signed by the other Company (or by its authorized representative), the Company which is legally required to sign such Tax Return shall not be required to sign such Tax Return under this Agreement if there is no reasonable basis for the Tax treatment of any item reported on the Tax Return.
(c) Section 2.03(c) Returns . In furtherance of and without limiting Section 4.06(a), SpinCo shall provide Parent, at least 30 days in advance of the relevant Due Date, any Section 2.03(c) Return that is a SpinCo Separate Return (and any related workpapers) for Parents review and comment.
Section 4.07 SpinCo Carrybacks and Claims for Refund . SpinCo hereby agrees that, unless Parent consents in writing, (i) no Adjustment Request with respect to any Joint Return
shall be filed and (ii) any available elections to waive the right to claim in any Pre-Deconsolidation Period with respect to any Joint Return any SpinCo Carryback arising in a Post-Deconsolidation Period shall be made, and no affirmative election shall be made to claim any such SpinCo Carryback; provided , however , that the parties agree that any such Adjustment Request shall be made with respect to any SpinCo Carryback related to U.S. federal or State Taxes, upon the reasonable request of SpinCo, if (a) such SpinCo Carryback is necessary to prevent the loss of the federal and/or State Tax Benefit of such SpinCo Carryback, (b) such Adjustment Request, based on Parents sole determination, will cause no Tax detriment to any member of the Parent Group and (c) such Adjustment Request, based on Parents sole determination, will not result in any unreimbursed expense for any member of the Parent Group. Any Adjustment Request which Parent consents to make under this Section 4.07 shall be prepared and filed by the Responsible Company for the Tax Return to be adjusted.
Section 4.08 Apportionment of Earnings and Profits and Tax Attributes . Parent shall be entitled in good faith to instruct SpinCo in writing of the portion, if any, of any earnings and profits, previously taxed earnings and profits, Tax Attribute, basis, overall foreign loss or any consolidated, combined, unitary or comingled attribute which Parent determines shall be allocated to, apportioned to or adjusted by the SpinCo Group under applicable law in connection with the Transactions. SpinCo and all members of the SpinCo Group shall prepare all Tax Returns in accordance with (and shall not take any Tax position that is inconsistent with) such written instructions. As soon as practicable after receipt of a written request from SpinCo, Parent shall provide copies of any studies, reports, and workpapers supporting the earnings and profits, previously taxed earnings and profits, basis, overall foreign loss and other Tax Attributes allocable to SpinCo. In the event of a subsequent adjustment to the earnings and profits, previously taxed earnings and profits, basis, overall foreign loss or any Tax Attributes determined by Parent pursuant to this Section 4.08, Parent or SpinCo, as the case may be, shall promptly notify the other Company in writing of such adjustment. For the absence of doubt, Parent shall not be liable to SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group for any failure of any determination under this Section 4.08 to be accurate under applicable law.
Section 5. Tax Payments .
Section 5.01 Payment of Taxes With Respect to Joint Returns . In the case of any Joint Return reflecting Taxes for which both Parent and SpinCo are responsible under Section 2:
(a) Computation and Payment of Tax Due. At least three Business Days prior to any Payment Date for any Tax Return, the Responsible Company shall compute the amount of Tax required to be paid to the applicable Tax Authority (taking into account the requirements of Section 4.04 relating to consistent accounting practices, as applicable) with respect to such Tax Return on such Payment Date. The Responsible Company shall pay such amount to such Tax Authority on or before such Payment Date (and provide notice and proof of payment to the other Company).
(b) Computation and Payment of Liability With Respect to Tax Due . Within 30 days following the earlier of (i) the Due Date for filing any such Tax Return (excluding any Tax Return with respect to payment of estimated Taxes or Taxes due with a request for extension of time to file) or (ii) the date on which such Tax Return is filed (excluding any Tax Return with
respect to payment of estimated Taxes or Taxes due with a request for extension of time to file), if Parent is the Responsible Company, then SpinCo shall pay to Parent the amount allocable to the SpinCo Group under the provisions of Section 2, and if SpinCo is the Responsible Company, then Parent shall pay to SpinCo the amount allocable to the Parent Group under the provisions of Section 2, in each case, plus interest computed at the Prime Rate on the amount of the payment based on the number of days from the earlier of (i) the Due Date of the Tax Return or (ii) the date on which such Tax Return is filed, to the date of payment.
(c) Adjustments Resulting in Underpayments . In the case of any adjustment pursuant to a Final Determination with respect to any such Tax Return, the Responsible Company shall pay to the applicable Tax Authority when due any additional Tax due with respect to such Return required to be paid as a result of such adjustment pursuant to a Final Determination. If the Responsible Company is Parent, Parent shall compute the amount attributable to the SpinCo Group in accordance with Section 2 and SpinCo shall pay to Parent any amount due to Parent (or, if the Responsible Company is SpinCo, SpinCo shall compute the amount attributable to the Parent Group in accordance with Section 2 and Parent shall pay to SpinCo any amount due to SpinCo) under Section 2 within 30 days following the later of (i) the date the additional Tax was paid by the Responsible Company or (ii) the date of receipt of a written notice and demand from the Responsible Company for payment of the amount due, accompanied by evidence of payment and a statement detailing the Taxes paid and describing in reasonable detail the particulars relating thereto. Any payments required under this Section 5.01(c) shall include interest computed at the Prime Rate based on the number of days from the date the additional Tax was paid by the Responsible Company to the date of the payment under this Section 5.01(c).
Section 5.02 Payment of Taxes With Respect to Section 2.03(c) Returns . In the case of any Section 2.03(c) Return:
(a) Computation and Payment of Tax Due. At least three Business Days prior to any Payment Date for any Section 2.03(c) Return, the Responsible Company shall compute the amount of Tax required to be paid to the applicable Tax Authority (taking into account the requirements of Section 4.04 relating to consistent accounting practices, as applicable) with respect to such Tax Return on such Payment Date. The Responsible Company shall pay such amount to such Tax Authority on or before such Payment Date (and provide notice and proof of payment to the other Company).
(b) Computation and Payment of Liability With Respect To Tax Due . Within 30 days following the earlier of (i) the Due Date for filing any such Section 2.03(c) Return or (ii) the date on which such Section 2.03(c) Return is filed, if Parent is the Responsible Company, then SpinCo shall pay to Parent the amount for which SpinCo is responsible under the provisions of Section 2.03(c), and if SpinCo is the Responsible Company, then Parent shall pay to SpinCo the amount for which Parent is responsible under the provisions of Section 2.03(c), in each case, plus interest computed at the Prime Rate on the amount of the payment based on the number of days from the earlier of (i) the Due Date of the Section 2.03(c) Return or (ii) the date on which such Section 2.03(c) Return is filed, to the date of payment.
(c) Adjustments Resulting in Underpayments . In the case of any adjustment pursuant to a Final Determination with respect to any such Section 2.03(c) Return, the Responsible
Company shall pay to the applicable Tax Authority when due any additional Tax due with respect to such Return required to be paid as a result of such adjustment pursuant to a Final Determination. If the Responsible Company is Parent, Parent shall compute the amount attributable to the assets or activities of the SpinCo Business in accordance with Section 2.03(c) and SpinCo shall pay to Parent such amount within 30 days of the later of (i) the date the additional Tax was paid by Parent or (ii) the date of receipt of a written notice and demand from Parent for payment of the amount due, accompanied by evidence of payment and a statement detailing the Taxes paid and describing in reasonable detail the particulars relating thereto. If the Responsible Company is SpinCo, (x) SpinCo shall, within 15 days of payment of such additional Tax to the applicable Tax Authority, provide Parent with written notice thereof accompanied by evidence of payment and a statement detailing the Taxes paid and describing in reasonable detail the particulars relating thereto and (y) Parent shall, within 45 days of receipt of such statement, compute the amount attributable to the assets or activities of the Parent Business in accordance with Section 2.03(c) and pay to SpinCo such amount.
Section 5.03 Indemnification Payments .
(a) Subject to Section 7.05(d) and 7.05(e), if any Company (the Payor ) is required under applicable Tax Law to pay to a Tax Authority a Tax that another Company (the Required Party ) is liable for under this Agreement, the Required Party shall reimburse the Payor within 30 days of delivery by the Payor to the Required Party of an invoice for the amount due, accompanied by evidence of payment and a statement detailing the Taxes paid and describing in reasonable detail the particulars relating thereto. The reimbursement shall include interest on the Tax payment computed at the Prime Rate based on the number of days from the date of the payment to the Tax Authority to the date of reimbursement under this Section 5.03.
(b) All indemnification payments under this Agreement shall be made by Parent directly to SpinCo and by SpinCo directly to Parent, as applicable; provided , however , that if the Companies mutually agree with respect to any such indemnification payment, any member of the Parent Group, on the one hand, may make such indemnification payment to any member of the SpinCo Group, on the other hand, and vice versa.
Section 6. Tax Benefits .
Section 6.01 Tax Benefits .
(a) Except as set forth below, Parent shall be entitled to any refund (and any interest thereon received from the applicable Tax Authority) of Income Taxes and Other Taxes for which Parent is liable hereunder, SpinCo shall be entitled to any refund (and any interest thereon received from the applicable Tax Authority) of Income Taxes and Other Taxes for which SpinCo is liable hereunder and a Company (the first Company) receiving a refund to which another Company (the second Company) is entitled hereunder shall pay over such refund to the second Company within 30 days after such refund is received (together with interest computed at the Prime Rate based on the number of days from the date the refund was received to the date the refund was paid over). The second Company, upon the request of the first Company, shall promptly repay the first Company the amount paid over pursuant to the preceding sentence
(together with any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Tax Authority) in the event that the first Company is required to repay such refund to such Tax Authority.
(b) If a member of the SpinCo Group actually realizes in cash any Tax Benefit as a result of an adjustment pursuant to a Final Determination to any Taxes for which a member of the Parent Group is liable hereunder (or to the tax basis or any Tax Attribute of a member of the Parent Group) (a Parent Final Determination Adjustment ) and such Tax Benefit would not have arisen but for such adjustment (determined on a with and without basis), or if a member of the Parent Group actually realizes in cash any Tax Benefit as a result of an adjustment pursuant to a Final Determination to any Taxes for which a member of the SpinCo Group is liable hereunder (or to the tax basis or any Tax Attribute of a member of the SpinCo Group) and such Tax Benefit would not have arisen but for such adjustment (determined on a with and without basis), SpinCo or Parent, as the case may be, shall make a payment to either Parent or SpinCo, as appropriate, within 30 days following such actual realization of the Tax Benefit, in an amount equal to such Tax Benefit actually realized in cash (including any Tax Benefit actually realized as a result of the payment), plus interest on such amount computed at the Prime Rate based on the number of days from the date of such actual realization of the Tax Benefit to the date of payment of such amount under this Section 6.01(b). In the case of a Parent Final Determination Adjustment, then, upon the written request of and at the expense of Parent, SpinCo shall (and, if applicable, shall cause the relevant member of the SpinCo Group to) amend any Tax Return thereof to the extent such amendment would result in a corresponding or correlative Tax Benefit (which shall include, without limitation, any step-up in tax basis).
(c) No later than 30 days after a Tax Benefit described in Section 6.01(b) is actually realized in cash by a member of the Parent Group or a member of the SpinCo Group, Parent (if a member of the Parent Group actually realizes such Tax Benefit) or SpinCo (if a member of the SpinCo Group actually realizes such Tax Benefit) shall provide the other Company with a written calculation of the amount payable to such other Company by Parent or SpinCo pursuant to this Section 6. In the event that Parent or SpinCo disagrees with any such calculation described in this Section 6.01(c), Parent or SpinCo shall so notify the other Company in writing within 30 days of receiving the written calculation set forth above in this Section 6.01(c). Parent and SpinCo shall endeavor in good faith to resolve such disagreement, and, failing that, the amount payable under this Section 6 shall be determined in accordance with the disagreement resolution provisions of Section 13 as promptly as practicable.
(d) SpinCo shall be entitled to any refund that is attributable to, and would not have arisen but for, a SpinCo Carryback pursuant to, and in accordance with, the proviso set forth in Section 4.07. Any such payment of such refund made by Parent to SpinCo pursuant to this Section 6.01(d) shall be recalculated in light of any Final Determination (or any other facts that may arise or come to light after such payment is made, such as a carryback of a Parent Group Tax Attribute to a Tax Period in respect of which such refund is received) that would affect the amount to which SpinCo is entitled, and an appropriate adjusting payment shall be made by SpinCo to Parent such that the aggregate amounts paid pursuant to this Section 6.01(d) equals such recalculated amount (with interest computed at the Prime Rate).
Section 6.02 Parent and SpinCo Income Tax Deductions in Respect of Certain Equity Awards and Incentive Compensation . To the extent permitted by applicable law, solely the
member of the Group for which the relevant individual is employed at the time of the vesting, exercise, disqualifying disposition, payment or other relevant taxable event, as appropriate, in respect of the equity awards and other incentive compensation described in Article IV of the Employee Matters Agreement (or, if such individual is not then employed by a member of any Group, the Group member at which such individual was most recently employed) shall be entitled to claim any Income Tax deduction in respect of such equity awards and other incentive compensation on its respective Tax Return associated with such event.
Section 7. Tax-Free Status .
Section 7.01 Tax Opinions/Rulings and Representation Letters .
(a) Each of SpinCo and Parent hereby represents and agrees that (A) it has carefully reviewed or will carefully review the Representation Letters prior to the date submitted and (B) subject to any qualifications therein, all information, representations and covenants contained in such Representation Letters that concern or relate to such Company or any member of its Group are and will be true, correct and complete.
(b) If any Representation Letters have not yet been submitted, SpinCo and Parent shall use their commercially reasonable efforts and shall cooperate in good faith to finalize (or cause to be finalized) the same as soon as possible and to cause the same to be submitted to the Tax Advisors, the IRS or such other governmental authorities as Parent shall deem necessary or desirable. SpinCo and Parent shall take such other commercially reasonable actions as may be necessary or desirable, to obtain any Tax Opinions/Rulings that have not yet been obtained.
(c) SpinCo hereby represents and warrants that it has no plan or intention to take any action or to fail to take any action (or to cause or permit any member of its Group to take or fail to take any action), in each case, from and after the date hereof, that could reasonably be expected to cause any representation or statement made in this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the Representation Letters, or any of the Ancillary Agreements to be untrue.
(d) SpinCo hereby represents and warrants that, during the period beginning two years before the date of the consummation of the Internal Distribution and ending on the Distribution Date, there was no agreement, understanding, arrangement, substantial negotiations or discussions (as such terms are defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-7(h)) by any one or more officers or directors of any member of the SpinCo Group or by any other person or persons with the implicit or explicit permission of one or more of such officers or directors regarding an acquisition, directly or indirectly, of all or a significant portion of the SpinCo Capital Stock (or any predecessor) or the AHS Capital Stock; provided , however , that no representation is made regarding any agreement, understanding, arrangement, substantial negotiations or discussions (as such terms are defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-7(h)) by any one or more officers or directors of Parent.
Section 7.02 Restrictions on SpinCo .
(a) SpinCo agrees that it will not take or fail to take, or cause or permit any SpinCo Affiliate to take or fail to take, any action where such action or failure to act would be
inconsistent with or cause to be untrue any material, information, statement, covenant or representation in this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement, any of the Ancillary Agreements, any Representation Letters or any Tax Opinions/Rulings. SpinCo agrees that it will not take or fail to take, or permit any SpinCo Affiliate to take or fail to take, any action which prevents or could reasonably be expected to prevent (A) the Tax-Free Status (including the issuance of any SpinCo Capital Stock or AHS Capital Stock that would prevent the Distribution or the Internal Distribution from qualifying as a tax-free distribution under Section 355 of the Code) or (B) any transaction contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement, to the extent such transaction is intended by Parent to be tax-free or tax-advantaged, from so qualifying (it being agreed and understood that SpinCo shall not agree, and shall prevent any SpinCo Affiliate from agreeing, in any Tax Contest to any position that is inconsistent with the Tax treatment, as intended or determined by Parent, of the Transactions).
(b) Pre-Distribution Period. During the period from the date hereof until the completion of the Distribution, SpinCo shall not take any action (including the issuance of SpinCo Capital Stock) or permit any SpinCo Affiliate to take any action (including the issuance of AHS Capital Stock) if, as a result of taking such action, (i) SpinCo could have a number of shares of SpinCo Capital Stock (computed on a fully diluted basis or otherwise) issued and outstanding, including by way of the exercise of stock options (whether or not such stock options are currently exercisable) or the issuance of restricted stock, that could cause Parent to cease to have Tax Control of SpinCo or (ii) AHS could have a number of shares of AHS Capital Stock (computed on a fully diluted basis or otherwise) issued and outstanding, including by way of the exercise of stock options (whether or not such stock options are currently exercisable) or the issuance of restricted stock, that could cause SMCS Holdco II to cease to have Tax Control of SpinCo.
(c) SpinCo agrees that, from the date hereof until the first day after the two-year anniversary of the Distribution Date, it will (i) maintain its status as a company engaged in the Active Trade or Business for purposes of Section 355(b)(2) of the Code, (ii) cause AHS to maintain AHSs status as a company engaged in the Active Trade or Business for purposes of Section 355(b)(2) of the Code, (iii) not engage in any transaction that would result in SpinCo or AHS ceasing to be a company engaged in the Active Trade or Business for purposes of Section 355(b)(2) of the Code and (iv) cause AHS not to engage in any transaction that would result in AHS ceasing to be a company engaged in the Active Trade or Business for purposes of Section 355(b)(2) of the Code, in the case of each of clauses (i) through (iv), taking into account Section 355(b)(3) of the Code.
(d) SpinCo agrees that, from the date hereof until the first day after the two-year anniversary of the Distribution Date, it will not (and it will cause AHS not to, where applicable) (i) enter into any Proposed Acquisition Transaction or, to the extent SpinCo has the right to prohibit (or cause to be prohibited) any Proposed Acquisition Transaction, permit any Proposed Acquisition Transaction to occur (whether by (I) redeeming rights under a shareholder rights plan, (II) finding a tender offer to be a permitted offer under any such plan or otherwise causing any such plan to be inapplicable or neutralized with respect to any Proposed Acquisition Transaction, or (III) approving any Proposed Acquisition Transaction, whether for purposes of Section 203 of the DGCL or any similar corporate statute, any fair price or other provision of SpinCo or AHSs charter or bylaws or otherwise), (ii) merge or consolidate with any other
Person or liquidate or partially liquidate, (iii) in a single transaction or series of transactions, sell or transfer (other than sales or transfers of inventory in the ordinary course of business) all or substantially all of the assets that were transferred, directly or indirectly, to SpinCo pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement or pursuant to the Contribution, or sell or transfer 60% or more of the gross assets of the Active Trade or Business or 60% or more of the consolidated gross assets of SpinCo and its Affiliates or AHS (such percentages to be measured based on fair market value as of the date of the Internal Distribution or the External Distribution, as applicable), (iv) redeem or otherwise repurchase (directly or through an Affiliate) any SpinCo stock or AHS stock, or rights to acquire stock, except (in the case of repurchases of SpinCo stock) to the extent such repurchases satisfy Section 4.05(1)(b) of Revenue Procedure 96-30 (as in effect prior to the amendment of such Revenue Procedure by Revenue Procedure 2003-48), (v) amend its certificate of incorporation (or other organizational documents), or take any other action, whether through a stockholder vote or otherwise, affecting the voting rights of SpinCo Capital Stock or AHS Capital Stock (including, without limitation, through the conversion of one class of stock into another class of stock) or (vi) take any other action or actions (including any action or transaction that would be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with any representation or covenant made in the Representation Letters or the Tax Opinions/Rulings) which in the aggregate (and taking into account any other transactions described in this subparagraph (d)) would be reasonably likely to have the effect of causing or permitting one or more persons (whether or not acting in concert) to acquire directly or indirectly stock representing a Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest in SpinCo or AHS or otherwise jeopardize the Tax-Free Status, unless, in each case, prior to taking any such action set forth in the foregoing clauses (i) through (vi), (A) SpinCo shall have requested that Parent obtain a Ruling in accordance with Section 7.04(b) and (d) of this Agreement to the effect that such transaction will not affect the Tax-Free Status and Parent shall have received such a Ruling in form and substance satisfactory to Parent in its sole and absolute discretion, which discretion shall be exercised in good faith solely to preserve the Tax-Free Status (and in determining whether a Ruling is satisfactory, Parent may consider, among other factors, the appropriateness of any underlying assumptions and managements representations made in connection with such Ruling), or (B) SpinCo shall provide Parent with an Unqualified Tax Opinion in form and substance satisfactory to Parent in its sole and absolute discretion, which discretion shall be exercised in good faith solely to preserve the Tax-Free Status (and in determining whether an opinion is satisfactory, Parent may consider, among other factors, the appropriateness of any underlying assumptions and managements representations if used as a basis for the opinion, and Parent may determine that no opinion would be acceptable to Parent) or (C) Parent shall have waived the requirement to obtain such Ruling or Unqualified Tax Opinion.
(e) Certain Issuances of SpinCo Capital Stock or AHS Capital Stock . If SpinCo or AHS proposes to enter into any Section 7.02(e) Acquisition Transaction or if SpinCo, to the extent SpinCo has the right to prohibit (or cause to be prohibited) any Section 7.02(e) Acquisition Transaction, proposes to permit any Section 7.02(e) Acquisition Transaction to occur, in each case, during the period from the date hereof until the first day after the two-year anniversary of the Distribution Date, SpinCo shall provide Parent, no later than ten days following the signing of any written agreement (by SpinCo, any SpinCo Affiliate or AHS) with respect to the Section 7.02(e) Acquisition Transaction, with a written description of such transaction (including the type and amount of SpinCo Capital Stock or AHS Capital Stock, as the case may be, to be issued in such transaction) and a certificate of the Board of Directors of
SpinCo to the effect that the Section 7.02(e) Acquisition Transaction is not a Proposed Acquisition Transaction or any other transaction to which the requirements of Section 7.02(d) apply (a Board Certificate ).
(f) SpinCo Internal Restructuring. SpinCo shall not engage in, cause or permit any Internal Restructuring during or with respect to any Tax Period (or portion thereof) ending on or prior to the Distribution Date without obtaining the prior written consent of Parent (such prior written consent not to be unreasonably withheld). SpinCo shall provide written notice to Parent describing any Internal Restructuring proposed to be taken during or with respect to any Tax Period (or portion thereof) beginning after the Distribution Date and ending on or prior to the two-year anniversary of the Distribution Date and shall consult with Parent regarding any such proposed actions reasonably in advance of taking any such proposed actions and shall consider in good faith any comments from Parent relating thereto.
Section 7.03 Restrictions on Parent . Parent agrees that it will not take or fail to take, or cause or permit any member of the Parent Group to take or fail to take, any action where such action or failure to act would be inconsistent with or cause to be untrue any material, information, statement, covenant or representation in this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement, any of the Ancillary Agreements, any Representation Letters or any Tax Opinions/Rulings. Parent agrees that it will not take or fail to take, or cause or permit any member of the Parent Group to take or fail to take, any action which prevents or could reasonably be expected to prevent (A) the Tax-Free Status or (B) any transaction contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement, to the extent such transaction is intended by Parent as of the date hereof to be tax-free or tax-advantaged, from so qualifying; provided, however, that this Section 7.03 shall not be construed as obligating Parent to consummate the Distribution without the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions set forth in Section 3.3 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement nor shall it be construed as preventing Parent from terminating the Separation and Distribution Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1 thereof.
Section 7.04 Procedures Regarding Opinions and Rulings .
(a) If SpinCo notifies Parent that it desires to take one of the actions described in clauses (i) through (vi) of Section 7.02(d) (a Notified Action ), Parent and SpinCo shall reasonably cooperate to attempt to obtain the Ruling or Unqualified Tax Opinion referred to in Section 7.02(d), unless Parent shall have waived the requirement to obtain such Ruling or Unqualified Tax Opinion.
(b) Rulings or Unqualified Tax Opinions at SpinCos Request. Parent agrees that at the reasonable request of SpinCo pursuant to Section 7.02(d), Parent shall cooperate with SpinCo and use its reasonable efforts to seek to obtain, as expeditiously as possible, a Ruling from the IRS or an Unqualified Tax Opinion for the purpose of permitting SpinCo to take the Notified Action. Further, in no event shall Parent be required to file a request for any such Ruling under this Section 7.04(b) unless SpinCo represents that (A) it has read such request, and (B) all information and representations, if any, relating to any member of the SpinCo Group, contained in such request (or in any documents relating thereto) are (subject to any qualifications therein) true, correct and complete. SpinCo shall reimburse Parent for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Parent Group in preparing and filing any such request and in obtaining a Ruling
or Unqualified Tax Opinion requested by SpinCo within ten Business Days after receiving an invoice from Parent therefor.
(c) Rulings or Unqualified Tax Opinions at Parents Request . Parent shall have the right to obtain a Ruling or an Unqualified Tax Opinion at any time in its sole and absolute discretion. If Parent determines to obtain a Ruling or an Unqualified Tax Opinion, SpinCo shall (and shall cause each Affiliate of SpinCo to) cooperate with Parent and take any and all actions reasonably requested by Parent in connection with obtaining the Ruling or Unqualified Tax Opinion (including, without limitation, by making any representation or covenant or providing any materials or information requested by the IRS or Tax Advisor; provided that SpinCo shall not be required to make (or cause any Affiliate of SpinCo to make) any representation or covenant that is inconsistent with historical facts or as to future matters or events over which it has no control). Parent and SpinCo shall each bear its own costs and expenses in obtaining a Ruling or an Unqualified Tax Opinion requested by Parent.
(d) SpinCo hereby agrees that Parent shall have sole and exclusive control over the process of obtaining any Ruling, and that only Parent shall apply for a Ruling. In connection with obtaining a Ruling pursuant to Section 7.04(b), (A) Parent shall keep SpinCo informed in a timely manner of all material actions taken or proposed to be taken by Parent in connection therewith; (B) Parent shall (1) reasonably in advance of the submission of any documents relating to the request for such Ruling, provide SpinCo with a draft copy thereof, (2) reasonably consider SpinCos comments on such draft copy, and (3) provide SpinCo with a final copy; and (C) Parent shall provide SpinCo with notice reasonably in advance of, and SpinCo shall have the right to attend, any formally scheduled meetings with the IRS (subject to the approval of the IRS) that relate to such Ruling. Neither SpinCo nor any SpinCo Affiliate directly or indirectly controlled by SpinCo shall seek any guidance from the IRS or any other Tax Authority (whether written, verbal or otherwise) at any time concerning the Internal Distribution, the Contribution or the Distribution (including the impact of any transaction on the Internal Distribution, the Contribution or the Distribution) or the Transactions.
Section 7.05 Liability for Tax-Related Losses .
(a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the Separation and Distribution Agreement to the contrary, subject to Section 7.05(c), SpinCo shall be responsible for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless Parent and its Affiliates (and, for the absence of doubt, SMCS Holdco II) and each of their respective officers, directors and employees from and against, one hundred percent (100%) of any Tax-Related Losses that are attributable to or result from any one or more of the following: (A) the acquisition (other than pursuant to the Internal Distribution, the Contribution or the Distribution), by any means whatsoever or by any Person, of all or a portion of (i) SpinCo Capital Stock, (ii) AHS Capital Stock, and/or (iii) Spincos assets, AHSs assets, or any of their subsidiaries assets, (B) any agreement, understanding, arrangement, substantial negotiations or discussions (as such terms are defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-7(h)) by (i) any one or more officers or directors of any member of the SpinCo Group or by any other person or persons with the implicit or explicit permission of one or more of such officers or directors regarding transactions or events that cause the Internal Distribution or the Distribution to be treated as part of a plan pursuant to which one or more Persons acquire, directly or indirectly, stock of SpinCo, stock of AHS, or stock of any Subsidiary of SpinCo or
AHS, in each case, representing a Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest therein or (ii) any one or more officers or directors of AHS or by any other person or persons with the implicit or explicit permission of one or more of such officers or directors regarding transactions or events that cause the Internal Distribution to be treated as part of a plan pursuant to which one or more Persons acquire, directly or indirectly, stock of AHS or stock of any Subsidiary of AHS, in each case, representing a Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest therein, (C) any action or failure to act by SpinCo after the Distribution (including, without limitation, any amendment to SpinCos or AHSs certificate of incorporation (or other organizational documents), whether through a stockholder vote or otherwise) affecting the voting rights of SpinCo stock (including, without limitation, through the conversion of one class of SpinCo Capital Stock into another class of SpinCo Capital Stock) or AHS stock (including, without limitation, through the conversion of one class of SpinCo Capital Stock into another class of SpinCo Capital Stock), (D) any act or failure to act by SpinCo, any member of the SpinCo Group or AHS described in Section 7.02 (regardless of whether such act or failure to act is covered by a Ruling, Unqualified Tax Opinion or waiver, as applicable, described in Section 7.02(d) or by a Board Certificate described in Section 7.02(e) or a consent described in Section 7.02(f)), or (E) any breach by SpinCo of its agreement and representations set forth in Section 7.01.
(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the Separation and Distribution Agreement to the contrary, subject to Section 7.05(c), Parent shall be responsible for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless SpinCo and its Affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors and employees from and against, one hundred percent (100%) of any Tax-Related Losses that are attributable to, or result from any one or more of the following: (A) the acquisition (other than pursuant to the Transactions) of all or a portion of Parents stock and/or its or its subsidiaries assets by any means whatsoever by any Person, (B) any agreement, understanding, arrangement, substantial negotiations or discussions (as such terms are defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-7(h)) by any one or more officers or directors of any member of the Parent Group or by any other person or persons with the implicit or explicit permission of one or more of such officers or directors regarding transactions or events that cause the Distribution or the Internal Distribution respectively to be treated as part of a plan pursuant to which one or more Persons acquire, directly or indirectly, stock of Parent or stock of SMCS Holdco II, in each case, representing a Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest therein, (C) any act or failure to act by Parent or a member of the Parent Group described in Section 7.03 or (D) any breach by Parent of its agreement and representations set forth in Section 7.01(a).
(c) Notwithstanding anything in Section 7.05(b) or any other provision of this Agreement or the Separation and Distribution Agreement to the contrary:
(i) SpinCo shall be responsible for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless Parent and its Affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors and employees from and against, one hundred percent (100%) of (I) any Tax-Related Losses resulting from the application of Section 355(e) or Section 355(f) of the Code (other than as a result of an acquisition of a Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest in Parent or any member of the Parent Group) and (II) any other Tax-Related Losses resulting (for the absence of doubt, in whole or in part) from an acquisition after the Distribution of any stock or assets of SpinCo, any SpinCo Affiliate or AHS by any means whatsoever by any Person or any
action or failure to act by SpinCo affecting the voting rights of SpinCo stock, the stock of any SpinCo Affiliate, or AHS stock; and
(ii) For purposes of calculating the amount and timing of any Tax-Related Losses for which SpinCo is responsible under this Section 7.05, Tax-Related Losses shall be calculated by assuming that Parent, the Parent Affiliated Group and each member of the Parent Group (I) pay Tax at the highest marginal corporate Tax rates in effect in each relevant taxable year and (II) have no Tax Attributes in any relevant taxable year.
(d) SpinCo shall pay Parent the amount of any Tax-Related Losses for which SpinCo is responsible under this Section 7.05: (A) in the case of Tax-Related Losses described in clause (i) of the definition of Tax-Related Losses, no later than ten Business Days prior to the Due Date of the Tax Return that Parent files, or causes to be filed, for the year of the Contribution or the Distribution, as applicable (the Filing Date ) ( provided that if such Tax-Related Losses arise pursuant to a Final Determination described in clause (a), (b) or (c) of the definition of Final Determination, then SpinCo shall pay Parent no later than two Business Days after the date of such Final Determination with interest calculated at the Prime Rate plus two percent, compounded semiannually, from the date that is ten Business Days prior to the Filing Date through the date of such Final Determination (but not in duplication of interest charged by the applicable Tax Authority)) and (B) in the case of Tax-Related Losses described in clause (ii) or (iii) of the definition of Tax-Related Losses, no later than the later of (x) the date that is two Business Days after the date Parent pays such Tax-Related Losses and (y) the date that is five Business Days after SpinCo receives notification from Parent of the amount of such Tax-Related Losses due.
(e) Parent shall calculate in good faith and notify SpinCo of the amount of any Tax-Related Losses for which SpinCo is responsible under this Section 7.05. Such calculation shall be binding on SpinCo absent manifest error. At SpinCos reasonable request, Parent shall make available to SpinCo the portion of any Tax Return or other documentation and related workpapers that are relevant to the determination of the Tax-Related Losses attributable to SpinCo pursuant to this Section 7.05.
Section 7.06 Section 336(e) Election . If Parent determines, in its sole discretion, that a protective election under Section 336(e) of the Code (a Section 336(e) Election ) shall be made with respect to the Distribution (or the Internal Distribution), SpinCo shall (and shall cause AHS or any relevant member of the SpinCo Group to) join with Parent (or SMCS Holdco II or any relevant member of the Parent Group) in the making of such election and shall take any action reasonably requested by Parent or that is otherwise necessary to give effect to such election (including making any other related election). If a Section 336(e) Election is made with respect to the Distribution (or the Internal Distribution), then (a) in the event the Contribution or the Distribution (or the Internal Distribution) fails to have Tax-Free Status and Parent is not entitled to indemnification for the Tax-Related Losses arising from such failure, SpinCo shall pay over to Parent any Tax Benefit arising from the step-up in Tax basis resulting from the Section 336(e) Election within 30 days of SpinCo (or AHS or any member of the SpinCo Group) realizing such Tax Benefit in cash and (b) this Agreement shall be amended in such a manner as is determined by Parent in good faith to take into account such Section 336(e) Election.
Section 8. Assistance and Cooperation .
Section 8.01 Assistance and Cooperation .
(a) The Companies shall cooperate (and cause their respective Affiliates to cooperate) with each other and with each others agents, including accounting firms and legal counsel, in connection with Tax matters relating to the Companies and their Affiliates including (i) preparation and filing of Tax Returns, (ii) determining the liability for and amount of any Taxes due (including estimated Taxes) or the right to and amount of any refund of Taxes, (iii) examinations of Tax Returns, and (iv) any administrative or judicial proceeding in respect of Taxes assessed or proposed to be assessed. Each of the Companies shall also make available to the other, as reasonably requested and available, personnel (including officers, directors, employees and agents of the Companies or their respective Affiliates) responsible for preparing, maintaining, and interpreting information and documents relevant to Taxes, and personnel reasonably required as witnesses or for purposes of providing information or documents in connection with any administrative or judicial proceedings relating to Taxes.
(b) Any information or documents provided under this Section 8 shall be kept confidential by the Company receiving such information or documents, except as may otherwise be necessary in connection with the filing of Tax Returns or in connection with any Tax Contest. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any other agreement, (i) neither Parent nor any Parent Affiliate shall be required to provide SpinCo or any SpinCo Affiliate or any other Person access to or copies of any information or procedures (including the proceedings of any Tax Contest) other than information or procedures that relate solely to SpinCo, the business or assets of SpinCo or any SpinCo Affiliate and (ii) in no event shall Parent or any Parent Affiliate be required to provide SpinCo, any SpinCo Affiliate or any other Person access to or copies of any information if such action could reasonably be expected to result in the waiver of any Privilege. In addition, in the event that Parent determines that the provision of any information to SpinCo or any SpinCo Affiliate could be commercially detrimental, violate any law or agreement or waive any Privilege, the parties shall use reasonable best efforts to permit compliance with its obligations under this Section 8 in a manner that avoids any such harm or consequence.
Section 8.02 Income Tax Return Information . SpinCo and Parent acknowledge that time is of the essence in relation to any request for information, assistance or cooperation made by Parent or SpinCo pursuant to Section 8.01 or this Section 8.02. SpinCo and Parent acknowledge that failure to conform to the deadlines set forth herein or reasonable deadlines otherwise set by Parent or SpinCo could cause irreparable harm.
(a) Each Company shall provide to the other Company information and documents relating to its Group required by the other Company to prepare Tax Returns. Any information or documents the Responsible Company requires to prepare such Tax Returns shall be provided in such form as the Responsible Company reasonably requests and in sufficient time for the Responsible Company to file such Tax Returns on a timely basis.
(b) At SpinCos sole expense, SpinCo shall provide such information as is reasonably requested in writing by Parent in connection with the preparation of Tax Returns in accordance with the reasonable deadlines set forth in such written request.
(c) At Parents sole expense, Parent shall provide such information as is reasonably requested in writing by SpinCo in connection with the preparation of Tax Returns in accordance with the reasonable deadlines set forth in such written request.
Section 8.03 Reliance by Parent . If any member of the SpinCo Group supplies information to a member of the Parent Group in connection with Taxes and an officer of a member of the Parent Group signs a statement or other document under penalties of perjury in reliance upon the accuracy of such information, then upon the written request of such member of the Parent Group identifying the information being so relied upon, the chief financial officer of SpinCo (or any officer of SpinCo as designated by the chief financial officer of SpinCo) shall certify in writing that to his or her knowledge (based upon consultation with appropriate employees) the information so supplied is accurate and complete. SpinCo agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each member of the Parent Group and its directors, officers and employees from and against any fine, penalty, or other cost or expense of any kind attributable to a member of the SpinCo Group having supplied, pursuant to this Section 8, a member of the Parent Group with inaccurate or incomplete information in connection with Taxes.
Section 8.04 Reliance by SpinCo . If any member of the Parent Group supplies information to a member of the SpinCo Group in connection with Taxes and an officer of a member of the SpinCo Group signs a statement or other document under penalties of perjury in reliance upon the accuracy of such information, then upon the written request of such member of the SpinCo Group identifying the information being so relied upon, the chief financial officer of Parent (or any officer of Parent as designated by the chief financial officer of Parent) shall certify in writing that to his or her knowledge (based upon consultation with appropriate employees) the information so supplied is accurate and complete. Parent agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each member of the SpinCo Group and its directors, officers and employees from and against any fine, penalty, or other cost or expense of any kind attributable to a member of the Parent Group having supplied, pursuant to this Section 8, a member of the SpinCo Group with inaccurate or incomplete information in connection with Taxes.
Section 9. Tax Contests .
Section 9.01 Notice . Each of the Companies shall provide prompt notice to the other Company of any written communication from a Tax Authority regarding any pending or threatened Tax Contest or assessment related to Taxes of which it becomes aware related to Taxes for which it could reasonably expect to be indemnified by the other Company hereunder. Such notice shall attach copies of the pertinent portion of any written communication from a Tax Authority and contain factual information (to the extent known) describing any asserted Tax liability in reasonable detail and shall be accompanied by copies of any notice and other documents received from any Tax Authority in respect of any such matters. If an indemnified party has knowledge of an asserted Tax liability with respect to a matter for which it is to be indemnified hereunder and such party fails to give the indemnifying party prompt notice of such asserted Tax liability, then such failure shall not relieve the indemnifying party of any obligation
which it may have to the indemnified party under this Agreement except to the extent that the indemnifying party is actually prejudiced by such failure.
Section 9.02 Control of Tax Contests .
(a) Separate Company Taxes; Section 2.03(c) Returns. In the case of any Tax Contest with respect to any Separate Return (other than a Section 2.03(c) Return), the Company having liability for the Tax shall have exclusive control over the Tax Contest, including exclusive authority with respect to any settlement of such Tax liability, subject to Section 9.02(f). In the case of any Tax Contest with respect to any SpinCo Separate Return that is a Section 2.03(c) Return, (i) if Parent so notifies SpinCo in writing within 30 days after receiving notice from SpinCo about such Tax Contest, Parent shall have exclusive control over the Tax Contest, including exclusive authority with respect to any settlement of such Tax liability, subject to Section 9.02(f), and (ii) if Parent does not so notify SpinCo, SpinCo shall have exclusive control over the Tax Contest, including exclusive authority with respect to any settlement of such Tax liability, subject to Section 9.02(f). In the case of any Tax Contest with respect to any Parent Separate Return that is a Section 2.03(c) Return, Parent shall have exclusive control over the Tax Contest (including exclusive authority with respect to any settlement of such Tax liability, subject to Section 9.02(f)), unless Parent provides SpinCo with written notice that SpinCo shall be the Controlling Party with respect to such Tax Contest. Any reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Parent or SpinCo relating to any Tax Contest with respect to a Section 2.03(c) Return shall be borne by (i) SpinCo, to the extent such costs and expenses are attributable (as determined by Parent) to Taxes for which SpinCo is or would be responsible or (ii) Parent, to the extent such costs and expenses are attributable (as determined by Parent) to Taxes for which Parent is or would be responsible.
(b) Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return. In the case of any Tax Contest with respect to any Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return, Parent shall have exclusive control over the Tax Contest, including exclusive authority with respect to any settlement of such Tax liability, subject to Section 9.02(f).
(c) Parent State Combined Income Tax Return. In the case of any Tax Contest with respect to any Parent State Combined Income Tax Return, Parent shall have exclusive control over the Tax Contest, including exclusive authority with respect to any settlement of such Tax liability, subject to Section 9.02(f).
(d) Parent Foreign Combined Income Tax Return. In the case of any Tax Contest with respect to any Parent Foreign Combined Income Tax Return, Parent shall have exclusive control over the Tax Contest, including exclusive authority with respect to any settlement of such Tax liability, subject to Section 9.02(f).
(e) Joint Returns. In the case of any Tax Contest with respect to any Joint Return (other than any Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return, any Parent State Combined Income Tax Return or any Parent Foreign Combined Income Tax Return), Parent shall have exclusive control over the Tax Contest (including exclusive authority with respect to any settlement of such Tax liability, subject to Section 9.02(f)), unless Parent provides SpinCo with written notice that SpinCo shall be the Controlling Party with respect to such Tax Contest.
(f) Settlement Rights. The Controlling Party shall have the sole right to contest, litigate, compromise and settle any Tax Contest without obtaining the prior consent of the Non-Controlling Party. Unless waived by the parties in writing, in connection with any potential adjustment in a Tax Contest as a result of which adjustment the Non-Controlling Party may reasonably be expected to become liable to make any indemnification payment (or any payment under Section 6) to the Controlling Party under this Agreement: (i) the Controlling Party shall keep the Non-Controlling Party informed in a timely manner of all actions taken or proposed to be taken by the Controlling Party with respect to such potential adjustment in such Tax Contest; (ii) the Controlling Party shall provide the Non-Controlling Party copies of any written materials relating to such potential adjustment in such Tax Contest received from any Tax Authority; (iii) the Controlling Party shall timely provide the Non-Controlling Party with copies of any correspondence or filings submitted to any Tax Authority or judicial authority in connection with such potential adjustment in such Tax Contest; and (iv) the Controlling Party shall consult with the Non-Controlling Party and offer the Non-Controlling Party a reasonable opportunity to comment before submitting any written materials prepared or furnished in connection with such potential adjustment in such Tax Contest. The failure of the Controlling Party to take any action specified in the preceding sentence with respect to the Non-Controlling Party shall not relieve the Non-Controlling Party of any liability or obligation which it may have to the Controlling Party under this Agreement in respect of such adjustment, except to the extent that the Non-Controlling Party was actually harmed by such failure, and in no event shall such failure relieve the Non-Controlling Party from any other liability or obligation which it may have to the Controlling Party under this Agreement. In the case of any Tax Contest described in this Section 9.02, Controlling Party means the Company entitled to control the Tax Contest under such Section and Non-Controlling Party means the other Company.
(g) Power of Attorney. Each member of the SpinCo Group shall execute and deliver to Parent (or such member of the Parent Group as Parent shall designate) any power of attorney or other similar document reasonably requested by Parent (or such designee) in connection with any Tax Contest (as to which Parent is the Controlling Party) described in this Section 9. Each member of the Parent Group shall execute and deliver to SpinCo (or such member of the SpinCo Group as SpinCo shall designate) any power of attorney or other similar document reasonably requested by SpinCo (or such designee) in connection with any Tax Contest (as to which SpinCo is the Controlling Party) described in this Section 9.
Section 10. Effective Date; Termination of Prior Intercompany Tax Allocation Agreements . This Agreement shall be effective as of the date hereof. As of the date hereof or on such other date (on or prior to the Distribution Date) as Parent may determine, (i) all prior intercompany Tax allocation agreements or arrangements solely between or among Parent and/or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and SpinCo and/or any of its Subsidiaries, on the other hand, shall be terminated, and (ii) amounts due under such agreements as of the date hereof shall be settled. Upon such termination and settlement, no further payments by or to Parent or by or to SpinCo, with respect to such agreements shall be made, and all other rights and obligations resulting from such agreements between the Companies and their Affiliates shall cease at such time. Any payments pursuant to such agreements shall be disregarded for purposes of computing amounts due under this Agreement.
Section 11. Survival of Obligations . The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement shall be unconditional and absolute and shall remain in effect without limitation as to time.
Section 12. Treatment of Payments; Tax Gross Up .
Section 12.01 Treatment of Tax Indemnity and Tax Benefit Payments . In the absence of any change in Tax treatment under the Code or other applicable Tax Law, for all Income Tax purposes, the Companies agree to treat, and to cause their respective Affiliates to treat:
(a) any indemnity payments made by a Company under this Agreement or the Separation and Distribution Agreement as distributions or capital contributions, as appropriate, occurring immediately before the Distribution (but only to the extent the payment does not relate to a Tax allocated to the payor in accordance with Section 1552 of the Code or the regulations thereunder or Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-33(d) (or under corresponding principles of other applicable Tax Laws)) or as payments of an assumed or retained liability,
(b) any payment of interest or State Income Taxes by or to a Tax Authority, as taxable or deductible, as the case may be, to the Company entitled under this Agreement to retain such payment or required under this Agreement to make such payment; and
(c) any Tax Benefit payments made by a Company under Sections 6 or 7.06, as distributions or capital contributions, as appropriate, occurring immediately before the Distribution (but only to the extent the payment does not relate to a Tax allocated to the payor in accordance with Section 1552 of the Code or the regulations thereunder or Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-33(d) (or under corresponding principles of other applicable Tax Laws)) or as payments of an assumed or retained liability.
Section 12.02 Tax Gross Up . If notwithstanding the manner in which payments described in Section 12.01(a) and (c) were reported, there is an adjustment to the Tax liability of a Company as a result of its receipt of a payment pursuant to this Agreement or the Separation and Distribution Agreement, such payment shall be appropriately increased so that the amount of such payment, reduced by the amount of all Income Taxes payable with respect to the receipt thereof (but taking into account all correlative Tax Benefits resulting from the payment of such Income Taxes), shall equal the amount of the payment which the Company receiving such
payment would otherwise be entitled to receive. For purposes of this Section 12.02, the amount of any Income Taxes payable with respect to the receipt of a payment pursuant to this Agreement or the Separation and Distribution Agreement shall be calculated by assuming that the recipient or the Group of which it is a member, as applicable, (I) pays Tax at the highest marginal corporate Tax rates in effect in each relevant taxable year and (II) has no Tax Attributes in any relevant taxable year.
Section 12.03 Interest Under This Agreement . Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, to the extent one Company ( Indemnitor ) makes a payment of interest to another Company ( Indemnitee ) under this Agreement with respect to the period from the date that the Indemnitee made a payment of Tax to a Tax Authority to the date that the Indemnitor reimbursed the Indemnitee for such Tax payment, the interest payment shall be treated as interest expense to the Indemnitor (deductible to the extent provided by law) and as interest income by the Indemnitee (includible in income to the extent provided by law). The amount of the payment shall not be adjusted to take into account any associated Tax Benefit to the Indemnitor or increase in Tax to the Indemnitee.
Section 13. Disagreements .
Section 13.01 Interaction with Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement . In the event of any dispute between any member of the Parent Group and any member of the SpinCo Group as to any matter covered by this Agreement, the Companies shall agree as to whether such dispute shall be governed by the procedures set forth in Section 13.02 of this Agreement or in Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement. If the Parties cannot agree within thirty (30) days from the time such dispute arises as to which procedure will govern such dispute, such disagreement shall be resolved pursuant to Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Section 13.02 Dispute Resolution . With respect to any dispute governed by this Section 13.02, the Companies shall appoint a nationally recognized Big Four independent public accounting firm (other than the current auditing firm of Parent or SpinCo) (the Accounting Firm ) to resolve such dispute. The Companies shall cooperate in good faith in jointly selecting the Accounting Firm. In this regard, the Accounting Firm shall make determinations with respect to the disputed items based solely on representations made by Parent and SpinCo and their respective Representatives, and not by independent review, shall function only as an expert and not as an arbitrator and shall be required to make a determination in favor of one Company only. The Companies shall require the Accounting Firm to resolve all disputes no later than fifteen (15) days after the submission of such dispute to the Accounting Firm, but in no event later than the relevant Payment Date, and agree that all decisions by the Accounting Firm with respect thereto shall be final and conclusive and binding on the Companies. The Accounting Firm shall resolve all disputes in a manner consistent with this Agreement. To the extent not inconsistent with this Agreement, the Accounting Firm shall resolve all disputes in a manner consistent with the Past Practices of Parent and the members of the Parent Group, except as otherwise required by applicable Law. The Companies shall require the Accounting Firm to render all determinations in writing and to set forth, in reasonable detail, the basis for such determination. The fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be paid by the non-prevailing Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 13, a Party may
seek preliminary provisional or injunctive judicial relief with respect to any dispute under this Agreement without first complying with the procedures set forth in this Section 13 (or Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement) if such action is reasonably necessary to avoid irreparable damage.
Section 14. Late Payments . Any amount owed by one party to another party under this Agreement which is not paid when due shall bear interest at the Prime Rate plus two percentage points, compounded semiannually, from the due date of the payment to the date paid. To the extent interest required to be paid under this Section 14 duplicates interest required to be paid under any other provision of this Agreement, interest shall be computed at the higher of the interest rate provided under this Section 14 or the interest rate provided under such other provision.
Section 15. Expenses . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, each party and its Affiliates shall bear their own expenses incurred in connection with the preparation of Tax Returns, Tax Contests, and other matters related to Taxes under the provisions of this Agreement.
Section 16. General Provisions .
Section 16.01 Addresses and Notices . Each party giving any notice required or permitted under this Agreement will give the notice in writing and use one of the following methods of delivery to the party to be notified, at the address set forth below or another address of which the sending party has been notified in accordance with this Section 16.01: (a) personal delivery; (b) commercial overnight courier with a reasonable method of confirming delivery; or (c) pre-paid, United States of America certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Notice to a party is effective for purposes of this Agreement only if given as provided in this Section 16.01 and shall be deemed given on the date that the intended addressee actually receives the notice.
A party may change the address for receiving notices under this Agreement by providing written notice of the change of address to the other parties.
Section 16.02 Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and assigns. None of the parties hereto may assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Agreement without the express prior written consent of the other parties hereto.
Section 16.03 Waiver . The parties may waive a provision of this Agreement only by a writing signed by the party intended to be bound by the waiver. A party is not prevented from enforcing any right, remedy or condition in the partys favor because of any failure or delay in exercising any right or remedy or in requiring satisfaction of any condition, except to the extent that the party specifically waives the same in writing. A written waiver given for one matter or occasion is effective only in that instance and only for the purpose stated. A waiver once given is not to be construed as a waiver for any other matter or occasion. Any enumeration of a partys rights and remedies in this Agreement is not intended to be exclusive, and a partys rights and remedies are intended to be cumulative to the extent permitted by law and include any rights and remedies authorized in law or in equity.
Section 16.04 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement remain in full force, if the essential terms and conditions of this Agreement for each party remain valid, binding and enforceable.
Section 16.05 Authority . Each of the parties represents to the other that (a) it has the corporate or other requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement, (b) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action, (c) it has duly and validly executed and delivered this Agreement, and (d) this Agreement is a legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors rights generally and general equity principles.
Section 16.06 Further Action . The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information, and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement, including the execution and delivery to the other parties and their Affiliates and representatives of such powers of attorney or other authorizing documentation as is reasonably necessary or appropriate in connection with Tax Contests (or portions thereof) under the control of such other parties in accordance with Section 9.
Section 16.07 Integration . This Agreement, together with any exhibits and schedules appended hereto, constitutes the final agreement between the parties, and is the complete and exclusive statement of the parties agreement on the matters contained herein. All prior and contemporaneous negotiations and agreements between the parties with respect to the matters contained herein are superseded by this Agreement, as applicable. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between this Agreement and the Separation and Distribution Agreement, or any
other agreements relating to the transactions contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement, with respect to matters addressed herein, the provisions of this Agreement shall control.
Section 16.08 Construction . The language in all parts of this Agreement shall in all cases be construed according to its fair meaning and shall not be strictly construed for or against any party. The captions, titles and headings included in this Agreement are for convenience only, and do not affect this Agreements construction or interpretation. Unless otherwise indicated, all Section references in this Agreement are to sections of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be deemed to be the joint work product of the parties hereto and any rule of construction that a document shall be interpreted or construed against a drafter of such document shall not be applicable.
Section 16.09 No Double Recovery . No provision of this Agreement shall be construed to provide an indemnity or other recovery for any costs, damages, or other amounts for which the damaged party has been fully compensated under any other provision of this Agreement or under any other agreement or action at law or equity. Unless expressly required in this Agreement, a party shall not be required to exhaust all remedies available under other agreements or at law or equity before recovering under the remedies provided in this Agreement.
Section 16.10 Counterparts . The parties may execute this Agreement in multiple counterparts, each of which constitutes an original as against the party that signed it, and all of which together constitute one agreement. This Agreement is effective upon delivery of one executed counterpart from each party to the other party. The signatures of the parties need not appear on the same counterpart. The delivery of signed counterparts by facsimile or email transmission that includes a copy of the sending partys signature is as effective as signing and delivering the counterpart in person.
Section 16.11 Governing Law . The internal laws of the State of Delaware (without reference to its principles of conflicts of law) govern the construction, interpretation and other matters arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and any exhibits and schedules hereto and thereto (whether arising in contract, tort, equity or otherwise).
Section 16.12 Jurisdiction . If any dispute arises out of or in connection with this Agreement, except as expressly contemplated by another provision of this Agreement, the parties irrevocably (and the parties will cause each other member of their respective Group to irrevocably) (a) consent and submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of federal and state courts located in Delaware, (b) waive any objection to that choice of forum based on venue or to the effect that the forum is not convenient, and (c) WAIVE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL OR ADJUDICATION BY JURY.
Section 16.13 Amendment . The parties may amend this Agreement only by a written agreement signed by each party to be bound by the amendment and that identifies itself as an amendment to this Agreement.
Section 16.14 SpinCo Subsidiaries . If, at any time, SpinCo acquires or creates one or more subsidiaries that are includable in the SpinCo Group (or that would be so includable if
membership in the SpinCo Group were measured after such acquisition or creation), they shall be subject to this Agreement and all references to the SpinCo Group herein shall thereafter include a reference to such subsidiaries.
Section 16.15 Successors . This Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of any successor by merger, acquisition of assets, or otherwise, to any of the parties hereto (including but not limited to any successor of Parent or SpinCo succeeding to the Tax attributes thereof under Section 381 of the Code), to the same extent as if such successor had been an original party to this Agreement.
Section 16.16 Injunctions . The parties acknowledge that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or were otherwise breached. The parties hereto shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any court having jurisdiction, such remedy being in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled at law or in equity.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by a duly authorized officer on the date first set forth above.
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SERVICEMASTER GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC. |
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AHS HOLDING COMPANY, INC. |
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By: |
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By: |
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Name: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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Title: |
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EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
SERVICEMASTER GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.
AND
AHS HOLDING COMPANY, INC.
DATED AS OF [ · ]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS |
2 |
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Section 1.01. |
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Definitions |
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Section 1.02. |
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Interpretation |
8 |
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ARTICLE II GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR ALLOCATION OF LIABILITIES |
9 |
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Section 2.01. |
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General Principles |
9 |
Section 2.02. |
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Adoption and Transfer and Assumption of Benefit Plans |
10 |
Section 2.03. |
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Individual Agreements |
12 |
Section 2.04. |
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We Listen Dispute Resolution Plan |
12 |
Section 2.05. |
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Reimbursement |
12 |
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ARTICLE III ASSIGNMENT OF EMPLOYEES |
14 |
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Section 3.01. |
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Active Employees |
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Section 3.02. |
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Payroll and Related Taxes |
15 |
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ARTICLE IV EQUITY, INCENTIVE AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
16 |
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Section 4.01. |
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Generally |
16 |
Section 4.02. |
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Equity Incentive Awards |
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Section 4.03. |
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Nonequity Incentive Practices and Plans |
20 |
Section 4.04. |
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Director Compensation |
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ARTICLE V QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLAN |
22 |
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Section 5.01. |
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SpinCo 401(k) Plan |
22 |
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ARTICLE VI NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN |
24 |
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Section 6.01. |
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Parent Deferred Compensation Plans |
24 |
Section 6.02. |
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Participation; Distributions |
24 |
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ARTICLE VII WELFARE BENEFIT PLANS |
25 |
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Section 7.01. |
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Welfare Plans |
25 |
Section 7.02. |
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COBRA |
26 |
Section 7.03. |
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Vacation, Holidays and Leaves of Absence |
26 |
Section 7.04. |
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Workers Compensation |
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Section 7.05. |
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Insurance Contracts |
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Section 7.06. |
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Third-Party Vendors |
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ARTICLE VIII MISCELLANEOUS |
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Section 8.01. |
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Preservation of Rights to Amend |
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Section 8.02. |
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Fiduciary Matters |
28 |
Section 8.03. |
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Further Assurances |
28 |
Section 8.04. |
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Counterparts; Entire Agreement; Corporate Power |
28 |
Section 8.05. |
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Governing Law |
29 |
Section 8.06. |
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Assignability |
29 |
Section 8.07. |
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Third-Party Beneficiaries |
29 |
Section 8.08. |
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Notices |
30 |
Section 8.09. |
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Severability |
31 |
Section 8.10. |
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Force Majeure |
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Section 8.11. |
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Headings |
31 |
Section 8.12. |
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Survival of Covenants |
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Section 8.13. |
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Waivers of Default |
32 |
Section 8.14. |
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Dispute Resolution |
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Section 8.15. |
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Specific Performance |
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Section 8.16. |
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Amendments |
32 |
Section 8.17. |
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Interpretation |
32 |
Section 8.18. |
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Limitations of Liability |
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Section 8.19. |
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Mutual Drafting |
33 |
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Scheduled 2.02(a) |
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Benefit Plans to be Replicated by SpinCo Group |
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Schedule 7.01(a) |
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Parent Welfare Plans |
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EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT
This EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT, dated as of [ · ] (this Agreement ), is by and between ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ( Parent ), and AHS Holding Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation ( SpinCo ).
R E C I T A L S:
WHEREAS, the board of directors of Parent (the Parent Board ) has determined that it is in the best interests of Parent and its shareholders to create a new publicly traded company that shall operate the SpinCo Business;
WHEREAS, in furtherance of the foregoing, the Parent Board has determined that it is appropriate and desirable to separate the SpinCo Business from the Parent Business (the Separation ) and, following the Separation, make a distribution, on a pro rata basis, to holders of Parent Shares on the Record Date of [ · ] percent ([ · ]%) of the outstanding SpinCo Shares owned by Parent (the Distribution );
WHEREAS, SpinCo has been incorporated solely for these purposes and has not engaged in activities, except in connection with the Separation and the Distribution;
WHEREAS, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Contribution and the Distribution, taken together, are intended to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, and this Agreement is intended to be, and is hereby adopted as, a plan of reorganization within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-2(g);
WHEREAS, SpinCo and Parent have prepared, and SpinCo has filed with the SEC, the Form 10, which includes the Information Statement, and which sets forth disclosures concerning SpinCo, the Separation and the Distribution;
WHEREAS, in order to effectuate the Separation and Distribution, Parent and SpinCo have entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the Separation and Distribution Agreement );
WHEREAS, in addition to the matters addressed by the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the Parties desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions of certain employment, compensation and benefit matters; and
WHEREAS, the Parties acknowledge that this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement and the other Ancillary Agreements represent the integrated agreement of Parent and SpinCo relating to the Separation and Distribution, are being entered into together and would not have been entered into independently.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01. Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement (including the recitals hereof), the following terms have the following meanings, and capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Actions shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Affiliate shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble to this Agreement and shall include all Schedules hereto and all amendments, modifications, and changes hereto entered into pursuant to Section 8.16 .
Assets shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Benefit Plan shall mean any contract, agreement, policy, practice, program, plan, trust, commitment or arrangement providing for benefits, perquisites or compensation of any nature from an employer to any Employee, or to any family member, dependent, or beneficiary of any such Employee, including cash or deferred arrangement plans, profit sharing plans, post-employment programs, pension plans, thrift plans, supplemental pension plans, welfare plans, stock option, stock purchase, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance stock units, other equity-based compensation and contracts, agreements, policies, practices, programs, plans, trusts, commitments and arrangements providing for terms of employment, fringe benefits, severance benefits, change in control protections or benefits, travel and accident, life, accidental death and dismemberment, disability and accident insurance, tuition reimbursement, adoption assistance, travel reimbursement, vacation, sick, personal or bereavement days, leaves of absences and holidays; provided , however , that the term Benefit Plan does not include any government-sponsored benefits, such as workers compensation, unemployment or any similar plans, programs or policies or Individual Agreements.
COBRA shall mean the U.S. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as codified at Section 601 et seq . of ERISA and at Section 4980B of the Code.
Code shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Concentration Election shall mean an election by a holder to have an equity award granted prior to April 23, 2018 to such holder adjusted in connection with the Separation into only stock of (i) Parent, in the case of a Parent Group Employee or (ii) SpinCo, in the case of a SpinCo Group Employee.
Distribution shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Distribution Date shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Distribution Ratio shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Effective Time shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Employee shall mean any Parent Group Employee or SpinCo Group Employee.
ERISA shall mean the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
Exchange Act shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
FICA shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.02 .
Force Majeure shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Former Employees shall mean Former Parent Group Employees and Former SpinCo Group Employees.
Former Parent Group Employee shall mean any individual who is a former employee of the Parent Group as of the Effective Time and who is not a Former SpinCo Group Employee.
Former SpinCo Group Employee shall mean any individual who is a former employee of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or former Subsidiaries as of the Effective Time, in each case, whose most recent employment with Parent was with a member of the SpinCo Group or was primarily engaged in the SpinCo Business.
FUTA shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.02 .
Governmental Authority shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Group shall mean either the SpinCo Group or the Parent Group, as the context requires.
HIPAA shall mean the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
Individual Agreement shall mean any individual (a) employment contract, (b) retention, severance or change in control agreement, or (c) other agreement containing restrictive covenants (including confidentiality, noncompetition and nonsolicitation provisions)
between a member of the Parent Group and a SpinCo Group Employee or any Former SpinCo Group Employee, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time.
IRS shall mean the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
Law shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Liabilities shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Option Exercise Price Ratio shall mean, with respect to an Parent Option Award, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the per share exercise price of such Parent Option immediately prior to the Effective Time, by (ii) the Pre-Separation Parent Stock Value.
Parent shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
Parent 401(k) Plan shall mean the ServiceMaster Profit Sharing and Retirement Plan, as in effect or as it may be amended from time to time.
Parent Awards shall mean Parent Option Awards, Parent RSU Awards, and Parent Deferred Shares Equivalents, collectively.
Parent Benefit Plan shall mean any Benefit Plan established, sponsored or maintained by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries immediately prior to the Effective Time, but excluding any SpinCo Benefit Plan.
Parent Board shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Parent Business shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Parent Change in Control shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(e)(i) .
Parent Compensation Committee shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Parent Board.
Parent Deferred Compensation Plan shall mean the Parent Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated as of October 28, 2016.
Parent Deferred Shares Equivalents shall mean an award of deferred shares equivalents granted pursuant to a Parent Omnibus Plan that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time.
Parent Group shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Parent Group Employees shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(a)(ii) .
Parent Liabilities shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Parent Non-Equity Incentive Practices shall mean the corporate nonequity incentive practices of the Parent Group.
Parent Omnibus Plan shall mean the Amended and Restated ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan, as amended as of October 25, 2012 and the Amended and Restated ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended and restated as of April 27, 2015.
Parent Option Award shall mean an award of options to purchase Parent Shares granted pursuant to a Parent Omnibus Plan that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.
Parent Ratio shall mean the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the Pre-Separation Parent Stock Value by (b) the Post-Separation Parent Stock Value.
Parent RSU Award shall mean any Parent RSU Award (Concentrated) and/or any Parent RSU Award (Legacy).
Parent RSU Award (Concentrated) shall mean a restricted stock unit award outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, including any time-based restricted stock unit and (if any) performance restricted stock unit award, granted pursuant to the Parent Omnibus Plan, either (i) on or after April 23, 2018, or (ii) prior to April 23, 2018 and as to which the holder thereof has made a Concentration Election.
Parent RSU Award (Legacy) shall mean an award of restricted stock units, including any time-based restricted stock unit or performance restricted stock unit, granted pursuant to a Parent Omnibus Plan prior to April 23, 2018, which is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time and as to which the holder thereof has not made a Concentration Election.
Parent Shares shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Parent Welfare Plan shall mean any Parent Benefit Plan which is a Welfare Plan.
Parties shall mean the parties to this Agreement.
Person shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Post-Separation Deferred Shares Equivalents shall mean a Parent Deferred Shares Equivalent adjusted as of the Effective Time in accordance with Section 4.02(d) .
Post-Separation Parent Awards shall mean Post-Separation Parent Option Awards, Post-Separation Parent RSU Awards, and Post-Separation Deferred Shares Equivalents, collectively.
Post-Separation Parent Option Award shall mean a Parent Option Award, as adjusted as of the Effective Time in accordance with Section 4.02(a) .
Post-Separation Parent RSU Award shall mean a Parent RSU Award, as adjusted as of the Effective Time in accordance with Section 4.02(b) or Section 4.02(c) , as applicable.
Post-Separation Parent Stock Value shall mean the opening per-share price of Parent Shares on the NYSE on the first regular trading session (9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST) after the Distribution Date.
Pre-Separation Parent Stock Value shall mean the closing per-share price of Parent Shares trading regular way with due bills on the NYSE on the last regular trading session (9:30 am to 4:00 pm EST) on the Distribution Date.
QDRO shall mean a qualified domestic relations order within the meaning of Section 206(d) of ERISA and Section 414(p) of the Code.
Record Date shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Securities Act shall mean the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Separation shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Separation and Distribution Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
SpinCo shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
SpinCo 401(k) Plan shall mean the SpinCo 401(k) Savings Plan, to be adopted by SpinCo prior to or on the Distribution Date as described in Section 5.01 .
SpinCo 401(k) Trust shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.01(a) .
SpinCo Awards shall mean SpinCo Option Awards, SpinCo RSU Awards and SpinCo Deferred Shares Equivalents, collectively.
SpinCo Benefit Plan shall mean any Benefit Plan established, sponsored, maintained or contributed to by a member of the SpinCo Group as of or after the Effective Time.
SpinCo Board shall mean the Board of Directors of SpinCo.
SpinCo Business shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
SpinCo Change in Control shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(e)(i) .
SpinCo Designees shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
SpinCo Deferred Shares Equivalents shall mean an award of deferred shares equivalents assumed pursuant to the SpinCo Omnibus Plan in accordance with Section 4.02(d) .
SpinCo Flex Plan shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(c) .
SpinCo Group shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
SpinCo Group Employees shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(a) .
SpinCo Liabilities shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
SpinCo Non-Equity Incentive Practices shall mean the corporate nonequity incentive practices, as established by SpinCo as of the Effective Time pursuant to Section 2.02(a) and Section 4.03(a) .
SpinCo Omnibus Plan shall mean the SpinCo 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as established by SpinCo as of the Effective Time pursuant to Section 2.02(a) and Section 4.01 .
SpinCo Option Award shall mean an award of stock options assumed and granted by SpinCo pursuant to the SpinCo Omnibus Plan in accordance with Section 4.02(a) .
SpinCo Ratio shall mean the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the Pre-Separation Parent Stock Value by (b) the SpinCo Stock Value.
SpinCo RSU Award shall mean an award of restricted stock units (including any performance restricted stock units) assumed and granted pursuant to the SpinCo Omnibus Plan in accordance with Section 4.02(b) or Section 4.02(c) , as applicable.
SpinCo Shares shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
SpinCo Stock Value shall mean opening per-share price of SpinCo Shares on the NASDAQ on the first regular trading session (9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST) after the Distribution Date.
SpinCo Welfare Plan shall mean a Welfare Plan established, sponsored, maintained or contributed to by any member of the SpinCo Group for the benefit of SpinCo Group Employees and Former SpinCo Group Employees.
Subsidiary shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Tax shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.
Third-Party Claim shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Transferred Account Balances shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(c) .
Transferred Director shall mean each SpinCo nonemployee director as of the Effective Time who served on the Parent Board immediately prior to the Effective Time.
Transition Services Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
U.S. shall mean the United States of America.
We Listen shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.04 .
Welfare Plan shall mean any welfare plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) or a cafeteria plan under Section 125 of the Code, and any benefits offered thereunder, and any other plan offering health benefits (including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, mental health, substance abuse and retiree health), disability benefits, or life, accidental death and dismemberment, and business travel insurance, pre-Tax premium conversion benefits, dependent care assistance programs, employee assistance programs, paid time-off programs, contribution funding toward a health savings account, flexible spending accounts or severance.
Section 1.02. Interpretation . Section 10.15 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement is hereby incorporated by reference.
ARTICLE II
GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR ALLOCATION OF LIABILITIES
Section 2.01. General Principles .
(a) Acceptance and Assumption of SpinCo Liabilities . Except as otherwise provided by this Agreement, on or prior to the Effective Time, but in any case prior to the Distribution, SpinCo and the applicable SpinCo Designees shall accept, assume and agree faithfully to perform, discharge and fulfill all of the following Liabilities in accordance with their respective terms (each of which shall be considered a SpinCo Liability), regardless of when or where such Liabilities arose or arise, or whether the facts on which they are based occurred prior to, at or subsequent to the Effective Time, regardless of where or against whom such Liabilities are asserted or determined (including any Liabilities arising out of claims made by Parents or SpinCos respective directors, officers, Employees, Former Employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates against any member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group) or whether asserted or determined prior to the date hereof, and regardless of whether arising from or alleged to arise from negligence, recklessness, violation of Law, fraud or misrepresentation by any member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group, or any of their respective directors, officers, Employees, Former Employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates:
(i) any and all wages, salaries, incentive compensation, equity compensation, commissions, bonuses and any other employee compensation or benefits payable to or on behalf of any SpinCo Group Employees and Former SpinCo Group Employees after the Effective Time, without regard to when such wages, salaries, incentive compensation, equity compensation, commissions, bonuses or other employee compensation or benefits are or may have been awarded or earned;
(ii) any and all Liabilities whatsoever with respect to claims under a SpinCo Benefit Plan, taking into account the SpinCo Benefit Plans assumption of Liabilities with respect to SpinCo Group Employees and Former SpinCo Group Employees that were originally the Liabilities of the corresponding Parent Benefit Plan with respect to periods prior to the Effective Time; and
(iii) any and all Liabilities expressly assumed or retained by any member of the SpinCo Group pursuant to this Agreement.
(b) Acceptance and Assumption of Parent Liabilities . Except as otherwise provided by this Agreement, on or prior to the Effective Time, but in any case prior to the Distribution, Parent and certain members of the Parent Group designated by Parent shall accept, assume and agree faithfully to perform, discharge and fulfill all of the following Liabilities in accordance with their respective terms (each of which shall be considered a Parent Liability), regardless of when or where such Liabilities arose or arise, or whether the facts on which they are based occurred prior to, at or subsequent to the Effective Time, regardless of where or against whom such Liabilities are asserted or determined (including any Liabilities arising out of claims made by Parents or SpinCos respective directors, officers, Employees, Former Employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates against any member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group) or whether asserted or determined prior to the date hereof, and regardless of whether arising from or
alleged to arise from negligence, recklessness, violation of Law, fraud or misrepresentation by any member of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group, or any of their respective directors, officers, Employees, Former Employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates:
(i) any and all wages, salaries, incentive compensation, equity compensation, commissions, bonuses and any other employee compensation or benefits payable to or on behalf of any Parent Group Employees and Former Parent Group Employees after the Effective Time, without regard to when such wages, salaries, incentive compensation, equity compensation, commissions, bonuses or other employee compensation or benefits are or may have been awarded or earned;
(ii) any and all Liabilities whatsoever with respect to claims under a Parent Benefit Plan, taking into account a corresponding SpinCo Benefit Plans assumption of Liabilities with respect to SpinCo Group Employees and Former SpinCo Group Employees that were originally the Liabilities of such Parent Benefit Plan with respect to periods prior to the Effective Time; and
(iii) any and all Liabilities expressly assumed or retained by any member of the Parent Group pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) Unaddressed Liabilities. To the extent that this Agreement does not address particular Liabilities under any Benefit Plan and the Parties later determine that they should be allocated in connection with the Distribution, the Parties shall agree in good faith on the allocation, taking into account the handling of comparable Liabilities under this Agreement.
Section 2.02. Adoption and Transfer and Assumption of Benefit Plans .
(a) Adoption by SpinCo of Benefit Plans . As of no later than the Effective Time, SpinCo shall adopt Benefit Plans (and related trusts, if applicable) as contemplated and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, which Benefit Plans are generally intended to contain terms substantially similar in all material respects to those of the corresponding Parent Benefit Plans as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, as listed on Schedule 2.02(a) to this Agreement, with such changes, modifications or amendments to the SpinCo Benefit Plans as may be required by applicable Law or to reflect the Separation and Distribution, including limiting participation in any such SpinCo Benefit Plan to SpinCo Group Employees and Former SpinCo Group Employees who participated in the corresponding Benefit Plan immediately prior to the Effective Time.
(b) Plans Not Required to Be Adopted . With respect to any Benefit Plan not listed or otherwise addressed in this Agreement, the Parties shall agree in good faith on the treatment of such plan taking into account the handling of any comparable plan under this Agreement and, notwithstanding that SpinCo shall not have an obligation to continue to maintain any such plan with respect to the provision of future benefits from and after the Effective Time, SpinCo shall remain obligated to pay or provide any previously accrued or incurred benefits to the SpinCo Group Employees and Former SpinCo Group Employees consistent with Section 2.01(a) of this Agreement.
(c) Information, Elections and Beneficiary Designations . Each Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to provide the other Party with information describing each Benefit Plan election made by an Employee or Former Employee that may have application to such Partys Benefit Plans from and after the Effective Time, and each Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to administer its Benefit Plans using those elections, including any beneficiary designations. To the extent transferred, any beneficiary designation made by a SpinCo Group Employee or Former SpinCo Group Employee under a corresponding Parent Benefit Plan shall be transferred to and be in full force and effect under the corresponding SpinCo Benefit Plan until such beneficiary designation is replaced or revoked by the SpinCo Employee or Former SpinCo Employee who made the beneficiary designation. Each Party shall, upon reasonable request, use its commercially reasonable efforts to provide the other Party and the other Partys respective Affiliates, agents, and vendors all information reasonably necessary to the other Partys operation or administration of its Benefit Plans.
(d) Service Credit and Other Factors Determining Benefits . As of the Effective Time, the SpinCo Benefit Plans shall provide for each SpinCo Group Employee who is employed immediately following the Effective Time by a member of the SpinCo Group and each Former SpinCo Group Employee that all service, all compensation and other factors affecting benefit determinations that, as of the Distribution Date, were recognized under the corresponding Parent Benefit Plan shall receive full recognition and credit and shall be taken into account under such SpinCo Benefit Plan to the same extent as though arising under such SpinCo Benefit Plan, except as duplication of benefits would result.
(e) No Duplication or Acceleration of Benefits . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, no participant in any Benefit Plan shall receive service credit or benefits or recognition of compensation or other factors to the extent that receipt of such service credit or benefits or recognition of compensation or other factors would result in duplication of benefits provided to such participant by the corresponding Benefit Plan or any other plan, program or arrangement sponsored or maintained by a member of the Group that sponsors the corresponding Benefit Plan. Furthermore, unless expressly provided for in this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement or required by applicable Law, no provision in this Agreement shall be construed to (i) create any right to accelerate vesting distributions or entitlements under any Benefit Plan sponsored or maintained by a member of the Parent Group or member of the SpinCo Group on the part of any Employee or Former Employee or (ii) limit the ability of a member of the Parent Group or SpinCo Group to amend, merge, modify eliminate, reduce or otherwise alter in any respect any benefit under any Benefit Plan sponsored or maintained by a member of the Parent Group or SpinCo Group, respectively, or any trust, insurance policy or funding vehicle related thereto.
(f) Transition Services . The Parties acknowledge that the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group may provide administrative services for certain of the other Partys compensation and benefit programs for a transitional period under the terms of the Transition Services Agreement. The Parties agree to enter into a business associate agreement (if required by HIPAA or other applicable health information privacy Laws) in connection with such Transition Services Agreement.
(g) Beneficiaries . References to Parent Group Employees, Former Parent Group Employees, SpinCo Group Employees, Former SpinCo Group Employees, and current and former nonemployee directors of either Parent or SpinCo, shall be deemed to refer to their beneficiaries, dependents, survivors and alternate payees, as applicable.
Section 2.03. Individual Agreements .
(a) Assignment by Parent . To the extent necessary, Parent shall assign, or cause an applicable member of the Parent Group to assign, to SpinCo or another member of the SpinCo Group, as designated by SpinCo, all Individual Agreements, with such assignment to be effective as of no later than the Effective Time; provided , however , that to the extent that assignment of any such Individual Agreement is not permitted by the terms of such agreement or by applicable Law, effective as of the Effective Time, each member of the SpinCo Group shall be considered to be a successor to each member of the Parent Group for purposes of, and a third-party beneficiary with respect to, such Individual Agreement, such that each member of the SpinCo Group shall enjoy all of the rights and benefits under such agreement (including rights and benefits as a third-party beneficiary), with respect to the business operations of the SpinCo Group; provided , further , that in no event shall Parent be permitted to enforce any Individual Agreement (including any agreement containing noncompetition or nonsolicitation covenants) against a SpinCo Group Employee or Former SpinCo Group Employee for action taken in such individuals capacity as a SpinCo Group Employee or Former SpinCo Group Employee other than on behalf of SpinCo Group as requested by SpinCo Group in its capacity as a third-party beneficiary.
(b) Assumption by SpinCo . Effective as of the Effective Time, SpinCo shall assume and honor any individual agreement to which any SpinCo Group Employee or Former SpinCo Group Employee is a party with any member of the Parent Group, including any Individual Agreement.
Section 2.04. We Listen Dispute Resolution Plan . Commencing on January 1, 2009, Parent, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates, entered into agreements with all employees to use the We Listen Dispute Resolution Plan ( We Listen ) as the sole and exclusive program to resolve disputes through several resolution steps and finally by binding arbitration. The We Listen program includes the original 2009 program, as well as amendments in 2012, 2013 and 2015. As of the Distribution Date, Parent assigns its rights under We Listen to SpinCo, and SpinCo assumes the obligations of Parent under We Listen as to all SpinCo Group Employees, Former SpinCo Group Employees and applicants for employment with SpinCo; provided that subject to Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, for any dispute involving both the Parent Group and SpinCo Group, the Parties shall cooperate in good faith.
Section 2.05. Reimbursement .
(a) By SpinCo . From time to time after the completion of the Separation, SpinCo shall promptly reimburse Parent for the cost of any obligations or Liabilities that Parent elects to, or is compelled to, pay or otherwise satisfy, that are or that pursuant to this Agreement have become, the responsibility of the SpinCo Group. Parent shall invoice SpinCo after the end of each fiscal month for all such costs (if any) in such fiscal month. SpinCo shall pay any amounts due by SpinCo hereunder in immediately available funds within thirty (30) days of SpinCos
receipt of each invoice therefor. Any amount not paid within thirty (30) days after the date when payable shall bear interest at the Applicable Rate (as defined in the Transition Services Agreement) from the date such amount is due. SpinCo shall not deduct, set off, counterclaim or otherwise withhold any amount owed by it to Parent (on account of any obligation owed by the Parent Group, whether or not such obligation has been finally adjudicated, settled or otherwise agreed upon in writing) against the amounts payable pursuant to this Agreement; provided that in the event SpinCo dispute any amount on an invoice, SpinCo shall notify Parent in writing within twenty (20) days after SpinCos receipt of such invoice and shall describe in detail the reason for disputing such amount, provide any documents or other materials supporting its dispute, and will be entitled to withhold only the amount in dispute during the pendency of the dispute. SpinCo shall cause the timely payment of the undisputed portion of each invoice in the manner set forth in this Agreement and shall be subject to late charges at the Applicable Rate and any other costs incurred by Parent pursuant to this Section 2.05(a) on any amount that is unsuccessfully disputed.
(b) By Parent . From time to time after the completion of the Separation, Parent shall promptly reimburse SpinCo for the cost of any obligations or Liabilities that SpinCo elects to, or is compelled to, pay or otherwise satisfy, that are or that pursuant to this Agreement have become, the responsibility of the Parent Group. SpinCo shall invoice Parent after the end of each fiscal month for all such costs (if any) in such fiscal month. Parent shall pay any amounts due by Parent hereunder in immediately available funds within thirty (30) days of Parents receipt of each invoice therefor. Any amount not paid within thirty (30) days after the date when payable shall bear interest at the Applicable Rate from the date such amount is due. Parent shall not deduct, set off, counterclaim or otherwise withhold any amount owed by it to SpinCo (on account of any obligation owed by the SpinCo Group, whether or not such obligation has been finally adjudicated, settled or otherwise agreed upon in writing) against the amounts payable pursuant to this Agreement; provided that in the event Parent disputes any amount on an invoice, Parent shall notify SpinCo in writing within twenty (20) days after Parents receipt of such invoice and shall describe in detail the reason for disputing such amount, provide any documents or other materials supporting its dispute, and will be entitled to withhold only the amount in dispute during the pendency of the dispute. Parent shall cause the timely payment of the undisputed portion of each invoice in the manner set forth in this Agreement and shall be subject to late charges at the Applicable Rate and any other costs incurred by SpinCo and controlled pursuant to this Section 2.05(b) on any amount that is unsuccessfully disputed.
ARTICLE III
ASSIGNMENT OF EMPLOYEES
Section 3.01. Active Employees .
(a) Assignment and Transfer of Employees . Effective as of no later than the Effective Time and except as otherwise agreed to by the Parties, (i) the applicable member of the Parent Group shall have taken such actions as are necessary to ensure that each individual who is intended to be an employee of the SpinCo Group as of immediately after the Effective Time (including any such individual who is not actively working as of the Effective Time as a result of an illness, injury or leave of absence approved by the Parent Human Resources department or otherwise taken in accordance with applicable Law) (collectively, the SpinCo Group Employees ) is employed by a member of the SpinCo Group as of immediately after the Effective Time, and (ii) the applicable member of the Parent Group shall have taken such actions as are necessary to ensure that each individual who is intended to be an employee of the Parent Group as of immediately after the Effective Time (including any such individual who is not actively working as of the Effective Time as a result of an illness, injury or leave of absence approved by the Parent Human Resources department or otherwise taken in accordance with applicable Law) and any other individual employed by the Parent Group as of the Effective Time who is not a SpinCo Group Employee (collectively, the Parent Group Employees ) is employed by a member of the Parent Group as of immediately after the Effective Time. Each of the Parties agrees to execute, and to seek to have the applicable Employees execute, such documentation, if any, as may be necessary to reflect such assignment and/or transfer.
(b) At-Will Status . Nothing in this Agreement shall create any obligation on the part of any member of the Parent Group or any member of the SpinCo Group to (i) continue the employment of any Employee or permit the return from a leave of absence for any period after the date of this Agreement (except as required by applicable Law) or (ii) change the employment status of any Employee from at-will, to the extent that such Employee is an at-will employee under applicable Law. Except as provided in this Agreement, this Agreement shall not limit the ability of the Parent Group or the SpinCo Group to change the position, compensation or benefits of any Employees for performance related, business or any other reason.
(c) Severance . The Parties acknowledge and agree that the Separation, Distribution and the assignment, transfer or continuation of the employment of Employees as contemplated by this Section 3.01 shall not be deemed an involuntary termination of employment entitling any SpinCo Group Employee or Parent Group Employee to severance payments or benefits.
(d) Not a Change in Control . The Parties acknowledge and agree that neither the consummation of the Separation, Distribution nor any transaction contemplated by this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement shall be deemed a change in control, change of control, or term of similar import for purposes of any Benefit Plan sponsored or maintained by any member of the Parent Group or member of the SpinCo Group and except as provided in this Agreement or as otherwise required by applicable law or Individual Agreement, no provision of this Agreement shall be construed to accelerate any
vesting or create an right or entitlement to any compensation or benefits on the part of any Employee.
Section 3.02. Payroll and Related Taxes . With respect to the SpinCo Group Employees transferred to the SpinCo Group during the tax year ending on and including the Separation, (i) Parent shall (A) be responsible for all payroll obligations, tax withholding and reporting obligations regarding all such SpinCo Group Employees for the period prior to such transfer, and (B) furnish a Form W-2 or similar earnings statement to, all such SpinCo Group Employees for such period and (ii) with respect to the remaining portion of the tax year, SpinCo will (A) be responsible for all payroll obligations, tax withholding and reporting obligations regarding, all such SpinCo Group Employees, and (B) furnish a Form W-2 or similar earning statement to, all such SpinCo Group Employees. With respect to each affected SpinCo Group Employee, Parent and SpinCo shall, and shall cause their respective Affiliates to (to the extent practicable and to the extent permitted by applicable Law) (x) treat SpinCo (or the applicable member of the SpinCo Group) as a successor employer and treat Parent (or the applicable member of the Parent Group) as a predecessor within the meaning of Sections 3121(a)(1) and 3306(b)(1) of the Code, to the extent appropriate, for purposes of taxes imposed under the United States Federal Insurance Contributions Act, as amended ( FICA ), or the United States Federal Unemployment Tax Act, as amended ( FUTA ), and (y) file tax returns, exchange wage payment information and report wage payments made by the respective predecessor and successor employer on separate IRS Forms W-2 or similar earnings statements to each such SpinCo Group Employee for the tax year in which the Separation occurs, in a manner provided in Section 4.02(1) of Revenue Procedure 2004-53.
ARTICLE IV
EQUITY, INCENTIVE AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Section 4.01. Generally . Each Parent Award granted that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be adjusted as described below; provided , however , effective immediately prior to the Effective Time, the Parent Compensation Committee may provide for different adjustments with respect to some or all Parent Awards to the extent that the Parent Compensation Committee deems such adjustments necessary and appropriate. Any adjustments made by the Parent Compensation Committee pursuant to the foregoing sentence shall be deemed incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth below and shall be binding on the Parties and their respective Affiliates. Before the Effective Time, the SpinCo Omnibus Plan shall be established, with such terms as are necessary to permit the implementation of the provisions of Section 4.02 .
Section 4.02. Equity Incentive Awards .
(a) Option Awards . Each Parent Option Award that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted as of the Effective Time into either a Post-Separation Parent Option Award or a SpinCo Option Award as described below:
(i) Each Parent Option Award held by a Parent Group Employee and Former Employee shall be converted as of the Effective Time, through an adjustment thereto, into a Post-Separation Parent Option Award and shall, except as otherwise provided in this Section 4.02(a) , be subject to the same terms and conditions (including with respect to vesting and expiration) after the Effective Time as applicable to such Parent Option Award immediately prior to the Effective Time. From and after the Effective Time:
(A) the number of Parent Shares subject to such Post-Separation Parent Option Award, rounded down to the nearest whole share, shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Parent Shares subject to the corresponding Parent Option Award immediately prior to the Effective Time, by (2) the Parent Ratio; and
(B) the per share exercise price of such Post-Separation Parent Option Award, rounded up to the nearest cent, shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying (1) the Post-Separation Parent Stock Value, by (2) the Option Exercise Price Ratio.
(ii) Each Parent Option Award held by a SpinCo Group Employee shall be converted as of the Effective Time into a SpinCo Option Award outstanding under the SpinCo Omnibus Plan and shall, except as otherwise provided in this Section 4.02(a) , be subject to the same terms and conditions (including with respect to vesting and expiration) after the Effective Time as applicable to such Parent Option Award immediately prior to the Effective Time. From and after the Effective Time:
(A) the number of SpinCo Shares subject to such SpinCo Option Award, rounded down to the nearest whole share, shall be equal to the product obtained by
multiplying (1) the number of Parent Shares subject to the corresponding Parent Option Award immediately prior to the Effective Time, by (2) the SpinCo Ratio; and
(B) the per share exercise price of such SpinCo Option Award, rounded up to the nearest cent, shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying (1) the SpinCo Stock Value, by (2) the Option Exercise Price Ratio of the corresponding Parent Option Award.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.02(a) , the exercise price, the number of Parent Shares and SpinCo Shares subject to each Post-Separation Parent Option Award and SpinCo Option Award, and the terms and conditions of exercise of such options, shall be determined in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code; provided , further , that, in the case of any Parent Option Award to which Section 421 of the Code applies by reason of its qualification under Section 422 of the Code as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, the exercise price, the number of Parent Shares and SpinCo Shares subject to such option award, and the terms and conditions of exercise of such option award shall be determined in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code.
(b) RSU Awards (Legacy) . Each Parent RSU Award (Legacy) that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted, as of the Effective Time, into a Post-Separation Parent RSU Award and a SpinCo RSU Award and each such award shall, except as otherwise provided in this Section 4.02(b) , be subject to the same terms and conditions (including with respect to vesting) after the Effective Time as were applicable to such Parent RSU Award (Legacy) prior to the Effective Time; provided , however , that from and after the Effective Time the number of shares subject to (i) the Post-Separation Parent RSU Award shall be equal to the number of Parent Shares subject to the corresponding Parent RSU Award (Legacy) immediately prior to the Effective Time, and (ii) the SpinCo RSU Award shall be equal to the product, rounded down to the nearest whole share, obtained by multiplying (A) the number of Parent Shares subject to the Parent RSU Award (Legacy) immediately prior to the Effective Time by (B) the Distribution Ratio.
(c) RSU Awards (Concentrated). Each Parent RSU Award (Concentrated) that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be treated as follows:
(i) If the holder is not a SpinCo Group Employee, such award shall be converted, as of the Effective Time, into a Post-Separation Parent RSU Award, and shall, except as otherwise provided in this Section 4.02 , be subject to the same terms and conditions (including with respect to vesting and expiration) after the Effective Time as were applicable to such Parent RSU Award (Concentrated) immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided , however , that from and after the Effective Time, the number of Parent Shares subject to such Post-Separation Parent RSU Award shall be equal to the product, rounded down to the nearest whole share, obtained by multiplying (A) the number of Parent Shares subject to the corresponding Parent RSU Award (Concentrated) immediately prior to the Effective Time by (B) the Parent Ratio.
(ii) If the holder is a SpinCo Group Employee, such award shall be converted, as of the Effective Time, into a SpinCo RSU Award, and shall, except as otherwise provided in this Section 4.02 , be subject to the same terms and conditions (including with respect
to vesting and expiration) after the Effective Time as were applicable to such Parent RSU Award (Concentrated) immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided , however , that from and after the Effective Time, the number of SpinCo Shares subject to such SpinCo RSU Award shall be equal to the product, rounded down to the nearest whole share, obtained by multiplying (A) the number of Parent Shares subject to the corresponding Parent RSU Award (Concentrated) immediately prior to the Effective Time by (B) the SpinCo Ratio.
(d) Deferred Shares Equivalents .
(i) If the holder is not a Transferred Director, such award shall be converted, as of the Effective Time, into a Post-Separation Deferred Shares Equivalent Award, and shall, except as otherwise provided in this Section 4.02 , be subject to the same terms and conditions after the Effective Time as were applicable to such Parent Deferred Shares Equivalent Award immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided , however , that from and after the Effective Time, the number of Parent Shares subject to such Post-Separation Parent Deferred Shares Equivalent Award shall be equal to the product, rounded down to the nearest whole share, obtained by multiplying (A) the number of Parent Shares subject to the corresponding Parent Deferred Shares Equivalent Award immediately prior to the Effective Time by (B) the Parent Ratio.
(ii) If the holder is a Transferred Director, such award shall be converted, as of the Effective Time, into a SpinCo Deferred Shares Equivalent Award , and shall, except as otherwise provided in this Section 4.02 , be subject to the same terms and conditions after the Effective Time as were applicable to such Parent Deferred Shares Equivalent Award immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided , however , that from and after the Effective Time, the number of SpinCo Shares subject to such SpinCo Deferred Shares Equivalent Award shall be equal to the product, rounded down to the nearest whole share, obtained by multiplying (A) the number of Parent Shares subject to the corresponding Parent Deferred Shares Equivalent Award immediately prior to the Effective Time by (B) the SpinCo Ratio.
(e) Miscellaneous Award Terms .
(i) With respect to Post-Separation Parent Awards and SpinCo Awards, (A) employment with or service to the Parent Group shall be treated as employment with or service to SpinCo with respect to SpinCo Awards held by a Parent Group Employee who is employed by a member of the Parent Group immediately following the Effective Time immediately following the Effective Time, and (B) employment with or service to the SpinCo Group shall be treated as employment with or service to Parent with respect to Post-Separation Parent Awards held by SpinCo Group Employees who is employed by a member of the SpinCo Group immediately following the Effective Time. In addition, none of the Separation, the Distribution or any employment transfer described in Section 3.01(a) shall constitute a termination of employment for any Employee for purposes of any Post-Separation Parent Award or any SpinCo Award. After the Effective Time, for any award adjusted under this Section 4.02 , any reference to a change in control, change of control or similar definition in an award agreement, employment agreement or Parent Omnibus Plan applicable to such award (x) with respect to Post-Separation Parent Awards, shall be deemed to refer to a change in control, change of control or similar definition as set forth in the applicable award agreement, employment
agreement or Parent Omnibus Plan (a Parent Change in Control ), and (y) with respect to SpinCo Awards, shall be deemed to refer to a Change in Control as defined in the SpinCo Omnibus Plan (a SpinCo Change in Control ). Without limiting the foregoing, with respect to provisions related to vesting of awards, a Parent Change in Control shall be treated as a SpinCo Change in Control for purposes of SpinCo Awards held by Parent Group Employees, Former Employees (to the extent applicable) and Parent nonemployee directors, and a SpinCo Change in Control shall be treated as a Parent Change in Control for purposes of Post-Separation Parent Awards held by SpinCo Group Employees and Transferred Directors.
(ii) Any determination in respect of a Post-Separation Parent RSU Award and SpinCo RSU Award which in either case was adjusted from a Parent RSU Award (Legacy), in each case, granted to the holder pursuant to the Parent Omnibus Plan or the SpinCo Omnibus Plan, as applicable, and this Section 4.02 , shall be made by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Party to which the holder provides services immediately after the Effective Time (Parent or SpinCo, as applicable); provided that any such determination shall apply uniformly to both the applicable Post-Separation Parent Award and the corresponding SpinCo RSU Award held by such holder.
(f) Settlement; Tax Reporting and Withholding .
(i) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4.02(f) , after the Effective Time, Post-Separation Parent Awards, regardless of by whom held, shall be settled by Parent, and SpinCo Awards, regardless of by whom held, shall be settled by SpinCo.
(ii) Upon the vesting, payment or settlement, as applicable, of SpinCo Awards, SpinCo shall be solely responsible for ensuring the satisfaction of all applicable Tax withholding requirements on behalf of each SpinCo Group Employee and for ensuring the collection and remittance of applicable employee withholding Taxes to the Parent Group with respect to each Parent Group Employee (with Parent Group being responsible for remittance of the applicable employee Taxes and payment and remittance of the applicable employer Taxes relating to Parent Group Employees to the applicable Governmental Authority). Upon the vesting, payment or settlement, as applicable, of Post-Separation Parent Awards, Parent shall be solely responsible for ensuring the satisfaction of all applicable Tax withholding requirements on behalf of each Parent Group Employee or Former Employee and for ensuring the collection and remittance of applicable employee withholding Taxes to the SpinCo Group with respect to each SpinCo Group Employee (with SpinCo Group being responsible for remittance of the applicable employee Taxes and payment and remittance of the applicable employer Taxes relating to SpinCo Group Employees to the applicable Governmental Authority). Following the Effective Time, Parent shall be responsible for all income Tax reporting in respect of Post-Separation Parent Awards and SpinCo Awards held by Parent Group Employees, Former Employees (as applicable) and individuals who are or were Parent nonemployee directors, and SpinCo shall be responsible for all income Tax reporting in respect of Post-Separation Parent Awards and SpinCo Awards held by SpinCo Group Employees and Transferred Directors.
(iii) Following the Effective Time, if any Post-Separation Parent Award held by a SpinCo Group Employee or Transferred Director shall fail to become vested, such Post-Separation Parent Award shall be forfeited to Parent, and if any SpinCo Award held by a
Parent Group Employee or nonemployee director of Parent shall fail to become vested, such SpinCo Award shall be forfeited to SpinCo.
(g) Cooperation . Each of the Parties shall establish an appropriate administration system to administer, in an orderly manner, (i) exercises of vested Post-Separation Parent Options and SpinCo Options, (ii) the vesting and forfeiture of unvested Post-Separation Parent Awards and SpinCo Awards, and (iii) the withholding and reporting requirements with respect to all awards. Each of the Parties shall work together to unify and consolidate all indicative data and payroll and employment information on regular timetables and make certain that each applicable Persons data and records in respect of such awards are correct and updated on a timely basis. The foregoing shall include employment status and information required for vesting and forfeiture of awards and Tax withholding/remittance, compliance with trading windows and compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act and other applicable Laws.
(h) Registration and Other Regulatory Requirements . SpinCo agrees to file the appropriate registration statements with respect to, and to cause to be registered pursuant to the Securities Act, the SpinCo Shares authorized for issuance under the SpinCo Omnibus Plan, as required pursuant to the Securities Act, not later than the Effective Time and in any event before the date of issuance of any SpinCo Shares pursuant to the SpinCo Omnibus Plan. The Parties shall take such additional actions as are deemed necessary or advisable to effectuate the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.02(h) , including to the extent applicable, compliance with securities Laws and other legal requirements associated with equity compensation awards in affected non-U.S. jurisdictions. Parent agrees to facilitate the adoption and approval of the SpinCo Omnibus Plan consistent with the requirements of Treasury Regulations Section 1.162-27(f)(4)(iii).
Section 4.03. Nonequity Incentive Practices and Plans
(a) Corporate Bonus Practices .
(i) The SpinCo Group shall be responsible for determining all bonus awards that would otherwise be payable under the SpinCo Non-Equity Incentive Practices to SpinCo Group Employees or Former SpinCo Group Employees for any performance periods that are open when the Effective Time occurs. The SpinCo Group shall also determine for SpinCo Group Employees or Former SpinCo Group Employees (A) the extent to which established performance criteria (as interpreted by the SpinCo Group, in its sole discretion) have been met, and (B) the payment level for each SpinCo Group Employee or Former SpinCo Group Employee. The SpinCo Group shall assume all Liabilities with respect to any such bonus awards payable to SpinCo Group Employees or Former SpinCo Group Employees for any performance periods that are open when the Effective Time occurs and thereafter, and no member of the Parent Group shall have any obligations with respect thereto.
(ii) The Parent Group shall be responsible for determining all bonus awards that would otherwise be payable under the Parent Non-Equity Incentive Practices to Parent Group Employees or Former Parent Group Employees for any performance periods that are open when the Effective Time occurs. The Parent Group shall also determine for Parent Group Employees or Former Parent Group Employees (A) the extent to which established performance
criteria (as interpreted by the Parent Group, in its sole discretion) have been met, and (B) the payment level for each Parent Group Employee or Former Parent Group Employee. The Parent Group shall retain (or assume as necessary) all Liabilities with respect to any such bonus awards payable to Parent Group Employees or Former Parent Group Employees for any performance periods that are open when the Effective Time occurs and thereafter, and no member of the SpinCo Group shall have any obligations with respect thereto.
(b) Parent Retained Bonus Plans . No later than the Effective Time, the Parent Group shall continue to retain (or assume as necessary) any incentive plan for the exclusive benefit of Parent Group Employees and Former Parent Group Employees, whether or not sponsored by the Parent Group, and, from and after the Effective Time, shall be solely responsible for all Liabilities thereunder.
(c) SpinCo Retained Bonus Plans . No later than the Effective Time, the SpinCo Group shall continue to retain (or assume as necessary) any incentive plan for the exclusive benefit of SpinCo Group Employees and Former SpinCo Group Employees, whether or not sponsored by the SpinCo Group, and, from and after the Effective Time, shall be solely responsible for all Liabilities thereunder.
Section 4.04. Director Compensation . Parent shall be responsible for the payment of any fees for service on the Parent Board that are payable at, before, or after the Effective Time, and SpinCo shall not have any responsibility for any such payments. With respect to any SpinCo nonemployee director, SpinCo shall be responsible for the payment of any fees for service on the SpinCo Board that are payable at any time after the Effective Time and Parent shall not have any responsibility for any such payments.
ARTICLE V
QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLAN
Section 5.01. SpinCo 401(k) Plan.
(a) Establishment of Plan . Effective on or before the Distribution Date, the SpinCo Board shall adopt and establish the SpinCo 401(k) Plan and a related trust (the SpinCo 401(k) Trust ), which shall be intended to meet the tax qualification requirements of Section 401(a) of the Code, the tax exemption requirement of Section 501(a) of the Code, and the requirements described in Sections 401(k) and (m) of the Code and which through December 31, 2018 shall have substantially the similar terms in all material respects as of immediately prior to the Distribution Date as the Parent 401(k) Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, SpinCo may make such changes, modifications or amendments to the SpinCo 401(k) Plan as may be required by applicable Law or as are necessary and appropriate to reflect the Separation or which result from vendor limitations. Before the Distribution Date, SpinCo shall provide Parent with (i) a copy of the SpinCo 401(k) Plan, SpinCo 401(k) Trust and favorable opinion and (ii) a copy of certified resolutions of the SpinCo Board (or its authorized committee or other delegate) evidencing adoption of the SpinCo 401(k) Plan and SpinCo 401(k) Trust and the assumption by the SpinCo 401(k) Plan of the Liabilities described in Sections 5.01(b) and (c) .
(b) Transfer of Account Balances . No later than thirty (30) days following the Effective Time (or such other times as mutually agreed to by the parties), Parent shall cause the trustee of the Parent 401(k) Plan to transfer from the trust which forms a part of the Parent 401(k) Plan to the SpinCo 401(k) Trust, the account balances of SpinCo Group Employees and Former SpinCo Group Employees under the Parent 401(k) Plan, determined as of the date of the transfer. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, such transfers shall be made in kind, including promissory notes evidencing the transfer of outstanding loans. Any Asset and Liability transfers pursuant to this Section 5.01 shall comply in all respects with Sections 414(l) and 411(d)(6) of the Code and if required, shall be made not less than thirty (30) days after Parent shall have filed the notice under Section 6058(b) of the Code. The parties agree that to the extent that any Assets are not transferred in kind, the assets transferred will be mapped into an appropriate investment vehicle.
(c) Transfer of Liabilities . Effective as of the Effective Time but subject to the Asset transfer specified in Section 5.01(b) above, the SpinCo 401(k) Plan shall assume and be solely responsible for all the Liabilities for or relating to SpinCo Group Employees or Former SpinCo Group Employees under the Parent 401(k) Plan. SpinCo shall be responsible for all ongoing rights of or relating to SpinCo Group Employees for future participation (including the right to make payroll deductions) in the SpinCo 401(k) Plan.
(d) SpinCo 401(k) Plan Provisions . The SpinCo 401(k) Plan shall provide that:
(i) SpinCo Group Employees and Former SpinCo Group Employees shall be eligible to participate in the SpinCo 401(k) Plan as of the Effective Time to the extent that they were eligible to participate in the Parent 401(k) Plan as of immediately prior to the Effective Time;
(ii) the account balance of each SpinCo Group Employee and Former SpinCo Group Employees under the Parent 401(k) Plan as of the date of the transfer of Assets from the Parent 401(k) Plan (including any outstanding promissory notes relating to outstanding loans) shall be credited to such individuals account under the SpinCo 401(k) Plan; and
(iii) the SpinCo 401(k) Plan shall assume and honor the terms of all QDROs in effect under the Parent 401(k) Plan in respect of SpinCo Group Employees and Former SpinCo Group Employees immediately prior to the Effective Time.
(iv) Plan Fiduciaries . For all periods at and after the Effective Time, the parties agree that the applicable fiduciaries of each of the Parent 401(k) Plan and the SpinCo 401(k) Plan, respectively, shall have the authority with respect to the Parent 401(k) Plan and the SpinCo 401(k) Plan, respectively, to determine the investment alternatives, the terms and conditions with respect to those investment alternatives and such other matters as are within the scope of their duties under ERISA and the terms of the applicable plan documents.
(e) No Distributions . No SpinCo Group Employee shall be entitled to a right to a distribution of his or her benefit under the Parent 401(k) Plan as a result of his or her transfer of employment from the Parent Group to the SpinCo Group nor as a result of the completion of the Separation.
ARTICLE VI
NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
Section 6.01. Parent Deferred Compensation Plans . Parent shall retain all Liability with respect to the Parent Deferred Compensation Plan with respect to Employees and Former Employees, whether arising before, on or after the Distribution Date.
Section 6.02. Participation; Distributions . The Parties acknowledge that none of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement shall trigger a payment or distribution of compensation under any of the Parent Deferred Compensation Plan for any participant and, consequently, that the payment or distribution of any compensation to which such participant is entitled under any such plan shall occur upon such participants separation from service from the Parent Group or SpinCo Group or at such other time as provided in the applicable deferred compensation plan or participants deferral election; provided, however, that for the avoidance of doubt, any Transition Employee who leaves employment with Parent Group after the Distribution Date shall experience a separation from service for purposes of such plan, regardless of whether the Transition Employee immediately commences employment with Spinco Group.
ARTICLE VII
WELFARE BENEFIT PLANS
Section 7.01. Welfare Plans .
(a) Establishment of SpinCo Welfare Plans . Except as otherwise provided in this Article VII , as of the Effective Time, SpinCo shall establish the SpinCo Welfare Plans pursuant to Section 2.02(a) that generally correspond to the Parent Welfare Plans in which such SpinCo Group Employees participate immediately prior to the Effective Time. Through December 31, 2018, the SpinCo Welfare Plans shall have terms substantially similar in all material respects to those of the corresponding Parent Welfare Plans listed on Schedule 7.01(a) , and in all cases, with such changes, modifications or amendments as may be required by applicable Law or as are necessary and appropriate to reflect the Separation. In addition, SpinCo or members of the SpinCo Group shall retain the right to modify, amend, alter or terminate the terms of any SpinCo Welfare Plan to the same extent that the Parent Group had such rights under the corresponding Parent Welfare Plan.
(b) Waiver of Conditions; Benefit Maximums . To the extent commercially available, SpinCo shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the SpinCo Welfare Plans to:
(i) with respect to initial enrollment as of the Effective Time, waive (x) all limitations as to preexisting conditions, exclusions, and service conditions with respect to participation and coverage requirements applicable to any SpinCo Group Employee or Former SpinCo Group Employee, other than limitations that were in effect with respect to the SpinCo Group Employee or Former SpinCo Group Employee under the applicable Parent Welfare Plan as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, and (y) any waiting period limitation or evidence of insurability requirement applicable to a SpinCo Group Employee or Former SpinCo Group Employee other than limitations or requirements that were in effect with respect to such SpinCo Group Employee or Former SpinCo Group Employee under the applicable Parent Welfare Plans as of immediately prior to the Effective Time; and
(ii) take into account (x) with respect to aggregate annual, lifetime, or similar maximum benefits available under the SpinCo Welfare Plans, a SpinCo Group Employees or Former SpinCo Group Employees prior claim experience under the Parent Welfare Plans and any Benefit Plan that provides leave benefits; and (y) any eligible expenses incurred by a SpinCo Group Employee or Former SpinCo Group Employee and his or her covered dependents during the portion of the plan year of the applicable Parent Welfare Plan ending as of the Effective Time to be taken into account under such SpinCo Welfare Plan for purposes of satisfying all deductible, coinsurance, and maximum out-of-pocket requirements applicable to such SpinCo Group Employee or Former SpinCo Group Employee and his or her covered dependents for the applicable plan year to the same extent as such expenses were taken into account by Parent for similar purposes prior to the Effective Time as if such amounts had been paid in accordance with such SpinCo Welfare Plan.
(c) Flexible Spending Accounts . As of no later than the Effective Time, SpinCo shall establish SpinCo Welfare Plans that shall provide health or dependent care flexible spending account benefits to SpinCo Group Employees on and after the Effective Time
(collectively, the SpinCo Flex Plan ). The Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that as of the Effective Time any health and dependent care flexible spending accounts of SpinCo Group Employees (whether positive or negative) (the Transferred Account Balances ) under Parent Welfare Plans are transferred as soon as practicable after the Effective Time, from the Parent Welfare Plans to the SpinCo Flex Plan. Such SpinCo Flex Plan shall assume responsibility as of the Effective Time for all outstanding health or dependent care claims under the corresponding Parent Welfare Plans of each SpinCo Group Employee for the year in which the Effective Time occurs and shall assume and agree to perform the obligations of the corresponding Parent Welfare Plans from and after the Effective Time. As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, and in any event within thirty (30) days after the amount of the Transferred Account Balances is determined or such later date as mutually agreed upon by the Parties, Parent shall pay SpinCo the net aggregate amount of the Transferred Account Balances, if such amount is positive, and SpinCo shall pay Parent the net aggregate amount of the Transferred Account Balances, if such amount is negative.
(d) Allocation of Welfare Plan Assets and Liabilities . Effective as of the Effective Time, the Parent Group shall retain or assume, as applicable, and be responsible for all assets (including any insurance contracts, policies or other funding vehicles) and Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from health and welfare coverage or claims incurred by or on behalf of Parent Group Employees or Former Parent Group Employees under the Parent Welfare Plans or SpinCo Welfare Plans before, at, or after the Effective Time, and the SpinCo Group shall retain or assume, as applicable, and be responsible for all assets (including any insurance contracts, policies or other funding vehicles) and Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from health and welfare coverage or claims incurred by or on behalf of SpinCo Group Employees or Former SpinCo Group Employees under the SpinCo Welfare Plans or Parent Welfare Plans before, at, or after the Effective Time. No SpinCo Welfare Plan shall provide coverage to any Parent Group Employee or Former Parent Group Employee after the Effective Time, and no Parent Welfare Plan shall provide coverage to any SpinCo Group Employee or Former SpinCo Group Employee after the Effective Time.
Section 7.02. COBRA . The Parent Group shall continue to be responsible for complying with, and providing coverage pursuant to, the health care continuation requirements of COBRA, and the corresponding provisions of the Parent Welfare Plans with respect to any Parent Group Employees and any Former Parent Group Employees (and their covered dependents) who incur a qualifying event under COBRA before, as of, or after the Effective Time. Effective as of the Effective Time, the SpinCo Group shall assume responsibility for complying with, and providing coverage pursuant to, the health care continuation requirements of COBRA, and the corresponding provisions of the SpinCo Welfare Plans with respect to any SpinCo Group Employees or Former SpinCo Group Employees (and their covered dependents) who incur a qualifying event or loss of coverage under the SpinCo Welfare Plans and/or the Parent Welfare Plans before, as of, or after the Effective Time. The Parties agree that the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement shall not constitute a COBRA qualifying event for any purpose of COBRA.
Section 7.03. Vacation, Holidays and Leaves of Absence . Effective as of no later than the Effective Time, the SpinCo Group shall assume all Liabilities of the SpinCo Group with respect to vacation, holiday, annual leave or other leave of absence, and required payments related
thereto, for each SpinCo Group Employee, unless otherwise required by applicable Law. The Parent Group shall retain all Liabilities with respect to vacation, holiday, annual leave or other leave of absence, and required payments related thereto, for each Parent Group Employee.
Section 7.04. Workers Compensation . The treatment of workers compensation claims shall be governed by Section 5.1 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Section 7.05. Insurance Contracts . To the extent that any Welfare Plan is funded through the purchase of an insurance contract or is subject to any stop loss contract, the Parties shall cooperate and use their commercially reasonable efforts to replicate such insurance contracts for SpinCo or Parent as applicable (except to the extent that changes are required under applicable Law or filings by the respective insurers) and to maintain any pricing discounts or other preferential terms for both Parent and SpinCo for a reasonable term. Neither Party shall be liable for failure to obtain such insurance contracts, pricing discounts, or other preferential terms for the other Party. Each Party shall be responsible for any additional premiums, charges, or administrative fees that such Party may incur pursuant to this Section 7.05 .
Section 7.06. Third-Party Vendors . Except as provided below, to the extent that any Welfare Plan is administered by a third-party vendor, the Parties shall cooperate and use their commercially reasonable efforts to replicate any contract with such third-party vendor for Parent or SpinCo, as applicable and to maintain any pricing discounts or other preferential terms for both Parent and SpinCo for a reasonable term. Neither Party shall be liable for failure to obtain such pricing discounts or other preferential terms for the other Party. Each Party shall be responsible for any additional premiums, charges, or administrative fees that such Party may incur pursuant to this Section 7.06 .
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 8.01. Preservation of Rights to Amend . Except as set forth in this Agreement, the rights of each member of the Parent Group and each member of the SpinCo Group to amend, waive, or terminate any plan, arrangement, agreement, program, or policy referred to herein shall not be limited in any way by this Agreement.
Section 8.02. Fiduciary Matters . Parent and SpinCo each acknowledge that actions required to be taken pursuant to this Agreement may be subject to fiduciary duties or standards of conduct under ERISA or other applicable Law, and no Party shall be deemed to be in violation of this Agreement if it fails to comply with any provisions hereof based upon its good faith determination (as supported by advice from counsel experienced in such matters) that to do so would violate such a fiduciary duty or standard. Each Party shall be responsible for taking such actions as are deemed necessary and appropriate to comply with its own fiduciary responsibilities and shall fully release and indemnify the other Party for any Liabilities caused by the failure to satisfy any such responsibility.
Section 8.03. Further Assurances . Each Party hereto shall take, or cause to be taken, any and all reasonable actions, including the execution, acknowledgment, filing and delivery of any and all documents and instruments that any other Party hereto may reasonably request in order to effect the intent and purpose of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 8.04. Counterparts; Entire Agreement; Corporate Power .
(a) This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Party.
(b) This Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and the Exhibits, Schedules and appendices hereto and thereto contain the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, supersede all previous agreements, negotiations, discussions, writings, understandings, commitments and conversations with respect to such subject matter, and there are no agreements or understandings between the Parties other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein. This Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements together govern the arrangements in connection with the Separation and the Distribution and would not have been entered into independently.
(c) Parent represents on behalf of itself and each other member of the Parent Group, and SpinCo represents on behalf of itself and each other member of the SpinCo Group, as follows:
(i) each such Person has the requisite corporate or other power and authority and has taken all corporate or other action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and
(ii) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of it enforceable in accordance with the terms hereof.
(d) Each Party acknowledges that it and each other Party is executing this Agreement by facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature, and that delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement (whether executed by manual, stamp or mechanical signature) by facsimile or by e-mail in portable document format (.pdf) shall be effective as delivery of such executed counterpart of this Agreement. Each Party expressly adopts and confirms each such facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature (regardless of whether delivered in person, by mail, by courier, by facsimile or by e-mail in portable document format (.pdf)) made in its respective name as if it were a manual signature delivered in person, agrees that it will not assert that any such signature or delivery is not adequate to bind such Party to the same extent as if it were signed manually and delivered in person and agrees that, at the reasonable request of the other Party at any time, it will as promptly as reasonably practicable cause this Agreement to be manually executed (any such execution to be as of the date of the initial date thereof) and delivered in person, by mail or by courier.
Section 8.05. Governing Law . This Agreement (and any claims or disputes arising out of or related hereto or to the transactions contemplated hereby or to the inducement of any Party to enter herein, whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct or otherwise and whether predicated on common law, statute or otherwise) shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware, irrespective of the choice of laws principles of the State of Delaware, including all matters of validity, construction, effect, enforceability, performance and remedies.
Section 8.06. Assignability . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided , however , that neither Party may assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Agreement without the express prior written consent of the other Party hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such consent shall be required for the assignment of a Partys rights and obligations under this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement and all other Ancillary Agreements (except as may be otherwise provided in any such Ancillary Agreement) in whole ( i.e. , the assignment of a Partys rights and obligations under this Agreement and all Ancillary Agreements at the same time) in connection with a change of control of a Party so long as the resulting, surviving or transferee Person assumes all the obligations of the relevant party thereto by operation of Law or pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the other Party.
Section 8.07. Third-Party Beneficiaries . The provisions of this Agreement are solely for the benefit of the Parties and are not intended to confer upon any Person except the Parties any rights or remedies hereunder. There are no third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall not provide any Third Party with any remedy, claim, Liability, reimbursement, claim of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to amend any employee benefit plan or affect the applicable plan sponsors right to amend or terminate any employee benefit plan pursuant to the terms of such plan. The provisions of this Agreement are solely for the benefit of the Parties, and no current or former Employee, officer, director, or independent contractor or any other
individual associated therewith shall be regarded for any purpose as a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement.
Section 8.08. Notices . All notices, requests, claims, demands or other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service, by certified mail, return receipt requested or by electronic mail (e-mail) so long as the confirmation of receipt of such e-mail is requested and received, to the respective Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 8.08 ):
If to Parent, to:
ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc.
150 Peabody Place
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
Attention: General Counsel
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice), to:
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
51 West 52nd Street
New York, New York 10019
Attention: Andrew Brownstein
S. Iliana Ongun
E-mail: ARBrownstein@wlrk.com
SIOngun@wlrk.com
If to SpinCo (prior to the Effective Time), to:
AHS Holding Company, Inc.
150 Peabody Place
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
Attention: General Counsel
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice), to:
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
51 West 52nd Street
New York, New York 10019
Attention: Andrew Brownstein
S. Iliana Ongun
E-mail: ARBrownstein@wlrk.com
SIOngun@wlrk.com
If to SpinCo (from and after the Effective Time), to:
AHS Holding Company, Inc.
[
·
]
[
·
]
Attention: [
·
]
E-mail: [
·
]
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice), to:
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
51 West 52nd Street
New York, New York 10019
Attention: Andrew Brownstein
S. Iliana Ongun
E-mail: ARBrownstein@wlrk.com
SIOngun@wlrk.com
A Party may, by notice to the other Party, change the address to which such notices are to be given or made.
Section 8.09. Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances or in jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby. Upon such determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon such a suitable and equitable provision to effect the original intent of the Parties.
Section 8.10. Force Majeure . No Party shall be deemed in default of this Agreement or, unless otherwise expressly provided therein, any Ancillary Agreement for any delay or failure to fulfill any obligation (other than a payment obligation) hereunder or thereunder so long as and to the extent to which any delay or failure in the fulfillment of such obligation is prevented, frustrated, hindered or delayed as a consequence of circumstances of Force Majeure. In the event of any such excused delay, the time for performance of such obligations (other than a payment obligation) shall be extended for a period equal to the time lost by reason of the delay. A Party claiming the benefit of this provision shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the occurrence of any such event, (a) provide written notice to the other Party of the nature and extent of any such Force Majeure condition; and (b) use commercially reasonable efforts to remove any such causes and resume performance under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, as applicable, as soon as reasonably practicable.
Section 8.11. Headings . The article, section and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
Section 8.12. Survival of Covenants . Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, the covenants, representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, and Liability for the breach of any obligations contained herein, shall survive the Separation and Distribution and shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 8.13. Waivers of Default . Waiver by a Party of any default by the other Party of any provision of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver by the waiving Party of any subsequent or other default, nor shall it prejudice the rights of the other Party. No failure or delay by a Party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof prejudice any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.
Section 8.14. Dispute Resolution . The dispute resolution procedures set forth in Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement shall apply to any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
Section 8.15. Specific Performance . Subject to the provisions of Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, in the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, the Party or Parties who are, or are to be, thereby aggrieved shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief in respect of its or their rights under this Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. The Parties agree that the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is waived. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are waived by each of the Parties.
Section 8.16. Amendments . No provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed waived, amended, supplemented or modified by a Party, unless such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized representative of the Party against whom it is sought to enforce such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification.
Section 8.17. Interpretation . In this Agreement, (a) words in the singular shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa and words of one gender shall be deemed to include the other genders as the context requires; (b) the terms hereof, herein, and herewith and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole (including all of the Schedules, Exhibits and Appendices hereto and thereto) and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; (c) Article, Section, Schedule, Exhibit and Appendix references are to the Articles, Sections, Schedules, Exhibits and Appendices to this Agreement unless otherwise specified; (d) unless otherwise stated, all references to any agreement (including this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement) shall be deemed to include the exhibits, schedules and annexes (including all Schedules, Exhibits and Appendixes) to such agreement; (e) the word including and words of similar import when used in this Agreement (or the applicable Ancillary Agreement) shall mean including, without limitation, unless otherwise specified; (f) the word or shall not be exclusive; (g) unless otherwise specified in a particular case, the word days refers to calendar days; (h) references to business day shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions are generally authorized or required by law to
close in the United States or Memphis, Tennessee; (i) references herein to this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein shall be deemed to refer to this Agreement or such other agreement as of the date on which it is executed and as it may be amended, modified or supplemented thereafter, unless otherwise specified; and (j) unless expressly stated to the contrary in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, all references to the date hereof, the date of this Agreement, hereby and hereupon and words of similar import shall all be references to [ · ].
Section 8.18. Limitations of Liability . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither SpinCo or any member of the SpinCo Group, on the one hand, nor Parent or any member of the Parent Group, on the other hand, shall be liable under this Agreement to the other for any indirect, incidental, punitive, exemplary, remote, speculative or similar damages in excess of compensatory damages of the other arising in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (other than any such Liability with respect to a Third-Party Claim).
Section 8.19. Mutual Drafting . This Agreement shall be deemed to be the joint work product of the Parties and any rule of construction that a document shall be interpreted or construed against a drafter of such document shall not be applicable.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Employee Matters Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first written above.
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AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
AHS HOLDING COMPANY, INC.
AHS Holding Company, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the Corporation ), does hereby certify as follows:
A. The name of the Corporation is AHS Holding Company, Inc.
B. The date of the filing of the Corporations original certificate of incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware was January 2, 2018.
C. This amended and restated certificate of incorporation amends and restates in its entirety the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation (the certificate of incorporation ), and has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware by the written consent of the sole stockholder of the Corporation in accordance with Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the DGCL ).
D. The text of the certificate of incorporation is hereby amended and restated to read herein as set forth in full.
E. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be effective at [ · ] Eastern Standard Time on [ · ] the ( Effective Date ).
FIRST . Name . The name of the Corporation is [ · ].
SECOND . Registered Office . The Corporations registered office in the State of Delaware is c/o The Corporation Trust Company, The Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware 19801. The name of the Corporations registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.
THIRD . Purpose . The nature of the business of the Corporation and its purpose is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.
FOURTH . Capital Stock . The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 2,200,000,000, consisting of: (x) 2,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Common Stock ), and (y) 200,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Preferred Stock ), issuable in one or more series as hereinafter provided. The number of authorized shares of the Common Stock or Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL or any corresponding provision hereinafter enacted.
1. Provisions Relating to the Common Stock .
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or by the DGCL, each holder of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled, with respect to each share of Common Stock held by such holder, to one vote in person or by proxy on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Common Stock, whether voting separately as a class or otherwise.
(b) Subject to any rights granted to holders of shares of any class or series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions in cash, property, stock or otherwise as may be declared thereon by the Board of Directors at any time and from time to time out of assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.
(c) In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, and subject to any rights granted to holders of shares of any class or series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them.
2. Provisions Relating to the Preferred Stock .
(a) The Preferred Stock may be issued at any time and from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors is hereby authorized to provide for the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series and, by filing a certificate of designation pursuant to the applicable provisions of the DGCL (hereinafter referred to as a Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation ), to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and the relative participating, optional or other rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, of shares of each such series. The authority of the Board of Directors with respect to each series shall include, but not be limited to, determination of the following:
(i) The designation of the series, which may be by distinguishing number, letter or title.
(ii) The number of shares of the series, which number the Board of Directors may thereafter (except where otherwise provided in the Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation) increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding).
(iii) Whether dividends, if any, shall be cumulative or noncumulative and the dividend rate of the series.
(iv) The dates on which dividends, if any, shall be payable.
(v) The redemption rights and price or prices, if any, for shares of the series.
(vi) The terms and amount of any sinking fund provided for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series.
(vii) The amounts payable on, and the preferences, if any, of, shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.
(viii) Whether the shares of the series shall be convertible into shares of any other class or series, or any other security, of the Corporation or any other corporation, and, if so, the specification of such other class or series of such other security, the conversion price or prices or rate or rates, any adjustments thereof, the date or dates at which such shares shall be convertible and all other terms and conditions upon which such conversion may be made.
(ix) Restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same series or of any other class or series.
(x) The voting rights, if any, of the holders of shares of the series.
(b) The Common Stock shall be subject to the express terms of the Preferred Stock and any series thereof.
(c) The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the person in whose name any share of its stock is registered as the owner thereof for all purposes and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such share on the part of any other person, whether or not the Corporation shall have notice thereof, except as expressly provided by applicable law.
3. Voting in Election of Directors . Except as may be required by the DGCL or as provided in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or in a Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation, holders of Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and for all other purposes, and holders of Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any matter or receive notice of any meeting of stockholders at which they are not entitled to vote.
4. Cumulative Voting . Except as otherwise may be set forth in the resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors providing the issue of a series of Preferred Stock, and then only with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, cumulative voting in the election of directors is specifically denied.
FIFTH . Management of Corporation . The following provisions are inserted for the management of the business, for the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation and for the
purpose of creating, defining, limiting and regulating the powers of the Corporation and its directors and stockholders:
1. Management of the Corporation . Except as otherwise may be provided by law, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.
2. Number of Directors . Subject to any rights granted to holders of shares of any class or series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, the number of directors which shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of directors then in office.
3. Classes of Directors . The directors of the Corporation, subject to any rights granted to holders of shares of any class or series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, shall be divided into three classes designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class shall consist, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of such directors. Class I directors shall initially serve for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation following the Effective Date, Class II directors shall initially serve for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the Effective Date and Class III directors shall initially serve for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the Effective Date. Directors of each class shall hold office until the annual meeting at which his or her term expires and until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified, or his or her death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office. At the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders, the directors whose terms expire at that meeting shall be elected to hold office for a three-year term expiring at the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal; at the 2020 and 2021 annual meetings of stockholders, the directors whose terms expire at such meetings shall be elected to hold office for a one-year term expiring, respectively, at the 2021 and 2022 annual meetings of stockholders and until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal; and at the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders and each annual meeting of stockholders thereafter, all directors shall be elected to hold office for a one-year term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Pursuant to such procedures, effective as of the conclusion of the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders (the Declassification Time ), the Board of Directors will no longer be classified under Section 141(d) of the DGCL and directors shall no longer be divided into three classes. Prior to the Declassification Time, if the number of directors is changed, any newly created directorships or decrease in directorships shall be so apportioned among the classes as to make all classes as nearly equal in number as practicable, but in no case will a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director.
4. Stockholder Nomination of Director Candidates . Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation.
5. Newly-Created Directorships and Vacancies . Subject to any rights granted to the holders of shares of any class or series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors or any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or any other cause may be filled, so long as there is at least one remaining director, only by the Board of Directors, provided that a quorum is then in office and present, or by a majority of the directors then in office, if less than a quorum is then in office, or by the sole remaining director. Directors elected to fill a newly created directorship or other vacancies shall hold office until such directors successor has been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal as hereinafter provided.
6. Removal of Directors . Subject to any rights granted to the holders of shares of any class or series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, prior to the Declassification Time any director may be removed from office at any time only for cause, at a meeting called for that purpose, but only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (66 2 / 3 %) of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. From and after the Declassification Time, subject to any rights granted to the holders of shares of any class or series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, any director may be removed from office at any time with or without cause, at a meeting called for that purpose, but only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (66 2 / 3 %) of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
7. Limitation of Liability . To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as it now exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than permitted prior thereto), no director of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages arising from a breach of fiduciary duty owed to the Corporation or its stockholders. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing sentence shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.
8. Right to Indemnification . Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved (including involvement, without limitation, as a witness) in any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a proceeding ), by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as an employee or agent of the Corporation or as a director, officer, partner, member, trustee, administrator, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture,
limited liability company, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an indemnitee ), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director or officer or in any other capacity while serving as a director or officer, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than permitted prior thereto), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys fees and related disbursements, judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time ( ERISA ), penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitees heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 7 of this Article FIFTH with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The right to indemnification conferred in this Section 7 of this Article FIFTH shall be a contract right and shall include the obligation of the Corporation to pay the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (an advance of expenses ); provided, however, that an advance of expenses incurred by an indemnitee shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (an undertaking ), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (a final adjudication ) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section 7 or otherwise. The Corporation may, by action of its Board of Directors, provide indemnification to employees and agents of the Corporation with the same or lesser scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification of directors and officers.
9. Procedure for Indemnification . Any indemnification of a director or officer of the Corporation or advance of expenses (including attorneys fees, costs and charges) under Section 7 of this Article FIFTH shall be made promptly, and in any event within forty-five days (or, in the case of an advance of expenses, twenty days, provided that the director or officer has delivered the undertaking contemplated by Section 7 of this Article FIFTH), upon the written request of the director or officer. If a determination by the Corporation that the director or officer is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article FIFTH is required, and the Corporation fails to respond within sixty days to a written request for indemnity, the Corporation shall be deemed to have approved the request. If the Corporation denies a written request for indemnification or advance of expenses, in whole or in part, or if payment in full pursuant to such request is not made within forty-five days (or, in the case of an advance of expenses, twenty days, provided that the director or officer has delivered the undertaking contemplated by Section 7 of this Article FIFTH), the right to indemnification or advances as granted by this Article FIFTH shall be enforceable by the director or officer in any court of competent jurisdiction. Such persons costs and expenses incurred in connection with successfully
establishing his or her right to indemnification, in whole or in part, in any such action shall also be indemnified by the Corporation. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for the advance of expenses where the undertaking required pursuant to Section 7 of this Article FIFTH, if any, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the Delaware General Corporation Law for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because such person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct. The procedure for indemnification of other employees and agents for whom indemnification is provided pursuant to Section 7 of this Article FIFTH shall be the same procedure set forth in this Section 8 for directors or officers, unless otherwise set forth in the action of the Board of Directors providing indemnification for such employee or agent.
10. Insurance . The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on its own behalf and on behalf of any person who is or was or has agreed to become a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expenses, liability or loss under the DGCL.
11. Service for Subsidiaries . Any person serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other enterprise, at least 50% of whose equity interests are owned by the Corporation (a subsidiary for this Article FIFTH) shall be conclusively presumed to be serving in such capacity at the request of the Corporation.
12. Reliance . Persons who after the date of the adoption of this Article FIFTH become or remain directors or officers of the Corporation or who, while a director or officer of the Corporation, become or remain a director, officer, employee or agent of a subsidiary, shall be conclusively presumed to have relied on the rights to indemnity, advance of expenses and other rights contained in this Article FIFTH in entering into or continuing such service. The rights to indemnification and to the advance of expenses conferred in this Article FIFTH shall apply to claims made against an indemnitee arising out of acts or omissions which occurred or occur both prior and subsequent to the adoption hereof.
13. Other Rights; Continuation of Right to Indemnification . The rights to indemnification and to the advance of expenses conferred in this Article FIFTH shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or under any statute, bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. All rights to indemnification under this Article FIFTH shall be deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and each director or officer of the Corporation who serves or served in such capacity at any time while this Article FIFTH is in effect. Any repeal or modification of this Article FIFTH or any repeal or modification of relevant provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law or any other applicable laws shall not in any way diminish any rights to indemnification of such director or officer or the obligations of the Corporation arising hereunder with respect to any proceeding arising out of, or relating to, any actions, transactions or facts occurring prior to the final adoption of such modification or repeal.
14. Merger or Consolidation . For purposes of this Article FIFTH, references to the Corporation shall include, in addition to the resulting Corporation, any constituent Corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another Corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this Article FIFTH with respect to the resulting or surviving Corporation as he or she would have with respect to such constituent Corporation if its separate existence had continued.
15. Savings Clause . If this Article FIFTH or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each person entitled to indemnification under Section 7 of this Article FIFTH as to all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys fees and related disbursements, judgments, penalties, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties, and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such person and for which indemnification is available to such person pursuant to this Article FIFTH to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Article FIFTH that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
SIXTH . Stockholder Action by Written Consent . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken only upon the vote of the stockholders at an annual or special meeting duly called and may not be taken by written consent of the stockholders.
SEVENTH . Special Meetings . Except as otherwise required by law and subject to any rights granted to holders of shares of any class or series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation for any purpose or purposes may be called only by the Chairman of the Board of Directors or pursuant to a resolution of the
Board of Directors adopted by at least a majority of the total number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies. The stockholders of the Corporation shall not have the power to call a special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation or to request the Secretary of the Corporation to call a special meeting of the stockholders.
EIGHTH . Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation . The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in the manner now or hereafter prescribed herein and by the DGCL, and all rights herein conferred upon stockholders or directors are granted subject to this reservation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation, and notwithstanding that a lesser percentage or separate class vote may be specified by applicable law or otherwise, no provision of Articles FIFTH, SIXTH, SEVENTH, this Article EIGHTH and Articles NINTH and TENTH may be amended, altered or repealed in any respect, nor may any provision or bylaw inconsistent therewith be adopted, unless in addition to any other vote required by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, any Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation or otherwise required by law, an amendment, alteration or repeal of Articles FIFTH, SIXTH, SEVENTH, this Article EIGHTH and Articles NINTH and TENTH is approved at a meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose by, in addition to any other vote required by law or otherwise, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (66 2 / 3 %) of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock then entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
NINTH . Amendment of the Bylaws . In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by applicable law, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation, without the assent or vote of stockholders of the Corporation. Any amendment, alteration or repeal of the Bylaws of the Corporation by the Board of Directors shall require the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the directors then in office. In addition to any other vote otherwise required by law, the stockholders of the Corporation may amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation, provided that any such action will require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (66 2 / 3 %) of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
TENTH . Exclusive Jurisdiction for Certain Actions . Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation; (ii) any action asserting a claim for or based on a breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director or officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or to the Corporations stockholders, including a claim alleging the aiding and abetting of such a breach of fiduciary duty; (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any current or former director or officer or other employee of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation (as either may be amended from time to time); (iv) any action asserting a claim related to or involving the Corporation that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine; or (v) any action asserting an internal corporate claim as that term is defined in Section 115 of the DGCL
shall be a state court located within the State of Delaware (or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal court for the District of Delaware).
AHS HOLDING COMPANY, INC.
BYLAWS
Table of Contents
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ARTICLE I |
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MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS |
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Section 1.01. |
Annual Meetings |
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Section 1.02. |
Special Meetings |
1 |
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Section 1.03. |
Participation in Meetings by Remote Communication |
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Section 1.04. |
Notice of Meetings; Waiver of Notice |
1 |
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Section 1.05. |
Proxies |
2 |
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Section 1.06. |
Voting Lists |
3 |
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Section 1.07. |
Quorum |
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Section 1.08. |
Voting |
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Section 1.09. |
Adjournment |
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Section 1.10. |
Organization; Procedure; Inspection of Elections |
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Section 1.11. |
Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting |
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Section 1.12. |
Notice of Stockholder Proposals and Nominations |
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ARTICLE II |
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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Section 2.01. |
General Powers |
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Section 2.02. |
Number and Term of Office |
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Section 2.03. |
Classification; Election of Directors |
11 |
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Section 2.04. |
Regular Meetings |
11 |
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Section 2.05. |
Special Meetings |
12 |
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Section 2.06. |
Notice of Meetings; Waiver of Notice |
12 |
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Section 2.07. |
Quorum; Voting |
12 |
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Section 2.08. |
Action by Telephonic Communications |
12 |
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Section 2.09. |
Adjournment |
12 |
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Section 2.10. |
Action Without a Meeting |
13 |
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Section 2.11. |
Regulations |
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Section 2.12. |
Resignations of Directors |
13 |
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Section 2.13. |
Removal of Directors |
13 |
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Section 2.14. |
Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships |
13 |
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Section 2.15. |
Compensation |
13 |
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Section 2.16. |
Reliance on Accounts and Reports, etc. |
13 |
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ARTICLE III |
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COMMITTEES |
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Section 3.01. |
How Constituted |
14 |
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Section 3.02. |
Members and Alternate Members |
14 |
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Section 3.03. |
Committee Procedures |
14 |
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Section 3.04. |
Meetings and Actions of Committees |
14 |
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Section 3.05. |
Resignations and Removals |
15 |
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Section 3.06. |
Vacancies |
15 |
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ARTICLE IV |
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OFFICERS |
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Section 4.01. |
Officers |
15 |
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Section 4.02. |
Election |
15 |
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Section 4.03. |
Compensation |
15 |
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Section 4.04. |
Removal and Resignation; Vacancies |
15 |
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Section 4.05. |
Authority and Duties of Officers |
16 |
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Section 4.06. |
Chief Executive Officer |
16 |
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Section 4.07. |
Presidents |
16 |
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Section 4.08. |
Vice Presidents |
16 |
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Section 4.09. |
Secretary |
17 |
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Section 4.10. |
Treasurer |
17 |
ARTICLE V |
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CAPITAL STOCK |
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Section 5.01. |
Uncertificated Shares |
18 |
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Section 5.02. |
Registered Stockholders |
18 |
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Section 5.03. |
Transfer Agent and Registrar |
19 |
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ARTICLE VI |
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INDEMNIFICATION |
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Section 6.01. |
Indemnification |
19 |
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ARTICLE VII |
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OFFICES |
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Section 7.01. |
Registered Office |
22 |
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Section 7.02. |
Other Offices |
23 |
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ARTICLE VIII |
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GENERAL PROVISIONS |
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Section 8.01. |
Dividends |
23 |
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Section 8.02. |
Reliance on Reports and Experts |
23 |
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Section 8.03. |
Reserves |
23 |
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Section 8.04. |
Execution of Instruments |
23 |
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Section 8.05. |
Voting as Stockholder |
23 |
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Section 8.06. |
Fiscal Year |
23 |
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Section 8.07. |
Seal |
24 |
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Section 8.08. |
Books and Records; Inspection |
24 |
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Section 8.09. |
Electronic Transmission |
24 |
ARTICLE IX |
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AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS |
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Section 9.01. |
Amendment |
24 |
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ARTICLE X |
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CONSTRUCTION |
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Section 10.01. |
Construction |
24 |
AHS HOLDING COMPANY, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
As amended and restated effective [ · ], 2018.
ARTICLE I
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1.01. Annual Meetings . The annual meeting of the stockholders of [ · ] (the Corporation ) for the election of directors to succeed directors whose terms expire and for the transaction of such other business as properly may come before such meeting shall be held each year either within or without the State of Delaware, on such date and at such place, if any, and time as exclusively may be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Corporations Board of Directors (the Board ) and set forth in the notice or waiver of notice of the meeting. The Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any annual meeting of stockholders previously scheduled by the Board.
Section 1.02. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only in the manner set forth in the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation as then in effect (as the same may be amended from time to time, the Certificate of Incorporation ). Notice of every special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall state the purpose or purposes of such meeting. Except as otherwise required by law, the business conducted at a special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation shall be limited exclusively to the business set forth in the Corporations notice of meeting, and the individual or group calling such meeting shall have exclusive authority to determine the business included in such notice. Any special meeting of the stockholders shall be held either within or without the State of Delaware, at such place, if any, and on such date and time, as shall be specified in the notice of such special meeting. The Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any special meeting of stockholders previously scheduled by the Board.
Section 1.03. Participation in Meetings by Remote Communication . The Board, acting in its sole discretion, may establish guidelines and procedures in accordance with applicable provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time (the DGCL ), and any other applicable law for the participation by stockholders and proxyholders in a meeting of stockholders by means of remote communications, and may determine that any meeting of stockholders will not be held at any place but will be held solely by means of remote communication. Stockholders and proxyholders complying with such procedures and guidelines and otherwise entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be deemed present in person and entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication.
Section 1.04. Notice of Meetings; Waiver of Notice .
(a) The Secretary or any Assistant Secretary shall cause notice of each meeting of stockholders to be given in writing in a manner permitted by the DGCL not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote
at such meeting, subject to such exclusions as are then permitted by the DGCL. The notice shall specify (i) the place, if any, date and time of such meeting, (ii) the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, (iii) in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which such meeting is called and (iv) such other information as may be required by law or as may be deemed appropriate by the Chairman of the Board, Secretary or the Board. If the stockholder list referred to in Section 1.06 of these Bylaws is made accessible on an electronic network, the notice of meeting must indicate how the stockholder list can be accessed. If the meeting of stockholders is to be held solely by means of electronic communications, the notice of meeting must provide the information required to access such stockholder list during the meeting.
(b) A written waiver of notice of meeting signed by a stockholder or a waiver by electronic transmission by a stockholder, whether given before or after the meeting time stated in such notice, is deemed equivalent to notice. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders need be specified in a waiver of notice. Attendance of a stockholder at a meeting is a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the stockholder attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business at the meeting on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
Section 1.05. Proxies .
(a) Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent to or dissent from corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy.
(b) A stockholder may authorize a valid proxy by executing a written instrument signed by such stockholder, or by causing his or her signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means, including but not limited to facsimile signature, or transmission or authorization of an electronic transmission (as defined in Section 8.09 of these Bylaws) setting forth an authorization to act as proxy to the person designated as the holder of the proxy, a proxy solicitation firm or a like authorized agent. Proxies by electronic transmission must either set forth, or be submitted with, information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder. Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of a writing or transmission created pursuant to this section may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used if such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction is a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.
(c) No proxy may be voted or acted upon after the expiration of three years from the date of such proxy, unless such proxy provides for a longer period. Every proxy is revocable at the pleasure of the stockholder executing it unless the proxy states that it is irrevocable and applicable law makes it irrevocable. A stockholder may revoke any proxy that is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by filing an instrument in
writing revoking the proxy or by filing another duly executed proxy bearing a later date with the Secretary.
Section 1.06. Voting Lists . The officer of the Corporation who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare, at least 10 days before every meeting of the stockholders (and before any adjournment thereof for which a new record date has been set), a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. This list, which may be in any format including electronic format, shall be open to the examination of any stockholder prior to and during the meeting for any purpose germane to the meeting as required by the DGCL or other applicable law. The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled by this section to examine the list required by this section or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.
Section 1.07. Quorum . Except as otherwise required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of record of a majority of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting, except that when specified business is to be voted on by a class or series of stock voting as a class, the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of such class or series shall constitute a quorum of such class or series for the transaction of such business. The stockholders present at a duly called meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.
Section 1.08. Voting .
(a) Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or by applicable law, every holder of record of shares entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders is entitled to one vote for each share outstanding in his or her name on the books of the Corporation (i) at the close of business on the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting or (ii) if no record date has been fixed, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice of the meeting is given, or if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the day on which the meeting is held. All matters at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be decided by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of stock present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter in question, except as otherwise provided in Section 1.08(b) of these Bylaws with respect to the election of directors or unless a different or minimum vote is required by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation, or any law or regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities, in which case such different or minimum vote shall be the applicable vote on the matter.
(b) Each director nominee in an uncontested election of directors (i.e., an election in which the number of director nominees does not exceed the number of directors to be elected at the meeting) shall be elected to the Board by the vote of a majority of the votes cast with respect to such director nominees election. In any contested election of directors (i.e., an election in which the number of director nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected
at the meeting), directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast. For purposes of this section, a majority of votes cast means that the number of shares voted for a director nominee must exceed the number of votes cast against that director nominees election. Abstentions and broker non-votes shall not be counted as votes cast with respect to a director nominees election. Following certification of the stockholder vote in an uncontested election, any incumbent director who did not receive a majority of votes cast for his or her election shall promptly tender his or her resignation, contingent upon acceptance of such resignation by the Board in accordance with this Section 1.08(b), to the Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall inform the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of such tender of resignation, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall consider such resignation and recommend to the Board whether to accept the tendered resignation or reject it or whether any other action should be taken. In deciding upon its recommendation, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall consider all relevant factors, including without limitation the qualifications of the director who has tendered his or her resignation and the directors contribution to the Corporation and the Board. The Board will act on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee no later than 90 days after the certification of the stockholder vote and disclose the decision by filing a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board shall consider the factors considered by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and such additional information and factors that the Board deems relevant. An incumbent director who tenders his or her resignation to the Board pursuant to this Section 1.08(b) will not participate in the decision of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee or the Board. The stockholders do not have the right to cumulate their votes for the election of directors.
Section 1.09. Adjournment . Any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned from time to time, by the chairperson of the meeting or by the vote of a majority of the shares of stock present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting, to reconvene at the same or some other place, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the place, if any, and date and time thereof (and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting) are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken unless the adjournment is for more than 30 days or a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting after the adjournment, in which case notice of the adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 1.04 of these Bylaws shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. At the adjourned meeting, the Corporation may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting.
Section 1.10. Organization; Procedure; Inspection of Elections .
(a) At every meeting of stockholders, the presiding person shall be the Chairman of the Board or, in the event of his or her absence or disability, the Chief Executive Officer or, in the event of his or her absence or disability, a presiding person chosen by resolution of the Board. The Secretary or, in the event of his or her absence or disability, the Assistant Secretary, if any, or, if there be no Assistant Secretary, in the absence of the Secretary, an appointee of the presiding person, shall act as secretary of the meeting. The Board may make such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of stockholders as it shall deem necessary,
appropriate or convenient. Subject to any such rules and regulations, the presiding officer of any meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe rules, regulations and procedures for such meeting and to take all such actions as in the judgment of the presiding officer are appropriate for the proper conduct of such meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the presiding person of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders or records of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the presiding person of the meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. The presiding person at any meeting of stockholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a matter or business was not properly brought before the meeting and if such presiding person should so determine, such presiding person shall so declare to the meeting and any such matter of business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted or considered. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the person presiding over the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.
(b) Preceding any meeting of the stockholders, the Board may, and when required by law shall, appoint one or more persons to act as inspectors of elections, and may designate one or more alternate inspectors. If no inspector or alternate so appointed by the Board is able to act, or if no inspector or alternate has been appointed and the appointment of an inspector is required by law, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. No director or nominee for the office of director shall be appointed as an inspector of elections. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of the duties of an inspector, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall discharge their duties in accordance with the requirements of applicable law.
Section 1.11. Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting . Stockholders may not take any action by written consent in lieu of action at an annual or special meeting of stockholders.
Section 1.12. Notice of Stockholder Proposals and Nominations .
(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders .
(i) Nominations of persons for election to the Board and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only (A) pursuant to the Corporations notice of the meeting (or any supplement thereto) delivered pursuant to Section 1.04 of these Bylaws, (B) by or at the direction of the Board or a committee of the Board appointed by the Board for such purpose or (C) by any stockholder of the Corporation who is entitled to vote at the meeting, who complies with the notice procedures set forth in clauses (ii) and (iii) of this Section 1.12(a) and who is a stockholder of record at the time such notice is delivered to
the Secretary and at the date of the meeting. Clause (C) of the preceding sentence shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or propose other business to be considered at an annual meeting of stockholders (other than matters properly brought under Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act ), and included in the Corporations notice of meeting).
(ii) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to subclause (C) of Section 1.12(a)(i) of these Bylaws, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary and, in the case of business other than nominations for persons for election to the Board, such other business must constitute a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholders notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting; provided , however , that in the event that (x) the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days or delayed by more than 70 days from such anniversary date of the preceding years annual meeting or (y) no annual meeting was held during the preceding year, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting and the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. To be in proper form, a stockholders notice (whether given pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) or paragraph (b) of this Section 1.12 of these Bylaws) to the Secretary must: (A) set forth, as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, (1) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporations books, and of such beneficial owner, if any, (2) (I) the class or series and number of shares of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner; (II) any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of capital stock of the Corporation or otherwise (a Derivative Instrument ) directly or indirectly owned beneficially by such stockholder and any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation; (III) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding, or relationship pursuant to which such stockholder has a right to vote any shares of any security of the Corporation; (IV) any short interest in any security of the Corporation (for purposes of this Section 1.12, a person shall be deemed to have a short interest in a security if such person directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the value of such security); (V) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such stockholder that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation; (VI) any interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such stockholder is a general partner or, directly or indirectly,
beneficially owns an interest in a general partner; and (VII) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such stockholder is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, as of the date of such notice, including without limitation any interests in such fees held by members of such stockholders immediate family sharing the same household, and (3) any other information relating to such stockholder and beneficial owner, that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; (B) set forth, if the notice relates to any business other than a nomination of a director or directors that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting (1) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest of such stockholder and beneficial owner, in such business and (2) a description of any agreements, arrangements and understandings between such stockholder and beneficial owner, and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder; (C) set forth, as to any person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director (1) all information relating to such person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (including such persons written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected) and (2) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among such stockholder and beneficial owner, and such owners affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert with any such affiliates and associates, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert with any such affiliates and associates, on the other hand, including without limitation all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 promulgated under Regulation S-K if the stockholder making the nomination or any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made, or any affiliate or associate of either thereof, or person acting in concert with either thereof, were the registrant for purposes of such rule and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant; and (D) with respect to each nominee for election to the Board of Directors, include a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement as required by Section 1.12(d). The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholders understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee. A stockholder providing notice of a proposed nomination for election to the Board or other business proposed to be brought before a meeting (whether given pursuant to this paragraph (a)(ii) or paragraph (b) of this Section 1.12 of these Bylaws) shall update and supplement such notice from time to time to the extent necessary so that the information provided or required to be provided in
such notice shall be true and correct (x) as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting and (y) as of the date that is 15 days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, provided that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting is less than 15 days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, the information shall be supplemented and updated as of such later date. Any such update and supplement shall be delivered in writing to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than 5 days after the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting (in the case of any update and supplement required to be made as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting), not later than 10 days prior to the date for the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof (in the case of any update or supplement required to be made as of 15 days prior to the meeting or adjournment or postponement thereof) and not later than 5 days after the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, but no later than the date prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof (in the case of any update and supplement required to be made as of a date less than 15 days prior the date of the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof). In addition, a stockholder seeking to bring an item of business before the annual meeting shall promptly provide any other information reasonably requested by the Corporation.
(iii) Notwithstanding anything in Section 1.12(a)(ii) of these Bylaws to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board at an annual meeting is increased and (A) there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board made by the Corporation at least 100 calendar days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting or (B) no annual meeting was held during the preceding year, then a stockholders notice under this Section 1.12(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it is received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.
(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders . Only such business as shall have been brought before the special meeting of the stockholders pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting shall be conducted at such meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting (A) by or at the direction of the Board or a Committee appointed by the Board for such purpose or (B) provided that the Board has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is entitled to vote at the meeting, who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 1.12(b) and who is a stockholder of record at the time such notice is delivered to the Secretary and at the date of the meeting (such a stockholder, a Qualifying Stockholder ). In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors of the Corporation, a Qualifying Stockholder may nominate a person or persons, as the case may be, for election to such position(s) as specified by the Corporation, if the stockholders notice as required by Section 1.12(a)(ii) of these Bylaws shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the 120th day prior to such special
meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting and the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a Qualifying Stockholders notice as described above.
(c) General .
(i) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1.12 shall be eligible to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at an annual or special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the presiding officer of a meeting of stockholders shall have the power and duty (A) to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1.12 (including whether the stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, solicited (or is part of a group which solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies in support of such stockholders nominee or proposal in compliance with such stockholders representation as required by clause (a)(ii)(C)(4) of this Section 1.12), and (B) if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with this Section 1.12, to declare that such defective nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed business shall not be transacted.
(ii) If the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) making a nomination or proposal under this Section 1.12 does not appear at a meeting of stockholders to present such nomination or proposal, the nomination shall be disregarded and/or the proposed business shall not be transacted, as the case may be, notwithstanding that proxies in favor thereof may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 1.12, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.
(A) Whenever used in these Bylaws, public announcement shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.12, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth
in this Section 1.12. Nothing in this Section 1.12 shall be deemed to affect any rights of (x) stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporations proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or (y) the holders of any series of preferred stock pursuant to any applicable provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or of the relevant preferred stock certificate of designation.
(C) The announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual or special meeting does not commence a new time period (and does not extend any time period) for the giving of notice of a stockholder nomination or a stockholder proposal as described above.
(d) Submission of Questionnaire, Representation and Agreement . To be eligible to be a nominee for election or reelection as a director of the Corporation, a person must deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under this Section 1.12) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such person and the background of any other person or entity making the nomination or on whose behalf the nomination is being made (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request) and a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request) that such person: (1) is not and will not become a party to (a) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a Voting Commitment ) that has not been disclosed therein or (b) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such persons ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such persons fiduciary duties under applicable law; (2) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed therein; (3) if the Board so requires, agrees to purchase within 90 days if elected as a director of the Corporation, a specified number of common shares of the Corporation ( Qualifying Shares ) (subject to adjustment for any stock splits or stock dividends occurring after the date of such representation or agreement), will not dispose of such minimum number of shares so long as such person is a director, and has disclosed therein whether all or any portion of the Qualifying Shares were or will be purchased with any financial assistance provided by any other person, whether any other person has or will have any interest in the Qualifying Shares and, in each case, the name and address of such person; and (4) in such persons individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity making the nomination or on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Corporation, and will comply with all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation.
ARTICLE II
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 2.01. General Powers . Except as may otherwise be provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board. The directors shall act only as a Board, and the individual directors shall have no power as such.
Section 2.02. Number and Term of Office . The number of directors constituting the entire Board and the term of office for each director shall be as provided for in the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 2.03. Classification; Election of Directors . The directors of the Corporation, subject to any rights granted to holders of shares of any class or series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, shall be divided into three classes designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class shall consist, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of such directors. Class I directors shall initially serve for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation following the Effective Date, Class II directors shall initially serve for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the Effective Date and Class III directors shall initially serve for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the Effective Date. Directors of each class shall hold office until the annual meeting at which his or her term expires and until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified, or his or her death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office. At the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders, the directors whose terms expire at that meeting shall be elected to hold office for a three-year term expiring at the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal; at the 2020 and 2021 annual meetings of stockholders, the directors whose terms expire at such meetings shall be elected to hold office for a one-year term expiring, respectively, at the 2021 and 2022 annual meetings of stockholders and until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal; and at the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders and each annual meeting of stockholders thereafter, all directors shall be elected to hold office for a one-year term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Pursuant to such procedures, effective as of the conclusion of the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders (the Declassification Time ), the Board will no longer be classified under Section 141(d) of the DGCL and directors shall no longer be divided into three classes. Prior to the Declassification Time, if the number of directors is changed, any newly created directorships or decrease in directorships shall be so apportioned among the classes as to make all classes as nearly equal in number as practicable, but in no case will a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director.
Section 2.04. Regular Meetings . Regular meetings of the Board shall be held on such dates, and at such times and places, as are determined from time to time by resolution of the Board.
Section 2.05. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board shall be held whenever called by the Chairman of the Board or, in the event of his or her absence or disability, by the Secretary, or by a majority of the directors then in office, at such place, date and time as may be specified in the respective notices or waivers of notice of such meetings. Any business may be conducted at a special meeting.
Section 2.06. Notice of Meetings; Waiver of Notice .
(a) Notices of special meetings shall be given to each director, and notice of each resolution or other action affecting the date, time or place of one or more regular meetings shall be given to each director not present at the meeting adopting such resolution or other action, subject to Section 2.09 of these Bylaws. Notices shall be given personally, or by telephone confirmed by facsimile or email dispatched promptly thereafter, or by facsimile or email confirmed by a writing delivered by a recognized overnight courier service, directed to each director at the address from time to time designated by such director to the Secretary. Each such notice and confirmation must be given (received in the case of personal service or delivery of written confirmation) at least 24 hours prior to the time of a special meeting, and at least five days prior to the initial regular meeting affected by such resolution or other action, as the case may be.
(b) A written waiver of notice of meeting signed by a director or a waiver by electronic transmission by a director, whether given before or after the meeting time stated in such notice, is deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a director at a meeting is a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business at the meeting on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
Section 2.07. Quorum; Voting . At all meetings of the Board, the presence of a majority of the total authorized number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Except as otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board. The directors present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough directors to leave less than a quorum.
Section 2.08. Action by Telephonic Communications . Members of the Board may participate in a meeting of the Board by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this provision shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 2.09. Adjournment . A majority of the directors present may adjourn any meeting of the Board to another date, time or place, whether or not a quorum is present. No notice need be given of any adjourned meeting unless (a) the date, time and place of the adjourned meeting are not announced at the time of adjournment, in which case notice conforming to the requirements of Section 2.06 of these Bylaws applicable to special meetings shall be given to each director, or (b) the meeting is adjourned for more than 24 hours, in which
case the notice referred to in clause (a) shall be given to those directors not present at the announcement of the date, time and place of the adjourned meeting.
Section 2.10. Action Without a Meeting . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and such writing or writings or electronic transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.
Section 2.11. Regulations . To the extent consistent with applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation and these Bylaws, the Board may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of meetings of the Board and for the management of the affairs and business of the Corporation as the Board may deem appropriate. The Board may elect from among its members a chairperson (the Chairman ) and one or more vice-chairpersons to preside over meetings and to perform such other duties as may be designated by the Board. The Chairman shall not be an officer of the Corporation unless the Board of Directors shall elect him an officer pursuant to Section 4.01 of these Bylaws.
Section 2.12. Resignations of Directors . Any director may resign at any time by submitting an electronic transmission or by delivering a written notice of resignation, signed by such director, to the Chairman of the Board or the Secretary. Subject to Section 1.08(b) of these Bylaws, such resignation shall take effect upon delivery unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or an effective date determined upon the happening of a specified event.
Section 2.13. Removal of Directors . Directors may be removed in the manner set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.
Section 2.14. Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships . Any vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 2.15. Compensation . The directors shall be entitled to compensation for their services and reimbursement for expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their services.
Section 2.16. Reliance on Accounts and Reports, etc . A director, as such or as a member of any committee designated by the Board, shall in the performance of his or her duties be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Corporation and upon information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of the Corporations officers or employees, or committees designated by the Board, or by any other person as to the matters the member reasonably believes are within such other persons professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.
ARTICLE III
COMMITTEES
Section 3.01. How Constituted . The Board shall have an Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and such other committees as the Board may determine from time to time (collectively, the Committees ). Each Committee shall consist of such number of directors as from time to time may be fixed by a majority of the total number of directors then in office and shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation to the extent delegated to such Committee by the Board but no Committee shall have any power or authority as to (a) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter (other than the election or removal of directors) expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval, (b) adopting, amending or repealing any of these Bylaws or (c) as may otherwise be excluded by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation. Any Committee may be abolished or re-designated from time to time by the Board.
Section 3.02. Members and Alternate Members . The members of each Committee and any alternate members shall be selected by the Board. The Board may provide that the members and alternate members serve at the pleasure of the Board. An alternate member may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the Committee. An alternate member shall be given all notices of Committee meetings, may attend any meeting of the Committee, but may count towards a quorum and vote only if a member for whom such person is an alternate is absent or disqualified. Each member or alternate member of any Committee (whether designated at an annual meeting of the Board or to fill a vacancy or otherwise) shall hold office until his or her successor shall have been designated or until he or she shall cease to be a director, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.
Section 3.03. Committee Procedures . A quorum for each Committee shall be a majority of its members, unless the Committee has only one or two members, in which case a quorum shall be one member, or unless a greater quorum is established by the Board. The vote of a majority of the Committee members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Committee. Each Committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report to the Board when requested. The Board may adopt other rules and regulations for the government of any Committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these Bylaws, and each Committee may adopt its own rules and regulations of government, to the extent not inconsistent with these Bylaws or rules and regulations adopted by the Board.
Section 3.04. Meetings and Actions of Committees . Meetings and actions of each Committee shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of the following sections of these Bylaws, with such Bylaws being deemed to refer to the Committee and its members in lieu of the Board and its members:
(a) Section 2.04 (to the extent relating to place and time of regular meetings);
(b) Section 2.05 (relating to special meetings);
(c) Section 2.06 (relating to notice and waiver of notice);
(d) Sections 2.08 and 2.10 (relating to telephonic communication and action without a meeting); and
(e) Section 2.09 (relating to adjournment and notice of adjournment).
Special meetings of Committees may also be called by resolution of the Board.
Section 3.05. Resignations and Removals . Any member (and any alternate member) of any Committee may resign from such position at any time by delivering a written notice of resignation, signed by such member, to the Chairman of the Board or the Secretary. Unless otherwise specified therein, such resignation shall take effect upon delivery. Any member (and any alternate member) of any Committee may be removed from such position by the Board at any time, either for or without cause.
Section 3.06. Vacancies . If a vacancy occurs in any Committee for any reason, the remaining members (and any alternate members) may continue to act if a quorum is present. A Committee vacancy may be filled only by the Board.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 4.01. Officers . The Board shall elect a Chief Executive Officer and a Secretary as officers of the Corporation. The Board may also elect a Treasurer, one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers, and such other officers and agents as the Board may determine (including a Chief Financial Officer). In addition, the Board from time to time may delegate to any officer the power to appoint subordinate officers or agents and to prescribe their respective rights, terms of office, authorities and duties. Any action by an appointing officer may be superseded by action by the Board. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, except that one person may not hold both the office of Chief Executive Officer and the office of Secretary. No officer need be a director of the Corporation.
Section 4.02. Election . The officers of the Corporation elected by the Board shall serve at the pleasure of the Board. Officers and agents appointed pursuant to delegated authority as provided in Section 4.01 (or, in the case of agents, as provided in Section 4.06) shall hold their offices for such terms as may be determined from time to time by the appointing officer. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor has been elected or appointed and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.
Section 4.03. Compensation . The salaries and other compensation of all officers and agents of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board or in the manner established by the Board.
Section 4.04. Removal and Resignation; Vacancies . Any officer may be removed for or without cause at any time by the Board. Any officer granted the power to appoint subordinate officers and agents as provided in Section 4.01 may remove any subordinate
officer or agent appointed by such officer, for or without cause. Any officer or agent may resign at any time by delivering notice of resignation, either in writing signed by such officer or by electronic transmission, to the Board or the Chief Executive Officer. Unless otherwise specified therein, such resignation shall take effect upon delivery. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation by death, resignation, removal or otherwise, may be filled by the Board or by the officer, if any, who appointed the person formerly holding such office.
Section 4.05. Authority and Duties of Officers . An officer of the Corporation shall have such authority and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties (a) as may be required by law, (b) to the extent not inconsistent with law, as are specified in these Bylaws, (c) to the extent not inconsistent with law or these Bylaws, as may be specified by resolution of the Board and (d) to the extent not inconsistent with any of the foregoing, as may be specified by the appointing officer with respect to a subordinate officer appointed pursuant to delegated authority under Section 4.01.
Section 4.06. Chief Executive Officer . The Chief Executive Officer shall, unless otherwise provided by the Board, be the chief executive officer of the Corporation, shall have general control and supervision of the policies and operations of the Corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect. Unless otherwise provided by the Board, he or she shall manage and administer the Corporations business and affairs and shall also perform all duties and exercise all powers usually pertaining to the office of a chief executive officer, president or a chief operating officer of a corporation. He or she shall have the authority to sign, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, checks, orders, contracts, leases, notes, drafts and all other documents and instruments in connection with the business of the Corporation. He or she shall have the authority to cause the employment or appointment of such employees or agents of the Corporation as the conduct of the business of the Corporation may require, to fix their compensation, and to remove or suspend any employee or any agent employed or appointed by any officer or to suspend any agent appointed by the Board. The Chief Executive Officer shall have the duties and powers of the Treasurer if no Treasurer is elected and shall have such other duties and powers as the Board may from time to time prescribe.
Section 4.07. Presidents . If one or more Presidents have been elected, each President shall act in a general executive capacity, shall assist the Chief Executive Office in the administration and operation of the Corporations business and the general supervision of its policies and affairs and shall perform such duties and exercise such powers as may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer. In the event of absence or disability of the Chief Executive Officer, the duties of the Chief Executive Officer shall be performed, and his or her powers may be exercised, by such President as shall be designated by the Board or, failing such designation, by the President in order of seniority of election to that office.
Section 4.08. Vice Presidents . If one or more Vice Presidents have been elected, each Vice President shall perform such duties and exercise such powers as may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer. In the event of absence or disability of the Chief Executive Officer and in the absence of one or more individuals being elected as Presidents, the duties of the Chief Executive Officer shall be
performed, and his or her powers may be exercised, by such Vice President as shall be designated by the Board or, failing such designation, by the Vice President in order of seniority of election to that office.
Section 4.09. Secretary . Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Secretary shall have the following powers and duties:
(a) The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept a record of all the proceedings of the meetings of the stockholders, the Board and any Committees thereof in books provided for that purpose.
(b) The Secretary shall cause all notices to be duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws and as required by law.
(c) Whenever any Committee shall be appointed pursuant to a resolution of the Board, the Secretary shall furnish a copy of such resolution to the members of such Committee.
(d) The Secretary shall be the custodian of the records and of the seal of the Corporation and cause such seal (or a facsimile thereof) to be affixed to all certificates representing shares of the Corporation prior to the issuance thereof and to all documents and instruments that the Board or any officer of the Corporation has determined should be executed under seal, may sign (together with any other authorized officer) any such document or instrument, and when the seal is so affixed he or she may attest the same.
(e) The Secretary shall properly maintain and file all books, reports, statements, certificates and all other documents and records required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.
(f) The Secretary shall have charge of the stock books and ledgers of the Corporation and shall cause the stock and transfer books to be kept in such manner as to show at any time the number of shares of stock of the Corporation of each class issued and outstanding, the names (alphabetically arranged) and the addresses of the holders of record of such shares, the number of shares held by each holder and the date as of which each such holder became a holder of record.
(g) The Secretary shall sign (unless the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary shall have signed) certificates representing shares of the Corporation the issuance of which shall have been authorized by the Board.
(h) The Secretary shall perform, in general, all duties incident to the office of secretary and such other duties as may be specified in these Bylaws or as may be assigned to the Secretary from time to time by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.
Section 4.10. Treasurer . Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Treasurer, if there be one, shall be the chief financial officer of the Corporation and shall have the following powers and duties:
(a) The Treasurer shall have charge and supervision over and be responsible for the moneys, securities, receipts and disbursements of the Corporation, and shall keep or cause to be kept full and accurate records thereof.
(b) The Treasurer shall cause the moneys and other valuable effects of the Corporation to be deposited in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such banks or trust companies or with such bankers or other depositaries as shall be determined by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer, or by such other officers of the Corporation as may be authorized by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer to make such determinations.
(c) The Treasurer shall cause the moneys of the Corporation to be disbursed by checks or drafts (signed by such officer or officers or such agent or agents of the Corporation, and in such manner, as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer may determine from time to time) upon the authorized depositaries of the Corporation and cause to be taken and preserved proper vouchers for all moneys disbursed.
(d) The Treasurer shall render to the Board or the Chief Executive Officer, whenever requested, a statement of the financial condition of the Corporation and of the transactions of the Corporation, and render a full financial report at the annual meeting of the stockholders, if called upon to do so.
(e) The Treasurer shall be empowered from time to time to require from all officers or agents of the Corporation reports or statements giving such information as he or she may desire with respect to any and all financial transactions of the Corporation.
(f) The Treasurer may sign (unless an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary shall have signed) certificates representing shares of stock of the Corporation the issuance of which shall have been authorized by the Board.
(g) The Treasurer shall perform, in general, all duties incident to the office of treasurer and such other duties as may be specified in these Bylaws or as may be assigned to the Treasurer from time to time by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.
ARTICLE V
CAPITAL STOCK
Section 5.01. Uncertificated Shares . Unless otherwise provided by resolution of the Board, each class or series of the shares of capital stock in the Corporation shall be issued in uncertificated form pursuant to the customary arrangements for issuing shares in such form. Shares shall be transferable only on the books of the Corporation by the holder thereof in person or by attorney upon presentment of proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer in accordance with the customary procedures for transferring shares in uncertificated form.
Section 5.02. Registered Stockholders . The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a person
registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the DGCL.
Section 5.03. Transfer Agent and Registrar . The Board may appoint one or more transfer agents and one or more registrars.
ARTICLE VI
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 6.01. Indemnification .
(a) In General . Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved (including involvement, without limitation, as a witness) in any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a proceeding ), by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as an employee or agent of the Corporation or as a director, officer, partner, member, trustee, administrator, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an indemnitee ), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director or officer or in any other capacity while serving as a director or officer, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than permitted prior thereto), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys fees and related disbursements, judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time ( ERISA ), penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitees heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 6.01(c) with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The right to indemnification conferred in this Section 6.01 shall be a contract right and shall include the obligation of the Corporation to pay the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (an advance of expenses ); provided, however, that an advance of expenses incurred by an indemnitee shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (an undertaking ), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (a final adjudication ) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section 6.01 or otherwise.
(b) Indemnification in Respect of Successful Defense . Any indemnification of a director or officer of the Corporation or advance of expenses (including attorneys fees, costs and charges) under Section 6.01(a) shall be made promptly, and in any event within forty-five days (or, in the case of an advance of expenses, twenty days, provided that the director or officer has delivered the undertaking contemplated by Section 6.01(a)), upon the written request of the director or officer. If a determination by the Corporation that the director or officer is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 6.01 is required, and the Corporation fails to respond within sixty days to a written request for indemnity, the Corporation shall be deemed to have approved the request.
(c) To obtain indemnification under this Section 6.01, a claimant shall submit to the Corporation a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to the claimant and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the claimant is entitled to indemnification. Upon written request by a claimant for indemnification pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 6.01(c), a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to the claimants entitlement thereto shall be made as follows: (1) if requested by the claimant, by Independent Counsel (as hereinafter defined), or (2) if no request is made by the claimant for a determination by Independent Counsel, (i) by the Board by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Disinterested Directors (as hereinafter defined), or (ii) if a quorum of the Board consisting of Disinterested Directors is not obtainable or, even if obtainable, such quorum of Disinterested Directors so directs, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to the claimant, or (iii) if a quorum of Disinterested Directors so directs, by the stockholders of the Corporation. In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel at the request of the claimant, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board unless there shall have occurred within two years prior to the date of the commencement of the action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification is claimed a Change in Control (as defined below) in which case the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the claimant unless the claimant shall request that such selection be made by the Board. If it is so determined that the claimant is entitled to indemnification, payment to the claimant shall be made within 10 days after such determination. If the Corporation denies a written request for indemnification or advance of expenses, in whole or in part, or if payment in full pursuant to such request is not made within forty-five days (or, in the case of an advance of expenses, twenty days, provided that the director or officer has delivered the undertaking contemplated by Section 6.01(a)), the right to indemnification or advances as granted by this Section 6.01 shall be enforceable by the director or officer in any court of competent jurisdiction. Such persons costs and expenses incurred in connection with successfully establishing his or her right to indemnification, in whole or in part, in any such action shall also be indemnified by the Corporation. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for the advance of expenses where the undertaking required pursuant to Section 7 of this Section 6.01, if any, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the DGCL for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because such person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by
the Corporation (including its Board, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct. The procedure for indemnification of other employees and agents for whom indemnification is provided pursuant to this Section 6.01 shall be the same procedure set forth in this Section 6.01 for directors or officers, unless otherwise set forth in the action of the Board providing indemnification for such employee or agent.
(d) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 6.01(c) that the claimant is entitled to indemnification, the Corporation shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to Section 6.01(c).
(e) The Corporation shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to Section 6.01(c) that the procedures and presumptions of this Section 6.01 are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in such proceeding that the Corporation is bound by all the provisions of this Section 6.01.
(f) The rights to indemnification and to the advance of expenses conferred in this Section 6.01 shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under these Bylaws or under any statute, bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. All rights to indemnification under this Section 6.01 shall be deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and each director or officer of the Corporation who serves or served in such capacity at any time while this Section 6.01 is in effect. Any repeal or modification of this Section 6.01 or any repeal or modification of relevant provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law or any other applicable laws shall not in any way diminish any rights to indemnification of such director or officer or the obligations of the Corporation arising hereunder with respect to any proceeding arising out of, or relating to, any actions, transactions or facts occurring prior to the final adoption of such modification or repeal.
(g) The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on its own behalf and on behalf of any person who is or was or has agreed to become a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expenses, liability or loss under the DGCL.
(h) Any person serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other enterprise, at least 50% of whose equity interests are owned by the Corporation (a subsidiary for this Section 6.01) shall be conclusively presumed to be serving in such capacity at the request of the Corporation.
(i) For purposes of this Section 6.01, references to the Corporation shall include, in addition to the resulting Corporation, any constituent Corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate
existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another Corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this Section 6.01 with respect to the resulting or surviving Corporation as he or she would have with respect to such constituent Corporation if its separate existence had continued.
(j) If this Section 6.01 or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each person entitled to indemnification under Section 6.01(c) as to all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys fees and related disbursements, judgments, penalties, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties, and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such person and for which indemnification is available to such person pursuant to this Section 6.01 to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Section 6.01 that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
(k) For purposes of this Section 6.01:
(i) Disinterested Director means a director of the Corporation who is not and was not a party to the matter in respect of which indemnification is sought by the claimant.
(ii) Independent Counsel means a law firm, a member of a law firm, or an independent practitioner, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and shall include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would not have a conflict of interest in representing either the Corporation or the claimant in an action to determine the claimants rights under this Section 6.01.
(iii) Change in Control has the meaning given such term in the Corporations [Omnibus Incentive Plan], as the same may be amended or superseded from time to time.
(l) Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be given to the Corporation under this Section 6.01 shall be in writing and either delivered in person or sent by facsimile transmission, email, overnight mail or courier service, or certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Secretary of the Corporation and shall be effective only upon receipt by the Secretary.
ARTICLE VII
OFFICES
Section 7.01. Registered Office . The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware shall be located at the location provided in the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 7.02. Other Offices . The Corporation may maintain offices or places of business at such other locations within or without the State of Delaware as the Board may from time to time determine or as the business of the Corporation may require.
ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 8.01. Dividends . Subject to any applicable provisions of law and the Certificate of Incorporation, dividends upon the shares of the Corporation may be declared by the Board at any regular or special meeting of the Board and any such dividend may be paid in cash, property or shares of the Corporations stock.
Section 8.02. Reliance on Reports and Experts . To the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, a member of the Board, or a member of any Committee designated by the Board, shall, in the performance of such members duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of its officers or employees, or Committees of the Board, or by any other person as to matters the member reasonably believes are within such other persons professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.
Section 8.03. Reserves . There may be set apart out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board from time to time may determine proper as a reserve or reserves for meeting contingencies, equalizing dividends, repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation or for such other purpose or purposes as the Board may determine conducive to the interest of the Corporation, and the Board may similarly modify or abolish any such reserve.
Section 8.04. Execution of Instruments . Except as otherwise required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board or any officer of the Corporation authorized by the Board may authorize any other officer or agent of the Corporation to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation. Any such authorization must be in writing or by electronic transmission and may be general or limited to specific contracts or instruments.
Section 8.05. Voting as Stockholder . Unless otherwise determined by resolution of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President shall have full power and authority on behalf of the Corporation to attend any meeting of stockholders of any Corporation in which the Corporation may hold stock, and to act, vote (or execute proxies to vote) and exercise in person or by proxy all other rights, powers and privileges incident to the ownership of such stock at any such meeting, or through action without a meeting. The Board may by resolution from time to time confer such power and authority (in general or confined to specific instances) upon any other person or persons.
Section 8.06. Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the Corporation shall commence on the first day of January of each year and shall terminate in each case on December 31.
Section 8.07. Seal . The seal of the Corporation shall be circular in form and shall contain the name of the Corporation, the year of its incorporation and the words Corporate Seal and Delaware. The form of such seal shall be subject to alteration by the Board. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed or reproduced or may be used in any other lawful manner.
Section 8.08. Books and Records; Inspection . Except to the extent otherwise required by law, the books and records of the Corporation shall be kept at such place or places within or without the State of Delaware as may be determined from time to time by the Board.
Section 8.09. Electronic Transmission . Electronic transmission , as used in these Bylaws, means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
Section 9.01. Amendment . Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed:
(a) by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the directors then in office at any special or regular meeting of the Board if notice of such amendment, alteration or repeal is contained in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting, or
(b) in addition to the affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class or series of the capital stock of the Corporation required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (66 2 / 3 %) of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class at any regular or special meeting if, notice of such amendment, alteration or repeal is contained in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment, alteration or repeal of Article VI of these Bylaws shall adversely affect any right or protection existing under these Bylaws immediately prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal, including any right or protection of a present or former director or officer thereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment.
ARTICLE X
CONSTRUCTION
Section 10.01. Construction . In the event of any conflict between the provisions of these Bylaws as in effect from time to time and the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation as in effect from time to time, the provisions of such Certificate of Incorporation shall be controlling.
Exhibit 4.1
STOCKHOLDER AND REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
SERVICEMASTER GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.
AND
AHS HOLDING COMPANY, INC.
DATED AS OF []
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS |
i |
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ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS |
1 |
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ARTICLE II REGISTRATION RIGHTS |
7 |
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Section 2.01 |
Registration |
7 |
Section 2.02 |
Piggyback Registrations |
10 |
Section 2.03 |
Registration Procedures |
12 |
Section 2.04 |
Underwritten Offerings or Exchange Offers |
18 |
Section 2.05 |
Registration Rights Agreement with Participating Banks |
19 |
Section 2.06 |
Registration Expenses Paid by SpinCo |
20 |
Section 2.07 |
Indemnification |
20 |
Section 2.08 |
Reporting Requirements; Rule 144 |
22 |
Section 2.09 |
Registration Rights Covenant |
22 |
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ARTICLE III VOTING RESTRICTIONS |
23 |
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Section 3.01 |
Voting of SpinCo Shares |
23 |
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ARTICLE IV MISCELLANEOUS |
23 |
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Section 4.01 |
Further Assurances |
23 |
Section 4.02 |
Term and Termination |
24 |
Section 4.03 |
Counterparts; Entire Agreement; Corporate Power |
24 |
Section 4.04 |
Disputes and Governing Law |
25 |
Section 4.05 |
Successors, Assigns and Transferees |
25 |
Section 4.06 |
Third-Party Beneficiaries |
26 |
Section 4.07 |
Notices |
26 |
Section 4.08 |
Severability |
27 |
Section 4.09 |
Headings |
28 |
Section 4.10 |
Waiver of Default |
28 |
Section 4.11 |
Amendments |
28 |
Section 4.12 |
Interpretation |
28 |
Section 4.13 |
Performance |
29 |
Section 4.14 |
Registrations, Exchanges, etc. |
29 |
Section 4.15 |
Mutual Drafting |
29 |
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Exhibit A Form of Agreement to be Bound |
A-1 |
FORM OF STOCKHOLDER AND REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This STOCKHOLDER AND REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of [] (this Agreement ), is by and between ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ( Parent ), and AHS Holding Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation ( SpinCo ). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in Article I .
R E C I T A L S
WHEREAS, the board of directors of Parent (the Parent Board ) has determined that it is appropriate and desirable to distribute up to eighty and one tenth of a percent (80.1%) of the outstanding SpinCo Shares owned by Parent to Parents shareholders (the Distribution );
WHEREAS, Parent may Sell those SpinCo Shares that are not distributed in the Distribution (such SpinCo Shares, the Retained Shares ) through one or more transactions, including pursuant to one or more transactions registered under the Securities Act;
WHEREAS, SpinCo desires to grant to the Parent Group the Registration Rights for the Retained Shares and other Registrable Securities, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Parent Group desires to grant SpinCo a proxy to vote the Retained Shares in proportion to the votes cast by SpinCos other stockholders, on the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Affiliate shall have the meaning given to such term in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
Ancillary Agreements shall have the meaning given to such term in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Ancillary Filings shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(a)(i) .
Blackout Notice shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(d) .
Blackout Period shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(d) .
Block Trade means an Underwritten Offering not involving any road show which is commonly known as a block trade.
Change of Control with respect to a Person shall mean any occurrence resulting in (i) any person or group (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becoming the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities entitled to vote in the election of members of the board of directors or similar governing body of such Person having 50% or more of the then outstanding voting power of such Person; (ii) such Person becoming a party to a merger, consolidation, share exchange, reorganization, sale of assets or other similar extraordinary transaction, or a proxy contest, in each case as a consequence of which members of the board of directors or similar governing body of such Person in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of such board or other body thereafter; or (iii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the board of directors or similar governing body of such Person (including for this purpose any new director or similar person whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors or similar persons then still in office who served in such capacities at the beginning of such period, other than those such directors or similar persons appointed, or nominated for election, in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest or other non-consensual attempt to influence or modify such board or other body) ceasing for any reason to constitute at least a majority of such board or other body.
Debt shall mean any indebtedness of any member of the Parent Group, including debt securities, notes, credit facilities, credit agreements and other debt instruments, including, in each case, any amounts due thereunder.
Debt Exchanges shall mean one or more Public Debt Exchanges or Private Debt Exchanges.
Demand Registration shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a) .
Disadvantageous Condition shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(d) .
Dispute shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.04(a) .
Distribution shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Distribution Date shall have the meaning given to such term in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Exchange Act shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Effective Time shall have the meaning given to such term in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Exchange Offer shall mean an exchange offer of Registrable Securities for outstanding securities of a Holder.
Force Majeure shall have the meaning given to such term in the Separation and Distribution Agreement .
Governmental Authority shall have the meaning given to such term in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Group shall have the meaning given to such term in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Holder shall mean any member of the Parent Group, so long as such Person holds any Registrable Securities, and any Permitted Transferee, so long as such Person holds any Registrable Securities.
Indemnifying Party shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.07(c) .
Indemnitee shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.07(c) .
Initiating Holder shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a) .
Law shall have the meaning given to such term in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Losses shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.07(a) .
Offering Confidential Information shall mean, with respect to a Piggyback Registration, (i) SpinCos plan to file the relevant Registration Statement and engage in the offering being registered, (ii) any information regarding the offering being registered (including the potential timing, price, number of shares, underwriters or other counterparties, selling stockholders or plan of distribution) and (iii) any other information (including information contained in draft supplements or amendments to offering materials) provided to any Holders by SpinCo (or by third parties) in connection with a Piggyback Registration; provided , that Offering Confidential Information shall not include information that (x) was or becomes generally available to the public (including as a result of the filing of the relevant Registration Statement) other than as a result of a disclosure by any Holder, (y) was or becomes available to any Holder from a source not bound by any confidentiality agreement with SpinCo or (z) was otherwise in such Holders possession prior to it being furnished to such Holder by SpinCo or on SpinCos behalf.
Other Holders shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(f) .
Parent shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
Parent Board shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Parent Group shall have the meaning given to such term in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Participating Banks means such investment banks that engage in any Debt Exchange with one or more members of the Parent Group.
Parties shall mean the parties to this Agreement.
Permitted Transferee shall mean any Transferee and any Subsequent Transferee.
Person shall mean an individual, a general or limited partnership, a corporation, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, a limited liability entity, any other entity and any Governmental Authority.
Piggyback Registration shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(a) .
Private Debt Exchange shall mean a private exchange pursuant to which one or more members of the Parent Group shall Sell some or all of their Registrable Securities to one or more Participating Banks in exchange for the satisfaction of Debt, in a transaction or transactions not required to be registered under the Securities Act.
Prospectus shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration Statement, all amendments and supplements to such prospectus (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Takedown Prospectus Supplement), including post-effective amendments, and all other material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.
Public Debt Exchange shall mean a public exchange pursuant to which one or more members of the Parent Group shall Sell some or all of their Registrable Securities to one or more Participating Banks in exchange for the satisfaction of Debt, in a transaction or transactions registered under the Securities Act.
Registrable Securities shall mean the Retained Shares and any SpinCo Shares or other securities issued with respect to, in exchange for, or in replacement of such Retained Shares; provided , that the term Registrable Securities excludes any security (i) the offering and Sale of which has been effectively registered under the Securities Act and which has been Sold in accordance with a Registration Statement, (ii) that has been Sold by a Holder in a transaction or transactions exempt from the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act under Section 4(1) thereof (including transactions pursuant to Rule 144) such that the further Sale of such securities by the transferee or assignee is not restricted under the Securities Act or (iii) that has been Sold by a Holder in a transaction in which such Holders rights under this Agreement are not, or cannot be, assigned.
Registration shall mean a registration with the SEC of the offer and Sale to the public of any Registrable Securities under a Registration Statement. The terms Register and Registering shall have correlative meanings.
Registration Expenses shall mean all expenses incident to the SpinCo Groups performance of or compliance with this Agreement, including all (i) registration, qualification and filing fees, (ii) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky Laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue sky qualifications within the United States of any Registrable Securities being registered), (iii) printing expenses, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) internal expenses of SpinCo Group (including all salaries and expenses of employees of members of SpinCo Group performing legal or accounting duties), (v) fees and disbursements of counsel for Parent and SpinCo and customary fees and expenses for independent certified public accountants retained by the SpinCo Group (including the expenses of any comfort letters or costs associated with the delivery by SpinCo Group members independent certified public accountants of comfort letters customarily requested by underwriters) and (vi) fees and expenses of listing any Registrable Securities on any securities exchange on which the SpinCo Shares are then listed and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority registration and filing fees; but excluding any fees or disbursements of any Holder, all expenses incurred in connection with the printing, mailing and delivering of copies of any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any other offering documents and any amendments and supplements thereto to any underwriters and dealers; any underwriting discounts, fees or commissions attributable to the offer and Sale of any Registrable Securities, any fees and expenses of the underwriters or dealer managers, the cost of preparing, printing or producing any agreements among underwriters, underwriting agreements and blue sky or legal investment memoranda, any selling agreements and any other similar documents in connection with the offering, Sale, distribution or delivery of the Registrable Securities or other SpinCo Shares to be Sold, including any fees of counsel for any underwriters in connection with the qualification of the Registrable Securities or other SpinCo Shares to be Sold for offering and Sale or distribution under state securities Laws, any stock transfer taxes, out-of-pocket costs and expenses relating to any investor presentations on any road show presentations undertaken in connection with marketing of the Registrable Securities and any fees and expenses of any counsel to the Holder or the underwriters or dealer managers.
Registration Period shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(c) .
Registration Rights shall mean the rights of the Holders to cause SpinCo to Register Registrable Securities pursuant to Article II .
Registration Statement shall mean any registration statement of SpinCo filed with, or to be filed with, the SEC under the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act, including the related Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, and all exhibits and all material incorporated by reference into such registration statement. For the avoidance of doubt, it is acknowledged and agreed that such Registration Statement may be on any applicable form, including Form S-1, Form S-3, Form S-3ASR or Form S-4 and may be a Shelf Registration Statement.
Retained Shares shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
Sale shall mean the direct or indirect transfer, sale, assignment or other disposition of a security. The terms Sell and Sold shall have correlative meanings.
SEC shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities Act shall mean the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Separation and Distribution Agreement shall mean the Separation and Distribution Agreement by and between Parent and SpinCo in connection with the Separation and the Distribution, as it may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
Shelf Registration means a registration pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement.
Shelf Registration Statement shall mean a Registration Statement of SpinCo for an offering of Registrable Securities to be made on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (or similar provisions then in effect).
Subsequent Transferee shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.05(b) .
Subsidiary shall have the meaning given to such term in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Takedown Prospectus Supplement shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(g) .
Takedown Request shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(g) .
Third Party shall have the meaning given to such term in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
Transferee shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.05(b) .
Underwritten Offering shall mean a Registration in which Registrable Securities are Sold to an underwriter or underwriters on a firm commitment basis for reoffering to the public.
SpinCo shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
SpinCo Board shall mean the board of directors of SpinCo.
SpinCo Group shall have the meaning given to such term in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
SpinCo Public Sale shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(a) .
SpinCo Shares shall mean the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of SpinCo.
ARTICLE II REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Section 2.01 Registration.
(a) At any time prior to or on the fifth anniversary of the Distribution Date, any Holder(s) of 10% or more of the then-outstanding Registrable Securities (and any Holders acting together which collectively hold 10% or more of the then outstanding Registrable Securities) (collectively, the Initiating Holder ; provided , that the 10% ownership threshold shall not apply to any Holder that is a member of the Parent Group) shall have the right to request that SpinCo file a Registration Statement with the SEC on the appropriate registration form for all or part of the Registrable Securities held by such Initiating Holder, by delivering a written request thereof to SpinCo specifying the number of shares of Registrable Securities such Initiating Holder wishes to register (a Demand Registration ). SpinCo shall (i) within five days of the receipt of a Demand Registration, give written notice of such Demand Registration to all Holders of Registrable Securities, (ii) use its reasonable best efforts to prepare and file the Registration Statement as expeditiously as possible, but in any event within 30 days of such request and (iii) use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to become effective in respect of each Demand Registration in accordance with the intended method of distribution set forth in the written request delivered by the Initiating Holder. SpinCo shall include in such Registration all Registrable Securities with respect to which SpinCo receives, within the 10 days immediately following the receipt by the Holder(s) of such notice from SpinCo, a request for inclusion in the Registration from the Holder(s) thereof. Each such request from a Holder of Registrable Securities for inclusion in the Registration shall also specify the aggregate amount of Registrable Securities proposed to be Registered. The Initiating Holder may request that the Registration Statement be on any appropriate form, including Form S-4 in the case of an Exchange Offer or an S-3 in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, and SpinCo shall effect the Registration on the form so requested.
(b) The Holder(s) may collectively make a total of two Demand Registration requests pursuant to Section 2.01(a) (including any exercise of rights to Demand Registration transferred pursuant to Section 4.05 and including any exercise of rights to Demand Registration made pursuant to any registration rights agreement entered into pursuant to Section 2.05 ). In addition, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Parent Group shall be permitted to engage in up to four Private Debt Exchanges within any nine-month period following the date hereof, and Demand Registration request(s) made by the Participating Banks in such Private Debt Exchanges pursuant to one or more registration rights agreements with SpinCo pursuant to Section 2.05 shall collectively count only as one Demand Registration request for purposes of the limitation on the number of Demand Registration requests set forth in the first sentence of this Section 2.01(b) (it being understood that the Parent Group shall be permitted to engage in additional Private Debt Exchanges outside such nine-month period, but each Demand Registration request by the Participating Banks for such Private Debt Exchange pursuant to its registration rights agreement with SpinCo pursuant to Section 2.05 shall count as an additional Demand Registration request for purposes of the limitation on the number of Demand Registration requests set forth in the first sentence of this Section 2.01(b) ). Furthermore, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary, if, at the time of the second Demand Registration, SpinCo is prohibited under then-existing SEC rules from registering all remaining Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration, regardless of whether the Holder or Holders has
requested that such third Demand Registration be a Shelf Registration or otherwise, then such Demand Registration shall not count toward the total number of Demand Registration requests made by the Holder(s), and the Holder(s) shall continue to be able to make additional Demand Registration requests until such time as SpinCo is permitted under then-existing SEC rules to register all of the remaining Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration.
(c) SpinCo shall be deemed to have effected a Registration for purposes of this Section 2.01 if the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC or becomes effective upon filing with the SEC and remains effective until the earlier of (i) the date when all Registrable Securities thereunder have been Sold and (ii) in the case of a Registration Statement that is not a Shelf Registration Statement, (x) 60 days from the effective date of the Registration Statement, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-1, (y) 12 months from the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 or (z) 24 months from the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement on any other form (such period, as applicable, the Registration Period ). No Registration shall be deemed to have been effective if the conditions to closing specified in the underwriting agreement or dealer manager agreement, if any, entered into in connection with such Registration are not satisfied by reason of a wrongful act, misrepresentation or breach of such applicable underwriting agreement or dealer manager agreement by any member of the SpinCo Group. If during the Registration Period, such Registration is interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or other Governmental Authority or the need to update or supplement the Registration Statement, the Registration Period shall be extended on a day-for-day basis for any period in which the Holder(s) is unable to complete an offering as a result of such stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or other Governmental Authority.
(d) With respect to any Registration Statement or Takedown Prospectus Supplement, whether filed or to be filed pursuant to this Agreement, if SpinCo shall reasonably determine, upon the advice of legal counsel, that maintaining the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or filing an amendment or supplement thereto (or, if no Registration Statement has yet been filed, filing such a Registration Statement), or filing such Takedown Prospectus Supplement, would (i) require the public disclosure of material nonpublic information concerning any transaction or negotiations involving SpinCo or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries that would materially interfere with such transaction or negotiations or (ii) require the public disclosure of material nonpublic information concerning SpinCo that, if disclosed at such time, would be materially adverse to SpinCo (a Disadvantageous Condition ), SpinCo may, for the shortest period reasonably practicable, and in any event for not more than 60 consecutive calendar days (a Blackout Period ), notify the Holders whose offers and Sales of Registrable Securities are covered (or to be covered) by such Registration Statement or Takedown Prospectus Supplement that such Registration Statement is unavailable for use (or will not be filed as requested) (such notice, a Blackout Notice ). Upon the receipt of any Blackout Notice, the Holders shall forthwith discontinue use of the Prospectus or Takedown Prospectus Supplement contained in any effective Registration Statement; provided , that, if at the time of receipt of such Blackout Notice any Holder shall have Sold its Registrable Securities (or have signed a firm commitment underwriting agreement with respect to the purchase of such shares) and the Disadvantageous Condition is not of a nature that would require a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or Takedown Prospectus Supplement, then SpinCo
shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to take such action as to eliminate any restriction imposed by federal securities Laws on the timely delivery of such Registrable Securities. When any Disadvantageous Condition as to which a Blackout Notice has been previously delivered shall cease to exist, SpinCo shall as promptly notify the Holders and take such actions in respect of such Registration Statement or Takedown Prospectus Supplement as are otherwise required by this Agreement. The effectiveness period for any Demand Registration or Shelf Registration Statement for which SpinCo has given notice of a Blackout Period shall be increased by the length of time of such Blackout Period. SpinCo shall not impose, in any 365-day period, Blackout Periods lasting, in the aggregate, in excess of 90 calendar days. If SpinCo declares a Blackout Period with respect to a Demand Registration for a Registration Statement that has not yet been declared effective or a Takedown Request for which a Takedown Prospectus Supplement has not yet been filed, (i) the Holders may by notice to SpinCo withdraw the related Demand Registration request or Takedown Request, in the case of a Demand Registration request without such Demand Registration request counting against the number of Demand Registration requests permitted to be made under Section 2.01(b) , and (ii) the Holders shall not be responsible for any of SpinCos related Registration Expenses.
(e) If the Initiating Holder so indicates at the time of its request pursuant to Section 2.01(a) or Section 2.01(g) , such offering of Registrable Securities shall be in the form of an Underwritten Offering or an Exchange Offer, and SpinCo shall include such information in the written notice to the Holders required under Section 2.01(a) . In the event that the Initiating Holder intends to Sell the Registrable Securities by means of an Underwritten Offering or Exchange Offer, the right of any Holder to include Registrable Securities in such registration shall be conditioned upon such Holders participation in such Underwritten Offering or Exchange Offer and the inclusion of such Holders Registrable Securities in the Underwritten Offering or the Exchange Offer to the extent provided herein. The Holders of a majority of the outstanding Registrable Securities being included in any Underwritten Offering or Exchange Offer shall select the underwriter(s) in the case of an Underwritten Offering or the dealer manager(s) in the case of an Exchange Offer, provided that such underwriter(s) or dealer manager(s) are reasonably acceptable to SpinCo. SpinCo shall be entitled to designate counsel for such underwriter(s) or dealer manager(s) (subject to their approval), provided that such designated underwriters counsel shall be a firm of national reputation representing underwriters or dealer managers in capital markets transactions.
(f) If the managing underwriter or underwriters of a proposed Underwritten Offering of Registrable Securities included in a Registration pursuant to this Section 2.01 inform(s) in writing the Holders participating in such Registration that, in its or their opinion, the number of securities requested to be included in such Registration exceeds the number that can be Sold in such offering without being likely to have a significant adverse effect on the price, timing or distribution of the securities offered or the market for the securities offered, the number of Registrable Securities to be included in such Registration shall be reduced to the maximum number recommended by the managing underwriter or underwriters and allocated first to any members of the Parent Group participating in the Registration, and then pro rata among the other Holders, including the Initiating Holder (other than any member of the Parent Group), in proportion to the number of Registrable Securities each Holder has requested to be included in such Registration; provided , that the Initiating Holder may notify SpinCo in writing that the Registration Statement shall be abandoned or withdrawn, in which event SpinCo shall abandon
or withdraw such Registration Statement. In the event the Initiating Holder notifies SpinCo that such Registration Statement shall be abandoned or withdrawn, such Holder shall not be deemed to have requested a Demand Registration pursuant to Section 2.01(a) , and SpinCo shall not be deemed to have effected a Demand Registration pursuant to Section 2.01(b) . If the amount of Registrable Securities to be underwritten has not been limited in accordance with the first sentence of this Section 2.01(f) , SpinCo and the holders of SpinCo Shares or, if the Registrable Securities include securities other than SpinCo Shares, the holders of securities of the same class of those securities included in the Registrable Securities, in each case, other than the Holders ( Other Holders ), may include such securities for their own account or for the account of Other Holders in such Registration if the underwriter(s) so agree and to the extent that, in the opinion of such underwriter(s), the inclusion of such additional amount will not adversely affect the offering of the Registrable Securities included in such Registration.
(g) With respect to any Demand Registration, the requesting Holders may request that SpinCo effect a registration of the Registrable Securities under a Shelf Registration, in which event SpinCo shall file, and shall thereafter use its commercially reasonable efforts to make and keep effective in accordance with Section 2.01(c) (including by renewing or refiling upon expiration), a Shelf Registration Statement; provided , that SpinCo shall not be required to maintain in effect more than one Shelf Registration at any one time pursuant to this Section 2.01(g) . Thereafter, SpinCo shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable following the written request of Holders for a resale of Registrable Securities (a Takedown Request ), file a prospectus supplement (a Takedown Prospectus Supplement ) to such Shelf Registration Statement under Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act with respect to resales of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Holders intended method of distribution thereof. Each Takedown Request shall specify the Registrable Securities to be registered, their aggregate amount and the intended method or methods of distribution thereof. If, in the case of an Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Takedown Request, the requesting Holder(s) so elect, such offering shall be in the form of a Block Trade, in which such event the requesting Holder(s) shall give at least eight (8) business days prior notice in writing of such transaction to SpinCo (which such notice shall identify the potential underwriter(s) and include contact information for such underwriter(s)), and SpinCo shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with such requesting Holder(s) to the extent it is reasonably able and shall not be required to give notice thereof to other Holders of Registrable Securities or permit their participation therein unless SpinCo determines it is reasonably practicable to do so. In no event shall SpinCo be required to effect, pursuant to this Section 2.01(g) , during any 90-day period, more than (A) two Block Trades or (B) more than one Underwritten Offering that is not a Block Trade pursuant to a Takedown Request (it being understood, for the avoidance of doubt, that a Takedown Request shall not count as a Demand Registration request for purposes of the limit set forth in Section 2.01(b) ).
Section 2.02 Piggyback Registrations.
(a) At any time prior to the earlier to occur of the fifth anniversary of the Distribution Date or the date on which the Registrable Securities then held by the Holder(s) represent less than 1% of the then-issued and outstanding SpinCo Shares (or, if the Registrable Securities include securities other than SpinCo Shares, less than 1% of the then-issued and outstanding securities of the same class as the securities included in the Registrable Securities), if
SpinCo proposes to file a Registration Statement (other than a Shelf Registration) or a Prospectus supplement filed pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to any offering of such securities for its own account and/or for the account of any Other Holders (other than (i) a Registration or Takedown Prospectus Supplement under Section 2.01 , (ii) a Registration pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-8 or Form S-4 or similar form that relates to a transaction subject to Rule 145 under the Securities Act, (iii) in connection with any dividend reinvestment or similar plan, (iv) for the purpose of offering securities to another entity or its security holders in connection with the acquisition of assets or securities of such entity or any similar transaction or (v) a Registration in which the only SpinCo Shares being registered are SpinCo Shares issuable upon conversion of debt securities that are also being registered) (a SpinCo Public Sale ), then, as soon as practicable, but in any event not less than 15 days prior to the proposed date of filing such Registration Statement, SpinCo shall give written notice of such proposed filing to each Holder, and such notice shall offer such Holders the opportunity to Register under such Registration Statement such number of Registrable Securities as each such Holder may request in writing (a Piggyback Registration ). Subject to Section 2.02(b) and Section 2.02(c) , SpinCo shall use its reasonable best efforts to include in a Registration Statement with respect to a SpinCo Public Sale all Registrable Securities that are requested to be included therein within five business days after the receipt of any such notice; provided , however , that if, at any time after giving written notice of its intention to Register any securities and prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement filed in connection with such Registration, SpinCo shall determine for any reason not to Register or to delay Registration of the SpinCo Public Sale, SpinCo may, at its election, give written notice of such determination to each such Holder and, thereupon, (x) in the case of a determination not to Register, shall be relieved of its obligation to Register any Registrable Securities in connection with such Registration, without prejudice, however, to the rights of any Holder to request that such Registration be effected as a Demand Registration under Section 2.01 and (y) in the case of a determination to delay Registration, shall be permitted to delay Registering any Registrable Securities for the same period as the delay in Registering such other SpinCo Shares in the SpinCo Public Sale. No Registration effected under this Section 2.02 shall relieve SpinCo of its obligation to effect any Demand Registration under Section 2.01 . For purposes of clarification, SpinCos filing of a Shelf Registration Statement shall not be deemed to be a SpinCo Public Sale; provided , however , that any prospectus supplement filed pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to an offering of SpinCo Shares for its own account and/or for the account of any other Persons will be a SpinCo Public Sale, unless such offering qualifies for an exemption from the SpinCo Public Sale definition in this Section 2.02(a) .
(b) In the case of any Underwritten Offering, each Holder shall have the right to withdraw such Holders request for inclusion of its Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering pursuant to Section 2.02(a) at any time prior to the execution of an underwriting agreement with respect thereto by giving written notice to SpinCo of such Holders request to withdraw and, subject to the preceding clause, each Holder shall be permitted to withdraw all or part of such Holders Registrable Securities from a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the effective date thereof.
(c) If the managing underwriter or underwriters of any proposed Underwritten Offering of a class of Registrable Securities included in a Piggyback Registration informs SpinCo and each Holder in writing that, in its or their opinion, the number of securities of such
class that such Holder and any other Persons intend to include in such offering exceeds the number that can be Sold in such offering without being likely to have an adverse effect on the price, timing or distribution of the securities offered or the market for the securities offered, then the securities to be included in such Registration shall be (i) first, all securities of SpinCo and any other Persons (other than SpinCos executive officers and directors) for whom SpinCo is effecting the Registration, as the case may be, proposes to Sell, (ii) second, the number, if any, of Registrable Securities of such class that, in the opinion of such managing underwriter or underwriters, can be Sold without having such adverse effect, with such number to be allocated pro rata among the members of the Parent Group that hold Registrable Securities and have requested to participate in such Registration based on the relative number of Registrable Securities of such class requested by such Person to be included in such Sale, (iii) third, the number, if any, of Registrable Securities of such class that, in the opinion of such managing underwriter or underwriters, can be Sold without having such adverse effect, with such number to be allocated pro rata among the Holders (other than members of the Parent Group) that hold Registrable Securities and have requested to participate in such Registration based on the relative number of Registrable Securities of such class requested by such Person to be included in such Sale, (iv) fourth, the number of securities of executive officers and directors of SpinCo for whom SpinCo is effecting the Registration, as the case may be, with such number to be allocated pro rata among the executive officers and directors and (v) fifth, any other securities eligible for inclusion in such Registration, allocated among the holders of such securities in such proportion as SpinCo and those holders may agree.
(d) After a Holder has been notified of its opportunity to include Registrable Securities in a Piggyback Registration, such Holder shall (i) treat the Offering Confidential Information as confidential information, (ii) not use any Offering Confidential Information for any purpose other than to evaluate whether to include its Registrable Securities (or other SpinCo Shares) in such Piggyback Registration and (iii) not disclose any Offering Confidential Information to any Person other than such of its agents, employees, advisors and counsel as have a need to know such Offering Confidential Information, and to cause such agents, employees, advisors and counsel to comply with the requirements of this Section 2.02(d) ; provided , that any such Holder may disclose Offering Confidential Information if such disclosure is required by legal process, but such Holder shall cooperate with SpinCo to limit the extent of such disclosure through protective order or otherwise, and to seek confidential treatment of the Offering Confidential Information.
Section 2.03 Registration Procedures.
(a) In connection with SpinCos Registration obligations under Section 2.01 and Section 2.02 , SpinCo shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such Registration to permit the offer and Sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof as expeditiously as practicable, and in connection therewith, SpinCo shall, and shall cause the members of the SpinCo Group to:
(i) prepare and file the required Registration Statement or Takedown Prospectus Supplement, including all exhibits and financial statements and, in the case of an Exchange Offer, any document required under Rule 425 or Rule 165 with respect to such Exchange Offer (collectively, the Ancillary Filings )
required under the Securities Act to be filed therewith, and before filing with the SEC a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto, (A) furnish to the underwriters or dealer managers, if any, and to the Holders, copies of all documents prepared to be filed, which documents shall be subject to the review and comment of such underwriters or dealer managers and such Holders and their respective counsel, and provide such underwriters or dealer managers, if any, and such Holders and their respective counsel reasonable time to review and comment thereon and (B) not file with the SEC any Registration Statement or Prospectus or amendments or supplements thereto or any Ancillary Filing to which the Holders or the underwriters or dealer managers, if any, shall reasonably object;
(ii) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to such Registration Statement and supplements to the Prospectus and any Ancillary Filing as may be reasonably requested by the participating Holders;
(iii) promptly notify the participating Holders and the managing underwriters or dealer managers, if any, and, if requested, confirm such advice in writing and provide copies of the relevant documents, as soon as reasonably practicable after notice thereof is received by any member of the SpinCo Group (A) when the applicable Registration Statement or any amendment thereto has been filed or becomes effective, the applicable Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such Prospectus has been filed, or any Ancillary Filing has been filed, (B) of any comments (written or oral) by the SEC or any request (written or oral) by the SEC or any other Governmental Authority for amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement, such Prospectus or any Ancillary Filing, or for any additional information, (C) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement, any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary or final Prospectus or any Ancillary Filing, or the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for such purposes, (D) if, at any time, the representations and warranties (written or oral) in any applicable underwriting agreement or dealer manager agreement cease to be true and correct in all material respects and (E) of the receipt by any member of the SpinCo Group of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for offering or Sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose;
(iv) (A) promptly notify each participating Holder and the managing underwriter(s) or dealer manager(s), if any, when SpinCo becomes aware of the occurrence of any event as a result of which the applicable Registration Statement, the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (as then in effect) or any Ancillary Filing contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of such Prospectus and any preliminary Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, or if for any other reason it shall be necessary during such time period to amend or supplement such Registration
Statement, Prospectus or any Ancillary Filing in order to comply with the Securities Act, and (B) in either case, as promptly as reasonably practicable thereafter, prepare and file with the SEC, and furnish without charge to each participating Holder and the underwriter(s) or dealer manager(s), if any, an amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement, Prospectus or Ancillary Filing that will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance;
(v) use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent or obtain the withdrawal of any stop order or other order suspending the use of any preliminary or final Prospectus;
(vi) promptly (A) incorporate in a Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the managing underwriter(s) or dealer manager(s), if any, and the Holders agree should be included therein relating to the plan of distribution with respect to such Registrable Securities and (B) make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as reasonably practicable after being notified of the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;
(vii) furnish to each participating Holder and each underwriter or dealer manager, if any, without charge, as many conformed copies as such Holder or underwriter or dealer manager may reasonably request of the applicable Registration Statement and any amendment or post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits (including those incorporated by reference);
(viii) deliver to each participating Holder and each underwriter or dealer manager, if any, without charge, as many copies of the applicable Prospectus (including each preliminary Prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Holder or underwriter or dealer manager may reasonably request (it being understood that SpinCo consents to the use of such Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by each participating Holder and the underwriter(s) or dealer manager(s), if any, in connection with the offering and Sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto) and such other documents as such participating Holder or underwriter or dealer manager may reasonably request in order to facilitate the Sale of the Registrable Securities by such Holder or underwriter or dealer manager;
(ix) on or prior to the date on which the applicable Registration Statement is declared effective or becomes effective, use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify, and cooperate with each participating Holder, the managing underwriter(s) or dealer manager(s), if any, and their respective counsel, in connection with the registration or qualification of, such Registrable Securities for offer and Sale under the securities or blue sky Laws of each state and other jurisdiction of the United States as any participating
Holder or managing underwriter(s) or dealer manager(s), if any, or their respective counsel reasonably request, and in any foreign jurisdiction mutually agreeable to SpinCo and the participating Holders, and do any and all other acts or things reasonably necessary or advisable to keep such registration or qualification in effect for so long as such Registration Statement remains in effect and so as to permit the continuance of offers and Sales and dealings in such jurisdictions for so long as may be necessary to complete the distribution of the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement; provided that SpinCo will not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified, to take any action which would subject it to taxation or general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or conform its capitalization or the composition of its assets at the time to the securities or blue sky Laws of any such jurisdiction;
(x) in connection with any Sale of Registrable Securities that will result in such securities no longer being Registrable Securities, cooperate with each participating Holder and the managing underwriter(s) or dealer manager(s), if any, to (A) facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be Sold and not bearing any restrictive Securities Act legends and (B) register such Registrable Securities in such denominations and such names as such participating Holder or the underwriter(s) or dealer manager(s), if any, may request at least two business days prior to such Sale of Registrable Securities; provided that SpinCo may satisfy its obligations hereunder without issuing physical stock certificates through the use of the Depository Trust Companys Direct Registration System;
(xi) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and each securities exchange, if any, on which any of SpinCos securities are then listed or quoted and on each inter-dealer quotation system on which any of SpinCos securities are then quoted, and in the performance of any due diligence investigation by any underwriter or dealer manager (including any qualified independent underwriter) that is required to be retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of each such exchange, and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other Governmental Authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriter(s) or dealer manager(s), if any, to consummate the Sale of such Registrable Securities;
(xii) not later than the effective date of the applicable Registration Statement, provide a CUSIP number for all Registrable Securities and provide the applicable transfer agent with printed certificates for the Registrable Securities which are in a form eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company; provided , that SpinCo may satisfy its obligations hereunder without issuing physical stock certificates through the use of the Depository Trust Companys Direct Registration System;
(xiii) obtain for delivery to and addressed to each participating Holder and to the underwriter(s) or dealer manager(s), if any, opinions from counsel for SpinCo, in each case dated the effective date of the Registration Statement or, in the event of an Underwritten Offering, the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement or, in the event of an Exchange Offer, the date of the closing under the dealer manager agreement or similar agreement or otherwise, and in each such case in customary form and content for the type of Underwritten Offering or Exchange Offer, as applicable;
(xiv) in the case of an Underwritten Offering or Exchange Offer, obtain for delivery to and addressed to SpinCo and the managing underwriter(s) or dealer manager(s), if any, and, to the extent requested, each participating Holder, a cold comfort letter from SpinCos independent registered public accounting firm in customary form and content for the type of Underwritten Offering or Exchange Offer, dated the date of execution of the underwriting agreement or dealer manager agreement or, if none, the date of commencement of the Exchange Offer, and brought down to the closing, whether under the underwriting agreement or dealer manager agreement, if applicable, or otherwise;
(xv) in the case of an Exchange Offer that does not involve a dealer manager, provide to each participating Holder such customary written representations and warranties or other covenants or agreements as may be requested by any participating Holder comparable to those that would be included in an underwriting or dealer manager agreement;
(xvi) use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and make generally available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, but in any event no later than 90 days, after the end of the 12-month period beginning with the first day of SpinCos first quarter commencing after the effective date of the applicable Registration Statement, an earnings statement satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and covering the period of at least 12 months, but not more than 18 months, beginning with the first month after the effective date of the Registration Statement;
(xvii) provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement from and after a date not later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;
(xviii) cause all Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement to be listed on each securities exchange on which any of SpinCos securities are then listed or quoted and on each inter-dealer quotation system on which any of SpinCos securities are then quoted;
(xix) provide (A) each Holder participating in the Registration, (B) the underwriters (which term, for purposes of this Agreement, shall include any
Person deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act), if any, of the Registrable Securities to be registered, (C) the Sale or placement agent therefor, if any, (D) the dealer manager therefor, if any, (E) counsel for such Holder, underwriters, agent, or dealer manager and (F) any attorney, accountant or other agent or representative retained by such Holder or any such underwriter or dealer manager, as selected by such Holder, in each case, the opportunity to participate in the preparation of such Registration Statement, each Prospectus included therein or filed with the SEC, and each amendment or supplement thereto; and for a reasonable period prior to the filing of such Registration Statement, upon execution of a customary confidentiality agreement, make available for inspection upon reasonable notice at reasonable times and for reasonable periods, by the parties referred to in clauses (A) through (F) above, all pertinent financial and other records, pertinent corporate and other documents and properties of the SpinCo Group that are available to SpinCo, and cause all of the SpinCo Groups officers, directors and employees and the independent public accountants who have certified its financial statements to make themselves available at reasonable times and for reasonable periods to discuss the business of SpinCo and to supply all information available to SpinCo reasonably requested by any such Person in connection with such Registration Statement as shall be necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence or other responsibility, subject to the foregoing; provided , that in no event shall any member of the SpinCo Group be required to make available any information which the SpinCo Board determines in good faith to be competitively sensitive or confidential. The recipients of such information shall coordinate with one another so that the inspection permitted hereunder will not unnecessarily interfere with the SpinCo Groups conduct of business. Each Holder agrees that information obtained by it as a result of such inspections shall be deemed confidential and shall not be used by it as the basis for any market transactions in the securities of SpinCo or its Affiliates unless and until such information is made generally available to the public by SpinCo or such Affiliate or for any reason not related to the Registration of Registrable Securities;
(xx) cause the senior executive officers of SpinCo to participate at reasonable times and for reasonable periods in the customary road show presentations that may be reasonably requested by the managing underwriter(s) or dealer manager(s), if any, and otherwise to facilitate, cooperate with, and participate in each proposed offering contemplated herein and customary selling efforts related thereto;
(xxi) comply with all requirements of the Securities Act, Exchange Act and other applicable Laws, rules and regulations, as well as all applicable stock exchange rules; and
(xxii) take all other customary steps reasonably necessary or advisable to effect the Registration and distribution of the Registrable Securities contemplated hereby.
(b) As a condition precedent to any Registration hereunder, SpinCo may require each Holder as to which any Registration is being effected to furnish to SpinCo such information regarding the distribution of such securities and such other information relating to such Holder, its ownership of Registrable Securities and other matters as SpinCo may from time to time reasonably request in writing. Each such Holder agrees to furnish such information to SpinCo and to cooperate with SpinCo as reasonably necessary to enable SpinCo to comply with the provisions of this Agreement.
(c) Each Holder shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable, notify SpinCo, at any time when a Prospectus is required to be delivered (or deemed delivered) under the Securities Act, of the occurrence of an event, of which such Holder has knowledge, relating to such Holder or its Sale of Registrable Securities thereunder requiring the preparation of a supplement or amendment to such Prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered (or deemed delivered) to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.
(d) Parent agrees (on behalf of itself and each member of the Parent Group), and any other Holder agrees by acquisition of such Registrable Securities, that, upon receipt of any written notice from SpinCo of the occurrence of any event of the kind described in Section 2.03(a)(iv) , such Holder will forthwith discontinue Sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement until such Holders receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 2.03(a)(iv) , or until such Holder is advised in writing by SpinCo that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, and if so directed by SpinCo, such Holder will deliver to SpinCo, at SpinCos expense, all copies of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event SpinCo shall give any such notice, the period during which the applicable Registration Statement is required to be maintained effective shall be extended by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice through the date when each seller of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement either receives the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 2.03(a)(iv) or is advised in writing by SpinCo that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed.
Section 2.04 Underwritten Offerings or Exchange Offers.
(a) If requested by the managing underwriter(s) for any Underwritten Offering or dealer manager(s) for any Exchange Offer that is requested by Holders pursuant to a Demand Registration or Takedown Request under Section 2.01 , SpinCo shall enter into an underwriting agreement or dealer manager agreement, as applicable, with such underwriter(s) or dealer manager(s) for such offering, such agreement to be reasonably satisfactory in substance and form to SpinCo and the underwriter(s) or dealer manager(s) and, if Parent Group is a participating Holder, to Parent Group. Such agreement shall contain such representations and warranties by SpinCo and such other terms as are generally prevailing in agreements of that type. Each Holder with Registrable Securities to be included in any Underwritten Offering or Exchange Offer by such underwriter(s) or dealer manager(s) shall enter into such underwriting agreement or dealer manager agreement at the request of SpinCo, which agreement shall contain
such reasonable representations and warranties by the Holder and such other reasonable terms as are generally prevailing in agreements of that type.
(b) In the event of a SpinCo Public Sale involving an offering of SpinCo Shares or other equity securities of SpinCo in an Underwritten Offering (whether in a Demand Registration or a Piggyback Registration or pursuant to a Takedown Request, whether or not the Holders participate therein), the Holders hereby agree, and, in the event of a SpinCo Public Sale of SpinCo Shares or other equity securities of SpinCo in an Underwritten Offering or an Exchange Offer, SpinCo shall agree, and, except in the case of a Shelf Registration, it shall cause its executive officers and directors to agree, if requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters in such Underwritten Offering or by the Holder or the dealer manager or dealer managers, in an Exchange Offer, not to effect any Sale or distribution (including any offer to Sell, contract to Sell, short Sale or any option to purchase) of any securities (except, in each case, as part of the applicable Registration, if permitted hereunder) that are of the same type as those being Registered in connection with such public offering and Sale, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, during the period beginning five days before, and ending 90 days (or such lesser period as may be permitted by SpinCo or the participating Holder(s), as applicable, or such managing underwriter or underwriters) after, the effective date of the Registration Statement filed in connection with such Registration (or, if later, the date of the Prospectus), to the extent timely notified in writing by such selling Person or the managing underwriter or underwriters or dealer manager or dealer managers. The participating Holders and SpinCo, as applicable, also agree to execute an agreement evidencing the restrictions in this Section 2.04(b) in customary form, which form is reasonably satisfactory to SpinCo or the participating Holder(s), as applicable, and the underwriter(s) or dealer manager(s), as applicable; provided that such restrictions may be included in the underwriting agreement or dealer manager agreement, if applicable. SpinCo may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the securities subject to the foregoing restriction until the end of the required stand-off period.
(c) No Holder may participate in any Underwritten Offering or Exchange Offer hereunder unless such Holder (i) agrees to Sell such Holders securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements or dealer manager agreements approved by SpinCo or other Persons entitled to approve such arrangements and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, dealer manager agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements or dealer manager agreements or this Agreement.
Section 2.05 Registration Rights Agreement with Participating Banks.
If one or more members of the Parent Group decides to engage in a Private Debt Exchange with one or more Participating Banks, SpinCo shall enter into a registration rights agreement with the Participating Banks in connection with such Private Debt Exchange on terms and conditions consistent with this Agreement (other than the voting provisions contained in Article III hereof) and reasonably satisfactory to SpinCo and the Parent Group.
Section 2.06 Registration Expenses Paid by SpinCo.
In the case of any Registration of Registrable Securities required pursuant to this Agreement, SpinCo shall pay all Registration Expenses regardless of whether the Registration Statement becomes effective; provided , however , that SpinCo shall not be required to pay for any expenses of any Registration begun pursuant to Section 2.01 if the Demand Registration request is subsequently withdrawn at the request of the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to be Registered (in which case all participating Holders shall bear such expenses), unless the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities agree to forfeit their right to one Demand Registration to which they have the right pursuant to Section 2.01(b) .
Section 2.07 Indemnification.
(a) SpinCo agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, to the full extent permitted by applicable Law, each Holder whose shares are included in a Registration Statement, such Holders Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, agents, advisors, employees and each Person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) such Holder, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof, whether or not such indemnified party is a party thereto) and expenses, joint or several (including reasonable costs of investigation and legal expenses) (each, a Loss and collectively, Losses ) arising out of or based upon (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement under which the offering and Sale of such Registrable Securities was Registered under the Securities Act (including any final or preliminary Prospectus contained therein or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any documents incorporated by reference therein), or any such statement made in any free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) that SpinCo has filed or is required to file pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Securities Act or any Ancillary Filing, (ii) any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a Prospectus, preliminary Prospectus or free writing prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading; provided , that with respect to any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in any Prospectus, the indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph shall not apply to the extent that any such liability results from or arises out of (A) the fact that a current copy of the Prospectus was not sent or given to the Person asserting any such liability at or prior to the written confirmation of the Sale of the Registrable Securities concerned to such Person if it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment that SpinCo has provided such Prospectus and it was the responsibility of such Holder or its agents to provide such Person with a current copy of the Prospectus and such current copy of the Prospectus would have cured the defect giving rise to such liability, (B) the use of any Prospectus by or on behalf of any Holder after SpinCo has notified such Person in writing (x) that such Prospectus contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (y) that a stop order has been issued by the SEC with respect to a Registration Statement, or (C) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to SpinCo by or on behalf of the Indemnitee (as hereinafter defined), in either case expressly for use in such Registration Statement or
Prospectus. This indemnity shall be in addition to any liability SpinCo may otherwise have, including under the Separation and Distribution Agreement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Holder or any indemnified party and shall survive the Sale of such securities by such Holder.
(b) Each participating Holder whose Registrable Securities are included in a Registration Statement agrees (severally and not jointly) to indemnify and hold harmless, to the full extent permitted by applicable Law, SpinCo, its directors, officers, agents, advisors, employees and each Person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act) SpinCo from and against any and all Losses (i) arising out of or based upon information furnished in writing by such Holder or on such Holders behalf, in either case expressly for use in a Registration Statement, Prospectus relating to such Holders Registrable Securities or (ii) resulting from (A) the fact that a current copy of the Prospectus was not sent or given to the Person asserting any such liability at or prior to the written confirmation of the Sale of the Registrable Securities concerned to such Person if it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment that it was the responsibility of such Holder or its agent to provide such Person with a current copy of the Prospectus and such current copy of the Prospectus would have cured the defect giving rise to such liability, or (B) the use of any Prospectus by or on behalf of any Holder after SpinCo has notified such Person in writing (x) that such Prospectus contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (y) that a stop order has been issued by the SEC with respect to a Registration Statement. This indemnity shall be in addition to any liability the participating Holder may otherwise have, including under the Separation and Distribution Agreement. In no event shall the liability of any participating Holder hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by such holder under the Sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of SpinCo or any indemnified party.
(c) Any claim or action with respect to which a Party (an Indemnifying Party ) may be obligated to provide indemnification to any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder (an Indemnitee ) shall be subject to the procedures for indemnification set forth in Sections 4.4 and 4.5 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
(d) If for any reason the indemnification provided for in Section 2.07(a) or Section 2.07(b) is unavailable to an Indemnitee or insufficient to hold it harmless as contemplated by Section 2.07(a) or Section 2.07(b) , then the Indemnifying Party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the Indemnitee as a result of such Loss in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party on the one hand and the Indemnitee on the other hand. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Indemnifying Party or the Indemnitee and the Parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. For the avoidance of doubt, the establishment of such relative fault, and any disagreements or disputes relating thereto, shall be subject to Section 4.04 . Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.07(d) to the contrary, no
Indemnifying Party (other than SpinCo) shall be required pursuant to this Section 2.07(d) to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds received by such Indemnifying Party from the Sale of Registrable Securities in the offering to which the Losses of the Indemnitees relate (before deducting expenses, if any) exceeds the amount of any damages which such Indemnifying Party has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue statement or omission. The Parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 2.07(d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 2.07(d) . No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnitee hereunder shall be deemed to include, for purposes of this Section 2.07(d) , any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending against or appearing as a third party witness in respect of, or otherwise incurred in connection with, any such loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding. If indemnification is available under this Section 2.07 , the Indemnifying Parties shall indemnify each Indemnitee to the full extent provided in Section 2.07(a) and Section 2.07(b) without regard to the relative fault of said Indemnifying Parties or Indemnitee. Any Holders obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 2.07(d) are several and not joint.
Section 2.08 Reporting Requirements; Rule 144.
Until the earlier of (a) the expiration or termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms and (b) the date upon which there cease to be any Holders of Registrable Securities, SpinCo shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to be and remain in compliance with the periodic filing requirements imposed under the SECs rules and regulations, including the Exchange Act, and any other applicable Laws or rules, and thereafter shall timely file such information, documents and reports as the SEC may require or prescribe under Sections 13, 14 and 15(d), as applicable, of the Exchange Act so that SpinCo will qualify for registration on Form S-3 and to enable the Holders to Sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act consistent with the exemptions from registration under the Securities Act provided by (i) Rule 144 or Regulation S under the Securities Act, as amended from time to time, or (ii) any similar SEC rule or regulation then in effect. From and after the date hereof through such earlier date, SpinCo shall forthwith upon request furnish any Holder (x) a written statement by SpinCo as to whether it has complied with such requirements and, if not, the specifics thereof, (y) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of SpinCo and (z) such other reports and documents filed by SpinCo with the SEC as such Holder may reasonably request in availing itself of an exemption for the offering and Sale of Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act.
Section 2.09 Registration Rights Covenant.
SpinCo covenants that it will not, and it will cause the members of the SpinCo Group not to, grant any right of registration under the Securities Act relating to the SpinCo Shares or any of its other securities to any Person other than pursuant to this Agreement, unless the rights so granted to another Person do not limit or restrict the rights of the Holder(s)
hereunder. If SpinCo enters into any agreement after the date hereof granting any Person registration rights with respect to any security of SpinCo which agreement contains any material provisions more favorable to such Person than those set forth in this Agreement, SpinCo will notify Parent and will agree to such amendments to this Agreement as may be necessary to provide these rights to Parent, at Parents election.
ARTICLE III VOTING RESTRICTIONS
Section 3.01 Voting of SpinCo Shares.
(a) From the date of this Agreement and until the date that the Parent Group ceases to own any Retained Shares, Parent shall, and shall cause each member of the Parent Group to (in each case, to the extent that they own any Retained Shares), be present, in person or by proxy, at each and every SpinCo stockholder meeting, and otherwise to cause all Retained Shares owned by them to be counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum at any such meeting, and to vote or consent on any matter (including waivers of contractual or statutory rights), or cause to be voted or consented on any such matter, all such Retained Shares in proportion to the votes cast by the other holders of SpinCo Shares on such matter.
(b) From the date of this Agreement and until the date that the Parent Group ceases to own any Retained Shares, Parent hereby grants, and shall cause each member of the Parent Group (in each case, to the extent that they own any Retained Shares) to grant, an irrevocable proxy, which shall be deemed coupled with an interest sufficient in Law to support an irrevocable proxy to SpinCo or its designees, to vote, with respect to any matter (including waivers of contractual or statutory rights), all Retained Shares owned by them, in proportion to the votes cast by the other holders of SpinCo Shares on such matter; provided , that (i) such proxy shall automatically be revoked as to a particular Retained Share upon any Sale of such Retained Share from a member of the Parent Group to a Person other than a member of the Parent Group and (ii) nothing in this Section 3.01(b) shall limit or prohibit any such Sale.
(c) Parent acknowledges and agrees (on behalf of itself and each member of the Parent Group) that SpinCo will be irreparably damaged in the event any of the provisions of this Article III are not performed by Parent in accordance with their terms or are otherwise breached. Accordingly, it is agreed that SpinCo shall be entitled to an injunction to prevent breaches of this Article III and to specific enforcement of the provisions of this Article III in any action instituted in any court of the United States or any state having subject matter jurisdiction over such action.
ARTICLE IV MISCELLANEOUS
Section 4.01 Further Assurances.
In addition to the actions specifically provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, each of the Parties shall use its commercially reasonable efforts, prior to, on and after the date hereof, to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things,
reasonably necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws, regulations and agreements to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 4.02 Term and Termination.
This Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of (a) five years after the Distribution Date, (b) the time at which all Registrable Securities are held by Persons other than Holders and (c) the time at which all Registrable Securities have been Sold in accordance with one or more Registration Statements; provided , that the provisions of Section 2.06 and Section 2.07 and this Article IV shall survive any such termination.
Section 4.03 Counterparts; Entire Agreement; Corporate Power.
(a) This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Party.
(b) This Agreement and the Exhibit hereto contain the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede all previous agreements, negotiations, discussions, writings, understandings, commitments and conversations with respect to such subject matter, and there are no agreements or understandings between the Parties other than those set forth or referred to herein.
(c) Parent represents on behalf of itself and each other member of the Parent Group, and SpinCo represents on behalf of itself and each other member of the SpinCo Group, as follows:
(i) each such Person has the requisite corporate or other power and authority and has taken all corporate or other action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and
(ii) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of it enforceable in accordance with the terms hereof.
(d) Each Party acknowledges that it and each other Party may execute this Agreement by facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature, and that delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement (whether executed by manual, stamp or mechanical signature) by facsimile or by email in portable document format (PDF) shall be effective as delivery of such executed counterpart of this Agreement. Each Party expressly adopts and confirms each such facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature (regardless of whether delivered in person, by mail, by courier, by facsimile or by email in portable document format (PDF)) made in its respective name as if it were a manual signature delivered in person, agrees that it shall not assert that any such signature or delivery is not adequate to bind such Party to the same extent as if it were signed manually and delivered in person.
Section 4.04 Disputes and Governing Law.
(a) Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement (including the validity, interpretation, breach or termination of this Agreement) (a Dispute ), shall be resolved in accordance with the procedures set forth in Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, which shall be the sole and exclusive procedures for the resolution of any such Dispute unless otherwise specified in this Agreement or in Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
(b) This Agreement (and any claims or disputes arising out of or related hereto or to the transactions contemplated hereby or to the inducement of any Party to enter herein, whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct or otherwise and whether predicated on common law, statute or otherwise) shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware, irrespective of the choice of laws principles of the State of Delaware, including all matters of validity, construction, effect, enforceability, performance and remedies.
(c) THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY WAIVE AND FOREGO ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.
Section 4.05 Successors, Assigns and Transferees.
(a) Except as set forth herein, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto, and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided , however , that neither Party may assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Agreement without the express prior written consent of the other Party hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such consent shall be required for the assignment of a partys rights and obligations under this Agreement (except as otherwise provided herein) in whole ( i.e. , the assignment of a partys rights and obligations under this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement and all other Ancillary Agreements all at the same time) in connection with a Change of Control of a Party so long as the resulting, surviving or transferee Person assumes all the obligations of the relevant party thereto by operation of Law or pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the other Party. Nothing herein is intended to, or shall be construed to, prohibit either Party or any member of its Group from being party to or undertaking a Change of Control.
(b) Notwithstanding any other terms of this Section 4.05 , in connection with the Sale of Registrable Securities, Parent may assign its Registration-related rights and obligations under this Agreement relating to such Registrable Securities to the following transferees in such Sale: (i) a member of the Parent Group to which Registrable Securities are Sold; (ii) one or more Participating Banks to which Registrable Securities are Sold; (iii) any transferee to which Registrable Securities are Sold, if SpinCo provides prior written consent to the transfer of such Registration-related rights and obligations along with the Sale of Registrable Securities; or (iv) any other transferee to which Registrable Securities are Sold, unless such Sale consists of Registrable Securities representing less than 1% of SpinCos then-issued and outstanding securities of the same class as the Registrable Securities and such Registrable Securities are eligible for Sale pursuant to an exemption from the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act under Section 4(a) thereof (including transactions pursuant to Rule 144); provided , that in the case of clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv), (x) SpinCo is given written notice prior to or at the time of such Sale stating the name and address of the transferee and identifying the securities with respect to which the Registration-related rights and obligations are being Sold and (y) the transferee executes a counterpart in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A and delivers the same to SpinCo (any such transferee in such Sale, a Transferee ). In connection with the Sale of Registrable Securities, a Transferee or Subsequent Transferee (as defined below) may assign its Registration-related rights and obligations under this Agreement relating to such Registrable Securities to the following subsequent transferees: (A) an Affiliate of such Transferee to which Registrable Securities are Sold, (B) any subsequent transferee to which Registrable Securities are Sold, if SpinCo provides prior written consent to the transfer of such Registration-related rights and obligations along with the Sale of Registrable Securities or (C) any other subsequent transferee to which Registrable Securities are Sold, unless such Sale consists of Registrable Securities representing less than 1% of SpinCos then-issued and outstanding securities of the same class as the Registrable Securities and such Registrable Securities are eligible for Sale pursuant to an exemption from the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act under Section 4(a) thereof (including transactions pursuant to Rule 144); provided , that in the case of clauses (A), (B) or (C), (x) SpinCo is given written notice prior to or at the time of such Sale stating the name and address of the subsequent transferee and identifying the securities with respect to which the Registration-related rights and obligations are being assigned and (y) the subsequent transferee executes a counterpart in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A and delivers the same to SpinCo (any such subsequent transferee, a Subsequent Transferee ).
Section 4.06 Third-Party Beneficiaries.
Except for any Person expressly entitled to indemnification rights under this Agreement, (a) the provisions of this Agreement are solely for the benefit of the Parties hereto and parties thereto, respectively, and are not intended to confer upon any other Person any rights or remedies hereunder, and (b) there are no third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement and this Agreement shall not provide any third Person with any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, claim of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.
Section 4.07 Notices.
All notices, requests, claims, demands or other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service, by facsimile or electronic transmission with receipt confirmed (followed by delivery of an original via overnight courier service), or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 4.07 ):
If to Parent, to:
ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc.
150 Peabody Place
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
Attention:
General Counsel
E-mail: James.Lucke@ServiceMaster.com
with a copy to:
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
51 West 52nd Street
New York, New York 10019
Attention:
S. Iliana Ongun
E-mail: ARBrownstein@wlrk.com
SIOngun@wlrk.com
If to SpinCo, to:
[AHS Holding Company, Inc.]
[]
[]
Attention:
[]
E-mail: []
with a copy to:
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
51 West 52nd Street
New York, New York 10019
Attention:
S. Iliana Ongun
E-mail: ARBrownstein@wlrk.com
SIOngun@wlrk.com
A Party may, by written notice to the other Party, change the address to which any such notices are to be given.
Section 4.08 Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement or the application hereof to any Person or circumstance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances or in jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby. Upon such determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith in an
effort to agree upon such a suitable and equitable provision to effect the original intent of the Parties.
Section 4.09 Headings.
The article, section and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
Section 4.10 Waiver of Default.
Waiver by a Party of any default by the other Party of any provision of this Agreement must be in writing and shall not be deemed a waiver by the waiving Party of any subsequent or other default, nor shall it prejudice the rights of the other Party. No failure or delay by a Party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof prejudice any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.
Section 4.11 Amendments.
No provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed waived, amended, supplemented or modified by a Party, unless such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized representative of the Party against whom it is sought to enforce such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification, or the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities, if such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is sought to be enforced against a Holder.
Section 4.12 Interpretation.
In this Agreement, (a) words in the singular shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa and words of one gender shall be deemed to include the other genders as the context requires, (b) the terms hereof, herein, and herewith and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole (including all of the Schedules, Exhibits and Appendices hereto) and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, (c) Article, Section, Schedule, Exhibit and Appendix references are to the Articles, Sections, Schedules, Exhibits and Appendices to this Agreement unless otherwise specified, (d) unless otherwise stated, all references to any agreement (including this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement and each other Ancillary Agreement) shall be deemed to include the exhibits, schedules and annexes to such agreement, (e) the word including and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall mean including, without limitation, unless otherwise specified, (f) the word or shall not be exclusive, (g) unless otherwise specified in a particular case, the word days refers to calendar days, (h) references to business day shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions are generally authorized or required by law to close in Memphis, Tennessee or New York, New York, (i) references herein to this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein shall be deemed to refer to this Agreement or such other agreement as of the date on which it is executed and as it may be amended, modified or supplemented thereafter, unless otherwise specified; the word extent in the phrase to the extent shall mean the degree to which a
subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply if and (j) unless expressly stated to the contrary in this Agreement, all references to the date hereof, the date of this Agreement, hereby and hereupon and words of similar import shall all be references to [].
Section 4.13 Performance.
Parent shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth in this Agreement to be performed by any member of the Parent Group. SpinCo shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth in this Agreement to be performed by any member of the SpinCo Group. Each Party (including its permitted successors and assigns) further agrees that it shall (a) give timely notice of the terms, conditions and continuing obligations contained in this Agreement to all of the other members of its Group and (b) cause all of the other members of its Group not to take any action or fail to take any such action inconsistent with such Partys obligations under this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 4.14 Registrations, Exchanges, etc.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary that may be contained in this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall apply to the full extent set forth herein with respect to (a) any SpinCo Shares, now or hereafter authorized to be issued, (b) any and all securities of SpinCo into which SpinCo Shares are converted, exchanged or substituted in any recapitalization or other capital reorganization by SpinCo and (c) any and all securities of any kind whatsoever of SpinCo or any successor or permitted assign of SpinCo (whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) which may be issued on or after the date hereof in respect of, in conversion of, in exchange for or in substitution of, SpinCo Shares, and shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividends, or other distributions, stock splits or reverse stock splits, combinations, recapitalizations, mergers, consolidations, exchange offers or other reorganizations occurring after the date hereof.
Section 4.15 Mutual Drafting.
This Agreement shall be deemed to be the joint work product of the Parties, and any rule of construction that a document shall be interpreted or construed against a drafter of such document shall not be applicable.
[The remainder of this page has been left blank intentionally.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first above written.
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[Signature Page to Stockholder and Registration Rights Agreement]
Exhibit A
Form of
Agreement to be Bound
THIS INSTRUMENT forms part of the Stockholder and Registration Rights Agreement (the Agreement ), dated as of [], by and between ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ( Parent ), and AHS Holding Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation. The undersigned hereby acknowledges having received a copy of the Agreement and having read the Agreement in its entirety, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, hereby agrees that the terms and conditions of the Agreement binding upon and inuring to the benefit of Parent shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the undersigned and its successors and permitted assigns as if it were an original party to the Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument on this day of , 20 .
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EXECUTION VERSION
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this Agreement ) is made as of May 15, 2018, by and between Rex Tibbens ( Executive ), and American Home Shield (the Company ), a wholly owned subsidiary of ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ( ServiceMaster ).
WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive as the President and Chief Executive Officer ( CEO ) of the Company and as a future member of the Companys Board of Directors (the Board ) following the spinoff by ServiceMaster of the Company as a publicly traded company (the Spin ), and Executive desires to be employed by the Company in such capacities, in each case pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
WHEREAS, the Company and Executive intend hereby to set forth the terms and conditions upon which Executive shall be employed in such capacities.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and obligations contained herein, and intending to be legally bound, the parties, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, agree as follows:
1. Defined Terms . Any capitalized terms which are not defined within this Agreement are defined in Exhibit A hereto attached.
2. Term . The Company shall employ Executive, and Executive agrees to be employed by the Company in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for the period commencing on May 15, 2018 (the Effective Date ) and continuing through and including the earliest of (a) the effective date of Executives termination of employment (the Date of Termination ), (b) the date of Executives death, and (c) the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date (such period, the Term ); provided that the Term shall automatically be extended by one year effective upon the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date and each anniversary thereafter, until such date as either the Company or Executive shall have terminated such automatic extension provision by giving written notice to the other at least ninety (90) days prior to the end of the initial Term or any extended Term.
3. Duties; Location of Performance .
(a) Commencing on the Effective Date, continuing during the Term, Executive shall: (i) have the authorities and responsibilities consistent with his position as the CEO of the Company; (ii) report to the Chief Executive Officer of ServiceMaster prior to the Spin and the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board ) upon and after the Spin; and (iii) after the Spin, so long as Executive serves as CEO of the Company, serve as a member of the Board without additional compensation. Commencing no later than the date of the Spin (the Spin Date ), Executive shall be appointed as a member of the Board, and at all times as applicable during the Term, the Company shall nominate Executive for election to the Board; provided that upon any termination of Executives employment under this Agreement, Executive shall, effective as of the Date of Termination (or Executives death), immediately cease to serve on the Board and any committees thereof. During the Term, all employees of the Company and its subsidiaries shall report to Executive or his designee.
(b) Subject to any required business travel on behalf of the Company and the provisions of Section 4(d) below, Executives principal place of business will be at the Companys corporate offices in the greater Memphis, Tennessee, metropolitan area (the Corporate Headquarters ).
(c) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary herein, Executive will be permitted (in accordance with the Companys Conflict of Interest Policy) to act or serve as a member of the board of directors of up to two privately held companies (which as of the date of this Agreement the Company acknowledges are Zipline and Carggo), and as a member of the board of directors of any other business, civic, or charitable company or organization approved by the Company; provided, that the Company agrees that the Executive may also remain a member of the board of directors of Pillow through the end of his current term as a member thereof. Further, if at any time during the Term, Zipline, Carggo and/or Pillow become publicly traded companies, Executive shall resign all service relationships with such company(ies), unless the Board otherwise agrees to Executives continued service on the board of directors with respect to such company(ies).
4. Obligations of the Company During the Term . The Company shall provide the following to Executive during the Term:
(a) Salary . The Company shall pay Executive a base salary ( Base Salary ) at an annual rate of at least $800,000, payable in accordance with the payroll practices of the Company. Executives rate of Base Salary shall be subject to annual review by the Board or the Compensation Committee (defined below) and any possible increase (but not decrease) shall be at the discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee. Executives Base Salary may not be decreased without the written consent of Executive.
(b) Annual Bonus .
(1) Generally . Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Annual Bonus Plan (or any successor plan) (the Bonus Plan ) in respect of each fiscal year of the Company on at least the same terms and conditions as other executive officers of, prior to the Spin, ServiceMaster, and on and after the Spin, the Company; provided that Executives annual bonus opportunity payable at achievement of target levels shall not be less than 100 percent of Base Salary (the Target Bonus ), it being understood that the actual amount payable and the performance metrics, weighting, and thresholds applicable to Executive shall be determined in accordance with the Bonus Plan as adopted and administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the Compensation Committee ). Any amount payable pursuant to this Section 4(b)(1), and Section 4(b)(2) below, shall be paid when paid to other executive officers of the Company under the Bonus Plan, but in no event later than March 15 of the year following the year in respect of which it was earned.
(2) 2018 Performance Year . Notwithstanding Section 4(b)(1), in no event shall Executives annual bonus for the 2018 performance year be less than an amount equal to (x) $800,000, multiplied by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days from the Effective Date through December 31, 2018, and the denominator of which is 365.
(c) Benefits . Executive shall be entitled to those employee benefits and perquisites which the Company from time to time generally makes available to its executive officers ( Benefits ) subject to the terms and conditions of such benefit plans or programs. The Benefits shall include, without limitation, medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, flexible spending or similar account, four weeks of paid annual vacation, and such other benefits, as the Board or Compensation Committee may determine from time to time. In addition, to the extent that, on and after the Effective Date, the Company provides its other named executive officers an automobile allowance or Company car, then the Company shall also provide the same level of automobile allowance or Company car to Executive.
(d) Reimbursement of Other Expenses; Relocation . Executive shall be reimbursed for all proper and reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of his duties hereunder in accordance with the policies of the Company. Executive shall, on a fully tax grossed-up basis, (i) also qualify for the Companys relocation program and shall be provided with reimbursement of his relocation expenses in accordance with the terms and conditions of that program and (ii) through the first anniversary of the Effective Date, be provided with corporate housing in the Corporate Headquarters area and with reimbursement for reasonable weekly commuting expenses between Seattle, WA, and Memphis, TN, consistent with the business travel reimbursement policies applicable to the Companys executive officers.
5. Equity-Based Compensation .
(a) Restricted Stock Units .
(1) RSU Grant . Effective as of the Effective Date, ServiceMaster shall grant Executive a number of shares of restricted stock units ( RSUs ) under the Stock Incentive Plan having a grant date value equal to $1,000,000 (the Sign-On RSUs ). The Sign-On RSUs shall vest, subject to Executives continued employment with the Company, ratably over three years, starting on the first anniversary of the Effective Date, and as otherwise provided in the Sign-On RSU Agreement (as defined below).
(2) Terms and Conditions . The terms and conditions of the Sign-On RSUs (including, but not limited to, the vesting conditions) shall be set forth in a separate Employee Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B , to be entered into between ServiceMaster and Executive (the Sign-On RSU Agreement ) and will be subject to the terms and provisions of the Stock Incentive Plan.
(b) Stock Options .
(1) Option Grant . Effective as of the Effective Date, ServiceMaster shall grant Executive non-qualified stock options to purchase shares of Common Stock under the Stock Incentive Plan having a Black-Scholes value equal to $1,000,000 (the Options ). The Options will vest, subject to Executives continued employment with the Company, in four annual installments at a rate of one-fourth per year on each of the first four anniversaries of the Effective Date and as otherwise provided in the Employee Stock Option Agreement (as defined below). The exercise price per share of Common
Stock covered by the Options shall be equal to the Fair Market Value (as defined in the Stock Incentive Plan) on the Effective Date, as required under the Stock Incentive Plan.
(2) Terms and Conditions . The terms and conditions of the Options (including, but not limited to, the vesting conditions) shall be set forth in a separate Employee Stock Option Agreement, in the form of Employee Stock Option Agreement attached as Exhibit C , to be entered into between Service Master and Executive (the Employee Stock Option Agreement ) and will be subject to the terms and provisions of the Stock Incentive Plan.
(c) Annual Equity Grants .
(1) Prorated 2018 Annual Equity Grant . Effective as of the Effective Date, ServiceMaster shall grant Executive RSUs and non-qualified stock options to purchase shares of Common Stock under the Stock Incentive Plan with a collective value of $1,250,000, which will have the same composition (50% RSUs and 50% stock options), and will vest on the same schedule, as such annual grants made in February 2018 to the named executive officers of ServiceMaster, with Executive to receive service credit for such vesting from the date the annual grants were made in February 2018 to the other named executive officers (the 2018 Equity Grant and, collectively with the Sign-On RSUs and the Options, the Equity Awards ).
(2) Terms and Conditions . The terms and conditions of the 2018 Equity Grant (including, but not limited to, the vesting conditions) shall be set forth in a separate Employee Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, in the form attached as Exhibit D , and a separate Stock Option Agreement, in the form attached as Exhibit E , both to be entered into between ServiceMaster and Executive (the 2018 Equity Award Agreements and collectively with the Sign-On RSU Agreement and the Employee Stock Option Agreement, the Equity Award Agreements ).
(3) Future Annual Equity Grants . Beginning in calendar year 2019 and each subsequent calendar year occurring during the Term, Executive shall be eligible to be considered for annual long-term equity incentive grants having a target total grant date value equal to 250% of his Annual Base Salary, with any such grants to be made at the same time as other senior executives of the Company (or prior to the Spin, Service Master) with the form(s) of such annual equity grants to be determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board (or prior to the Spin, the compensation committee of the board of directors of ServiceMaster).
(d) Notwithstanding any terms of the Equity Award Agreements or otherwise to the contrary, subject to and conditioned on the completion of the Spin, for the avoidance of doubt in connection with the Spin all outstanding ServiceMaster equity awards then held by Executive shall be converted into awards covering shares of publicly traded Company common stock, in accordance with the provisions of the Stock Incentive Plan.
6. Severance Benefits .
(a) In the event that Executives employment hereunder is terminated during the period beginning on and including the Effective Date and ending on or prior to the expiration of the Term by the Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason, then the Company, subject to Section 6(g), shall pay to Executive, as compensation for services rendered to the Company and its affiliated companies:
(1) Executives Base Salary earned through the Date of Termination, to the extent not previously paid (but after giving effect to any amounts that would be deferred pursuant to the Companys deferred compensation plan); plus
(2) (i) Executives annual bonus earned with respect to the fiscal year immediately prior to the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs, to the extent not previously paid (but after giving effect to any amounts that would be deferred pursuant to the Companys deferred compensation plan), plus (ii) the bonus that Executive would have been paid in respect of the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs had his employment not terminated, prorated for the portion of the fiscal year during which Executive was employed elapsed through the Date of Termination based on actual performance (the Pro Rata Bonus ); plus
(3) a continued payment of his monthly Base Salary, at the rate in effect immediately prior to the Date of Termination, for twelve (12) months following the Date of Termination; provided that such payment period shall be for twenty-four (24) months following the Date of Termination if the Date of Termination is prior to January 1, 2020 (the Severance Period ); plus
(4) a lump sum payment equal to Executives Target Bonus; plus
(5) reimbursement of Executives expenses pursuant to Section 4(d) and any accrued but unused vacation; plus
(6) to the extent not already vested by their terms on or prior to such Date of Termination, the Sign-On RSUs shall become immediately vested on such Date of Termination; plus
(7) if applicable, outstanding and unvested equity awards not otherwise covered by Section 6(a)(6) shall vest in accordance with their applicable terms.
(b) In the event that Executives employment hereunder is terminated during the period beginning on and including the Effective Date and ending on or prior to the expiration of the Term by the Company for Cause or by Executive for any reason other than Good Reason, including by reason of death or Disability, then the Company shall pay to Executive (or Executives executors, legal representatives or administrators in the event of Executives death), as compensation for services rendered to the Company and its affiliated companies:
(1) Executives Base Salary earned through the Date of Termination or date of death, to the extent not previously paid (but after giving effect to any amounts that would be deferred pursuant to the Companys deferred compensation plan); plus
(2) in the event Executives employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, (i) Executives annual bonus earned with respect to the fiscal year immediately prior to the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs, to the extent not previously paid (but after giving effect to any amounts that would be deferred pursuant to the Companys deferred compensation plan), plus (ii) a Pro Rata Bonus; plus
(3) reimbursement of Executives expenses pursuant to Section 4(d) and any unused but accrued vacation; plus
(4) if applicable, outstanding and unvested equity awards shall vest in accordance with their applicable terms.
(c) Payment . Subject to Section 14, (i) any amount payable pursuant to Section 6(a)(1) or 6(b)(1) above shall be paid in accordance with the payroll practices of the Company; (ii) any amount payable pursuant to Section 6(a)(2) or 6(b)(2) shall be paid when annual bonuses for the applicable fiscal years are paid to other executive officers of the Company, but in no event later than March 15 of the year following the year in respect of which such bonuses were earned; and (iii) any amount payable pursuant to Section 6(a)(3) shall be paid in equal monthly installments during the one-year period (two-year period if the Date of Termination is prior to January 1, 2020) following the Date of Termination, except that all installments that would have been paid during the first 60 days following the Date of Termination shall be paid on the 60th day following the Date of Termination; and (iv) any amount payable pursuant to Section 6(a)(4) shall be paid no later than 70 days following the Date of Termination. In addition, if on the Date of Termination Executive is a specified employee, as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i) and determined using the identification methodology selected by the Company from time to time, or if none, the default methodology, any or all amounts payable under this Agreement on account of such termination of employment that would (but for this provision) be payable within six months following the Date of Termination, shall instead be paid in a lump sum on the first day of the seventh month following the Date of Termination or, if earlier, upon Executives death, except (A) to the extent of amounts that do not constitute a deferral of compensation within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b) (including without limitation by reason of the safe harbor set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii), as determined by the Company in its reasonable good faith discretion); (B) benefits which qualify as excepted welfare benefits pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A 1(a)(5); and (C) other amounts or benefits that are not subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code ).
(d) Continuation of Benefits . In the event Executive is entitled to the severance benefits under Section 6(a), then (i) for twelve (12) months (eighteen (18) months if the Date of Termination is prior to January 1, 2020) following the Date of Termination, subject to Executives enrollment for COBRA continuation coverage and payment of the applicable monthly COBRA premium amounts (the Monthly COBRA Premium Amount ), the Company will cause a monthly reimbursement to be made to
Executive such that, after payment of applicable taxes, Executive retains an amount of such reimbursement equal to the employer contribution for active employees for the COBRA coverage so elected as in effect immediately prior to the Date of Termination; and (ii) if by the end of such 18-month period, if the Date of Termination is prior to January 1, 2020, Executive and his covered dependents have not become covered by a plan of a subsequent employer offering the same type of benefits, then, for the shorter of (A) six (6) months and (B) the end of the month in which Executive obtains such coverage from a subsequent employer, the Company will cause Executive to be paid a monthly amount such that, after payment of applicable taxes, Executive retains an amount of such payment equal to 100% of the Monthly COBRA Premium Amount.
(e) Exclusive Severance . Any amount paid pursuant to Section 6(a), 6(b) or 6(d) shall be paid in lieu of any other amount of severance relating to salary continuation or bonus payments or health, welfare and life insurance coverage to be received by Executive upon termination of employment of Executive under any severance plan, policy or arrangement of the Company or its affiliated companies. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Executives employment hereunder is terminated hereunder for any reason, Executive shall be entitled to continuation of Benefits subject to the terms and conditions of such benefit plans or programs for terminated employees.
(f) Equity-Based Compensation . Except as otherwise expressly provided in Sections 5 and 6(a)(6) of this Agreement, each share of Common Stock and all Equity Awards held by Executive on the Date of Termination or date of death shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Equity Award Agreement and Stock Incentive Plan, including, without limitation, the restriction periods, vesting and forfeiture schedules, and termination provisions.
(g) Release; Compliance with Restrictive Covenants . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6, in the event the Company is obligated to make payments pursuant to Sections 6(a)(3), 6(a)(4), 6(a)(6) and 6(d), it shall be a condition to such payments that: (i), within forty-five (45) days following the Date of Termination, Executive enter into a general release of claims, containing the provisions attached hereto as Exhibit F and such other provisions, if any, as the parties may mutually agree, waiving any and all claims against the Company and its subsidiaries, its parent entities, its affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives, stockholders, members and partners relating to this Agreement and to his employment during the term hereof and (ii) Executive materially complies with the covenants set forth in Section 7(a), (b) and (d) during the Severance Period.
(h) Notice of Termination . Executive shall be required to provide the Company with thirty (30) days advance written notice, and the Company may provide notice at any time, of the intention to terminate Executives employment for any reason, other than a termination by the Company for Cause or termination by Executive with Good Reason, each of which shall be subject to the applicable notice and cure time periods set forth in Exhibit A .
(i) In the event the Company gives Executive notice of non-automatic extension of this Agreement at any time pursuant to Section 2, such termination shall be treated as a termination without Cause immediately prior to the expiration of the Term.
7. Covenants . For good and valuable consideration, including without limitation the grant of Equity Awards and the severance benefits provided for in Section 6 above, the sufficiency of which Executive hereby acknowledges, Executive agrees to the following:
(a) Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation . From and after the Effective Date and through and including the date that is one year after the Date of Termination, Executive shall not do any of the following, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the Board:
(1) directly or indirectly (whether as owner, stockholder, director, officer, employee, principal, agent, consultant, independent contractor, partner or otherwise), in North America or any other geographic area in which the Company or any subsidiary of the Company is then conducting business, own, manage, operate, control, participate in, perform services for, or otherwise carry on, a business similar to or competitive with a business conducted by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company and/or, prior to the Spin, ServiceMaster or any of its subsidiaries (a Competitive Enterprise ), provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit (x) Executives passive ownership of less than 1% of any class of voting securities of a publicly held company which would otherwise be prohibited under this Section 7(a)(1) or (y) Executives providing services to either (A) a separate division or operating unit of a multi-divisional Competitive Enterprise if such division or operating unit is not competitive with the business conducted by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or (B) a Competitive Enterprise where the revenues derived from the divisions or operating units that, if standing alone, would be a Competitive Enterprise (I) account in the aggregate for less than 20% of the aggregate consolidated revenue of the entire Competitive Enterprise (or, if applicable, the portion of the Competitive Enterprise for which Executive is responsible (including, for the avoidance of doubt, subsidiary entities)) and (II) on a business unit by business unit basis are 35% or less than the revenue of the corresponding business unit of the Company (except that, for purpose of the clause (II), any Company business unit that accounts for 10% or less of the aggregate consolidated revenue of the Company shall be disregarded), in the case of each of (I) and (II) for the fiscal year prior to Executives commencement of employment therewith; or
(2) other than in the good faith performance of Executives duties to the Company, directly or indirectly attempt to induce any employee of the Company or any subsidiary or parent of the Company to terminate his or her employment with the Company or any subsidiary or parent of the Company for any purpose whatsoever, or attempt directly or indirectly, in connection with any business to which Section 7(a)(1) applies, to solicit the trade or business of any current or prospective customer, supplier or partner of the Company or any subsidiary or parent of the Company; provided , that this Section 7(a)(2) shall not be violated by (i) general advertising or solicitation not specifically targeted at the Company related persons or entities or (ii) Executive serving as a reference, upon request.
(b) Confidentiality; Work Product . Executive agrees that, during Executives employment with the Company and its subsidiaries and thereafter, other than in the good faith performance of his duties to the Company and its subsidiaries, Executive will not disclose confidential or proprietary information, or trade secrets, related to any business of the Company or its subsidiaries, including without limitation, and whether or not such
information is specifically designated as confidential or proprietary: all business plans and marketing strategies; information concerning existing and prospective markets, suppliers and customers; financial information; information concerning the development of new products and services; and technical and non-technical data related to software programs, design, specifications, compilations, inventions, improvements, patent applications, studies, research, methods, devices, prototypes, processes, procedures and techniques. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may disclose confidential information to the extent required by law, regulation or order of a regulatory body, in each case so long as Executive gives the Company written notice of the disclosure as soon as practicable under the circumstances to enable the Company to seek a protective order, confidential treatment or other appropriate relief (except that notice to the Company need not be given during any period that such disclosure is prohibited by applicable law). Executives obligations under this Section are indefinite in term. Executive hereby assigns, transfers and releases, without royalty or any other consideration except as expressly set forth herein, all worldwide right, title and interest Executive may have or acquire (including copyright and moral rights) in and to all work product, inventions, discoveries, know-how, processes, data and other items ( Materials ) resulting from Executives services under this Agreement. To the extent any Materials are not assignable, Executive waives, disclaims and agrees that Executive will not enforce against the Company any rights Executive may have to such Materials.
(c) Non-Disparagement . At all times during the Term and for one (1) year thereafter, Executive agrees that Executive will refrain from making public statements, written or oral, which criticize, disparage or defame the business, goodwill or reputation of the Company or Service Master (including their products and services), their directors, officers, executives, subsidiaries, parent entities, and/or employees or making statements which could adversely affect the morale of other employees. At all times during the Term and for one (1) year thereafter, the Company agrees that its active members of the Board and active named executive officers (each as in effect from time to time) will refrain from making public statements, written or oral, which criticize, disparage or defame Executive. Nothing in this Agreement, however, shall be construed to prevent Executive or the Company (including any of its representatives) from providing truthful testimony or information in response to any valid subpoena, court order, the request of any government agency or as otherwise required by law (including in connection with any whistleblower laws), from rebutting false or misleading statements about the party by others or making normal competitive-type statements not in violation of Section 7(a) above. There shall be no third-party beneficiaries of this Section 7(c), other than applicable subsidiaries of the Company.
(d) Cooperation . During and after Executives employment, Executive shall reasonably cooperate with the Company with respect to any matter (including without limitation any investigation, governmental proceeding and litigation, including the defense or prosecution of any claims or actions now in existence or which may be brought in the future against or on behalf of the Company or its affiliates) that relates to events or occurrences that transpired while Executive was employed by the Company. Executives reasonable cooperation in connection with such claims or actions shall include, but not be limited to, being reasonably available to meet with counsel to prepare for discovery or trial and to act as a witness on behalf of the Company at mutually
convenient times. During and after Executives employment, Executive also shall reasonably cooperate with the Company or its affiliates in connection with any investigation or review of any Federal, state or local regulatory authority as any such investigation or review relates to events or occurrences that transpired while Executive was employed by the Company. The Company shall reimburse Executive for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with Executives performance of obligations pursuant to this Section 7(d).
8. Reimbursement of Executive Expenses . The Company shall reimburse Executive for reasonable legal fees incurred related to this Agreement, not to exceed $20,000 in the aggregate. Such reimbursement shall be made within thirty (30) days after Executive provides an invoice for such services to the Company (which invoice shall be provided within sixty (60) days following the Effective Date), but in any event no later than March 15 of the year following the year in which the fees are incurred.
9. Indemnification . Effective as of the Effective Date, the Company and Executive shall enter into an indemnification agreement in the form attached as Exhibit G . During the Term and thereafter, the Company shall indemnify Executive with respect to his services to the Company and its subsidiaries as an officer and director, including as a fiduciary of Company benefit plans, at levels not less than as provided in the Bylaws of the Company in effect on the Effective Date. In addition, (i) Executive shall both during the Term and thereafter be covered by directors and officers liability insurance to the same extent that such coverage is then maintained for officers or directors of the Company in active service, and (ii) any tail policy providing directors and officers liability coverage that covers a period of service in which Executive is or was in active service with the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries shall cover such service.
10. Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Company and its successors and assigns, and upon any such assignment, all references to the Company shall be deemed to refer to such successor or assignee, and by Executive and Executives personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any assignment of this Agreement by the Company, other than to any parent entity or subsidiary (or any other subsidiary of ServiceMaster established for the purpose of furthering the Spin), in each such case in connection with the implementation of the Spin, shall be subject to Executives consent. This Agreement shall not be terminated by any merger or consolidation of the Company whereby the Company is or is not the surviving or resulting corporation or as a result of any transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company. In the event of any such merger, consolidation or transfer of assets, the provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon the surviving or resulting corporation or the person or entity to which such assets are transferred.
11. Notice . All notices and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement (including the notice required by the definition of Good Reason as set forth in Exhibit A ) shall be in writing, shall be given by personal delivery, overnight delivery by an established courier service, or by certified mail, return receipt required, and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered, addressed (a) if to Executive, at his address in the records of the Company, and if to the Company, to American Home Shield, 150 Peabody Place,
Memphis, Tennessee 38103, attention General Counsel or (b) to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith.
12. Entire Agreement; Amendments . Except as otherwise specified herein, this Agreement and the Exhibits constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede and preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or between the parties, written or oral, which may have related in any manner to the subject matter hereof.
13. Modification or Waiver . No provision of this Agreement may be modified or waived unless such modification or waiver is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and a member of the Board. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. Failure by Executive or the Company to insist upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or to assert any right which Executive or the Company may have hereunder shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.
14. Governing Law; Validity . The interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware without regard to the principle of conflicts of laws. The invalidity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any of the other provisions of this Agreement, which other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
15. Withholding . Any payments provided for herein shall be reduced by any amounts required to be withheld by the Company from time to time under applicable Federal, state or local income or employment tax laws or similar statutes or other provisions of law then in effect.
16. Payments by Subsidiaries . Executive acknowledges that one or more payments hereunder may be paid by one or more of the Companys subsidiaries, and Executive agrees that any such payment made by such subsidiary shall satisfy the obligations of the Company hereunder with respect to (but only to the extent of) such payment.
17. Section 409A; Section 280G .
(a) To the extent that any reimbursement, fringe benefit, or other similar plan or arrangement in which Executive participates during the term of Executives employment under this Agreement or thereafter provides for a deferral of compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, (i) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit; (ii) the amount eligible for reimbursement or payment under such plan or arrangement in one calendar year may not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement or payment in any other calendar year (except that a plan providing medical or health benefits may impose a generally applicable limit on the amount that may be reimbursed or paid); (iii) subject to any shorter time periods provided in any expense reimbursement policy of the Company, any reimbursement or payment of an expense under such plan or arrangement must be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the
calendar year in which the expense was incurred; and (iv) the reimbursements shall be made pursuant to objectively determinable and nondiscretionary Company policies and procedures regarding such reimbursement of expenses. In addition, with respect to any payments or benefits subject to Section 409A, reference to Executives Date of Termination (and corollary terms) with the Company shall be construed to refer to Executives separation from service (as determined under Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(h), as uniformly applied by the Company) with the Company. Whenever a provision under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days, the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company. Executives right to receive any installment payments hereunder shall, for purposes of Section 409A, be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments. Any tax gross-up payment provided for under this Agreement shall in no event be paid to Executive later than the December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which such taxes are remitted by Executive.
(b) To the extent that any of the payments and benefits provided for under this Agreement together with any payments or benefits under any other agreement or arrangement between the Company and Executive (collectively, the Payments) would constitute a parachute payment within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, the amount of such Payments shall be reduced to the amount that would result in no portion of the Payments being subject to the excise tax imposed pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code if and only if such reduction would provide Executive with an after-tax amount greater than if there was no reduction. Any reduction shall be done in a manner that maximizes the amount to be retained by Executive, provided that to the extent any order is required to be set forth herein, then such reduction shall be applied in the following order: (i) payments that are payable in cash that are valued at full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24(a) will be reduced (if necessary, to zero), with amounts that are payable last reduced first; (ii) payments due in respect of any equity valued at full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24(a) will be reduced next (if necessary, to zero), with amounts that are payable or deliverable last reduced first; (iii) payments that are payable in cash that are valued at less than full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G- 1, Q&A 24 will be reduced next (if necessary, to zero), with the highest values reduced first (as such values are determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24); (iv) payments due in respect of any equity valued at less than full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24 will be reduced next (if necessary, to zero), with the highest values reduced first (as such values are determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24); and (v) all other non-cash benefits not otherwise described in clauses (ii) or (iv) of this Section 7(b) will be next reduced prorata.
18. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed the day and year first written above.
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AHS HOLDING COMPANY, INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Anthony D. DiLucente |
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Name: |
Anthony D. DiLucente |
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Title: |
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer |
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EXECUTIVE |
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By: |
/s/ Rex Tibbens |
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Rex Tibbens |
Solely for purposes of Sections 5 and 7 only with respect to the period prior to the Spin:
SERVICEMASTER GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC. |
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By: |
/s/ John Corness |
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Name: |
John Corness |
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Title: |
Chairman, Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors |
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[ Signature Page to Employment Agreement ]
Exhibit A
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the respective meanings set forth below:
(a) Cause means:
(1) a material breach by Executive of his duties and responsibilities (other than as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental illness) which is (x) demonstrably willful and deliberate on Executives part, (y) committed in bad faith or without reasonable belief that such breach is in the best interests of the Company and (z) not remedied within thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice from the Company specifying such breach; or
(2) Executives indictment for, conviction of or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or misdemeanor involving any act of fraud, embezzlement, or dishonesty, or any other intentional misconduct by Executive that adversely and significantly affects the business affairs or reputation of the Company or an affiliated company; or
(3) any failure by Executive to reasonably cooperate with any investigation or inquiry into Executives business practices, whether internal or external, including, but not limited to Executives refusal to be deposed or to provide testimony at any trial or inquiry.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause unless he has: (i) had ten (10) days written notice setting forth the reasons for the Companys intention to terminate for Cause; (ii) had an opportunity to be heard before the Board; and (iii) received a notice of termination from the Board stating that in the opinion of a majority of the full Board (excluding Executive) that Executive is responsible for conduct of a type set forth above and specifying in reasonable detail the particulars thereof.
(b) Change in Control shall have the meaning set forth in the Stock Incentive Plan; provided that in the event such definition shall be modified or revised in the Stock Incentive Plan, then the definition of Change in Control for purposes of this Agreement shall be so modified or revised.
(c) Disability for purposes of this Agreement, shall be defined as the inability of Executive to have performed Executives material duties hereunder due to a physical or mental injury, infirmity or incapacity for one hundred eighty (180) days (including weekends and holidays) in any 365-day period.
(d) Good Reason means, without Executives written consent, the occurrence of any of the following events:
(1) any of (i) the reduction in any material respect in Executives position(s), authorities or responsibilities as a president and chief executive officer of (A) prior to the Spin, a wholly owned division of a publicly traded company and (B) after the
Spin, a publicly traded company, (ii) the failure of ServiceMaster to complete the Spin on or before March 31, 2019 (the Spin Trigger ), which initial March 31, 2019 Spin Trigger date may be extended by ServiceMaster up to and including November 30, 2019, upon the prior written consent of Executive (the Spin Trigger Extended Date ), or (iii) prior to the Spin, Executive no longer reporting directly to (A) the Chief Executive Officer of the ServiceMaster and (B) after the Spin, the board of directors of a publicly-traded company;
(2) a material reduction in Executives Base Salary or Target Bonus, each as in effect on the Effective Date or as the same may be increased from time to time thereafter; except for any reduction by not more than ten (10) percent from Executives highest Base Salary or Target Bonus, to the extent a ten (10) percent reduction is applied equally to all named executive officers of the Company (or prior to the Spin, ServiceMaster);
(3) a material change in the location of Executives location of work that will be at least more than fifty (50) miles from the Companys corporate offices as of the Effective Date; or
(4) any action or inaction by the Company that constitutes a material breach of the terms of this Agreement.
If Executive determines that Good Reason exists, Executive must notify the Company in writing, within ninety (90) days following the initial existence of such grounds that Executive determines constitutes Good Reason, or such event shall not constitute Good Reason under the terms of Executives employment. If the Company remedies such event within thirty (30) days following receipt of such notice, Executive may not terminate employment for Good Reason as a result of such event (the Cure Period ). In the event the Company does not timely remedy such event, Executive must terminate his employment ninety (90) days following the end of the Cure Period. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall Good Reason exist solely as a result of Executive remaining CEO of the Company immediately following the Spin. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may only resign for Good Reason under the Spin Trigger if Executive terminates employment during the earlier of (a) the later of April 2019 or the calendar month following the Spin Trigger Extended Date (which for the avoidance of doubt shall be no later than during December 2019) or (b) within thirty (30) days after an announcement by the Company that it is formally abandoning the planned Spin.
(e) Stock Incentive Plan shall mean that certain Amended and Restated ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (and any successor plan, including for these purposes the stock incentive plan for the Company after the Spin to the extent its terms govern the relevant awards).
Exhibit B
Sign-On Restricted Stock Unit Agreement
This Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (this Award Agreement ), dated as of [], 2018 (the Grant Date ), between ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company ), and Rex Tibbens (the Participant ), is being entered into pursuant to Article IX of the Amended and Restated ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the Plan ). The meaning of capitalized terms that are not defined in this Award Agreement may be found in the Plan. Reference is made to that certain Employment Agreement between the Company and the Participant, dated May 15, 2018 (the Employment Agreement ), pursuant to which the Participant commenced employment with the Company on May 15, 2018 (the Start Date ).
The Company and the Participant hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Confirmation of Grant . Subject to the terms of this Award Agreement, the Company hereby evidences and confirms, effective as of the Grant Date, its grant to the Participant of Restricted Stock Units representing the right to receive [] Shares. This Award Agreement is entered into pursuant to, and the terms of the Restricted Stock Units are subject to, the terms of the Plan. If there is any conflict between this Award Agreement and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall govern.
Section 2. Vesting and Forfeiture . The Restricted Stock Units shall vest in three equal installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the Start Date, subject to the Participants continued employment with the Company or any subsidiary through the applicable vesting date.
Section 3. Effect of Termination of Employment . Upon termination of the Participants employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason prior to the Vesting Date, the Restricted Stock Units evidenced by this Award Agreement shall be forfeited, provided that if the Participants employment is terminated:
(a) in a Special Termination ( i.e. , by reason of the Participants death or Disability (as defined in the Employment Agreement)), then the Participants Restricted Stock Units evidenced by this Award Agreement shall vest as to the number of Restricted Stock Units that would have vested on the next anniversary of the Start Date (assuming the Participants employment had continued through such anniversary) multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed since (x) the Start Date, if the Special Termination occurs on or prior to the first anniversary of the Start Date, or (y) the most recent prior anniversary of the Start Date, if the Special Termination occurs after the first anniversary of the Start Date, and the denominator of which is 365; and
(b) In a termination of employment pursuant to Section 6(a) of the Employment Agreement that occurs prior to the Vesting Date (a Qualifying Termination ), then the Participants Restricted Stock Units evidenced by this Award Agreement that are unvested shall become vested.
The Participant, or the Participants estate or beneficiary, shall receive one Share in respect of each such vested Restricted Stock Unit within 75 days following, as applicable,
the date of the Special Termination or, subject to the Participants satisfaction of his obligations under Section 6(g) of the Employment Agreement, a Qualifying Termination.
Section 4. Dividend Equivalents; Impact of Spin-Off . If the Company pays any cash dividend or similar cash distribution on the Company Common Stock, the Company shall credit to the Participant with an additional number of Restricted Stock Units ( Dividend Shares ) equal to the (A) product of ( x ) the number of Restricted Stock Units plus the number of additional Dividend Shares held by the Participant as of the record date for such distribution times ( y ) the per share amount of such dividend or similar cash distribution on Company Common Stock divided by (B) the Fair Market Value of a Share on the dividend payment date, rounded down to the nearest whole number. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything set forth in this Agreement to the contrary, upon the occurrence of the completion of the spin-off of AHS Holding Company, Inc. ( AHS ) by the Company (the Spin-Off ), the Participants Restricted Stock Units shall be adjusted in accordance with Section 4.3 of the Plan such that, upon completion of the Spin-Off, the Participant shall be entitled to an adjusted Award which relates solely to: (i) if, on and immediately following the Spin-Off, the Participant remains employed with the Company (or any Subsidiary thereof following the Spin-Off), the securities of the Company; or (ii) if the Participant, immediately following the Spin-Off, is employed with AHS or any Subsidiary thereof, the securities of AHS.
Section 5. Settlement; Taxes .
(a) Except as otherwise provided in Article XIV of the Plan and in Section 4, promptly following the date on which the number of Restricted Stock Units that vest is certified by the Administrator pursuant to Section 2 of this Award Agreement, but in any event not later than March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year of the Vesting Date, the Participant shall receive one Share in respect of each such vested Restricted Stock Units.
(b) In connection with the vesting and settlement of the Restricted Stock Units as provided in this Award Agreement, the Company or one of its Subsidiaries may require the Participant to remit to the Company an amount in cash sufficient to satisfy any applicable Withholding Taxes that may arise in connection therewith, in accordance with the provisions of Section 15.11 of the Plan; provided, however, that if at such time of vesting and settlement, the Participant is prohibited from trading or otherwise selling Shares due to the application of any trading policy of the Company or applicable law, the Company shall withhold Shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant pursuant to Section 5(a) above to satisfy the Withholding Taxes, in accordance with the provisions of Section 15.11 that apply to such net settlement of Withholding Taxes.
Section 6. Miscellaneous .
(a) Restrictive Covenants . In consideration of the grant of the Restricted Stock Units, during the Participants employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries (the Company Group ) and for a period of twelve (12) months following the termination of the Participants employment (whether such termination is initiated by the Participant or the Participants employer), the Participant shall be subject to the restrictive covenants set forth in Section 7 of the Employment Agreement.
(b) Dispute Resolution . Any dispute or controversy between the Participant and any member of the Company Group, whether arising out of or relating to this Award Agreement, the breach of this Award Agreement, or otherwise, shall be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution provisions set forth in the Employment Agreement.
(c) Incorporation of Forfeiture Provisions . The Participant acknowledges and agrees that, pursuant to the Plan, the Participant shall be subject to the Companys Clawback Policy and any generally applicable disgorgement or forfeiture provisions set forth in Article XIII of the Plan as of the date of this Award Agreement or as required by applicable law after the date of this Award Agreement.
(d) Authorization to Share Personal Data . The Participant authorizes any Affiliate of the Company that employs the Participant or that otherwise has or lawfully obtains personal data relating to the Participant to divulge such personal data to the Company if and to the extent appropriate in connection with this Award Agreement or the administration of the Plan.
(e) No Right to Continued Employment . Nothing in this Award Agreement shall be deemed to confer on the Participant any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary, or to interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate such employment at any time.
(f) Binding Effect; Benefits . This Award Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties to this Award Agreement and their respective successors and assigns. Nothing in this Award Agreement, express or implied, is intended or shall be construed to give any person other than the parties to this Award Agreement or their respective successors or assigns any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of any agreement or any provision contained herein.
(g) Waiver; Amendment . The waiver by any party hereto or beneficiary hereof of a breach of any provision of this Award Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach and no failure by a party or beneficiary to exercise any right or privilege hereunder shall be deemed a waiver of such partys or beneficiarys rights or privileges hereunder or shall be deemed a waiver of such partys or beneficiarys rights to exercise the same at any subsequent time or times hereunder. This Award Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, except ( i ) by a written instrument executed by the Participant and the Company or ( ii ) as authorized under the Plan (including under Section 4.3 of the Plan).
(h) Applicable Law . This Award Agreement shall be governed in all respects, including, but not limited to, as to validity, interpretation and effect, by the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to principles of conflict of law that would require application of the law of another jurisdiction. Subject to the dispute resolution provision contained herein, any judicial action to enforce, interpret or challenge this Award Agreement shall be brought in the federal or state courts located in the State of Delaware, which shall be the exclusive forum for resolving such disputes. Both parties irrevocably consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts for purposes of any such action.
(i) Section 409A . Section 15.12 of the Plan shall apply to this Award and is incorporated herein by reference.
(j) Section and Other Headings, etc. The section and other headings contained in this Award Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Award Agreement.
(k) Counterparts . This Award Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Participant have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
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SERVICEMASTER GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC. |
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/s/ Dion Persson |
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Name: |
Dion Persson |
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Title: |
Senior Vice President, Business Development |
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THE PARTICIPANT: |
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/s/ Rex Tibbens |
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Name: Rex Tibbens |
[ Signature Page to Sign-On Restricted Stock Unit Agreement ]
Exhibit C
Sign-On Stock Option Agreement
This Employee Stock Option Agreement, dated as of [ · ], 2018 (the Grant Date ), between ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company ), and the associate whose name appears on the signature page hereof and who is employed by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries (the Associate ), is being entered into pursuant to the Amended and Restated ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the Plan ). The meaning of capitalized terms used, but not otherwise defined, in this Agreement may be found in the Plan. Reference is made to that certain Employment Agreement between the Company and the Associate, dated May 15, 2018 (the Employment Agreement ), pursuant to which the Associate commenced employment with the Company on May 15, 2018 (the Start Date ).
The Company and the Associate hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Grant of Options .
(a) Confirmation of Grant . The Company hereby evidences and confirms, effective as of the date hereof, its grant to the Associate of Options to purchase the number of shares of Company Common Stock specified on the signature page hereof. The Options are not intended to be Incentive Stock Options. This Agreement is entered into pursuant to, and the terms of the Options are subject to, the terms of the Plan. If there is any inconsistency between this Agreement and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall govern.
(b) Option Price . Each share covered by an Option shall have the Option Price specified on the signature page hereof.
Section 2. Vesting and Exercisability .
(a) Vesting Schedule . Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or Section 2(b) of this Agreement, the Options shall become vested in four equal annual installments on each of the first through fourth anniversaries of the Start Date, subject to the continuous employment of the Associate with the Company through each applicable vesting date; provided that if, subject to the Associates compliance with his obligations under Section 6(g) of the Employment Agreement, the Associates employment with the Company is terminated by reason of the Associates death or Disability (as defined in the Employment Agreement), any Options held by the Associate shall immediately vest as of the effective date of such termination.
(b) Discretionary Acceleration . The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may accelerate the vesting or exercisability of all or a portion of the Options, at any time and from time to time.
(c) Exercise . Once vested in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the Options may be exercised at any time and from time to time prior to the date such Options terminate pursuant to Section 3. Options may only be exercised with respect to whole shares and must be exercised in accordance with Section 4.
Section 3. Termination of Options .
(a) Normal Termination Date . Unless earlier terminated pursuant to Section 3(b) or the Plan, the Options shall terminate on the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date (the Normal Termination Date ), if not exercised prior to such date.
(b) Early Termination . If the Associates employment with the Company terminates for any reason, any Options held by the Associate that have not vested before the effective date of such termination of employment (determined without regard to any statutory or deemed or express contractual notice period) or that do not become vested on such date in accordance with Section 2 shall terminate immediately upon such termination of employment (determined without regard to any statutory or deemed or express contractual notice period) and, if the Associates employment is terminated for Cause, all Options (whether or not then vested or exercisable) shall automatically terminate immediately upon such termination. All vested Options held by the Associate following the effective date of a termination of employment shall remain exercisable until the first to occur of ( i ) the one-year anniversary in the case of a termination by reason of the Associates death or Disability or a retirement from active service on or after the Associate reaches normal retirement age, or in the event of any other termination of employment, the three-month anniversary of the effective date of the Associates termination of employment (determined without regard to any deemed or express statutory or contractual notice period), ( ii ) the Normal Termination Date or ( iii ) the cancellation of the Options pursuant to Section 5(a), and if not exercised within such period the Options shall automatically terminate upon the expiration of such period.
Section 4. Manner of Exercise . Subject to such reasonable administrative regulations as the Administrator may adopt from time to time, the exercise of vested Options by the Associate shall be pursuant to procedures set forth in the Plan or established by the Administrator from time to time and shall include the Associate specifying the proposed date on which the Associate desires to exercise a vested Option (the Exercise Date ), the number of whole shares with respect to which the Options are being exercised (the Exercise Shares ) and the aggregate Option Price for such Exercise Shares (the Exercise Price ) or such other or different requirements as may be imposed by the Company. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, ( i ) on or before the Exercise Date the Associate shall deliver to the Company full payment for the Exercise Shares in United States dollars in cash, or cash equivalents satisfactory to the Company, in an amount equal to the Exercise Price plus any required withholding taxes or other similar taxes, charges or fees (including, if available, pursuant to a broker-assisted cashless exercise program established by the Company whereby the Associate may exercise vested Options by an exercise-and-sell procedure in which the Exercise Price (together with any required withholding taxes or other similar taxes, charges or fees) is obtained from the sale of shares in the public market) and ( ii ) the Company shall register the issuance of the Exercise Shares on its records (or direct such issuance to be registered by the Companys transfer agent). The Company may require the Associate to furnish or execute such other documents as the Company shall reasonably deem necessary ( i ) to evidence such exercise or ( ii ) to comply with or satisfy the requirements of the Securities Act, applicable state or non-U.S. securities laws or any other law.
Section 5. Change in Control; Impact of Spin-Off on Options .
(a) Vesting and Cancellation . Except as otherwise provided in Section 5(b), in the event of a Change in Control, all then-outstanding Options (whether vested or unvested) shall be canceled in exchange for a payment having a value equal to the excess, if any, of ( i ) the product of the Change in Control Price multiplied by the aggregate number of shares covered by all such Options immediately prior to the Change in Control over ( ii ) the aggregate Option Price for all such shares, to be paid as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than 30 days following the Change in Control.
(b) Alternative Award . Notwithstanding Section 5(a), no cancellation, termination, or settlement or other payment shall occur with respect to any Option if the Administrator reasonably determines prior to the Change in Control that the Associate shall receive an Alternative Award meeting the requirements of the Plan; provided , however , that if this Section 5(b) becomes operative, but the Associates employment is terminate by the Company without Cause or the Associate resigns with Good Reason and any such termination occurs between the date a definitive agreement is signed by the Company contemplating transactions which, if consummated, would result in a Change in Control and the date that is twenty-four (24) months following the Change in Control, all then outstanding unvested Options shall become immediately vested and exercisable.
(c) Impact of Spin-Off . Notwithstanding anything set forth in this Agreement to the contrary, upon the occurrence of the completion of the spin-off of AHS Holding Company, Inc. ( AHS ) by the Company (the Spin-Off ), the Associates Options shall be adjusted in accordance with Section 4.3 of the Plan such that, upon completion of the Spin-Off, the Associate shall be entitled to an adjusted Award which relates solely to: (i) if, on and immediately following the Spin-Off, the Associate remains employed with the Company (or any Subsidiary thereof following the Spin-Off), the securities of the Company; or (ii) if the Associate, immediately following the Spin-Off, is employed with AHS or any Subsidiary thereof, the securities of AHS.
Section 6. Miscellaneous .
(a) Withholding . In connection with the exercise of any of the Options as provided in this Award Agreement, the Company or one of its Subsidiaries may require the Associate to remit to the Company an amount in cash sufficient to satisfy any applicable Withholding Taxes that may arise in connection therewith, in accordance with the provisions of Section 15.11 of the Plan; provided, however , that if at such time of exercise, the Associate is prohibited from trading or otherwise selling Shares due to the application of any trading policy of the Company or applicable law, the Company shall withhold Shares that would otherwise be issued to the Associate pursuant to Section 4 above to satisfy the Withholding Taxes, in accordance with the provisions of Section 15.11 that apply to such net settlement of Withholding Taxes.
(b) Incorporation of Forfeiture Provisions . The Associate acknowledges and agrees that, pursuant to the Plan, he or she shall be subject to the Companys Clawback Policy and any generally applicable disgorgement or forfeiture provisions set forth in Article XIII of the Plan as of the date of this Agreement or as required by applicable law after the date of this Agreement.
(c) Restrictive Covenants . In consideration of the grant of the Option, during the Associates employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries (the Company Group ) and for a period of twenty-four (24) months following the termination of the Associates employment (whether such termination is initiated by the Associate or the Associates employer), the Associate shall be subject to the restrictive covenants set forth in Section 7 of the Employment Agreement.
(d) Dispute Resolution . Any dispute or controversy between Associate and the Company, whether arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the breach of this Agreement, or otherwise, shall be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolutions in the Employment Agreement.
(e) Authorization to Share Personal Data . The Associate authorizes any Affiliate of the Company that employs the Associate or that otherwise has or lawfully obtains personal data relating to the Associate to divulge or transfer such personal data to the Company or to a third party, in each case in any jurisdiction, if and to the extent appropriate in connection with this Agreement or the administration of the Plan.
(f) No Rights as Stockholder; No Voting Rights . The Associate shall have no rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any shares covered by the Options until the exercise of the Options and delivery of the shares.
(g) No Right to Continued Employment . Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to confer on the Associate any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary, or to interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate such employment at any time.
(h) Non-Transferability of Options . The Options may be exercised only by the Associate. The Options are not assignable or transferable, in whole or in part, and they may not, directly or indirectly, be offered, transferred, sold, pledged, assigned, alienated, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of or encumbered (including, but not limited to, by gift, operation of law or otherwise) other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution to the estate of the Associate upon the Associates death or with the Companys consent.
(i) Binding Effect; Benefits . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties to this Agreement and their respective successors and assigns. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended or shall be construed to give any person other than the parties to this Agreement or their respective successors or assigns any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of any agreement or any provision contained herein.
(j) Waiver; Amendment .
1. Waiver . Any party hereto or beneficiary hereof may by written notice to the other parties ( A ) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other actions of the other parties under this Agreement, ( B ) waive compliance with any of the conditions or covenants of the other parties contained in this Agreement and ( C ) waive or modify performance of any of the obligations of the other parties under this Agreement. Except as provided in the preceding
sentence, no action taken pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation, any investigation by or on behalf of any party or beneficiary, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the party or beneficiary taking such action of compliance with any representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained herein. The waiver by any party hereto or beneficiary hereof of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach and no failure by a party or beneficiary to exercise any right or privilege hereunder shall be deemed a waiver of such partys or beneficiarys rights or privileges hereunder or shall be deemed a waiver of such partys or beneficiarys rights to exercise the same at any subsequent time or times hereunder.
2. Amendment . This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented orally, but only by a written instrument executed by the Associate and the Company.
(k) Assignability . Neither this Agreement nor any right, remedy, obligation or liability arising hereunder or by reason hereof shall be assignable by the Company or the Associate without the prior written consent of the other party.
(l) Applicable Law and Forum . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of Delaware regardless of the application of rules of conflict of law that would apply the laws of any other jurisdiction. Subject to the dispute resolution provision contained herein, any judicial action to enforce, interpret or challenge this Agreement shall be brought in the federal or state courts located in the State of Delaware, which shall be the exclusive forum for resolving such disputes. Both parties irrevocably consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts for purposes of any such action.
(m) Waiver of Jury Trial . Each party hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby. Each party ( i ) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other party would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver and ( ii ) acknowledges that it and the other parties have been induced to enter into the Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications in this section.
(n) Section and Other Headings, etc. The section and other headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(o) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
* * * * * *
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Associate have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
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SERVICEMASTER GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Dion Persson |
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Name: Dion Persson |
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Title: Senior Vice President, Business Development |
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ASSOCIATE: |
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/s/ Rex Tibbens |
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Name: Rex Tibbens |
Total Number of Shares
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Option Price |
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[ · ] Shares |
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[ Signature Page to Sign-On Stock Option Agreement ]
Exhibit D
Restricted Stock Unit Agreement
This Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (this Award Agreement ), dated as of [ · ], 2018 (the Grant Date ), between ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company ), and Rex Tibbens (the Participant ), is being entered into pursuant to Article IX of the Amended and Restated ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the Plan ). The meaning of capitalized terms that are not defined in this Award Agreement may be found in the Plan. Reference is made to that certain Employment Agreement between the Company and the Associate, dated May 15, 2018 (the Employment Agreement ).
The Company and the Participant hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Confirmation of Grant . Subject to the terms of this Award Agreement, the Company hereby evidences and confirms, effective as of the Grant Date, its grant to the Participant of Restricted Stock Units representing the right to receive [ · ] Shares. This Award Agreement is entered into pursuant to, and the terms of the Restricted Stock Units are subject to, the terms of the Plan. If there is any conflict between this Award Agreement and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall govern.
Section 2. Vesting and Forfeiture . The Restricted Stock Units shall vest in three equal installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of February 18, 2018, subject to the Participants continued employment with the Company or any subsidiary through the applicable vesting date.
Section 3. Effect of Termination of Employment . Upon termination of the Participants employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason prior to the Vesting Date, the Restricted Stock Units evidenced by this Award Agreement shall be forfeited, provided that if the Participants employment is terminated:
(a) in a Special Termination ( i.e. , by reason of the Participants death or Disability (as defined in the Employment Agreement)), then the Participants Restricted Stock Units evidenced by this Award Agreement shall vest as to the number of Restricted Stock Units that would have vested on the next anniversary of the Grant Date (assuming the Participants employment had continued through such anniversary) multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed since (x) the Grant Date, if the Special Termination occurs on or prior to the first anniversary of the Grant Date, or (y) the most recent prior anniversary of the Grant Date, if the Special Termination occurs after the first anniversary of the Grant Date, and the denominator of which is 365.
The Participant, or the Participants estate or beneficiary, shall receive one Share in respect of each such vested Restricted Stock Unit within 75 days following the date of the Special Termination.
Section 4. Dividend Equivalents; Impact of Spin-Off . If the Company pays any cash dividend or similar cash distribution on the Company Common Stock, the Company shall credit to the Participant with an additional number of Restricted Stock Units ( Dividend Shares ) equal to the (A) product of ( x ) the number of Restricted Stock Units plus the number of additional Dividend Shares held by the Participant as of the record date for such distribution times ( y ) the
per share amount of such dividend or similar cash distribution on Company Common Stock divided by (B) the Fair Market Value of a Share on the dividend payment date, rounded down to the nearest whole number. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything set forth in this Agreement to the contrary, upon the occurrence of the completion of the spin-off of AHS Holding Company, Inc. ( AHS ) by the Company (the Spin-Off ), the Participants Restricted Stock Units shall be adjusted in accordance with Section 4.3 of the Plan such that, upon completion of the Spin-Off, the Participant shall be entitled to an adjusted Award which relates solely to: (i) if, on and immediately following the Spin-Off, the Participant remains employed with the Company (or any Subsidiary thereof following the Spin-Off), the securities of the Company; or (ii) if the Participant, immediately following the Spin-Off, is employed with AHS or any Subsidiary thereof, the securities of AHS.
Section 5. Settlement; Taxes .
(a) Except as otherwise provided in Article XIV of the Plan and in Section 4, promptly following the date on which the number of Restricted Stock Units that vest is certified by the Administrator pursuant to Section 2 of this Award Agreement, but in any event not later than March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year of the Vesting Date, the Participant shall receive one Share in respect of each such vested Restricted Stock Units.
(b) In connection with the vesting and settlement of the Restricted Stock Units as provided in this Award Agreement, the Company or one of its Subsidiaries may require the Participant to remit to the Company an amount in cash sufficient to satisfy any applicable Withholding Taxes that may arise in connection therewith, in accordance with the provisions of Section 15.11 of the Plan; provided, however, that if at such time of vesting and settlement, the Participant is prohibited from trading or otherwise selling Shares due to the application of any trading policy of the Company or applicable law, the Company shall withhold Shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant pursuant to Section 5(a) above to satisfy the Withholding Taxes, in accordance with the provisions of Section 15.11 that apply to such net settlement of Withholding Taxes.
Section 6. Miscellaneous .
(a) Restrictive Covenants . In consideration of the grant of the Restricted Stock Units, during the Participants employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries (the Company Group ) and for a period of twelve (12) months following the termination of the Participants employment (whether such termination is initiated by the Participant or the Participants employer), the Participant shall be subject to the restrictive covenants set forth in Section 7 of the Employment Agreement.
(b) Dispute Resolution . Any dispute or controversy between the Participant and any member of the Company Group, whether arising out of or relating to this Award Agreement, the breach of this Award Agreement, or otherwise, shall be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution provisions set forth in the Employment Agreement.
(c) Incorporation of Forfeiture Provisions . The Participant acknowledges and agrees that, pursuant to the Plan, the Participant shall be subject to the Companys
Clawback Policy and any generally applicable disgorgement or forfeiture provisions set forth in Article XIII of the Plan as of the date of this Award Agreement or as required by applicable law after the date of this Award Agreement.
(d) Authorization to Share Personal Data . The Participant authorizes any Affiliate of the Company that employs the Participant or that otherwise has or lawfully obtains personal data relating to the Participant to divulge such personal data to the Company if and to the extent appropriate in connection with this Award Agreement or the administration of the Plan.
(e) No Right to Continued Employment . Nothing in this Award Agreement shall be deemed to confer on the Participant any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary, or to interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate such employment at any time.
(f) Binding Effect; Benefits . This Award Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties to this Award Agreement and their respective successors and assigns. Nothing in this Award Agreement, express or implied, is intended or shall be construed to give any person other than the parties to this Award Agreement or their respective successors or assigns any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of any agreement or any provision contained herein.
(g) Waiver; Amendment . The waiver by any party hereto or beneficiary hereof of a breach of any provision of this Award Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach and no failure by a party or beneficiary to exercise any right or privilege hereunder shall be deemed a waiver of such partys or beneficiarys rights or privileges hereunder or shall be deemed a waiver of such partys or beneficiarys rights to exercise the same at any subsequent time or times hereunder. This Award Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, except ( i ) by a written instrument executed by the Participant and the Company or ( ii ) as authorized under the Plan (including under Section 4.3 of the Plan).
(h) Applicable Law . This Award Agreement shall be governed in all respects, including, but not limited to, as to validity, interpretation and effect, by the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to principles of conflict of law that would require application of the law of another jurisdiction. Subject to the dispute resolution provision contained herein, any judicial action to enforce, interpret or challenge this Award Agreement shall be brought in the federal or state courts located in the State of Delaware, which shall be the exclusive forum for resolving such disputes. Both parties irrevocably consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts for purposes of any such action.
(i) Section 409A . Section 15.12 of the Plan shall apply to this Award and is incorporated herein by reference.
(j) Section and Other Headings, etc. The section and other headings contained in this Award Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Award Agreement.
(k) Counterparts . This Award Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Participant have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
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SERVICEMASTER GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Dion Persson |
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Name: Dion Persson |
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Title: Senior Vice President, Business Development |
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THE PARTICIPANT: |
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/s/ Rex Tibbens |
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Name: Rex Tibbens |
[ Signature Page to Restricted Stock Unit Agreement ]
Exhibit E
Stock Option Agreement
This Employee Stock Option Agreement, dated as of [], 2018 (the Grant Date ), between ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company ), and the associate whose name appears on the signature page hereof and who is employed by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries (the Associate ), is being entered into pursuant to the Amended and Restated ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the Plan ). The meaning of capitalized terms used, but not otherwise defined, in this Agreement may be found in the Plan. Reference is made to that certain Employment Agreement between the Company and the Associate, dated May 15, 2018 (the Employment Agreement ).
The Company and the Associate hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Grant of Options .
(a) Confirmation of Grant . The Company hereby evidences and confirms, effective as of the date hereof, its grant to the Associate of Options to purchase the number of shares of Company Common Stock specified on the signature page hereof. The Options are not intended to be Incentive Stock Options. This Agreement is entered into pursuant to, and the terms of the Options are subject to, the terms of the Plan. If there is any inconsistency between this Agreement and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall govern.
(b) Option Price . Each share covered by an Option shall have the Option Price specified on the signature page hereof.
Section 2. Vesting and Exercisability .
(a) Vesting Schedule . Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or Section 2(b) of this Agreement, the Options shall become vested in four equal annual installments on each of the first through fourth anniversaries of February 18, 2018, subject to the continuous employment of the Associate with the Company through each applicable vesting date; provided that if, subject to the Associates compliance with his obligations under Section 6(g) of the Employment Agreement, the Associates employment with the Company is terminated by reason of the Associates death or Disability (as defined in the Employment Agreement), any Options held by the Associate shall immediately vest as of the effective date of such termination.
(b) Discretionary Acceleration . The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may accelerate the vesting or exercisability of all or a portion of the Options, at any time and from time to time.
(c) Exercise . Once vested in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the Options may be exercised at any time and from time to time prior to the date such Options terminate pursuant to Section 3. Options may only be exercised with respect to whole shares and must be exercised in accordance with Section 4.
Section 3. Termination of Options .
(a) Normal Termination Date . Unless earlier terminated pursuant to Section 3(b) or the Plan, the Options shall terminate on the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date (the Normal Termination Date ), if not exercised prior to such date.
(b) Early Termination . If the Associates employment with the Company terminates for any reason, any Options held by the Associate that have not vested before the effective date of such termination of employment (determined without regard to any statutory or deemed or express contractual notice period) or that do not become vested on such date in accordance with Section 2 shall terminate immediately upon such termination of employment (determined without regard to any statutory or deemed or express contractual notice period) and, if the Associates employment is terminated for Cause, all Options (whether or not then vested or exercisable) shall automatically terminate immediately upon such termination. All vested Options held by the Associate following the effective date of a termination of employment shall remain exercisable until the first to occur of ( i ) the one-year anniversary in the case of a termination by reason of the Associates death or Disability or a retirement from active service on or after the Associate reaches normal retirement age, or in the event of any other termination of employment, the three-month anniversary of the effective date of the Associates termination of employment (determined without regard to any deemed or express statutory or contractual notice period), ( ii ) the Normal Termination Date or ( iii ) the cancellation of the Options pursuant to Section 5(a), and if not exercised within such period the Options shall automatically terminate upon the expiration of such period.
Section 4. Manner of Exercise . Subject to such reasonable administrative regulations as the Administrator may adopt from time to time, the exercise of vested Options by the Associate shall be pursuant to procedures set forth in the Plan or established by the Administrator from time to time and shall include the Associate specifying the proposed date on which the Associate desires to exercise a vested Option (the Exercise Date ), the number of whole shares with respect to which the Options are being exercised (the Exercise Shares ) and the aggregate Option Price for such Exercise Shares (the Exercise Price ) or such other or different requirements as may be imposed by the Company. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, ( i ) on or before the Exercise Date the Associate shall deliver to the Company full payment for the Exercise Shares in United States dollars in cash, or cash equivalents satisfactory to the Company, in an amount equal to the Exercise Price plus any required withholding taxes or other similar taxes, charges or fees (including, if available, pursuant to a broker-assisted cashless exercise program established by the Company whereby the Associate may exercise vested Options by an exercise-and-sell procedure in which the Exercise Price (together with any required withholding taxes or other similar taxes, charges or fees) is obtained from the sale of shares in the public market) and ( ii ) the Company shall register the issuance of the Exercise Shares on its records (or direct such issuance to be registered by the Companys transfer agent). The Company may require the Associate to furnish or execute such other documents as the Company shall reasonably deem necessary ( i ) to evidence such exercise or ( ii ) to comply with or satisfy the requirements of the Securities Act, applicable state or non -U.S. securities laws or any other law.
Section 5. Change in Control; Impact of Spin-Off .
(a) Vesting and Cancellation . Except as otherwise provided in Section 5(b), in the event of a Change in Control, all then-outstanding Options (whether vested or unvested) shall be canceled in exchange for a payment having a value equal to the excess, if any, of ( i ) the product of the Change in Control Price multiplied by the aggregate number of shares covered by all such Options immediately prior to the Change in Control over ( ii ) the aggregate Option Price for all such shares, to be paid as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than 30 days following the Change in Control.
(b) Alternative Award . Notwithstanding Section 5(a), no cancellation, termination, or settlement or other payment shall occur with respect to any Option if the Administrator reasonably determines prior to the Change in Control that the Associate shall receive an Alternative Award meeting the requirements of the Plan; provided , however , that if this Section 5(b) becomes operative, but the Associates employment is terminate by the Company without Cause or the Associate resigns with Good Reason and any such termination occurs between the date a definitive agreement is signed by the Company contemplating transactions which, if consummated, would result in a Change in Control and the date that is twenty-four (24) months following the Change in Control, all then outstanding unvested Options shall become immediately vested and exercisable.
(c) Impact of Spin-Off . Notwithstanding anything set forth in this Agreement to the contrary, upon the occurrence of the completion of the spin-off of AHS Holding Company, Inc. ( AHS ) by the Company (the Spin-Off ), the Associates Options shall be adjusted in accordance with Section 4.3 of the Plan such that, upon completion of the Spin-Off, the Associate shall be entitled to an adjusted Award which relates solely to: (i) if, on and immediately following the Spin-Off, the Associate remains employed with the Company (or any Subsidiary thereof following the Spin-Off), the securities of the Company; or (ii) if the Associate, immediately following the Spin-Off, is employed with AHS or any Subsidiary thereof, the securities of AHS.
Section 6. Miscellaneous .
(a) Withholding . In connection with the exercise of any of the Options as provided in this Award Agreement, the Company or one of its Subsidiaries may require the Associate to remit to the Company an amount in cash sufficient to satisfy any applicable Withholding Taxes that may arise in connection therewith, in accordance with the provisions of Section 15.11 of the Plan; provided, however , that if at such time of exercise, the Associate is prohibited from trading or otherwise selling Shares due to the application of any trading policy of the Company or applicable law, the Company shall withhold Shares that would otherwise be issued to the Associate pursuant to Section 4 above to satisfy the Withholding Taxes, in accordance with the provisions of Section 15.11 that apply to such net settlement of Withholding Taxes.
(b) Incorporation of Forfeiture Provisions . The Associate acknowledges and agrees that, pursuant to the Plan, he or she shall be subject to the Companys Clawback Policy and any generally applicable disgorgement or forfeiture provisions set forth in Article XIII of the Plan as of the date of this Agreement or as required by applicable law after the date of this Agreement.
(c) Restrictive Covenants . In consideration of the grant of the Option, during the Associates employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries (the Company Group ) and for a period of twenty-four (24) months following the termination of the Associates employment (whether such termination is initiated by the Associate or the Associates employer), the Associate shall be subject to the restrictive covenants set forth in Section 7 of the Employment Agreement.
(d) Dispute Resolution . Any dispute or controversy between Associate and the Company, whether arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the breach of this Agreement, or otherwise, shall be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolutions in the Employment Agreement.
(e) Authorization to Share Personal Data . The Associate authorizes any Affiliate of the Company that employs the Associate or that otherwise has or lawfully obtains personal data relating to the Associate to divulge or transfer such personal data to the Company or to a third party, in each case in any jurisdiction, if and to the extent appropriate in connection with this Agreement or the administration of the Plan.
(f) No Rights as Stockholder; No Voting Rights . The Associate shall have no rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any shares covered by the Options until the exercise of the Options and delivery of the shares.
(g) No Right to Continued Employment . Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to confer on the Associate any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary, or to interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate such employment at any time.
(h) Non-Transferability of Options . The Options may be exercised only by the Associate. The Options are not assignable or transferable, in whole or in part, and they may not, directly or indirectly, be offered, transferred, sold, pledged, assigned, alienated, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of or encumbered (including, but not limited to, by gift, operation of law or otherwise) other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution to the estate of the Associate upon the Associates death or with the Companys consent.
(i) Binding Effect; Benefits . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties to this Agreement and their respective successors and assigns. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended or shall be construed to give any person other than the parties to this Agreement or their respective successors or assigns any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of any agreement or any provision contained herein.
(j) Waiver; Amendment .
1. Waiver . Any party hereto or beneficiary hereof may by written notice to the other parties ( A ) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other actions of the other parties under this Agreement, ( B ) waive compliance with any of the conditions or covenants of the other parties contained in this Agreement and ( C ) waive or modify performance of any of the obligations of the other parties under this Agreement. Except as provided in the preceding
sentence, no action taken pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation, any investigation by or on behalf of any party or beneficiary, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the party or beneficiary taking such action of compliance with any representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained herein. The waiver by any party hereto or beneficiary hereof of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach and no failure by a party or beneficiary to exercise any right or privilege hereunder shall be deemed a waiver of such partys or beneficiarys rights or privileges hereunder or shall be deemed a waiver of such partys or beneficiarys rights to exercise the same at any subsequent time or times hereunder.
2. Amendment . This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented orally, but only by a written instrument executed by the Associate and the Company.
(k) Assignability . Neither this Agreement nor any right, remedy, obligation or liability arising hereunder or by reason hereof shall be assignable by the Company or the Associate without the prior written consent of the other party.
(l) Applicable Law and Forum . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of Delaware regardless of the application of rules of conflict of law that would apply the laws of any other jurisdiction. Subject to the dispute resolution provision contained herein, any judicial action to enforce, interpret or challenge this Agreement shall be brought in the federal or state courts located in the State of Delaware, which shall be the exclusive forum for resolving such disputes. Both parties irrevocably consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts for purposes of any such action.
(m) Waiver of Jury Trial . Each party hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby. Each party ( i ) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other party would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver and ( ii ) acknowledges that it and the other parties have been induced to enter into the Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications in this section.
(n) Section and Other Headings, etc. The section and other headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(o) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Associate have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
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SERVICEMASTER GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Dion Persson |
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Name: Dion Persson |
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Title: Senior Vice President, Business Development |
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ASSOCIATE: |
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/s/ Rex Tibbens |
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Name: Rex Tibbens |
Total Number of Shares
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Option Price |
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[ Signature Page to Stock Option Agreement ]
Exhibit F
Release Provisions
Release and Waiver of Claims . In consideration of the payments and benefits to which you are entitled under the Employment Agreement, dated as of May 15, 2018, to which you and American Home Shield (the Company ) are parties (the Employment Agreement ), you hereby waive and release and forever discharge the Company and its parent and former parent entities, subsidiaries, divisions, limited partnerships, affiliated corporations, successors and assigns and their respective past and present directors, managers, officers, stockholders, partners, agents, employees, insurers, attorneys, and servants each in his, her or its capacity as such, and each of them, separately and collectively (collectively, Releasees ), from any and all existing claims, charges, complaints, liens, demands, causes of action, obligations, damages and liabilities, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, whether or not mature or ripe, that you ever had and now have against any Releasee including, but not limited to, claims and causes of action arising out of or in any way related to your employment with or separation from the Company, to any services performed for the Company, to any status, term or condition in such employment, or to any physical or mental harm or distress from such employment or non-employment or claim to any hire, rehire or future employment of any kind by the Company, all to the extent allowed by applicable law. This release of claims includes, but is not limited to, claims based on express or implied contract, compensation plans, covenants of good faith and fair dealing, wrongful discharge, claims for discrimination, harassment and retaliation, violation of public policy, tort or common law, whistleblower or retaliation claims; and claims for additional compensation or damages or attorneys fees or claims under federal, state, and local laws, regulations and ordinances, including but not limited to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act ( WARN ), or equivalent state WARN act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. You understand that this release of claims includes a release of all known and unknown claims through the date on which this release of claims becomes irrevocable (the Effective Date ). However, nothing in this Agreement prevents you from making any reports to or receiving any awards from the SEC or OSHA based upon the your reporting of violations of laws or regulations containing whistleblower provisions.
Limitation of Release : Notwithstanding the foregoing, this release of claims will not prohibit you from filing a charge of discrimination with the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or an equivalent state civil rights agency, but you agree and understand that you are waiving your right to monetary compensation thereby if any such agency elects to pursue a claim on your behalf. Further, nothing in this release of claims shall be construed to waive any right that is not subject to waiver by private agreement under federal, state or local employment or other laws, such as claims for workers compensation or unemployment benefits or any claims that may arise after the Effective Date. In addition, nothing in this release of claims will be construed to affect any of the following claims, all rights in respect of which are reserved:
(a) Any payment or benefit set forth in this Employment Agreement;
(b) Reimbursement of unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred prior to the termination date in accordance with Company policy;
(c) Claims under the Equity Awards Agreements (as defined in the Employment Agreement) in respect of vested Equity Awards (as defined in the Employment Agreement) then held by you and claims in respect of Common Stock solely in your capacity as a holder of Common Stock;
(d) Vested benefits under the general Company employee benefit plans (other than severance pay or termination benefits, all rights to which are hereby waived and released);
(e) Any claim for unemployment compensation or workers compensation administered by a state government to which you are presently or may become entitled;
(f) Any claim that the Company has breached this release of claims; and
(g) Indemnification as a current or former director or officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (including as a fiduciary of any employee benefit plan), or inclusion as a beneficiary of any insurance policy related to your service in such capacity.
Covenants Not to Sue. To the extent that any claims covered by the scope of the release herein is not subject to waiver by applicable law (including, without limitation, any claims arising under or related to FMLA, FLSA, and any other local, state or federal statute governing employment and/or the payment of wages and benefits), you hereby covenant and agree not to sue or otherwise seek any remedy or other form of relief against any of the Releasees relating to such claims.
Representations . You represent that you have been provided all benefits due under the Family and Medical Leave Act and that you have received all wages due, including overtime pay, premium pay, vacation pay, bonus pay, commissions, or other compensation, and that you have received all appropriate meals and rest breaks to which you were entitled, in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and applicable state and local law, that you have no known workplace injuries or occupational diseases, and that you have not made any report of or opposed any fraud or other wrong doing at the Company and that you have not been retaliated against for reporting or opposing any alleged fraud or other wrongdoing at the Company.
Return of Company Property . Not later than the Effective Date, you agree to return, or hereby represent that you have returned as of such date (if you have not signed this Agreement by such date), to the Company all Company property, equipment and materials, including, but not limited to, any company vehicle, any laptop computer and peripherals; any cell phone or other portable computing device; any telephone calling cards; keys; Company identification card; any credit or fuel cards; and all tangible written or graphic materials (and all copies) relating in any way to the Company or its business, including, without limitations, documents, manuals, customer lists and reports, as well as all data contained on computer files, thumb drives, cloud services, or other data storage device, or home or personal computers and/or e-mail or internet accounts. Provided, however, Executive may retain his address book to the extent it only contains contact information and the Company shall cooperate with Executive on the transfer of his cell phone number to Executive.
Exhibit G
Indemnification Agreement
Indemnification Agreement, dated as of May 15, 2018, between ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company ), and Rex Tibbens ( Indemnitee ).
WHEREAS, qualified persons are reluctant to serve corporations as directors unless they are provided with appropriate indemnification and insurance against claims arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporations ; and
WHEREAS, the Company has determined that attracting and retaining such persons is in the best interests of the Companys stockholders and that it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company to indemnify such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to provide reasonable assurance regarding insurance ;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:
1. Defined Terms ; Construction .
(a) Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Affiliate means, with respect to any person, any other person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such first person. For these purposes, control (including the terms controlled by and under common control with) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management policies of a person by reason of ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Change in Control means, and shall be deemed to have occurred if, on or after the date of this Agreement, (i) any person (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), other than (A) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries acting in such capacity, or (B) a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company, is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the total voting power represented by the Companys then outstanding Voting Securities, (ii) during any period of two consecutive years commencing from and after the date hereof, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the board of directors of the Company and any new director whose election by the board of directors of the Company or nomination for election by the Companys stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof, (iii) the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation other than a merger
or consolidation that would result in the Voting Securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into Voting Securities of the surviving entity) at least 50% of the total voting power represented by the Voting Securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, (iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) all or substantially all of its assets, or (v) the Company shall file or have filed against it, and such filing shall not be dismissed, any bankruptcy, insolvency or dissolution proceedings, or a trustee, administrator or creditors committee shall be appointed to manage or supervise the affairs of the Company.
Corporate Status means the status of a person who is or was a director (or a member of any committee of a board of directors), officer, employee or agent (including without limitation a manager of a limited liability company) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or of any predecessor thereof, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director (or a member of any committee of a board of directors), officer, employee or agent (including without limitation a manager of a limited liability company) of another entity, or of any predecessor thereof, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan.
Determination means a determination that either (x) there is a reasonable basis for the conclusion that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee met a particular standard of conduct (a Favorable Determination ) or (y) there is no reasonable basis for the conclusion that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee met a particular standard of conduct (an Adverse Determination ). An Adverse Determination shall include the decision that a Determination was required in connection with indemnification and the decision as to the applicable standard of conduct.
DGCL means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time.
Expenses means all attorneys fees and expenses, retainers, court, arbitration and mediation costs, transcript costs, fees and expenses of experts, witnesses and public relations consultants, bonds, costs of collecting and producing documents, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, appealing or otherwise participating in a Proceeding.
Independent Legal Counsel means an attorney or firm of attorneys competent to render an opinion under the applicable law, selected in accordance with the provisions of Section 6(e), who has not performed any services (other than services similar to those contemplated to be performed by Independent Legal Counsel under this Agreement) for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or for Indemnitee within the last three years.
Proceeding means a threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, including without limitation a claim, demand, discovery request, formal or informal investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing, arbitration or other form of alternative dispute resolution, including an appeal from any of the foregoing.
Subsidiary means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity, a majority of whose outstanding voting securities is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company.
Voting Securities means any securities of the Company that vote generally in the election of directors.
(b) Construction . For purposes of this Agreement,
(1) References to the Company and any of its Subsidiaries shall include any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity or enterprise that before or after the date of this Agreement is party to a merger or consolidation with the Company or any such Subsidiary or that is a successor to the Company as contemplated by Section 9(e) (whether or not such successor has executed and delivered the written agreement contemplated by Section 9(e)).
(2) References to fines shall include any excise taxes assessed on Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan.
(3) References to a witness in connection with a Proceeding shall include any interviewee or person called upon to produce documents in connection with such Proceeding.
2. Agreement to Serve .
Indemnitee agrees to serve as a director of the Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries and in such other capacities as Indemnitee may serve at the request of the Company from time to time, and by its execution of this Agreement the Company confirms its request that Indemnitee serve as a director and in such other capacities. Indemnitee shall be entitled to resign or otherwise terminate such service with immediate effect at any time, and neither such resignation or termination nor the length of such service shall affect Indemnitees rights under this Agreement. This Agreement shall not constitute an employment agreement, supersede any employment agreement to which Indemnitee is a party or create any right of Indemnitee to continued employment or appointment.
3. Indemnification .
(a) General Indemnification . The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in effect on the date hereof or as amended to increase the scope of permitted indemnification, against Expenses, losses, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, taxes, assessments and other charges in connection therewith) incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitees behalf in
connection with any Proceeding in any way connected with, resulting from or relating to Indemnitees Corporate Status.
(b) Additional Indemnification Regarding Expenses . Without limiting the foregoing, in the event any Proceeding is initiated by Indemnitee, the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any other person to enforce or interpret this Agreement or any rights of Indemnitee to indemnification or advancement of Expenses (or related obligations of Indemnitee) under the Companys or any such Subsidiarys certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational agreement or instrument, any other agreement to which Indemnitee and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are party, any vote of stockholders or directors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the DGCL, any other applicable law or any liability insurance policy, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against Expenses incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitees behalf in connection with such Proceeding in proportion to the success achieved by Indemnitee in such Proceeding, as determined by the court presiding over such Proceeding.
(c) Partial Indemnification . If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for a portion of any Expenses, losses, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement incurred by Indemnitee, but not for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for such portion.
(d) Nonexclusivity . The indemnification and advancement rights provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may now or in the future be entitled under the certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational agreement or instrument of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any other agreement, any vote of stockholders or directors, the DGCL, any other applicable law or any liability insurance policy; provided that to the extent that Indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified by the Company under this Agreement and by any stockholder of the Company or any Affiliate of any such stockholder (other than the Company) under any other agreement or instrument, or by any insurer under a policy maintained by any such stockholder or affiliate, (i) the obligations of the Company hereunder shall be primary, and the obligations of such stockholder, affiliate or insurer secondary, and (ii) Indemnitee shall proceed first against the Company and any insurer under any policy maintained by the Company, second, if indemnification is not provided by the Company or any such insurer on a timely basis, against any insurer under a policy maintained by any such stockholder or affiliate, and third, if indemnification is not provided by the Company or any such insurer on a timely basis, against any such stockholder or affiliate. Any such stockholder or Affiliate shall be entitled to enforce the Companys obligation to provide indemnification in accordance with the priorities set forth in this Section 3(d) directly against the Company, and each such stockholder or Affiliate shall constitute an express intended third party beneficiary under this Agreement for such purpose. In the event that any such stockholder or Affiliate makes indemnification payments or advances to Indemnitee in respect of any Expenses, losses, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties or amounts paid in settlement for which the Company would also be obligated pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall reimburse such stockholder or Affiliate in full on demand.
(e) Exceptions . Any other provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated under the Agreement to indemnify Indemnitee:
(1) For Expenses incurred in connection with Proceedings initiated or brought voluntarily by the Indemnitee and not by way of defense, counterclaim or crossclaim, except (x) as contemplated by Section 3(b), (y) in specific cases if the board of directors of the Company has approved the initiation or bringing of such Proceeding, and (z) as may be required by law.
(2) For an accounting of profits arising from the purchase and sale by the Indemnitee of securities within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor statute.
(f) Subrogation . In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnitee, who shall execute such documents and do such acts as the Company may reasonably request to secure such rights and to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights; provided that the Company shall not be entitled to contribution or indemnification from or subrogation against any stockholder of the Company, any affiliate of any such stockholder or any insurer under a policy maintained by any such stockholder or affiliate.
4. Contribution .
(a) The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless from any claims of contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee.
(b) To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for all expense, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorneys fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement), in connection with any Proceeding, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding: and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).
5. Advancement of Expenses .
The Company shall pay all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding in any way connected with, resulting from or relating to Indemnitees Corporate Status, other than a Proceeding initiated by Indemnitee for which the Company would not be obligated to indemnify Indemnitee pursuant to Section 3(e)(i), in advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding and without regard to whether Indemnitee will ultimately be entitled to be indemnified for such Expenses and without regard to whether an Adverse Determination has been made, except as contemplated by the last sentence of Section 6(f). Indemnitee shall repay such amounts advanced only if and to the extent that it shall ultimately be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company for such Expenses. Such repayment obligation shall be unsecured and shall not bear interest. The Company shall not impose on Indemnitee additional
conditions to advancement or require from Indemnitee additional undertakings regarding repayment. The Company agrees that for the purposes of any advancement of Expenses for which Indemnitee has made written demand to the Company in accordance with this Agreement, all Expenses included in such demand that are certified by affidavit of Indemnitees counsel as being reasonable shall be presumed conclusively to be reasonable.
6. Indemnification Procedure .
(a) Notice of Proceeding; Cooperation . Indemnitee shall give the Company notice in writing as soon as practicable of any Proceeding for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement, provided that any failure or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Company of its obligations under this Agreement unless and to the extent that the Company is materially prejudiced by such failure.
(b) Settlement . The Company will not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, which may be provided or withheld in Indemnitees sole discretion, effect any settlement of any Proceeding against Indemnitee or which could have been brought against Indemnitee unless such settlement solely involves the payment of money by persons other than Indemnitee and includes an unconditional release of Indemnitee from all liability on any matters that are the subject of such Proceeding and an acknowledgment that Indemnitee denies all wrongdoing in connection with such matters. The Company shall not be obligated to indemnify Indemnitee against amounts paid in settlement of a Proceeding against Indemnitee if such settlement is effected by Indemnitee without the Companys prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(c) Request for Payment ; Timing of Payment . To obtain indemnification payments or advances under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request therefor, together with such invoices or other supporting information as may be reasonably requested by the Company and reasonably available to Indemnitee. The Company shall make indemnification payments to Indemnitee no later than 30 days, and advances to Indemnitee no later than 10 days, after receipt of the written request (and such invoices or other supporting information) of Indemnitee.
(d) Determination . The Company intends that Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by law as provided in Section 3 and that no Determination shall be required in connection with such indemnification. In no event shall a Determination be required in connection with advancement of Expenses pursuant to Section 5 or in connection with indemnification for Expenses incurred as a witness or incurred in connection with any Proceeding or portion thereof with respect to which Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise (including, without limitation, settlement of Proceeding with or without payment of money or other consideration or the termination of any issue or matter in such Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice). Any decision that a Determination is required by law in connection with any other indemnification of Indemnitee, and any such Determination, shall be made within 30 days after receipt of Indemnitees written request for indemnification, as follows:
(1) If no Change in Control has occurred, (w) by a majority vote of the directors of the Company who are not parties to such Proceeding, even though less than a quorum, with the advice of Independent Legal Counsel, or (x) by a
committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, with the advice of Independent Legal Counsel, or (y) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by Independent Legal Counsel in a written opinion to the Company and Indemnitee, or (z) by the stockholders of the Company.
(2) If a Change in Control has occurred, by Independent Legal Counsel in a written opinion to the Company and Indemnitee.
Article I. The Company shall pay all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Determination.
(e) Independent Legal Counsel . If there has not been a Change in Control, Independent Legal Counsel shall be selected by the board of directors of the Company and approved by Indemnitee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). If there has been a Change in Control, Independent Legal Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). The Company shall pay the fees and expenses of Independent Legal Counsel and indemnify Independent Legal Counsel against any and all expenses (including attorneys fees), claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to its engagement.
(f) Consequences of Determination; Remedies of Indemnitee . The Company shall be bound by and shall have no right to challenge a Favorable Determination. If an Adverse Determination is made, or if for any other reason the Company does not make timely indemnification payments or advances of Expenses, Indemnitee shall have the right to commence a Proceeding before a court of competent jurisdiction to challenge such Adverse Determination and/or to require the Company to make such payments or advances. Indemnitee shall be entitled to be indemnified for all Expenses incurred in connection with such a Proceeding in accordance with Section 3(b) and to have such Expenses advanced by the Company in accordance with Section 5. If Indemnitee fails to timely challenge an Adverse Determination, or if Indemnitee challenges an Adverse Determination and such Adverse Determination has been upheld by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision, then, to the extent and only to the extent required by such Adverse Determination or final decision, the Company shall not be obligated to indemnify or advance Expenses to Indemnitee under this Agreement.
(g) Presumptions; Burden of Proof . In connection with any Determination, or any review of any Determination, by any person, including a court:
(1) It shall be a presumption that a Determination is not required.
(2) It shall be a presumption that Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct and that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances.
(3) The burden of proof shall be on the Company to overcome the presumptions set forth in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii), and each such presumption shall only be overcome if the Company establishes that there is no reasonable basis to support it.
(4) The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, finding, settlement (whether with or without court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere , or its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that indemnification is not proper or that Indemnitee did not meet the applicable standard of conduct or that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by this Agreement or otherwise.
(5) Neither the failure of any person or persons to have made a Determination nor an Adverse Determination by any person or persons shall be a defense to Indemnitees claim or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet the applicable standard of conduct, and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 6(f) shall be de novo with respect to all determinations of fact and law.
7. Directors and Officers Liability Insurance .
(a) Maintenance of Insurance . So long as the Company or any of its Subsidiaries maintains liability insurance for any directors, officers, employees or agents of any such person, the Company shall ensure that Indemnitee is covered by such insurance in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Companys and its Subsidiaries then current directors and officers. If at any date (i) such insurance ceases to cover acts and omissions occurring during all or any part of the period of Indemnitees Corporate Status or (ii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries maintains any such insurance, the Company shall ensure that Indemnitee is covered, with respect to acts and omissions prior to such date, for at least six years (or such shorter period as is available on commercially reasonable terms) from such date, by other directors and officers liability insurance, in amounts and on terms (including the portion of the period of Indemnitees Corporate Status covered) no less favorable to Indemnitee than the amounts and terms of the liability insurance maintained by the Company on the date hereof.
(b) Notice to Insurers . Upon receipt of notice of a Proceeding pursuant to Section 6(a), the Company shall give or cause to be given prompt notice of such Proceeding to all insurers providing liability insurance in accordance with the procedures set forth in all applicable or potentially applicable policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary action to cause such insurers to pay all amounts payable in accordance with the terms of such policies.
8. Exculpation, etc .
(a) Limitation of Liability . Indemnitee shall not be personally liable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or to the stockholders of the Company or any such Subsidiary for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director of the Company or any such Subsidiary; provided , however , that the foregoing shall not eliminate or limit the liability of the Indemnitee (i) for any breach of the Indemnitees duty of loyalty to the Company or such Subsidiary or the stockholders thereof; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law; (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL or any similar provision of other applicable corporations law; or (iv) for any transaction from which the Indemnitee derived an improper personal benefit. If the DGCL or such other applicable law shall be amended to permit further elimination or limitation of the
personal liability of directors, then the liability of the Indemnitee shall, automatically, without any further action, be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL or such other applicable law as so amended.
(b) Period of Limitations . No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries against Indemnitee or Indemnitees estate, spouses, heirs, executors, personal or legal representatives, administrators or assigns after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such two-year period, provided that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action, such shorter period shall govern.
9. Miscellaneous .
(a) Non-Circumvention . The Company shall not seek or agree to any order of any court or other governmental authority that would prohibit or otherwise interfere, and shall not take or fail to take any other action if such action or failure would reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or otherwise interfering, with the performance of the Companys indemnification, advancement or other obligations under this Agreement.
(b) Severability . If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (ii) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (iii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.
(c) Notices . All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given (i) on the date of delivery if delivered personally, or by facsimile, upon confirmation of receipt, (ii) on the first business day following the date of dispatch if delivered by a recognized next-day courier service or (iii) on the third business day following the date of mailing if delivered by domestic registered or certified mail, properly addressed, or on the fifth business day following the date of mailing if sent by airmail from a country outside of North America, to Indemnitee at the address shown on the signature page of this Agreement, to the Company at the address shown on the signature page of this Agreement, or in either case as subsequently modified by written notice.
(d) Amendment and Termination . No amendment, modification, termination or cancellation of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing signed by all the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
(e) Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its respective successors and assigns, including without limitation any acquiror of all or substantially all of the Companys assets or business and any survivor of any merger or consolidation to which the Company is party, and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Indemnitee and Indemnitees estate, spouses, heirs, executors, personal or legal representatives, administrators and assigns. The Company shall require and cause any such successor, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement as if it were named as the Company herein. No such assumption and agreement shall relieve the Company of any of its obligations hereunder, and this Agreement shall not otherwise be assignable by the Company.
(f) Choice of Law; Consent to Jurisdiction . This Agreement shall be governed by and its provisions construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, as applied to contracts between Delaware residents entered into and to be performed entirely within Delaware, without regard to the conflict of law principles thereof. The Company and Indemnitee each hereby irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware for all purposes in connection with any Proceeding which arises out of or relates to this Agreement and agree that any action instituted under this Agreement shall be brought only in the state courts of the State of Delaware.
(g) Integration and Entire Agreement . This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes and merges all previous written and oral negotiations, commitments, understandings and agreements relating to the subject matter hereof between the parties hereto, provided that the provisions hereof shall not supersede the provisions of the Companys certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational agreement or instrument, any other agreement, any vote of stockholders or directors, the DGCL or other applicable law, to the extent any such provisions shall be more favorable to Indemnitee than the provisions hereof.
(h) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
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SERVICEMASTER GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Dion Persson |
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Name: Dion Persson |
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Title: Senior Vice President, Business Development |
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Address: |
150 Peabody Place |
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Memphis, TN 38103 |
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AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED: |
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INDEMNITEE: |
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By: |
/s/ Rex Tibbens |
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Name: Rex Tibbens |
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Title: |
Address: 11474 Arrow Point Drive
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
[ Signature Page to Indemnification Agreement ]
FORM OF INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
Indemnification Agreement, dated as of [ · ], between AHS Holding Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company ), and [ · ] ( Indemnitee ).
WHEREAS, qualified persons are reluctant to serve corporations as directors unless they are provided with appropriate indemnification and insurance against claims arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporations; and
WHEREAS, the Company has determined that attracting and retaining such persons is in the best interests of the Companys stockholders and that it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company to indemnify such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to provide reasonable assurance regarding insurance;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:
1. Defined Terms; Construction .
(a) Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Affiliate means, with respect to any person, any other person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such first person. For these purposes, control (including the terms controlled by and under common control with) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management policies of a person by reason of ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Change in Control means, and shall be deemed to have occurred if, on or after the date of this Agreement, ( i ) any person (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), other than ( A ) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries acting in such capacity, or ( B ) a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company, is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the total voting power represented by the Companys then outstanding Voting Securities, ( ii ) during any period of two consecutive years commencing from and after the date hereof, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the board of directors of the Company and any new director whose election by the board of directors of the Company or nomination for election by the Companys stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof, ( iii ) the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation other than a merger or consolidation that would result in the Voting Securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into Voting Securities of the surviving entity) at
least 50% of the total voting power represented by the Voting Securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, ( iv ) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) all or substantially all of its assets, or ( v ) the Company shall file or have filed against it, and such filing shall not be dismissed, any bankruptcy, insolvency or dissolution proceedings, or a trustee, administrator or creditors committee shall be appointed to manage or supervise the affairs of the Company.
Corporate Status means the status of a person who is or was a director (or a member of any committee of a board of directors), officer, employee or agent (including without limitation a manager of a limited liability company) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or of any predecessor thereof, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director (or a member of any committee of a board of directors), officer, employee or agent (including without limitation a manager of a limited liability company) of another entity, or of any predecessor thereof, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan.
Determination means a determination that either ( x ) there is a reasonable basis for the conclusion that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee met a particular standard of conduct (a Favorable Determination ) or ( y ) there is no reasonable basis for the conclusion that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee met a particular standard of conduct (an Adverse Determination ). An Adverse Determination shall include the decision that a Determination was required in connection with indemnification and the decision as to the applicable standard of conduct.
DGCL means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time.
Expenses means all attorneys fees and expenses, retainers, court, arbitration and mediation costs, transcript costs, fees and expenses of experts, witnesses and public relations consultants, bonds, costs of collecting and producing documents, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, appealing or otherwise participating in a Proceeding.
Independent Legal Counsel means an attorney or firm of attorneys competent to render an opinion under the applicable law, selected in accordance with the provisions of Section 6(e), who has not performed any services (other than services similar to those contemplated to be performed by Independent Legal Counsel under this Agreement) for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or for Indemnitee within the last three years.
Proceeding means a threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, including without limitation a claim, demand, discovery request, formal or informal investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing, arbitration or other form of alternative dispute resolution, including an appeal from any of the foregoing.
Subsidiary means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity, a majority of whose outstanding voting securities is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company.
Voting Securities means any securities of the Company that vote generally in the election of directors.
(b) Construction. For purposes of this Agreement,
(i) References to the Company and any of its Subsidiaries shall include any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity or enterprise that before or after the date of this Agreement is party to a merger or consolidation with the Company or any such Subsidiary or that is a successor to the Company as contemplated by Section 9(e) (whether or not such successor has executed and delivered the written agreement contemplated by Section 9(e)).
(ii) References to fines shall include any excise taxes assessed on Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan.
(iii) References to a witness in connection with a Proceeding shall include any interviewee or person called upon to produce documents in connection with such Proceeding.
2. Agreement to Serve .
Indemnitee agrees to serve as a director of the Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries and in such other capacities as Indemnitee may serve at the request of the Company from time to time, and by its execution of this Agreement the Company confirms its request that Indemnitee serve as a director and in such other capacities. Indemnitee shall be entitled to resign or otherwise terminate such service with immediate effect at any time, and neither such resignation or termination nor the length of such service shall affect Indemnitees rights under this Agreement. This Agreement shall not constitute an employment agreement, supersede any employment agreement to which Indemnitee is a party or create any right of Indemnitee to continued employment or appointment.
3. Indemnification .
(a) General Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in effect on the date hereof or as amended to increase the scope of permitted indemnification, against Expenses, losses, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, taxes, assessments and other charges in connection therewith) incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitees behalf in connection with any Proceeding in any way connected with, resulting from or relating to Indemnitees Corporate Status.
(b) Additional Indemnification Regarding Expenses. Without limiting the foregoing, in the event any Proceeding is initiated by Indemnitee, the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any other person to enforce or interpret this Agreement or any rights of Indemnitee to indemnification or advancement of Expenses (or related obligations of Indemnitee) under the Companys or any such Subsidiarys certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational agreement or instrument, any other agreement to which Indemnitee and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are party, any vote of stockholders or directors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the DGCL, any other applicable law or any liability insurance policy, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against Expenses incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitees behalf in connection with such Proceeding in proportion to the success achieved by Indemnitee in such Proceeding, as determined by the court presiding over such Proceeding.
(c) Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for a portion of any Expenses, losses, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement incurred by Indemnitee, but not for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for such portion.
(d) Nonexclusivity. The indemnification and advancement rights provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may now or in the future be entitled under the certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational agreement or instrument of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any other agreement, any vote of stockholders or directors, the DGCL, any other applicable law or any liability insurance policy; provided that to the extent that Indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified by the Company under this Agreement and by any stockholder of the Company or any Affiliate of any such stockholder (other than the Company) under any other agreement or instrument, or by any insurer under a policy maintained by any such stockholder or affiliate, (i) the obligations of the Company hereunder shall be primary, and the obligations of such stockholder, affiliate or insurer secondary, and (ii) Indemnitee shall proceed first against the Company and any insurer under any policy maintained by the Company, second, if indemnification is not provided by the Company or any such insurer on a timely basis, against any insurer under a policy maintained by any such stockholder or affiliate, and third, if indemnification is not provided by the Company or any such insurer on a timely basis, against any such stockholder or affiliate. Any such stockholder or Affiliate shall be entitled to enforce the Companys obligation to provide indemnification in accordance with the priorities set forth in this Section 3(d) directly against the Company, and each such stockholder or Affiliate shall constitute an express intended third party beneficiary under this Agreement for such purpose. In the event that any such stockholder or Affiliate makes indemnification payments or advances to Indemnitee in respect of any Expenses, losses, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties or amounts paid in settlement for which the Company would also be obligated pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall reimburse such stockholder or Affiliate in full on demand.
(e) Exceptions. Any other provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated under the Agreement to indemnify Indemnitee:
(i) For Expenses incurred in connection with Proceedings initiated or brought voluntarily by the Indemnitee and not by way of defense, counterclaim or crossclaim, except ( x ) as contemplated by Section 3(b), ( y ) in specific cases if the board of directors of the Company has approved the initiation or bringing of such Proceeding, and ( z ) as may be required by law.
(ii) For an accounting of profits arising from the purchase and sale by the Indemnitee of securities within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor statute.
(f) Subrogation. In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnitee, who shall execute such documents and do such acts as the Company may reasonably request to secure such rights and to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights; provided that the Company shall not be entitled to contribution or indemnification from or subrogation against any stockholder of the Company, any affiliate of any such stockholder or any insurer under a policy maintained by any such stockholder or affiliate.
4. Contribution .
(a) The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless from any claims of contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee.
(b) To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for all expense, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorneys fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement), in connection with any Proceeding, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding: and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).
5. Advancement of Expenses .
The Company shall pay all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding in any way connected with, resulting from or relating to Indemnitees Corporate Status, other than a Proceeding initiated by Indemnitee for which the Company would not be obligated to indemnify Indemnitee pursuant to Section 3(e)(i), in advance of the final disposition
of such Proceeding and without regard to whether Indemnitee will ultimately be entitled to be indemnified for such Expenses and without regard to whether an Adverse Determination has been made, except as contemplated by the last sentence of Section 6(f). Indemnitee shall repay such amounts advanced only if and to the extent that it shall ultimately be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company for such Expenses. Such repayment obligation shall be unsecured and shall not bear interest. The Company shall not impose on Indemnitee additional conditions to advancement or require from Indemnitee additional undertakings regarding repayment. The Company agrees that for the purposes of any advancement of Expenses for which Indemnitee has made written demand to the Company in accordance with this Agreement, all Expenses included in such demand that are certified by affidavit of Indemnitees counsel as being reasonable shall be presumed conclusively to be reasonable.
6. Indemnification Procedure .
(a) Notice of Proceeding: Cooperation. Indemnitee shall give the Company notice in writing as soon as practicable of any Proceeding for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement, provided that any failure or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Company of its obligations under this Agreement unless and to the extent that the Company is materially prejudiced by such failure.
(b) Settlement. The Company will not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, which may be provided or withheld in Indemnitees sole discretion, effect any settlement of any Proceeding against Indemnitee or which could have been brought against Indemnitee unless such settlement solely involves the payment of money by persons other than Indemnitee and includes an unconditional release of Indemnitee from all liability on any matters that are the subject of such Proceeding and an acknowledgment that Indemnitee denies all wrongdoing in connection with such matters. The Company shall not be obligated to indemnify Indemnitee against amounts paid in settlement of a Proceeding against Indemnitee if such settlement is effected by Indemnitee without the Companys prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(c) Request for Payment: Timing of Payment. To obtain indemnification payments or advances under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request therefor, together with such invoices or other supporting information as may be reasonably requested by the Company and reasonably available to Indemnitee. The Company shall make indemnification payments to Indemnitee no later than 30 days, and advances to Indemnitee no later than 10 days, after receipt of the written request (and such invoices or other supporting information) of Indemnitee.
(d) Determination. The Company intends that Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by law as provided in Section 3 and that no Determination shall be required in connection with such indemnification. In no event shall a Determination be required in connection with advancement of Expenses pursuant to Section 5 or in connection with indemnification for Expenses incurred as a witness or incurred in connection with any Proceeding or portion thereof with respect to which
Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise (including, without limitation, settlement of Proceeding with or without payment of money or other consideration or the termination of any issue or matter in such Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice). Any decision that a Determination is required by law in connection with any other indemnification of Indemnitee, and any such Determination, shall be made within 30 days after receipt of Indemnitees written request for indemnification, as follows:
(i) If no Change in Control has occurred, ( w ) by a majority vote of the directors of the Company who are not parties to such Proceeding, even though less than a quorum, with the advice of Independent Legal Counsel, or ( x ) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, with the advice of Independent Legal Counsel, or ( y ) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by Independent Legal Counsel in a written opinion to the Company and Indemnitee, or ( z ) by the stockholders of the Company.
(ii) If a Change in Control has occurred, by Independent Legal Counsel in a written opinion to the Company and Indemnitee.
The Company shall pay all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Determination.
(e) Independent Legal Counsel. If there has not been a Change in Control, Independent Legal Counsel shall be selected by the board of directors of the Company and approved by Indemnitee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). If there has been a Change in Control, Independent Legal Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). The Company shall pay the fees and expenses of Independent Legal Counsel and indemnify Independent Legal Counsel against any and all expenses (including attorneys fees), claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to its engagement.
(f) Consequences of Determination; Remedies of Indemnitee. The Company shall be bound by and shall have no right to challenge a Favorable Determination. If an Adverse Determination is made, or if for any other reason the Company does not make timely indemnification payments or advances of Expenses, Indemnitee shall have the right to commence a Proceeding before a court of competent jurisdiction to challenge such Adverse Determination and/or to require the Company to make such payments or advances. Indemnitee shall be entitled to be indemnified for all Expenses incurred in connection with such a Proceeding in accordance with Section 3(b) and to have such Expenses advanced by the Company in accordance with Section 5. If Indemnitee fails to timely challenge an Adverse Determination, or if Indemnitee challenges an Adverse Determination and such Adverse Determination has been upheld by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision, then, to the extent and only to the extent required by such Adverse Determination or final decision, the Company shall not be obligated to indemnify or advance Expenses to Indemnitee under this Agreement.
(g) Presumptions; Burden of Proof. In connection with any Determination, or any review of any Determination, by any person, including a court:
(i) It shall be a presumption that a Determination is not required.
(ii) It shall be a presumption that Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct and that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances.
(iii) The burden of proof shall be on the Company to overcome the presumptions set forth in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii), and each such presumption shall only be overcome if the Company establishes that there is no reasonable basis to support it.
(iv) The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, finding, settlement (whether with or without court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nobo contendere , or its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that indemnification is not proper or that Indemnitee did not meet the applicable standard of conduct or that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by this Agreement or otherwise.
(v) Neither the failure of any person or persons to have made a Determination nor an Adverse Determination by any person or persons shall be a defense to Indemnitees claim or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet the applicable standard of conduct, and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 6(f) shall be de novo with respect to all determinations of fact and law.
7. Directors and Officers Liability Insurance .
(a) Maintenance of Insurance. So long as the Company or any of its Subsidiaries maintains liability insurance for any directors, officers, employees or agents of any such person, the Company shall ensure that Indemnitee is covered by such insurance in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Companys and its Subsidiaries then current directors and officers. If at any date ( i ) such insurance ceases to cover acts and omissions occurring during all or any part of the period of Indemnitees Corporate Status or ( ii ) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries maintains any such insurance, the Company shall ensure that Indemnitee is covered, with respect to acts and omissions prior to such date, for at least six years (or such shorter period as is available on commercially reasonable terms) from such date, by other directors and officers liability insurance, in amounts and on terms (including the portion of the period of Indemnitees Corporate Status covered) no less favorable to Indemnitee than the amounts and terms of the liability insurance maintained by the Company on the date hereof.
(b) Notice to Insurers. Upon receipt of notice of a Proceeding pursuant to Section 6(a), the Company shall give or cause to be given prompt notice of such Proceeding to all insurers providing liability insurance in accordance with the procedures set forth in all applicable or potentially applicable policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary action to cause such insurers to pay all amounts payable in accordance with the terms of such policies.
8. Exculpation, etc.
(a) Limitation of Liability. Indemnitee shall not be personally liable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or to the stockholders of the Company or any such Subsidiary for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director of the Company or any such Subsidiary; provided , however , that the foregoing shall not eliminate or limit the liability of the Indemnitee ( i ) for any breach of the Indemnitees duty of loyalty to the Company or such Subsidiary or the stockholders thereof; ( ii ) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law; ( iii ) under Section 174 of the DGCL or any similar provision of other applicable corporations law; or ( iv ) for any transaction from which the Indemnitee derived an improper personal benefit. If the DGCL or such other applicable law shall be amended to permit further elimination or limitation of the personal liability of directors, then the liability of the Indemnitee shall, automatically, without any further action, be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL or such other applicable law as so amended.
(b) Period of Limitations. No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries against Indemnitee or Indemnitees estate, spouses, heirs, executors, personal or legal representatives, administrators or assigns after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such two-year period, provided that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action, such shorter period shall govern.
9. Miscellaneous .
(a) Non-Circumvention. The Company shall not seek or agree to any order of any court or other governmental authority that would prohibit or otherwise interfere, and shall not take or fail to take any other action if such action or failure would reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or otherwise interfering, with the performance of the Companys indemnification, advancement or other obligations under this Agreement.
(b) Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: ( i ) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or
unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; ( ii ) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and ( iii ) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.
(c) Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given ( i ) on the date of delivery if delivered personally, or by facsimile, upon confirmation of receipt, ( ii ) on the first business day following the date of dispatch if delivered by a recognized next-day courier service or ( iii ) on the third business day following the date of mailing if delivered by domestic registered or certified mail, properly addressed, or on the fifth business day following the date of mailing if sent by airmail from a country outside of North America, to Indemnitee at the address shown on the signature page of this Agreement, to the Company at the address shown on the signature page of this Agreement, or in either case as subsequently modified by written notice.
(d) Amendment and Termination. No amendment, modification, termination or cancellation of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing signed by all the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its respective successors and assigns, including without limitation any acquiror of all or substantially all of the Companys assets or business and any survivor of any merger or consolidation to which the Company is party, and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Indemnitee and Indemnitees estate, spouses, heirs, executors, personal or legal representatives, administrators and assigns. The Company shall require and cause any such successor, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement as if it were named as the Company herein. No such assumption and agreement shall relieve the Company of any of its obligations hereunder, and this Agreement shall not otherwise be assignable by the Company.
(f) Choice of Law; Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by and its provisions construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, as applied to contracts between Delaware residents entered into and to be performed entirely within Delaware, without regard to the conflict of law principles thereof. The Company and Indemnitee each hereby irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware for all purposes in connection with any Proceeding which arises out of or relates to this Agreement and agree that any action instituted under this Agreement shall be brought only in the state courts of the State of Delaware.
(g) Integration and Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes and merges all previous written and oral negotiations, commitments, understandings and agreements relating to the subject matter hereof between the parties hereto, provided that the provisions hereof shall not supersede the provisions of the Companys certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational agreement or instrument, any other agreement, any vote of stockholders or directors, the DGCL or other applicable law, to the extent any such provisions shall be more favorable to Indemnitee than the provisions hereof.
(h) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
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July 17, 2018
Dear Brian,
I am pleased to confirm our formal offer of employment to you for the position of Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer for American Home Shield. The purpose of this letter is to summarize the terms of our offer.
As Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer for American Home Shield located in Memphis, TN you will report to Rex Tibbens, Chief Executive Officer. Your effective start date is to be mutually agreed upon.
Base Salary
Your base compensation in this position will be at an annual rate of $430,000. This will be paid on the 15 th and the last business day of each month.
Annual Incentive Plan (AIP)
In this position, you will be eligible to receive a bonus payment with a target of 60% of your base salary under the Annual Incentive Plan (AIP).
Equity
Sign-On Equity Award
Upon approval by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, you will receive a Restricted Stock Unit award (RSUs) with a grant date value of $250,000.
The actual number of RSUs will be determined by dividing the grant date value by the Fair Market Value of the Companys common stock on the date of the award which is typically on your date of hire.
Additional information on the Plan, including the Plan documents, will be provided to you upon approval of the awards.
Annual Equity Award
Beginning in 2019, you will be eligible to be considered for annual equity awards with a target grant date value of 125% of your annual base salary, with the form of such awards to be determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board.
Additional information on the Plan, including the Plan documents, will be provided to you upon approval of the awards.
Conditions of Employment
This letter shall not constitute an employment contract and nothing herein changes your status as an at-will employee.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call me 901-597-1852. Please return your signed offer letter to me by July 25, 2018.
Brian, we look forward to having you as a key member of the American Home Shield team. Our success hinges upon the people who make up our organization and we are excited about the strength you will lend to our team.
Sincerely, |
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I accept this offer of employment under the terms and conditions set forth above. |
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7/19/18 |
SUBSIDIARIES OF AHS HOLDING COMPANY, INC.
The following entities are expected to be subsidiaries of AHS Holding Company, Inc. upon completion of the distribution described in the information statement:
Subsidiary |
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State or Country of Incorporation
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American Home Shield Corporation |
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Delaware |
American Home Shield of Arizona, Inc. |
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Arizona |
American Home Shield of California, Inc. |
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California |
American Home Shield of Florida, Inc. |
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Florida |
American Home Shield of Iowa, Inc. |
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Iowa |
American Home Shield of Maine, Inc. |
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Maine |
American Home Shield of Oklahoma, Inc. |
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Oklahoma |
American Home Shield of Texas, Inc. |
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Texas |
American Home Shield of Virginia, Inc. |
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Virginia |
American Home Shield of Washington, Inc. |
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Washington |
Home Security Association, Inc. |
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Wisconsin |
Home Security Association of Florida, Inc. |
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Florida |
Home Security Association of Virginia, Inc. |
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Virginia |
Home Security of America, Inc. |
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Wisconsin |
HSA Home Warranty Company |
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California |
Landmark Home Warranty, LLC |
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Utah |
OneGuard Arizona, L.L.C. |
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Arizona |
OneGuard Nevada, L.L.C. |
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Nevada |
OneGuard Texas, L.L.C. |
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Texas |
Steward of Texas, LLC |
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Texas |
Use these links to rapidly review the document
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Exhibit 99.1
[ ], 2018
Dear ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. Stockholder:
We previously announced plans to separate our American Home Shield business from our Terminix and Franchise Services Group ("FSG") businesses. The separation will occur by means of a spin-off of a newly formed company named frontdoor, inc. ("Frontdoor"), which will own the assets and liabilities associated with the American Home Shield business. ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. ("ServiceMaster"), the existing publicly traded company in which you currently own common stock, will continue to own and operate our Terminix and FSG businesses. The separation will create two companies with proven long-term strategies, scale and financial strength that will be leaders in their industries. The ServiceMaster board of directors believes that separating the American Home Shield business from the remaining businesses of ServiceMaster is in the best interest of ServiceMaster and its stockholders for a number of reasons, including:
The ServiceMaster board of directors also considered a number of potentially negative factors in evaluating the separation, including, among others, risks relating to the creation of a new public company, possible increased costs and one-time separation costs, but concluded that the potential benefits of the separation significantly outweighed these factors. As two distinct publicly traded companies, ServiceMaster and Frontdoor will be better positioned, both strategically and operationally, to drive organic growth and capitalize on strategic opportunities.
ServiceMaster's Terminix business will continue to be a leader in the pest control industry, with an approximate 21 percent share of the $8 billion U.S. pest control services industry. ServiceMaster has recently implemented a number of strategic investments to transform the Terminix business that focus on process, talent, technology and customers. Following the separation of Frontdoor, ServiceMaster will be better positioned to continue a strategic focus on Terminix's field operations and sales force and progress on the path to higher organic growth and improved customer retention. Additionally, ServiceMaster's FSG businesses each hold a leading position in their respective categories with strong and trusted brands such as AmeriSpec®, Furniture Medic®, Merry Maids®, ServiceMaster Clean® and ServiceMaster Restore®. FSG will continue its key initiatives to grow its business and drive results, such as expanding service offerings and helping franchisees increase customer-level revenue growth.
The separation will provide ServiceMaster stockholders with equity ownership in both ServiceMaster and Frontdoor. The separation is intended to qualify as generally tax-free to ServiceMaster stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
The separation will be effected by means of a pro rata distribution of at least 80.1 percent of the outstanding shares of Frontdoor common stock to holders of ServiceMaster common stock. Following the distribution, Frontdoor will be a separate public company. Each ServiceMaster stockholder will receive [ ] share of Frontdoor common stock for each share of ServiceMaster common stock held at the close of business on [ ], the record date for the distribution. No vote of ServiceMaster stockholders is required for distribution. You do not need to take any action to receive the shares of Frontdoor common stock to which you are entitled as a ServiceMaster stockholder. You will not be required to make any payments or to surrender or exchange your shares of ServiceMaster common stock.
Frontdoor has applied to have its common stock authorized for listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "FTDR." Following the distribution, ServiceMaster will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "SERV."
I encourage you to read the attached information statement, which is being provided to all ServiceMaster stockholders who held shares on the record date for the distribution. The information statement describes the separation in detail and contains important business and financial information about Frontdoor.
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[ ], 2018
Dear Future frontdoor, inc. Stockholder:
I am pleased to welcome you as a future stockholder of frontdoor, inc. ("Frontdoor," "we," "us," "our" or the "Company"). We intend to list Frontdoor common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "FTDR." Although we will be newly public, we have been a leader in providing homeowners affordable protection against inevitable home system component and appliance breakdowns for more than 45 years.
We decided to call our new company Frontdoor. The front door is where we open ourselves up to the world every day. It's the place we welcome friends and family, and greet new people. It's also where our company meets homeowners face-to-face to help them deal with the hassles of owning a home. We're a difference-maker for homeowners, delivering solutions powered by people and enabled by technology. We listen to them, share our expertise, anticipate their needs and fix their problems. Simply, we make homeownership simple. That's the opportunity that knocks for us every day. We feel this name encapsulates our broader mission for the company. It allows us ample room to grow under a new name, but still provide the level of service customers expect. American Home Shield doesn't go away, it just becomes part of a larger mission.
Frontdoor owns multiple home service brands including HSA, OneGuard, Landmark and American Home Shield, which is the largest provider of home service plans in the U.S. Through our home services platform, we respond to over four million service requests annually (or one every eight seconds) from homeowners who require assistance with technical home repair issues utilizing our nationwide network of over 15,000 pre-qualified professional contractor firms that employ more than 45,000 technicians. Our customizable home service plans help customers protect and maintain their homes, typically their most valuable asset, from costly and unplanned breakdowns of essential home systems and appliances. Our large recurring customer base provides our contractors a significant volume of work throughout the year, which is highly valued by them. We facilitate these interactions through our customer and service delivery platform.
We will continue to leverage this technology-enabled and people-driven platform as a catalyst of future sustained growth.
Our strong national brand recognition, industry leading contractor base and commitment to taking the hassle out of owning a home will allow us to invest in future growth of the Company. A strong track record of consistent revenue and free cash flow growth affords opportunities to expand via organic and inorganic means.
We are committed to providing outstanding returns to our stockholders. We will achieve this by obsessing about customers, investing in growth and generating strong cash flow. I invite you to learn more about Frontdoor and our strategic initiatives by reading the attached information statement. We would be honored to have you as a future stockholder of Frontdoor.
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Sincerely, |
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Rexford J. Tibbens |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
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frontdoor, inc. |
Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A Registration Statement on Form 10 relating to these securities has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED AUGUST 1, 2018
INFORMATION STATEMENT
frontdoor, inc.
This information statement is being furnished in connection with the distribution by ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. ("ServiceMaster") to its stockholders of shares of common stock of frontdoor, inc., a Delaware corporation ("Frontdoor," "we," "us," "our" or the "Company"), currently an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of ServiceMaster, that will hold directly or indirectly the assets and liabilities associated with the American Home Shield business. ServiceMaster will distribute at least 80.1 percent of the outstanding shares of Frontdoor common stock on a pro rata basis to ServiceMaster stockholders in a transaction intended to qualify as generally tax-free to ServiceMaster stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except with respect to any cash received in lieu of fractional shares. Following the distribution, we will be a separate public company. Immediately after the distribution becomes effective, ServiceMaster will own no more than 19.9 percent of the outstanding shares of Frontdoor common stock. Prior to completing the separation, ServiceMaster may adjust the percentage of Frontdoor common stock to be distributed to ServiceMaster stockholders and retained by ServiceMaster in response to market and other factors, and it will amend this information statement to reflect any such adjustment. The distribution is subject to certain conditions, as described in this information statement. You should consult your tax advisor as to the particular consequences of the distribution to you, including the applicability and effect of any U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. tax laws.
For each share of ServiceMaster common stock held of record by you as of the close of business on [ ], the record date for the distribution, you will receive [ ] share of Frontdoor common stock. You will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Frontdoor common stock that you would have received after application of the above ratio. As discussed under "The Separation and DistributionTrading Between the Record Date and Distribution Date," if you sell your shares of ServiceMaster common stock in the "regular-way" market after the record date and before the distribution, you also will be selling your right to receive shares of Frontdoor common stock in the distribution. We expect the shares of Frontdoor common stock to be distributed by ServiceMaster to you at [ ] Eastern Time, on [ ]. We refer to the date of the distribution of the shares of Frontdoor common stock as the "distribution date."
No vote of ServiceMaster stockholders is required for the distribution. Therefore, you are not being asked for a proxy, and you are requested not to send ServiceMaster a proxy, in connection with the distribution. You do not need to pay any consideration or exchange or surrender your existing shares of ServiceMaster common stock or take any other action to receive your shares of Frontdoor common stock.
There is no current trading market for Frontdoor common stock, although we expect that a limited market, commonly known as a "when-issued" trading market, will develop on or about the record date for the distribution, and we expect "regular-way" trading of Frontdoor common stock to begin on the first trading day following the completion of the distribution. We have applied to have Frontdoor common stock authorized for listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market ("NASDAQ") under the symbol "FTDR." ServiceMaster common shares will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "SERV."
In reviewing this information statement, you should carefully consider the matters described under the caption "Risk Factors" beginning on page 33.
Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this information statement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
This information statement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.
The date of this information statement is [ ].
This information statement was first made available to ServiceMaster stockholders on or about [ ].
Except as otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, the information included in this information statement about Frontdoor assumes the completion of all of the transactions referred to in this information statement in connection with the separation and distribution. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this information statement to "Frontdoor," "we," "us," "our" or the "Company" refer to frontdoor, inc., a Delaware corporation, and its combined subsidiaries. References in this information statement to "ServiceMaster" or "Parent" refer to ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries (other than, after the distribution, Frontdoor and its consolidated subsidiaries), unless the context otherwise requires. References to our historical business and operations refer to the business and operations of ServiceMaster's American Home Shield business that will be transferred to Frontdoor in connection with the separation and distribution. References in this information statement to the "separation" refer to the separation of the American Home Shield business from ServiceMaster's other businesses and the creation, as a result of the distribution, of an independent, publicly traded company, Frontdoor, to hold the assets and liabilities associated with the American Home Shield business after the distribution. References in this information statement to the "distribution" refer to the distribution of shares of Frontdoor common stock to ServiceMaster stockholders on a pro rata basis.
The data included in this information statement regarding industry size and relative industry position is derived from a variety of sources, including company research, third-party studies and surveys, industry and general publications and estimates based on our knowledge and experience in the industries in which we operate. Our estimates have been based on information obtained from our customers, suppliers, trade and business organizations and other contacts in the industry. This information may prove to be inaccurate due to the method by which we obtained some of the data for our estimates or because this information cannot always be verified with complete certainty due to the limits on the availability and reliability of raw data, the voluntary nature of the data gathering process and other limitations and uncertainties.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION
What is Frontdoor, and why is ServiceMaster separating its American Home Shield business and distributing Frontdoor stock? |
Frontdoor, which is currently an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of ServiceMaster, was formed to own and operate ServiceMaster's American Home Shield business. The separation of the American Home Shield business from ServiceMaster and the distribution of Frontdoor common stock are intended to provide you with equity ownership in two separate publicly traded companies that will be able to focus exclusively on each of their respective businesses. ServiceMaster and Frontdoor expect that the separation will result in enhanced long-term performance of each business for the reasons discussed in the section entitled "The Separation and DistributionReasons for the Separation." | |
Why am I receiving this document? |
ServiceMaster is delivering this document to you because you are a holder of ServiceMaster common stock. If you are a holder of ServiceMaster common stock as of the close of business on [ ], the record date for the distribution, you will be entitled to receive [ ] share of Frontdoor common stock for each share of ServiceMaster common stock that you held at the close of business on such date. This document will help you understand how the separation and distribution will affect your post-separation ownership in ServiceMaster and Frontdoor, respectively. |
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How will the separation of the American Home Shield business from ServiceMaster work? |
ServiceMaster will distribute at least 80.1 percent of the outstanding shares of Frontdoor common stock to ServiceMaster stockholders on a pro rata basis in a distribution intended to be generally tax-free to ServiceMaster stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result of the distribution, Frontdoor will become a separate public company. The number of shares of ServiceMaster common stock you own will not change as a result of the separation and distribution. |
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What is the record date for the distribution? |
The record date for the distribution will be [ ]. |
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When will the distribution occur? |
It is expected that at least 80.1 percent of the outstanding shares of Frontdoor common stock will be distributed by ServiceMaster at [ ] Eastern Time, on [ ], to holders of record of ServiceMaster common stock at the close of business on [ ], the record date for the distribution. |
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What do stockholders need to do to participate in the distribution? |
Stockholders of ServiceMaster as of the record date for the distribution will not be required to take any action to receive shares of Frontdoor common stock in the distribution, but you are urged to read this entire information statement carefully. No stockholder approval of the distribution is required. You are not being asked for a proxy. You do not need to pay any consideration, exchange or surrender your existing shares of ServiceMaster common stock or take any other action to receive your shares of Frontdoor common stock. The distribution will not affect the number of outstanding shares of ServiceMaster common stock or any rights of ServiceMaster stockholders, although it will affect the market value of each outstanding share of ServiceMaster common stock. |
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How will shares of Frontdoor common stock be issued? |
You will receive shares of Frontdoor common stock through the same channels that you currently use to hold or trade ServiceMaster common stock, whether through a brokerage account or other channel. Receipt of our shares will be documented for you in the same manner that you typically receive stockholder updates, such as monthly broker statements. |
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If you own ServiceMaster common stock as of the close of business on [ ], the record date for the distribution, ServiceMaster, with the assistance of Computershare Trust Company, N.A. ("Computershare"), the distribution agent for the distribution, will electronically distribute shares of Frontdoor common stock to you or to your brokerage firm on your behalf in book-entry form. Computershare will mail you a book-entry account statement that reflects your shares of Frontdoor common stock, or your bank or brokerage firm will credit your account for the shares. |
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How many shares of Frontdoor common stock will I receive in the distribution? |
ServiceMaster will distribute to you [ ] share of Frontdoor common stock for each share of ServiceMaster common stock held by you as of close of business on the record date for the distribution. Based on approximately [ ] million shares of ServiceMaster common stock outstanding as of [ ], and assuming a distribution of approximately 80.1 percent of the outstanding shares of Frontdoor common stock, a total of approximately [ ] million shares of Frontdoor common stock will be distributed. For additional information on the distribution, see "The Separation and Distribution." |
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Will Frontdoor issue fractional shares of its common stock in the distribution? |
No. We will not issue fractional shares of Frontdoor common stock in the distribution. Fractional shares that ServiceMaster stockholders would otherwise have been entitled to receive will be aggregated and sold in the public market by the distribution agent. The aggregate net cash proceeds of these sales will be distributed pro rata (based on the fractional share such holder would otherwise be entitled to receive) to those stockholders who would otherwise have been entitled to receive fractional shares. Recipients of cash in lieu of fractional shares will not be entitled to any interest on the amounts of payment made in lieu of fractional shares. |
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What are the conditions to the distribution? |
The distribution is subject to final approval by the ServiceMaster board of directors, as well as to the satisfaction (or waiver by ServiceMaster in its sole discretion) of the following conditions: |
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the transfer of assets and liabilities from ServiceMaster to us shall be completed in accordance with the separation and distribution agreement that ServiceMaster and we will enter into prior to the distribution; |
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The private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters relating to the separation and distribution received by ServiceMaster continuing to be valid and being satisfactory to the ServiceMaster board of directors; |
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ServiceMaster shall have received one or more opinions from its tax advisors, in each case satisfactory to the ServiceMaster board of directors, regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters relating to the separation and distribution; |
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an independent appraisal firm acceptable to ServiceMaster shall have delivered one or more opinions to the board of directors of ServiceMaster at the time or times requested by the board of directors of ServiceMaster confirming the solvency and financial viability of ServiceMaster before the consummation of the distribution and each of ServiceMaster and Frontdoor after consummation of the distribution, and such opinions shall have been acceptable to ServiceMaster in form and substance in ServiceMaster's sole discretion and such opinions shall not have been withdrawn or rescinded; |
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the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (or the "SEC") shall have declared effective the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part, and this information statement shall have been made available to ServiceMaster stockholders; |
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all actions or filings necessary or appropriate under applicable U.S. federal, U.S. state or other securities laws shall have been taken and, where applicable, have become effective or been accepted by the applicable governmental entity; |
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we shall have received all necessary approvals from applicable state regulators; |
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the transaction agreements relating to the separation shall have been duly executed and delivered by the parties; |
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no order, injunction or decree issued by any court of competent jurisdiction, or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the separation, distribution or any of the related transactions, shall be in effect; |
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the shares of Frontdoor common stock to be distributed shall have been approved for listing on the NASDAQ, subject to official notice of distribution; |
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we shall have entered into the financing transactions described in this information statement that are contemplated to occur on or prior to the date of the separation and distribution; and |
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no other event or development shall exist or have occurred that, in the judgment of ServiceMaster's board of directors, in its sole discretion, makes it inadvisable to effect the separation, distribution and other related transactions. |
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Neither we nor ServiceMaster can assure you that any or all of these conditions will be met. In addition, ServiceMaster can decline at any time to go forward with the separation and distribution. For a complete discussion of all of the conditions to the distribution, see "The Separation and DistributionConditions to the Distribution." |
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What is the expected date of completion of the distribution? |
The completion and timing of the distribution are dependent upon a number of conditions. It is expected that the shares of Frontdoor common stock will be distributed by ServiceMaster at [ ] Eastern Time, on [ ], to holders of record of ServiceMaster common stock at the close of business on [ ], the record date for the distribution. However, no assurance can be provided as to the timing of the distribution or that all conditions to the distribution will be met. |
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Can ServiceMaster decide to cancel the distribution of Frontdoor common stock even if all the conditions have been met? |
Yes. The distribution is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions. See the section entitled "The Separation and DistributionConditions to the Distribution." Until the distribution has occurred, ServiceMaster has the right to terminate the distribution, even if all of the conditions are satisfied. |
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What if I want to sell my ServiceMaster common stock or my Frontdoor common stock? |
If you sell your shares of ServiceMaster common stock prior to or on the distribution date, you may also be selling your right to receive shares of Frontdoor common stock. See "The Separation and DistributionTrading Between the Record Date and Distribution Date." You are encouraged to consult with your financial advisor regarding the specific implications of selling your ServiceMaster common stock prior to or on the distribution date. |
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What is "regular-way" and "ex-distribution" trading of ServiceMaster common stock? |
Beginning on or shortly before the record date for the distribution and continuing up to and through the distribution date, it is expected that there will be two markets in ServiceMaster common stock: a "regular-way" market and an "ex-distribution" market. ServiceMaster common stock that trades in the "regular-way" market will trade with an entitlement to shares of Frontdoor common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution. Shares that trade in the "ex-distribution" market will trade without an entitlement to shares of Frontdoor common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution. If you hold shares of ServiceMaster common stock on the record date and then decide to sell any ServiceMaster common stock before the distribution date, you should make sure your stockbroker, bank or other nominee understands whether you want to sell your ServiceMaster common stock with or without your entitlement to Frontdoor common stock pursuant to the distribution. |
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Where will I be able to trade shares of Frontdoor common stock? |
We have applied to list Frontdoor common stock on the NASDAQ under the symbol "FTDR." We anticipate that trading in shares of Frontdoor common stock will begin on a "when-issued" basis on or about [ ], the record date for the distribution, and will continue up to and through the distribution date and that "regular-way" trading in Frontdoor common stock will begin on the first trading day following the completion of the distribution. If trading begins on a "when-issued" basis, you may purchase or sell shares of Frontdoor common stock up to and through the distribution date, but your transaction will not settle until after the distribution date. We cannot predict the trading prices for its common stock before, on or after the distribution date. |
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What will happen to the listing of ServiceMaster common stock? |
ServiceMaster common stock will continue to trade on the NYSE under the symbol "SERV." |
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Will the number of shares of ServiceMaster common stock that I own change as a result of the distribution? |
No. The number of shares of ServiceMaster common stock that you own will not change as a result of the distribution. |
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Will the distribution affect the market price of my shares of ServiceMaster common stock? |
Yes. As a result of the distribution, ServiceMaster expects the trading price of ServiceMaster common stock immediately following the distribution to be lower than the "regular-way" trading price of such stock immediately prior to the distribution because the trading price will no longer reflect the value of the American Home Shield business. There can be no assurance that the aggregate market value of shares of ServiceMaster common stock and Frontdoor common stock following the distribution will be higher or lower than the market value of shares of ServiceMaster common stock if the separation and distribution did not occur. This means, for example, that the combined trading prices of one share of ServiceMaster common stock and one share of Frontdoor common stock after the distribution may be equal to, greater than or less than the trading price of one share of ServiceMaster common stock before the distribution. |
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What are the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the separation and distribution? |
It is a condition to the distribution that the private letter ruling from the IRS regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters relating to the separation and distribution received by ServiceMaster remain valid and be satisfactory to the ServiceMaster board of directors and that the ServiceMaster board of directors receive one or more opinions from its tax advisors, in each case satisfactory to the ServiceMaster board of directors, regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters relating to the separation and distribution. Accordingly, it is expected that ServiceMaster stockholders generally will not recognize any gain or loss upon receipt of Frontdoor common stock pursuant to the distribution, except with respect to any cash received in lieu of fractional shares. You should carefully read the section entitled "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences" and should consult your own tax advisor about the particular consequences of the distribution to you, including the application of U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. tax laws. |
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What will happen to my tax basis in my ServiceMaster stock? |
If you do not sell your ServiceMaster stock in advance of the distribution, your tax basis will be adjusted and the aggregate tax basis of the ServiceMaster common stock and Frontdoor common stock received in the distribution (including any fractional share interest in Frontdoor common stock for which cash is received) will equal the aggregate tax basis of ServiceMaster common stock immediately prior to the distribution, allocated between the ServiceMaster common stock and Frontdoor common stock (including any fractional share interest in Frontdoor common stock for which cash is received) in proportion to the relative fair market value of each on the date of the distribution. You should carefully read the section entitled "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences" and should consult your own tax advisor about the particular consequences of the distribution to you, including the application of U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. tax laws. |
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What will Frontdoor's relationship be with ServiceMaster following the separation and distribution? |
Following the distribution, ServiceMaster stockholders will directly own at least 80.1 percent of the outstanding shares of Frontdoor common stock, and ServiceMaster and Frontdoor will be separate companies with separate management teams and separate boards of directors. ServiceMaster will retain no more than 19.9 percent of the outstanding shares of Frontdoor common stock following the distribution. Prior to the distribution, we will enter into a separation and distribution agreement with ServiceMaster to effect the separation and distribution and provide a framework for our relationship with ServiceMaster after the separation and will enter into certain other agreements, such as a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement, an employee matters agreement and a stockholder and registration rights agreement with respect to ServiceMaster's continuing ownership of shares of Frontdoor common stock. These agreements will provide for the separation between ServiceMaster and us of the assets, employees, liabilities and obligations (including its investments, property and employee benefits and tax-related assets and liabilities) of ServiceMaster and its subsidiaries attributable to periods prior to, at and after our separation from ServiceMaster and will govern the relationship between ServiceMaster and us subsequent to the completion of the separation. For additional information regarding the separation and distribution agreement, other transaction agreements and certain other commercial agreements between ServiceMaster and us, see the sections entitled "Risk FactorsRisks Related to the Separation and the Distribution" and "Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions." |
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How will ServiceMaster vote any shares of Frontdoor common stock it retains? |
ServiceMaster will agree to vote any shares of Frontdoor common stock that it retains in proportion to the votes cast by our other stockholders and grant us a proxy to vote its shares of Frontdoor common stock in such proportion. For additional information on these voting arrangements, see "Certain Relationships and Related Person TransactionsStockholder and Registration Rights Agreement." |
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What does ServiceMaster intend to do with any shares of Frontdoor common stock it retains? |
ServiceMaster currently intends to responsibly dispose of all of the Frontdoor common stock that it retains after the distribution through one or more subsequent exchanges for debt by June 14, 2019 in accordance with the terms of the private letter ruling. |
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Who will manage Frontdoor after the separation? |
We have assembled a management team of highly experienced leaders who have strong track records in a wide variety of industries and economic conditions, led by Mr. Rexford J. Tibbens, who is our President and Chief Executive Officer, Brian K. Turcotte, our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Jeffrey A. Fiarman, our Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Our management team is highly focused on execution and driving growth and profitability. Further, we believe that we have a deep pool of talent across our organization, including long-tenured individuals with significant expertise and knowledge of our business. For more information regarding our management, see "Management." |
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Are there risks associated with owning Frontdoor common stock? |
Yes. Ownership of Frontdoor common stock is subject to both general and specific risks relating to our business, the industry in which we operate, our ongoing contractual relationships with ServiceMaster and our status as a separate, publicly traded company. Ownership of Frontdoor common stock is also subject to risks relating to the separation and the distribution. These risks are described in the "Risk Factors" section of this information statement beginning on page 33. You are encouraged to read that section carefully. |
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Does Frontdoor plan to pay dividends? |
We currently expect to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business. The declaration and payment of any dividends in the future will be subject to the sole discretion of our board of directors and will depend on many factors. See "Dividend Policy." |
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Will Frontdoor incur any indebtedness prior to or at the time of the distribution? |
In connection with the separation and distribution, we anticipate that we will raise long-term debt consisting of approximately $350 million of senior unsecured notes and term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $650 million. We also anticipate entering into a revolving credit facility in aggregate principal amount of up to $250 million. We expect that approximately $350 million aggregate principal amount of notes will be issued to, and approximately $650 million aggregate principal amount of term loans will be incurred in favor of, ServiceMaster's wholly owned subsidiary, The ServiceMaster Company, LLC ("The ServiceMaster Company"), as partial consideration for the contribution of the American Home Shield business assets to us. We expect that The ServiceMaster Company will exchange these notes and term loans for outstanding debt of The ServiceMaster Company. |
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Additional details regarding such financing arrangements will be included in an amendment to this information statement. See "Description of Material Indebtedness" and "Risk FactorsRisks Related to the Separation and the Distribution." |
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Who will be the distribution agent, transfer agent and registrar for shares of Frontdoor common stock? |
The distribution agent, transfer agent and registrar for shares of Frontdoor common stock will be Computershare Trust Company, N.A. For questions relating to the transfer or mechanics of the stock distribution, you should contact Computershare toll free at (800) 546-5141. |
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Where can I find more information about ServiceMaster and Frontdoor? |
Before the distribution, if you have any questions relating to ServiceMaster's business performance, you should contact: |
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ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc.
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After the distribution, our stockholders who have any questions relating to our business performance should contact us at: |
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frontdoor, inc.
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Except as otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, the information included in this information statement about Frontdoor assumes the completion of all of the transactions referred to in this information statement in connection with the separation and distribution. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this information statement to "Frontdoor," "we," "us," "our" or the "Company" refer to frontdoor, inc., a Delaware corporation, and its combined subsidiaries. References in this information statement to "ServiceMaster" or "Parent" refer to ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries (other than, after the distribution, Frontdoor and its consolidated subsidiaries), unless the context otherwise requires. References to our historical business and operations refer to the business and operations of ServiceMaster's American Home Shield business that will be transferred to us in connection with the separation and distribution. References in this information statement to the "separation" refer to the separation of the American Home Shield business from ServiceMaster's other businesses and the creation, as a result of the distribution, of an independent, publicly traded company, Frontdoor, to hold the assets and liabilities associated with the American Home Shield business after the distribution. References in this information statement to the "distribution" refer to the distribution of at least 80.1 percent of the shares of Frontdoor common stock to ServiceMaster stockholders on a pro rata basis.
Business Overview
Frontdoor is obsessed with taking the hassle out of owning a home. Frontdoor owns multiple home service brands including HSA, OneGuard, Landmark and American Home Shield, which is the largest provider of home service plans in the U.S., as measured by revenue. Through our home services platform, we respond to over four million service requests annually (or one every eight seconds) from homeowners who require assistance with technical home repair issues utilizing our nationwide network of over 15,000 pre-qualified professional contractor firms that employ more than 45,000 technicians. Our customizable home service plans help customers protect and maintain their homes, typically their most valuable asset, from costly and unplanned breakdowns of essential home systems and appliances. Our large recurring customer base provides our contractors a significant volume of work throughout the year, which is highly valued by them. We facilitate these interactions through our leading technology-enabled customer interface and service delivery platform. We will continue to leverage this technology-enabled and people-driven platform as a catalyst for future sustained growth.
For the six months ended June 30, 2018, we generated revenue, net income and Adjusted EBITDA of $602 million, $58 million and $105 million, respectively. Revenue represented year-over-year growth of nine percent while net income and Adjusted EBITDA reflected year-over-year decreases of seven percent and seven percent, respectively. The seven percent decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by $28 million of increased contract claims costs, incremental sales and marketing costs and customer service costs, offset, in part, by the impact of higher revenue. The seven percent decrease in net income was primarily driven by the above factors and $15 million of pre-tax spin-off charges, offset, in part, by lower income taxes due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Act" or "U.S. Tax Reform").
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, we generated revenue, net income and Adjusted EBITDA of $1,157 million, $160 million, and $259 million, respectively. Revenue, net income and Adjusted EBITDA represented year-over-year growth of 13 percent, 29 percent and 19 percent, respectively. Additionally, we have grown through various business cycles as evidenced by the fact we
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grew revenue from 2007 to 2017 at a compound annual growth rate ("CAGR") of eight percent. We believe that our strong performance through these cycles is attributable to the essential nature of our services, our strong value proposition and management's focus on driving results through strategic investment and operational execution. From 2013 to 2017, we grew revenue, net income and Adjusted EBITDA at a CAGR of 12 percent, 17 percent and 16 percent, respectively. For a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to net income, see "Summary Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Data."
Our Value Proposition
Customer value proposition. We serve approximately two million customers who subscribe to a yearly service plan agreement that covers the repair or replacement of major components of up to 21 home systems and appliances, including electrical, plumbing, central heating and air conditioning ("HVAC") systems, water heaters, refrigerators, dishwashers and ranges/ovens/cooktops. Increasingly, these items tend to be the most critical and complicated items in a home, which lead to complex repairs. Product failures can result in significant emotional and financial inconvenience for our customers. We continuously upgrade our offerings through additional coverages and home services as homes become increasingly complex and connected. Our plans are generally structured as renewable one-year contracts, and, because our customers value the services we provide, 66 percent of our revenue base in 2017 was recurring. This drives consistency and predictability in our business performance.
Our service plans appeal to the growing segment of U.S. homeowners who want: (1) budget protection against unexpected and/or expensive home repair; and (2) the convenience of having repairs completed by experienced professionals. Given the high price of an appliance or home system breakdown, the length of time associated with vetting and hiring a qualified repairperson and, typically, the lack of formal guarantee for services performed, consumers are willing to pay for the peace of mind, convenience, repair expertise and guarantee provided by a home service plan. Our service plans appeal to a broad range of customer demographics.
From 2007 to 2017, our customer base has grown from 1.3 million to two million, representing a CAGR of four percent, our customer retention rate increased from 73 percent to 75 percent, and the annual revenue we generated from renewals grew from 60 percent to 66 percent.
Professional contractor value proposition. Our customers are serviced by a select group of high quality, pre-qualified independent contractors. Our reputation as a strong partner, our growth and our increasing scale have allowed us to attract one of the largest independent contractor networks in the U.S., which currently stands at more than 15,000 pre-qualified professional contractor firms that employ more than 45,000 technicians. Our large recurring customer base guarantees our contractors a
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significant volume of work throughout the year, which is highly valued by them. In return for this volume, we are able to negotiate favorable rates for work performed. We estimate that approximately 95 percent of our contractor base plans to maintain or expand their relationship with us over the next two years.
We are highly selective in onboarding new contractors into our service network and actively monitor our existing contractors through a rigorous set of performance measures including direct feedback from customer satisfaction surveys. We believe substantial time and expense would be required to develop a contractor base that has comparable national reach, experience and quality of service. Our status as the largest provider of home service plans in the U.S. provides us a significant competitive advantage. We classify a subset of our independent contractor network as "preferred," and they represent a combination of our highest quality and longest-tenured independent contractors. Historically, approximately 80 percent of work orders are assigned to our preferred contractors, driving higher customer satisfaction and ultimately retention rates. We have the opportunity to leverage this supply base for improving and maintaining our customers' homes.
From 2013 to 2017, our network of professional contractor partners has grown from approximately 10,000 to over 15,000, all of whom have performed a service order for us in the past 12 months.
Our Go-to-Market Strategy
We founded the home service plan segment (commonly referred to as "home warranties") in 1971 and benefit from significant scale advantages as the leader in this highly fragmented segment. As we have grown, a greater number of homeowners and contractors have been attracted to, and joined, our network. We believe there is a significant opportunity for us to build on our current leadership position by investing in our customer service experience, increasing customer retention and expanding and further refining our lead generation channels and partners. To capture this opportunity, we are focused on the following customer acquisition channels:
Real estate channel. Our plans typically have been used to provide peace of mind to potential home buyers by protecting them from large, unanticipated out-of-pocket expenses related to the breakdown of major home systems and appliances during the first year after a home purchase. We leverage marketing service agreements and a team of field-based account executives to train, educate and market our plans via real estate brokers and agents, working directly with real estate offices and participating in broker meetings and national sales events. We have long-standing relationships with seven of the 10 largest real estate brokerages in the U.S. and continue to improve relationships with other key brokers. On average, we have been in business with these real estate brokerages for 16 years, and we have strategic partnership arrangements with many of these brokerages. Our long-standing relationships help to secure and grow our position. In addition, for 15 years running, we have had a strategic alliance agreement with the National Association of Realtors, which is the largest real estate association in the U.S. representing 1.3 million realtors.
We had a 32 percent share of plans sold in connection with a home resale transaction in 2017, up from 26 percent in 2012. In 2017, 1.5 million homes were sold with a home service plan out of the approximately 5.5 million homes sold. Customers acquired through the real estate channel represented 48 percent of our customer base in 2017, down from 56 percent in 2007, as we have rapidly grown our direct-to-consumer ("DTC") customer base. In 2017, customers in this channel renewed at 28 percent after the first contract year. Revenue from this channel, including associated renewals, was $400 million, $449 million and $533 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. Overall revenues within this channel have grown at a five percent CAGR from 2007 through 2017.
Direct-to-consumer channel. Leveraging our experience in the real estate channel, we invested significant resources to develop the DTC channel to broaden our reach beyond home resale
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transactions. Our value proposition resonates with a wide demographic of homeowners who find security in a plan protecting against expensive and unexpected breakdowns in the home. This strong value proposition is promoted to our potential customers through search engine marketing, content marketing, social media, direct mail and TV/radio and sold through our customer care centers and mobile-optimized e-commerce platform. Over the past decade, we have strategically invested to expand the DTC channel given its high retention rates and customer lifetime value. Our research indicates a relatively low home service plan penetration rate of four percent of occupied U.S. households. We believe that penetration rates will increase over time as consumers become more aware of, and educated about, home service plans.
Since 2012, we have maintained an over 50 percent share of home service plans purchased or renewed outside of a home resale transaction. This industry remains underpenetrated, with approximately three million homes out of the 115 million U.S. households (excluding home resales) having a home service plan. Customers acquired through the DTC channel represented 52 percent of our customer base in 2017, up from 44 percent in 2007. In 2017, customers in this channel renewed at 75 percent after the first contract year. Revenue from this channel, including associated renewals, was $513 million, $571 million and $618 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. Overall revenues within this channel have grown at a nine percent CAGR from 2007 through 2017.
Customer renewals. We generated 66 percent of our revenue through existing customer renewals for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017. We have made significant investments in our integrated technology platform, self-service capabilities, customer care center operations and contractor management systems, which we believe position us to further improve retention and drive consistency and predictability into our business. We estimate that each one-percent improvement in customer retention generates approximately $8 million of incremental revenue and $4 million of gross profit.
Our Opportunity
Frontdoor operates within the larger $400 billion U.S. home services market, of which the U.S. home service plan segment represents $2.3 billion. While the home service plan segment has grown at a CAGR of seven percent from 2013 to 2017, our revenue has grown at a 12 percent CAGR during the same period. We believe that we are well-positioned to capitalize on our leadership position, while leveraging our network to provide other services to consumers in the broader home services market, as it becomes more complex and connected.
We view the home service plan segment as a long-term growth space. This segment is characterized by low household penetration with approximately five million of nearly 120 million households (owner-occupied homes and rentals) covered by a home service plan, or approximately four percent of these households.
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As consumer demand shifts towards more outsourced services, we believe we have an opportunity, as a reliable, scaled service provider with a national, licensed independent contractor network, to increase share and household penetration. Additionally, we believe that increasingly complex home systems and appliances may further highlight the value proposition of professional repair services and, accordingly, the coverage benefits offered by a home warranty or other service plans. We aim to capitalize on this opportunity through a comprehensive strategy built on the key strengths of our business
Strategy
We have a three-pronged strategy for penetrating the $400 billion U.S. home services market:
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1. Grow our Core Business
We see an opportunity to triple the size of our core business by increasing household penetration through consumer education and improvements to the customer experience, penetrating new geographies and expanding into new segments, including convenience seekers and multi-family homes.
Increase household penetration. To accelerate new customer growth, we make strategic investments in sales, marketing and advertising to drive new business leads, brand awareness and household penetration. We will continue to rapidly expand our core business via a focused effort on our two primary channels:
We aim to increase household penetration by targeting homeowners more effectively, employing more sophisticated sales tactics, growing our product breadth and partnering with new providers. Between 2012 and 2016, such efforts have enabled us to increase our share of industry revenue from 38 percent to 46 percent, while the overall size of the home service plan category has increased from approximately three million to five million households. Increased household penetration ultimately allows us to build economies of scale, capitalize on our consistently high retention rates and drive long-term value to us.
Deliver superior customer experience. We will continue to improve the customer experience by investing in our integrated technology platform, self-service capabilities, customer care center operations and contractor management systems. These targeted investments deliver enhancements most
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valued by our customers, including providing a convenient service experience and driving contractor service improvement. We believe these initiatives will lead to improved retention rates, more word-of-mouth marketing and the opportunity to deliver additional services to satisfied customers. Our customer retention rate has steadily grown from 73 percent in 2007 to 75 percent as of June 30, 2018.
Continue digital innovation. We continue to invest in digital innovation to provide customers, contractors and realtors with a fully-integrated experience and increase profitability.
Customers. In recent years, we have developed robust customer technology platforms, which make it easy for customers to purchase from us, request service and manage their account. Approximately 40 percent of our DTC sales in 2017 were entered online, and 55 percent of our total service request volume was entered online or through our interactive voice response system. Our customer MyAccount platform had over one million active users at the end of 2017, allowing customers to pay bills, request service, review account information or chat with a representative online without calling our customer care centers.
Contractors. Our contractor technology platform makes it easier for contractors to work with us and improves communication between contractors and customers. Our contractor portal had nearly 5,000 active users at the end of 2017, and our platform sent over one million "On-My-Way" notifications to customers, letting them know their contractor was en route to their home.
Realtors. Our realtor technology platform makes it easier for realtors to work with us, and therefore recommend our products to their clients. Approximately 55 percent of real estate channel orders were placed online in 2017. Our realtor portal had over 80,000 active users at the end of 2017, allowing realtors to enter, edit and pay for orders; view or print order confirmations, invoices, and
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contracts for active contracts; request service on behalf of their clients; and view and manage expiring orders.
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2. Develop a broader home services offering
We see an opportunity to expand beyond repair services for home service plan customers by developing a lead generation engine for our contractor network, which we believe will increase customer satisfaction and enhance our contractor value proposition. Repair services make up only approximately 25 percent of the U.S. home services market, and home improvement and maintenance work is highly valued by our contractors. We see an asymmetrical opportunity to generate leads for our contractors at a low cost to them because it strengthens our relationship with our network and therefore benefits our core business.
We see a large opportunity to develop on-demand services for convenience seekers. Customers' expectations are changing and we intend to develop new services that meet those expectations. Our industry-leading contractor network will allow us to offer services that focus on speed and convenience.
Develop and expand service offerings. We intend to continue to leverage our existing sales channels and service platform to deliver additional value-added services to our customers. Our product development teams draw upon the experience of technicians in the field to both create innovative customer solutions for the existing product suite and to identify service and category adjacencies. In the real estate channel, we have recently launched a new nationwide service offering of re-keying locks for recent home buyers with a home service plan, which enhances the value proposition of our service offering and has been well received in the marketplace. We are currently piloting a new offering of central HVAC pre-season check ups, which we expect to launch nationwide in 2019. Additionally, we are testing smart home technology services, which we think will add value to our plans and result in increases in renewals.
As we seek to further expand our share in the home services market, we are exploring opportunities in on-demand service and property management to leverage our industry-leading repair services platform to provide new services to the nearly 120 million homeowners in the U.S. home services market.
Pursue selective acquisitions. We have a track record of sourcing and purchasing targets at attractive prices and successfully integrating them into our business. In 2016, we made two key acquisitions. In June 2016, we acquired OneGuard Home Warranties ("OneGuard"), and in November 2016, we acquired Landmark Home Warranty, LLC ("Landmark"), which together resulted in over 100,000 new customers. We anticipate that the highly fragmented nature of the home service plan industry will continue to create opportunities for further consolidation, and, with our scale, we believe we are the acquirer of choice in the industry. In the future, we intend to continue to take advantage of strategic acquisition opportunities, particularly in underserved regions where we can enhance and expand service capabilities. We use acquisitions to cost-effectively grow our home service plan contract count and deepen our customer base in high-growth geographies and may consider strategic acquisitions that will expand our reach into the home services market.
3. Develop a world class data platform that fuels our growth
We have the opportunity to become the authoritative source of home information. We are constantly looking to leverage our data, and have identified additional opportunities to use technology to capture valuable home data, make it easier for customers and contractors to interact and ultimately enable us to anticipate repair needs before the customer is aware of them. We believe these investments will both improve the customer experience and reduce our operating expenses. We believe building this data platform will provide additional revenue opportunities as real estate companies, manufacturers and other companies within the U.S. home services market see the benefit of this data. We intend for this platform to be the definitive source of information for homeowners to understand industry quality and service trends to make informed decisions to maintain, improve or repair their home.
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Strengths
We enjoy the benefits of a large and diverse base of talent, assets and service offerings, which have helped us develop into and retain our position as the established segment leader. The following strengths support our business strategies:
Strong position in large, fragmented, growing segment. We have the leading position in the U.S. home service plan segment with a 46 percent share in 2016. We have spent decades developing a reputation built on brand reputation, fairness of contract terms, including price, and timely response to service claims. As a result, we enjoy industry-leading brand awareness and a reputation for high-quality customer service, both of which serve as key drivers of our customer acquisition efforts. Our nationwide presence also allows us to effectively serve local residential customers and to capitalize on lead generation sources such as real estate agencies. We believe our size and scale provide us a competitive advantage in contractor selection, purchasing power and marketing and operating efficiencies compared to smaller local and regional competitors. Additionally, we have an opportunity to leverage our contractor network into the broader home services market.
Diverse revenue stream across geographies. We are diversified by customer acquisition channel, real estate and DTC, and geography, with operations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Our ability to acquire customers through multiple channels mitigates the effect of a downturn in the real estate market, while our nationwide presence limits the risk of poor economic conditions or adverse weather conditions in any particular geography affecting our operations. Therefore, we believe we are better insulated from adverse economic conditions than our smaller regional competitors.
High-value service offerings resulting in high customer retention and recurring revenue. We believe our high annual customer retention demonstrates the highly valued nature of our services and the high level of execution and customer service that we provide. As a result of our high retention and renewal rates and long-standing contractor and real estate relationships, we enjoy significant predictability and stability in our business. These factors limit the effect of adverse economic cycles on our revenue.
Technology-enabled platform drives efficiency, quality of service and customer retention. We believe our fully-integrated technology-enabled platform is a competitive advantage and differentiates us from our competitors. Our technology-enabled platform allows customers to procure and utilize their home service plan without ever having to use a customer care center if they so choose. Customers can purchase a home service plan, electronically chat with a representative, pay bills and track the progress of their service requests, all from their mobile device or personal computer. Further, for our contractor and real estate broker base, we have created a robust platform that allows them to serve our customers and place home service plans, respectively. We believe our fully-integrated technology-enabled platform provides a better customer experience, drives customer retention, allows for seamless interaction with our contractor and real estate broker base and provides operating efficiencies superior to our competitors.
Capital-light business model. Our business model is characterized by strong Adjusted EBITDA margins, negative working capital and limited capital expenditure requirements. Our recurring capital expenditure requirements are typically less than two percent of our annual revenue. We may, from time-to-time, make more significant investments in capability-expanding technology, including investments to develop a world-class data platform to fuel our growth. Net cash provided from operating activities increased by $10 million to $122 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $112 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. Net cash provided from operating activities in the six months ended June 30, 2018 comprised $92 million in earnings adjusted for non-cash charges and a $41 million decrease in cash required for working capital, offset, in part, by
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$11 million for cash payments related to restructuring and spin-off charges. Capital expenditures were $17 million and free cash flow was $105 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018.
Net cash provided from operating activities increased by $39 million to $194 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $155 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 and $135 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Net cash provided from operating activities in 2017 comprised $162 million in earnings adjusted for non-cash charges and a $31 million decrease in cash required for working capital. Capital expenditures were $15 million in 2017, $11 million in 2016, and $7 million in 2015. Free Cash Flow was $179 million, $144 million and $127 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. For a reconciliation of Free Cash Flow to net cash provided from operating activities from continuing operations, which we consider to be the most directly comparable financial measure presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, see "Selected Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Data."
Resilient financial model with track record of consistent performance.
Solid revenue, net income and Adjusted EBITDA growth through business cycles. Our combined revenue, net income and Adjusted EBITDA CAGR from 2013 through 2017 was 12 percent, 17 percent and 16 percent, respectively. Although we can be impacted by economic and housing downturns, our revenue and earnings remained stable during the last major downturn. We believe that this strong performance is attributable to the essential nature of our services, our strong value proposition and management's focus on driving results through strategic investment and operational execution.
Solid margins with attractive operating leverage and productivity improvement initiatives. Our business model enjoys inherent operating leverage stemming from fixed investments in infrastructure and technology, among other factors. We have demonstrated our ability to expand our margins through a variety of initiatives, including metric-driven continuous improvement in our customer care centers and targeted systems investments, which we believe will continue to increase self-service capabilities for our customers, and leveraging our size and scale to deepen and improve our contractor network. We estimate that we enjoy industry-leading gross margins, in many cases significantly outpacing our largest competitors in the U.S.
Enhance our profitability. We continue to invest in initiatives designed to maintain or improve our margins and drive profitable growth. We have been able to increase productivity through actions such as continuous process improvement and targeted systems investments which we believe will continue to increase self-service capabilities for our customers, contractors and realtors, resulting in lower customer acquisition and service costs. We also focus on strategically capitalizing on our purchasing power to achieve more favorable pricing and terms on repair parts and home systems and appliances when replacement is necessary. In addition, we have implemented tools and processes to centralize and systematize pricing decisions. These tools and processes enable us to optimize pricing at the geographic market and product level while creating a flexible and scalable pricing architecture that is fully scalable across our business. We intend to leverage these investments and identify further opportunities to enhance profitability.
Multi-channel marketing approach supported by sophisticated consumer analytic modeling capabilities. Our multi-channel marketing approach focuses on building the value of our brand and generating revenue by understanding the decisions consumers make at each stage in the purchase of home services. The effectiveness of our marketing efforts is demonstrated by an increase in lead generation and online sales. In the DTC channel, new home service plan lead generation has benefited from increased spending in marketing as well as improved digital marketing. Testing we have performed suggests that customers' intent to purchase increases by approximately two times after being presented with a basic description of how our home service plans work. We also have been deploying increasingly sophisticated consumer analytics models that allow us to more effectively segment our prospective
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customers and tailor campaigns towards them in order to keep cost-per-sale relatively flat. In addition, we have been successful with innovative ways of reaching and marketing to consumers, including content marketing, online reputation management and social media channels. Our marketing spend in 2017 was composed of digital (38 percent), direct mail (24 percent), broadcast (16 percent) and social & other (22 percent).
Operational and customer service excellence driven by superior contractor development. We are constantly focused on improving customer service. The customer experience is at the foundation of our business model, and we believe that each interaction between a customer and one of our independent contractors is an extension of our reputation. We employ rigorous contractor selection practices and continuously analyze ratings from customers to identify potential improvements in service and productivity.
Experienced management team. We have assembled a management team of highly experienced leaders who have strong track records in a wide variety of industries and economic conditions. Our management team is highly focused on execution and driving growth and profitability, and, as such, our compensation structure, including incentive compensation, is tied to key performance metrics that are designed to incentivize senior management to drive the long-term success of our business. Further, we believe that we have a deep pool of talent across our organization, including long-tenured individuals with significant expertise and knowledge of our business.
Summary of Risk Factors
An investment in our company is subject to a number of risks, including risks relating to our business, the separation and distribution and Frontdoor common stock. Set forth below is a high-level summary of some, but not all, of these risks. Please read the information in the section captioned "Risk Factors" beginning on page 33 for a more thorough description of these and other risks.
Risks Related to Our Business
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regulatory expenses and impact our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Risks Related to the Separation and Distribution
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Risks Related to Frontdoor Common Stock
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The Separation and Distribution
On July 26, 2017, ServiceMaster announced its intention to separate its American Home Shield business from its Terminix and Franchise Service Group ("FSG") businesses. The separation will occur by means of pro rata distribution to ServiceMaster stockholders of at least 80.1 percent of the outstanding shares of common stock of Frontdoor, which was formed to hold ServiceMaster's American Home Shield business.
Following the distribution, ServiceMaster stockholders will own directly at least 80.1 percent of the outstanding shares of Frontdoor common stock, and Frontdoor will be a separate public company from ServiceMaster. ServiceMaster will retain no more than 19.9 percent of the outstanding shares of Frontdoor common stock following the distribution. ServiceMaster currently intends to responsibly dispose of all of the Frontdoor common stock that it retains after the distribution through one or more subsequent exchanges for debt by June 14, 2019 in accordance with the terms of the private letter ruling.
On [ ], the ServiceMaster board of directors approved the distribution of Frontdoor's issued and outstanding shares of common stock on the basis of [ ] share of Frontdoor common stock for each share of ServiceMaster common stock held as of the close of business on [ ], the record date for the distribution, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the distribution as described in this information statement. For a more detailed description of these conditions, see "The Separation and DistributionConditions to the Distribution."
Our Post-Separation Relationship with ServiceMaster
After the distribution, ServiceMaster and Frontdoor will be separate companies with separate management teams and separate boards of directors. Prior to the distribution, we will enter into a separation and distribution agreement with ServiceMaster, which is referred to in this information statement as the "separation agreement" or the "separation and distribution agreement." In connection with the separation, we will also enter into various other agreements to effect the separation and provide a framework for our relationship with ServiceMaster after the separation, such as a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement, an employee matters agreement and a stockholder and registration rights agreement with respect to ServiceMaster's continuing ownership of Frontdoor common stock. These agreements will provide for the allocation between Frontdoor and ServiceMaster of ServiceMaster's assets, employees, liabilities and obligations (including its investments, property and employee benefits and tax-related assets and liabilities) attributable to periods prior to, at and after the distribution, and will govern certain relationships between Frontdoor and ServiceMaster after the distribution.
For additional information regarding the separation agreement and other transaction agreements and the transactions contemplated thereby, see the sections entitled "Risk FactorsRisks Related to the Separation and Distribution," "The Separation and Distribution" and "Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions."
Reasons for the Separation
The ServiceMaster board of directors believes that separating the American Home Shield business from the remaining businesses of ServiceMaster is in the best interest of ServiceMaster and its stockholders for a number of reasons, including that:
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The ServiceMaster board of directors also considered a number of potentially negative factors in evaluating the separation, including, among others, risks relating to the creation of a new public company, possible increased costs and one-time separation costs, but concluded that the potential benefits of the separation significantly outweighed these factors. For additional information, see the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "The Separation and DistributionReasons for the Separation" included elsewhere in this information statement.
Reasons for ServiceMaster's Retention of Up to 19.9 Percent of Frontdoor Common Stock
In considering the appropriate structure for the separation, ServiceMaster determined that, immediately after the distribution becomes effective, ServiceMaster will own no more than 19.9 percent of the outstanding shares of Frontdoor common stock. The retention of Frontdoor common stock strengthens ServiceMaster's balance sheet by providing ServiceMaster a security that can be exchanged to accelerate debt reduction, thereby facilitating an appropriate capital structure and financial flexibility necessary for ServiceMaster to execute its growth strategy. We understand that ServiceMaster currently intends to responsibly dispose of all of the Frontdoor common stock that it retains after the distribution through one or more subsequent exchanges for debt by June 14, 2019, in accordance with the terms of the private letter ruling. Following any such debt-for-equity exchange, it is anticipated that any creditors that are investment banks would sell such shares to public investors in a pre-marketed equity offering. We anticipate that Frontdoor would benefit from increased equity research coverage in connection with such an offering. ServiceMaster intends to continue to monitor market conditions for Frontdoor, in the home warranty industry generally and in the high-yield debt market and to assess the impact of each on the ultimate structure of the separation.
AHS Holding Company, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware on January 2, 2018 for the purpose of holding ServiceMaster's American Home Shield business in connection with the separation and distribution described herein, and its certificate of incorporation was amended on July 26, 2018 to change its name to frontdoor, inc. Prior to the contribution of this business to Frontdoor, which will be completed prior to the distribution, we will have no operations. The address of our principal executive
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offices is 150 Peabody Place, Memphis, TN 38103. Our telephone number after the distribution will be [ ]. We maintain an Internet site at www.[ ].com. Our website and the information contained therein or connected thereto shall not be deemed to be incorporated herein, and you should not rely on any such information in making an investment decision.
Reason for Furnishing This Information Statement
This information statement is being furnished solely to provide information to stockholders of ServiceMaster who will receive shares of Frontdoor common stock in the distribution. It is not, and is not to be construed as, an inducement or encouragement to buy or sell any of our securities. We believe the information contained in this information statement to be accurate as of the date set forth on the cover of this information statement. Changes may occur after that date, and neither we nor ServiceMaster undertake any obligation to update such information except in the normal course of our respective disclosure obligations and practices, or as required by applicable law.
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SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA
The following summary financial data reflects the combined operations of ServiceMaster's American Home Shield business. The summary operating data for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 were derived from our historical combined financial statements, which are included in the "Index to Financial Statements" section of this information statement. The summary combined operating data for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 and the balance sheet data as of June 30, 2018 were derived from our unaudited historical condensed combined financial statements, which are included in the "Index to Financial Statements" section of this information statement. The operating data for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the balance sheet data as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are unaudited and are derived from the financial records of ServiceMaster, which are not included in this information statement.
The summary historical combined financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements," and the historical combined financial statements and the notes thereto included in this information statement. The summary historical combined financial data reflects our results as historically operated as a part of ServiceMaster, and these results may not be indicative of our future performance as a stand-alone company following the separation and distribution.
The summary unaudited pro forma combined financial data as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017 have been prepared to reflect the separation and distribution, including the incurrence of indebtedness of approximately $1 billion, with an additional approximately $250 million available under a senior secured revolving credit facility. The outstanding indebtedness is expected to consist of a $650 million senior secured term loan facility and $350 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes, as described in "Description of Material Indebtedness." The unaudited pro forma combined operating data presented for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017 assumes the separation occurred on January 1, 2017. The unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet data as of June 30, 2018 assumes the separation occurred on June 30, 2018. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of income give effect to adjustments that are (i) directly attributable to the Transactions, (ii) are factually supportable and (iii) are expected to have a continuing impact on the Company. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet gives effect to adjustments that (i) are directly attributable to the Transactions and (ii) are factually supportable regardless of whether they have a continuing impact on the Company or are non-recurring.
The unaudited pro forma combined financial information is for illustrative and informational purposes only and is not intended to represent or be indicative of what our financial condition or results of operations would have been had we operated historically as a company independent of ServiceMaster or if the separation and the distribution had occurred on the dates indicated. The unaudited pro forma combined financial information also should not be considered representative of our future combined financial condition or combined results of operations.
You should read this summary financial data together with "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements," "Capitalization," "Selected Historical Combined Financial Data," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Description of Material Indebtedness," the Unaudited Interim Condensed Combined Financial Statements and the Audited Annual Combined Financial Statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in the information statement.
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|
Pro Forma
Six Months Ended June 30, |
Six Months
Ended June 30, |
Pro Forma
Year Ended December 31, |
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions, except per share data)
|
2018 | 2018 | 2017 | 2017 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||
Operating Results: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 602 | $ | 602 | $ | 553 | $ | 1,157 | $ | 1,157 | $ | 1,020 | $ | 917 | $ | 828 | $ | 740 | ||||||||||
Cost of services rendered |
330 | 330 | 285 | 589 | 589 | 526 | 467 | 401 | 367 | |||||||||||||||||||
Selling and administrative expenses |
169 | 169 | 158 | 312 | 312 | 286 | 256 | 254 | 235 | |||||||||||||||||||
Impairment of software and other related costs(1) |
| | | | | | | 47 | | |||||||||||||||||||
Restructuring charges(2) |
3 | 3 | 1 | 20 | 20 | 3 | | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
Spin-off charges(3) |
15 | 15 | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense(4) |
31 | | | 63 | 1 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||
Income before Income Taxes |
47 | 78 | 100 | 159 | 220 | 196 | 189 | 120 | 134 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net Income |
35 | 58 | 63 | 121 | 160 | 124 | 120 | 74 | 84 | |||||||||||||||||||
Unaudited Pro Forma Earnings Per Share |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | 0.26 | $ | 0.89 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted |
$ | 0.26 | $ | 0.89 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of Shares used in calculating earnings per share |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
135.6 | 135.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted |
135.9 | 136.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Position (as of period end): |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 1,007 | $ | 1,069 | $ | 1,358 | $ | 1,416 | $ | 1,276 | $ | 1,136 | $ | 1,063 | $ | 1,005 | ||||||||||||
Total long-term debt |
989 | 3 | 14 | 9 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total Parent's equity |
(392 | ) | 657 | 584 | 661 | 560 | 518 | 498 | 509 | |||||||||||||||||||
Cash Flow Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided from operating activities |
$ | 122 | $ | 112 | $ | 194 | $ | 155 | $ | 135 | $ | 142 | $ | 78 | ||||||||||||||
Net cash (used for) provided from investing activities |
(16 | ) | (13 | ) | (11 | ) | (55 | ) | 19 | (2 | ) | (13 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net cash used for financing activities |
(74 | ) | (41 | ) | (68 | ) | (88 | ) | (100 | ) | (85 | ) | (74 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Other Non-GAAP Financial Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(5) |
$ | 105 | $ | 113 | $ | 259 | $ | 218 | $ | 205 | $ | 179 | $ | 145 | ||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA Margin(6) |
17.4 | % | 20.4 | % | 22.4 | % | 21.4 | % | 22.4 | % | 21.6 | % | 19.7 | % | ||||||||||||||
Free Cash Flow(7) |
$ | 105 | $ | 106 | $ | 179 | $ | 144 | $ | 127 | $ | 131 | $ | 65 |
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those of the American Home Shield business and severance and other costs related to an initiative to enhance capabilities and reduce costs in ServiceMaster's headquarters functions that provide administrative services for our operations. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, restructuring charges are principally comprised of severance and other costs related to an initiative to enhance capabilities and reduce costs in ServiceMaster's headquarters functions that provide administrative services for our operations.
We believe Adjusted EBITDA facilitates company-to-company operating performance comparisons by excluding potential differences caused by variations in capital structures (affecting net interest income and expense), taxation, the age and book depreciation of facilities and equipment (affecting relative depreciation expense), restructuring initiatives, spin-off charges, arrangements with affiliates and equity-based, long-term incentive plans, which may vary for different companies for reasons unrelated to operating performance.
Adjusted EBITDA is not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled financial measures of other companies due to the potential inconsistencies in the methods of calculation.
Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analyzing our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:
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The following table reconciles Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income for the periods presented, which we consider to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure:
|
Six Months
Ended June 30, |
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions)
|
2018 | 2017 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||
Net Income |
$ | 58 | $ | 63 | $ | 160 | $ | 124 | $ | 120 | $ | 74 | $ | 84 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization expense |
9 | 9 | 17 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 8 | |||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
| | 1 | | | | | |||||||||||||||
Interest income from affiliate(a) |
(1 | ) | (1 | ) | (3 | ) | (2 | ) | | | | |||||||||||
Provision for income taxes |
20 | 37 | 60 | 71 | 69 | 46 | 50 | |||||||||||||||
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense(b) |
2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
Restructuring charges(c) |
3 | 1 | 20 | 3 | | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
Spin-Off charges(d) |
15 | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||
Non-cash impairment of software and other related costs(e) |
| | | | | 47 | | |||||||||||||||
Affiliate royalty expense(f) |
1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on insured home service plan claims(g) |
(1 | ) | | (1 | ) | 1 | | (3 | ) | | ||||||||||||
Other |
| 1 | | 1 | 1 | | | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA: |
$ | 105 | $ | 113 | $ | 259 | $ | 218 | $ | 205 | $ | 179 | $ | 145 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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business and severance and other costs related to an initiative to enhance capabilities and reduce costs in ServiceMaster's headquarters functions that provide administrative services for our operations. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, restructuring charges are principally comprised of severance and other costs related to an initiative to enhance capabilities and reduce costs in ServiceMaster's headquarters functions that provide administrative services for our operations. We exclude these restructuring charges from Adjusted EBITDA because we believe they do not reflect our ongoing operations and because we believe doing so is useful to investors in aiding period-to-period comparability.
Management believes Free Cash Flow is useful as a supplemental measure of our liquidity. Management uses Free Cash Flow to facilitate company-to-company cash flow comparisons, which may vary from company to company for reasons unrelated to operating performance.
The following table reconciles net cash provided from operating activities, which we consider to be the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to Free Cash Flow using data derived from our condensed combined financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 and our combined financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
|
Six Months
Ended June 30, |
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions)
|
2018 | 2017 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||
Net Cash Provided from Operating Activities |
$ | 122 | $ | 112 | $ | 194 | $ | 155 | $ | 135 | $ | 142 | $ | 78 | ||||||||
Property additions |
(17 | ) | (6 | ) | (15 | ) | (11 | ) | (7 | ) | (11 | ) | (13 | ) | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Free Cash Flow |
$ | 105 | $ | 106 | $ | 179 | $ | 144 | $ | 127 | $ | 131 | $ | 65 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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You should carefully consider the following risks and other information in this information statement in evaluating our Company and Frontdoor common stock. Any of the following risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. The risk factors generally have been separated into three groups: risks related to our business, risks related to the separation and risks related to Frontdoor common stock.
Risks Related to Our Business
Our industry is highly competitive. Competition could reduce our share and adversely affect our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
We operate in a highly competitive industry. Changes in the source and intensity of competition in the industry served by us impact the demand for our services and may also result in additional pricing pressure. Regional and local competitors operating in a limited geographic area may have lower labor, employee benefits and overhead costs than us. The principal methods of competition in our business include customer service, brand reputation, fairness of contract terms, including price, and timely response to service claims. We may be unable to compete successfully against current or future competitors, and the competitive pressures that we face may result in reduced share, reduced pricing or an adverse impact to our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Weakening general economic conditions, especially as they may affect home sales, unemployment or consumer confidence or spending levels, may adversely impact our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Our results of operations are dependent upon consumer spending. Deterioration in general economic conditions and consumer confidence, particularly in California, Texas, Arizona and Florida, which collectively represented approximately 42 percent of our revenue in 2017, could affect the demand for our services. Consumer spending and confidence tend to decline during times of declining economic conditions. A worsening of macroeconomic indicators, including weak home sales, higher home foreclosures, declining consumer confidence or rising unemployment rates, could adversely affect consumer spending levels, reduce demand for our services and adversely impact our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
We may not successfully implement our business strategies, including achieving our growth objectives.
We may not be able to fully implement our business strategies or realize, in whole or in part within the expected time frames, the anticipated benefits of various growth or other initiatives. Our business strategies and initiatives, including growth of our customer base, introduction of new service and product offerings, geographic expansion and enhancement of profitability, are subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control.
We will incur certain costs to achieve efficiency improvements and growth in our business, and we may not meet anticipated implementation timetables or stay within budgeted costs. As these efficiency improvement and growth initiatives are implemented, we may not fully achieve expected cost savings and efficiency improvements or growth rates, or these initiatives could adversely impact customer retention or our operations. Also, our business strategies may change in light of our ability to implement new business initiatives, competitive pressures, economic uncertainties or developments or other factors.
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Adverse credit and financial market events and conditions could, among other things, impede access to or increase the cost of financing, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Disruptions in credit or financial markets could make it more difficult for us to obtain, or increase our cost of obtaining, financing for our operations or investments or to refinance our proposed indebtedness, or cause the proposed lenders to depart from prior credit industry practice and not give technical or other waivers under credit facility or other agreements to the extent we may seek them in the future, thereby causing us to be in default. Market changes in the real estate segment could also affect the demand for our services as home buyers elect not to purchase our services, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Weather conditions and seasonality affect the demand for our services and our results of operations and cash flows.
The demand for our services and our results of operations are affected by weather conditions, including, without limitation, potential impacts, if any, from climate change, known and unknown. Extreme temperatures can lead to an increase in service requests related to home systems, particularly central HVAC systems, resulting in higher claim frequency and costs and lower profitability, while mild temperatures in the winters or summers can lead to lower home systems claim frequency. For example, in the second quarter of 2018, we experienced an increase in contract claims cost driven by a higher number of central HVAC work orders driven by higher summer temperatures. Extreme or unpredictable weather conditions could materially adversely impact our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
We may not be able to attract and retain qualified key executives or transition smoothly to new leadership, which could adversely impact us and our businesses and inhibit our ability to operate and grow successfully.
The execution of our business strategy and our financial performance will depend in significant part on our executive management team and other key management personnel. Our future success will depend in large part on our success in attracting new talent and in utilizing current, experienced senior leadership and transitioning responsibilities to, and implementing the goals and objectives of, our new management team. Any inability to attract in a timely manner qualified key executives, retain our leadership team and recruit other important personnel could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
We are dependent on labor availability at our customer care centers.
Our ability to conduct our operations is in part affected by our ability to increase our labor force, including on a seasonal basis at our customer care centers, which may be adversely affected by a number of factors. In the event of a labor shortage, we could experience difficulty in responding to customer calls in a timely fashion or delivering our services in a high-quality or timely manner, and could be forced to increase wages to attract and retain associates, which would result in higher operating costs and reduced profitability. Long wait times by customers during peak operating times could have a material adverse impact on our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Laws and government regulations applicable to our business and lawsuits, enforcement actions and other claims by third parties or governmental authorities could increase our legal and regulatory expenses, and impact our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Our business is subject to significant federal, state and local laws and regulations. These laws and regulations include laws relating to home service plans, real estate, wage and hour requirements, the
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employment of immigrants, labor relations, licensing, building code requirements, workers' safety, the environment, insurance coverages, sales tax collection and remittance, employee benefits, marketing (including, without limitation, telemarketing) and advertising. In particular, various federal, state and local governing bodies may propose additional legislation and regulation that may be detrimental to our business or may substantially increase our operating costs, including increases in the minimum wage; environmental regulations related to climate change, equipment efficiency standards, refrigerant production and use and other environmental matters; health care coverage; or "do-not-call" or other marketing regulations.
While we do not consider ourselves to be an insurance company, the IRS or state agencies could deem us to be taxed as such, which could adversely impact the timing of our tax payments. We cannot predict whether our operation as a standalone company following the separation and distribution will increase the likelihood that the IRS or any state agency may view us as an insurance company.
In addition, new federal tax legislation was enacted in December 2017. This legislation made significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"), many of which are highly complex and may require interpretations and implementing regulations. As a result, we may incur meaningful expenses (including professional fees) as the new legislation is implemented. The expected impact of certain aspects of the legislation is unclear and subject to change.
We are also subject to various consumer protection laws and subject to receiving inquiries or investigative demands by regulatory bodies, including the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection and state attorneys general and other state agencies. It is difficult to predict the future impact of the broad and expanding legislative and regulatory requirements affecting our business and changes to such requirements may adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, if we were to fail to comply with any applicable law or regulation, we could be subject to substantial fines or damages, be involved in lawsuits, enforcement actions and other claims by third parties or governmental authorities, suffer harm to our reputation, suffer the loss of licenses or incur penalties that may affect how our business is operated, which, in turn, could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Changes to U.S. tariff and import/export regulations may increase the costs of home systems, appliances and repair parts and, in turn, adversely impact our business.
Tariff policies are under continuous review and subject to change. The current U.S. administration has voiced strong concerns about imports from countries that it perceives as engaging in unfair trade practices, and could impose import duties or restrictions on components and raw materials that are applicable to our business from countries it perceives as engaging in unfair trade practices. Such duties or restrictions, or the perception that they could occur, may materially and adversely affect our business by increasing our costs or reducing global trade. For example, rising steel costs due to blanket tariffs on imported steel and aluminum could increase the costs of our home systems, appliances and repair parts, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Moreover, new tariffs and changes to U.S. trade policy could prompt retaliation from affected countries, potentially triggering the imposition of tariffs on U.S. goods. Such a "trade war" could lead to general economic downturn or could materially and adversely affect the demand for our services, thus negatively impacting our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
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Disruptions or failures in our information technology systems could create liability for us or limit our ability to effectively monitor, operate and control our operations and adversely impact our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Our information technology systems facilitate our ability to monitor, operate and control our operations. These systems were developed in conjunction with other systems at ServiceMaster prior to the separation and may require changes or modifications after the separation. Such changes or modifications to our information technology systems could cause disruption to our operations or cause challenges with respect to compliance with laws, regulations or other applicable standards. As the development and implementation of our information technology systems (including our operating systems) evolve, we may elect to modify, replace or abandon certain technology initiatives, which could result in write-downs.
Any disruption in our information technology systems, including capacity limitations, instabilities, or failure to operate as expected, could, depending on the magnitude of the problem, adversely impact our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows, including by limiting our capacity to monitor, operate and control our operations effectively. Failures of our information technology systems could also lead to violations of privacy laws, regulations, trade guidelines or practices related to our customers and associates. If our disaster recovery plans do not work as anticipated, or if the third-party vendors to which we have outsourced certain information technology, contact center or other services fail to fulfill their obligations, our operations may be adversely affected, and any of these circumstances could adversely affect our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Changes in the services we deliver or the products we use could affect our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Our financial performance is affected by changes in the services and products we offer to customers. There can be no assurance that our strategies or product offerings will succeed in increasing revenue and growing profitability. An unsuccessful execution of strategies, including the rollout or adjustment of any new services or products or sales and marketing plans, could cause us to reevaluate or change our business strategies and could have a material adverse impact on our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Increases in appliances, parts and system prices, fuel prices and other operating costs could adversely impact our reputation, businesses, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Our financial performance may be adversely affected by increases in the level of our operating expenses, such as fuel, chemicals, refrigerants, appliances and equipment, parts, raw materials, wages and salaries, employee benefits, health care, vehicle maintenance, contractor costs, self-insurance costs and other insurance premiums, as well as various regulatory compliance costs, all of which may be subject to inflationary pressures.
Raw materials, such as steel and fuel prices are subject to market volatility. We cannot predict the extent to which we may experience future increases in costs of fuel, chemicals, refrigerants, appliances and equipment, parts, raw materials, wages and salaries, employee benefits, health care, vehicle maintenance, contractor costs, self-insurance costs and other insurance premiums, as well as various regulatory compliance costs and other operating costs. To the extent such costs increase, we may be prevented, in whole or in part, from passing these cost increases through to our existing and prospective customers, which could have a material adverse impact on our reputation, businesses, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
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We depend on a limited number of third-party components suppliers. Our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows may be harmed if these parties do not perform their obligations or if they suffer interruptions to their own operations, or if alternative component sources are unavailable or if there is an increase in the costs of these components.
We are dependent on a limited number of suppliers for various key components used in the services and products we offer to customers, and the cost, quality and availability of these components are essential to our services. We are subject to the risk of shortages, increased costs and long lead times in the supply of these components and other materials, and the risk that our suppliers discontinue or modify, or increase the price of, the components used. If the supply of these components were to be delayed or constrained, or if one or more of our main suppliers were to go out of business, alternative sources or suppliers may not be available on acceptable terms or at all. Further, if there were a shortage of supply, the cost of these components may increase and harm our ability to provide our services on a cost-effective basis. In connection with any supply shortages in the future, reliable and cost-effective replacement sources may not be available on short notice or at all, and this may force us to increase prices and face a corresponding decrease in demand for our services. In the event that any of our suppliers were to discontinue production of our key product components, developing alternate sources of supply for these components would be time consuming, difficult and costly. This would harm our ability to market our services in order to meet market demand and could materially and adversely affect our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
We have limited control over these parties on which our business depends. If any of these parties fails to perform its obligations on schedule, or breaches or ends its relationship with us, we may be unable to satisfy demand for our services. Delays, product shortages and other problems could impair our retail distribution and brand image and make it difficult for us to attract new customers. If we experience significantly increased demand, or if we need to replace an existing supplier, we may be unable to supplement or replace such supply capacity on terms that are acceptable to us, which may undermine our ability to deliver our services to customers in a timely and cost-efficient manner. Accordingly, a loss or interruption in the service of any key party could adversely impact our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
If we fail to protect the security of personal information about our customers, associates and third parties, we could be subject to interruption of our business operations, private litigation, reputational damage and costly penalties.
We rely on, among other things, commercially available systems, software, tools and monitoring to provide security for processing, transmission and storage of confidential information of customers, associates and third parties, such as payment cards and personal information. The systems currently used for transmission and approval of payment card transactions, and the technology utilized in payment cards themselves, all of which can put payment card data at risk, are central to meeting standards set by the payment card industry ("PCI"). We continue to evaluate and modify these systems and protocols for PCI compliance purposes, and such PCI standards may change from time to time. Activities by third parties, advances in computer and software capabilities and encryption technology, new tools and discoveries and other events or developments may facilitate or result in a compromise or breach of these systems. Any compromises, breaches or errors in applications related to these systems or failures to comply with standards set by the PCI could cause damage to our reputation and interruptions in our operations, including customers' ability to pay for services and products by credit card or their willingness to purchase our services and products and could result in a violation of applicable laws, regulations, orders, industry standards or agreements and subject us to costs, penalties and liabilities. We are subject to risks caused by data breaches and operational disruptions, particularly through cyber-attack or cyber-intrusion, including by computer hackers, foreign governments and cyber
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terrorists. The frequency of data breaches of companies and governments have increased in recent years as the number, intensity and sophistication of attempted attacks and intrusions from around the world have increased. The occurrence of any of these events could have a material adverse impact on our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property and other proprietary rights that are material to our business.
Our ability to compete effectively depends in part on our rights to proprietary information, service marks, trademarks, trade names and other intellectual property rights we own or license, particularly our registered brand names, Frontdoor, American Home Shield, HSA, OneGuard and Landmark Home Warranty. We have not sought to register or protect every one of our marks in the United States. If we are unable to protect our proprietary information and intellectual property rights, including brand names, it could cause a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights and protect our proprietary information, or to defend against claims by third parties that our products, services or activities infringe their intellectual property rights.
Future acquisitions or other strategic transactions could negatively affect our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
We may pursue strategic transactions in the future, which could involve acquisitions or dispositions of businesses or assets. Any future strategic transaction could involve integration or implementation challenges, business disruption or other risks, or change our business profile significantly. Any inability on our part to consolidate and manage growth from acquired businesses or successfully implement other strategic transactions could have an adverse impact on our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Any acquisition that we make may not provide us with the benefits that were anticipated when entering into such acquisition. The process of integrating an acquired business may create unforeseen difficulties and expenses, including the diversion of resources needed to integrate new businesses, technologies, products, personnel or systems; the inability to retain associates, customers and suppliers; the assumption of actual or contingent liabilities; failure to effectively and timely adopt and adhere to internal control processes and other policies; write-offs or impairment charges relating to goodwill and other intangible assets; unanticipated liabilities relating to acquired businesses; and potential expense associated with litigation with sellers of such businesses. Any future disposition transactions could also impact our business and may subject us to various risks, including failure to obtain appropriate value for the disposed businesses and post-closing claims.
Our future success depends on our ability to attract, retain and maintain the network of third-party contractors and vendors and their performance.
Our ability to conduct our operations is in part impacted by reliance on a network of third-party contractors. Our future success and financial performance depend substantially on our ability to attract and retain third-party contractors and ensure third-party contractor compliance with our policies and standards and performance expectations. However, these third-party contractors are independent parties that we do not control, and who own, operate and oversee the daily operations of their individual businesses. If third-party contractors do not successfully operate their businesses in a manner consistent with required laws, standards and regulations, we could be subject to claims from regulators or legal claims for the actions or omissions of such third-party contractors. In addition, our relationship with our third-party contractors could become strained (including resulting in litigation) as we impose new standards or assert more rigorous enforcement practices of the existing required standards and performance expectations. When a contractor relationship is terminated, there is a risk that we may not be able to enter into a similar agreement with an alternate contractor in a timely manner or on
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favorable terms. We could incur costs to transition to other contractors, and these costs could materially adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows.
We are also dependent on vendors for home systems, appliances and parts and the ability to rely on the pricing for such in the contracts we negotiate with these vendors. If we cannot obtain the appliances, systems or parts from vendors within our existing stable of vendors to satisfy consumer claims, we may be forced to obtain replacement appliances, systems and parts from other vendors at higher costs, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Risks Related to the Separation and the Distribution
We have no recent history of operating as an independent, public company, and our historical and pro forma financial information is not necessarily representative of the results that we would have achieved as a separate, publicly traded company and may not be a reliable indicator of our future results.
The historical information in this information statement refers to our business as operated by and integrated with ServiceMaster. Our historical and pro forma financial information included in this information statement is derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of ServiceMaster and Frontdoor (an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of ServiceMaster). Accordingly, the historical and pro forma financial information included in this information statement does not necessarily reflect the financial position, results of operations and cash flows that we would have achieved as a separate, publicly traded company during the periods presented or those that we will achieve in the future primarily as a result of the factors described below:
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distribution, we may be required to hold more reserves than we were required to hold as a subsidiary of ServiceMaster. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows following the completion of the distribution.
Other significant changes may occur in our cost structure, management, financing and business operations as a result of operating as a company separate from ServiceMaster. For additional information about the past financial performance of our business and the basis of presentation of the historical combined financial statements and the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements, see "Selected Historical Combined Financial Data," "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the historical financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this information statement.
If the distribution, together with certain related transactions, does not qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, ServiceMaster, we and ServiceMaster stockholders could be subject to significant tax liabilities and, in certain circumstances, we could be required to indemnify ServiceMaster for material taxes and other related amounts pursuant to indemnification obligations under the tax matters agreement.
It is a condition to the distribution that the private letter ruling from the IRS regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters relating to the separation and distribution received by ServiceMaster remain valid and be satisfactory to the ServiceMaster board of directors and that the ServiceMaster board of directors receive one or more opinions from its tax advisors, in each case satisfactory to the ServiceMaster board of directors, regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters relating to the separation and the distribution. The IRS private letter ruling and the opinion(s) of tax advisors will be based upon and rely on, among other things, various facts and assumptions, as well as certain representations, statements and undertakings of ServiceMaster and us, including those relating to the past and future conduct of ServiceMaster and us. If any of these representations, statements or undertakings is, or becomes, inaccurate or incomplete, or if ServiceMaster or we breach any of the representations or covenants contained in any of the separation-related agreements and documents or in any documents relating to the IRS private letter ruling and/or the opinion(s) of tax advisors, the IRS private letter ruling and/or the opinion(s) of tax advisors may be invalid and the conclusions reached therein could be jeopardized.
Notwithstanding receipt of the IRS private letter ruling and the opinion(s) of tax advisors, the IRS could determine that the distribution and/or certain related transactions should be treated as taxable transactions for U.S. federal income tax purposes if it determines that any of the representations, assumptions, or undertakings upon which the IRS private letter ruling or the opinion(s) of tax advisors were based are false or have been violated. In addition, neither the IRS private letter ruling nor the opinion(s) of tax advisors will address all of the issues that are relevant to determining whether the distribution, together with certain related transactions, qualifies as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Further, the opinion(s) of tax advisors represent the judgment of such tax advisors and are not binding on the IRS or any court, and the IRS or a court may disagree with the conclusions in the opinion(s) of tax advisors. Accordingly, notwithstanding receipt by ServiceMaster of the IRS private letter ruling and the opinion(s) of tax advisors, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not assert that the distribution and/or certain related transactions do not qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes or that a court would not
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sustain such a challenge. In the event the IRS were to prevail in such challenge, ServiceMaster, we and ServiceMaster stockholders could be subject to significant U.S. federal income tax liability.
If the distribution, together with related transactions, fails to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, in general, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, ServiceMaster would recognize taxable gain as if it had sold Frontdoor common stock in a taxable sale for its fair market value (unless ServiceMaster and we jointly make an election under Section 336(c) of the Code with respect to the distribution, in which case, in general, (a) the ServiceMaster group would recognize taxable gain as if we had sold all of our assets in a taxable sale in exchange for an amount equal to the fair market value of Frontdoor common stock and the assumption of all our liabilities and (b) we would obtain a related step-up in the basis of our assets) and, if the distribution fails to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 355, in general, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, ServiceMaster stockholders who receive our shares in the distribution would be subject to tax as if they had received a taxable distribution equal to the fair market value of such shares. For more information, see "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences."
Under the tax matters agreement that ServiceMaster will enter into with us, we may be required to indemnify ServiceMaster against any additional taxes and related amounts resulting from (a) an acquisition of all or a portion of our equity securities or assets, whether by merger or otherwise (and regardless of whether we participated in or otherwise facilitated the acquisition), (b) other actions or failures to act by us or (c) any inaccuracy or breach of our representations, covenants or undertakings contained in any of the separation-related agreements and documents or in any documents relating to the IRS private letter ruling and/or the opinion(s) of tax advisors. Any such indemnity obligations, including the obligation to indemnify ServiceMaster for taxes resulting from the distribution and certain related transactions not qualifying as tax-free, could be material.
U.S. federal income tax consequences may restrict our ability to engage in certain desirable strategic or capital-raising transactions after the separation.
Under current law, a separation can be rendered taxable to the parent corporation and its stockholders as a result of certain post-separation acquisitions of shares or assets of the spun-off corporation. For example, a separation may result in taxable gain to the parent corporation under Section 355(e) of the Code if the separation were later deemed to be part of a plan (or series of related transactions) pursuant to which one or more persons acquire, directly or indirectly, shares representing a 50 percent or greater interest (by vote or value) in the spun-off corporation. To preserve the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the separation and distribution, and in addition to our indemnity obligation described above, the tax matters agreement will restrict us, for the two-year period following the distribution, except in specific circumstances, from:
These restrictions may limit our ability to pursue certain strategic transactions or other transactions that we may believe to be in the best interests of our stockholders or that might increase the value of our business.
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Until the separation and distribution occur, ServiceMaster has sole discretion to change the terms of the separation and distribution in ways that may be unfavorable to us.
Until the separation and distribution occur, we will continue to be an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of ServiceMaster. Accordingly, ServiceMaster will have the sole and absolute discretion to determine and change the terms of the separation and distribution, including the establishment of the record date for the distribution and the distribution date. These changes could be unfavorable to us. In addition, ServiceMaster may decide at any time not to proceed with the separation and distribution.
We may not achieve some or all of the expected benefits of the separation, and the separation may materially and adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
We may be unable to achieve the full strategic and financial benefits expected to result from the separation, or such benefits may be delayed or not occur at all. The separation and distribution are expected to provide the following benefits, among others:
We may not achieve these and other anticipated benefits for a variety of reasons, including, among others that: (a) the separation will require significant amounts of management's time and effort, which may divert management's attention from operating and growing our business; (b) following the separation and distribution, we may be more susceptible to market fluctuations and other adverse events than if we were still a part of ServiceMaster; (c) following the separation and distribution, our business will be less diversified than ServiceMaster's business prior to the separation and distribution; and (d) the other actions required to separate ServiceMaster's and our respective businesses could disrupt our operations. If we fail to achieve some or all of the benefits expected to result from the separation, or if such benefits are delayed, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
We or ServiceMaster may fail to perform under various transaction agreements that will be executed as part of the separation or we may fail to have necessary systems and services in place when certain of the transaction agreements expire.
In connection with the separation and prior to the distribution, we and ServiceMaster will enter into a separation agreement and will also enter into various other agreements, including a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement and an employee matters agreement. The separation agreement, the tax matters agreement and the employee matters agreement will determine the allocation of assets and liabilities between the companies following the separation for those respective
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areas and will include any necessary indemnifications related to liabilities and obligations. The transition services agreement will provide for the performance of certain services by ServiceMaster for the benefit of us for a limited period of time after the separation. We will rely on ServiceMaster to satisfy its obligations under these agreements. If ServiceMaster is unable to satisfy its obligations under these agreements, including its indemnification obligations, we could incur operational difficulties or losses. Upon expiration of the transition services agreement, each of the services that are covered in such agreement will have to be provided internally or by third parties. If we do not have agreements with other providers of these services once certain transaction agreements expire or terminate, we may not be able to operate our business effectively, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
After the distribution, certain members of management, directors and stockholders will hold stock in both ServiceMaster and our Company, and as a result may face actual or potential conflicts of interest.
After the distribution, the management and directors of each of ServiceMaster and Frontdoor may own both ServiceMaster common stock and Frontdoor common stock. This ownership overlap could create, or appear to create, potential conflicts of interest when our management and directors and ServiceMaster's management and directors face decisions that could have different implications for us and ServiceMaster. For example, potential conflicts of interest could arise in connection with the resolution of any dispute between ServiceMaster and us regarding the terms of the agreements governing the distribution and our relationship with ServiceMaster thereafter. These agreements include the separation and distribution agreement, the tax matters agreement, the employee matters agreement, the transition services agreement, the stockholder and registration rights agreement and any commercial agreements between the parties or their affiliates. Potential conflicts of interest may also arise out of any commercial arrangements that we or ServiceMaster may enter into in the future.
No vote of ServiceMaster stockholders is required in connection with the separation and distribution.
No vote of ServiceMaster stockholders is required in connection with the separation and distribution. Accordingly, if this transaction occurs and you do not want to receive Frontdoor common stock in the distribution, your only recourse will be to divest yourself of your ServiceMaster common stock prior to the record date for the distribution or to sell your ServiceMaster common stock in the "regular way" market in between the record date and the distribution date.
Failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could materially and adversely affect us.
As a public company, we will become subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Act and will be required to prepare our financial statements according to the rules and regulations required by the SEC. In addition, the Exchange Act requires that we file annual, quarterly and current reports. Our failure to prepare and disclose this information in a timely manner or to otherwise comply with applicable law could subject us to penalties under federal securities laws, expose us to lawsuits and restrict our ability to access financing. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that, among other things, that we establish and maintain effective internal controls and procedures for financial reporting and disclosure purposes. Internal control over financial reporting is complex and may be revised over time to adapt to changes in our business, or changes in applicable accounting rules. We cannot assure you that our internal control over financial reporting will be effective in the future or that a material weakness will not be discovered with respect to a prior period for which we had previously believed that internal controls were effective. If we are not able to maintain or document effective internal control over financial reporting, our independent registered public accounting firm will not be able to certify as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. While we have been adhering to these laws and regulations as
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a subsidiary of ServiceMaster, after the distribution we will need to demonstrate our ability to manage our compliance with these corporate governance laws and regulations as an independent, public company.
Matters affecting our internal controls may cause us to be unable to report our financial information on a timely basis, or may cause us to restate previously issued financial information, and thereby subject us to adverse regulatory consequences, including sanctions or investigations by the SEC, or violations of applicable stock exchange listing rules. There could also be a negative reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of investor confidence in our Company and the reliability of our financial statements. Confidence in the reliability of our financial statements is also likely to suffer if we or our independent registered public accounting firm reports a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. This could have a material and adverse effect on us by, for example, leading to a decline in our share price and impairing our ability to raise additional capital.
In connection with our separation from ServiceMaster, we will incur debt obligations that could adversely affect our business, profitability and our ability to meet obligations.
We expect to enter into financing arrangements in connection with the separation of approximately $1 billion.
This significant amount of debt could potentially have important consequences to us and our debt and equity investors, including:
To the extent that we incur additional indebtedness, the foregoing risks could increase. In addition, our actual cash requirements in the future may be greater than expected. Our cash flow from operations may not be sufficient to repay all of the outstanding debt as it becomes due, and we may not be able to borrow money, sell assets or otherwise raise funds on acceptable terms, or at all, to refinance our debt.
A lowering or withdrawal of the ratings, outlook or watch assigned to our new debt securities by rating agencies may increase our future borrowing costs and reduce our access to capital.
Our indebtedness is expected to have a non-investment grade rating, and any rating, outlook or watch assigned could be lowered or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency if, in that rating agency's judgment, current or future circumstances relating to the basis of the rating, outlook, or watch such as
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adverse changes to our business, so warrant. Any future lowering of our ratings, outlook or watch likely would make it more difficult or more expensive for us to obtain additional debt financing.
As an independent, publicly traded company, we may not enjoy the same benefits that we did as a segment of ServiceMaster.
Historically, our business has been operated as one of ServiceMaster's business segments, and ServiceMaster performed substantially all the corporate functions for our operations, including managing financial and human resources systems, internal auditing, investor relations, treasury services, accounting functions, finance and tax administration, benefits administration, legal, regulatory, and corporate branding functions. Following the distribution, ServiceMaster will provide support to us with respect to certain of these functions on a transitional basis. We will need to replicate certain facilities, systems, infrastructure and personnel to which we will no longer have access after the distribution and will likely incur capital and other costs associated with developing and implementing our own support functions in these areas. Such costs could be material.
As an independent, publicly traded company, we may become more susceptible to market fluctuations and other adverse events than we would have been were we still a part of ServiceMaster. As part of ServiceMaster, we have been able to enjoy certain benefits from ServiceMaster's operating diversity and available capital for investments. As an independent, publicly traded company, we will not have similar operating diversity and may not have similar access to capital markets, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In connection with our separation from ServiceMaster, ServiceMaster will indemnify us for certain liabilities and we will indemnify ServiceMaster for certain liabilities. If we are required to pay under these indemnities to ServiceMaster, our financial results could be negatively impacted. The ServiceMaster indemnity may not be sufficient to hold us harmless from the full amount of liabilities for which ServiceMaster will be allocated responsibility, and ServiceMaster may not be able to satisfy its indemnification obligations in the future.
Pursuant to the separation agreement and certain other agreements with ServiceMaster, ServiceMaster will agree to indemnify us for certain liabilities, and we will agree to indemnify ServiceMaster for certain liabilities, in each case for uncapped amounts, as discussed further in "Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions." Indemnities that we may be required to provide ServiceMaster are not subject to any cap, may be significant and could negatively impact our business, particularly with respect to indemnities provided in the tax matters agreement (as described in more detail above). Third parties could also seek to hold us responsible for any of the liabilities that ServiceMaster has agreed to retain. Any amounts we are required to pay pursuant to these indemnification obligations and other liabilities could require us to divert cash that would otherwise have been used in furtherance of our operating business. Further, the indemnity from ServiceMaster may not be sufficient to protect us against the full amount of such liabilities, and ServiceMaster may not be able to fully satisfy its indemnification obligations. Moreover, even if we ultimately succeed in recovering from ServiceMaster any amounts for which we are held liable, we may be temporarily required to bear these losses ourselves. Each of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Our ability to generate the significant amount of cash needed to pay interest and principal on our new indebtedness and our ability to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness or obtain additional financing depends on many factors beyond our control.
We are a holding company, and as such have no material operations or assets other than ownership of equity interests in our subsidiaries. We depend on our subsidiaries to distribute funds to us so that we may pay obligations and expenses, including satisfying obligations with respect to our new proposed indebtedness. Our ability to make scheduled payments on, or to refinance our obligations
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under, our indebtedness depends on the financial and operating performance of our subsidiaries, and their ability to make distributions and dividends to us, which, in turn, depends on their results of operations, cash flows, cash requirements, financial position and general business conditions and any legal and regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends to which they may be subject, many of which may be beyond our control.
There are third-party restrictions on the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to transfer funds to us. If we cannot receive sufficient distributions from our subsidiaries, we may not be able to meet our obligations to fund general corporate expenses or service our debt obligations. Certain of these restrictions are related to our regulatory requirements. The payment of ordinary and extraordinary dividends by our operating subsidiaries are subject to significant regulatory restrictions under the laws and regulations of the states in which they operate. Among other things, such laws and regulations require certain such subsidiaries to maintain minimum capital and net worth requirements and may limit the amount of ordinary and extraordinary dividends and other payments that these subsidiaries can pay to us. As of June 30, 2018, the total net assets subject to these third-party restrictions was $160 million. Such limitations are expected to be in effect for the foreseeable future.
Risks Related to Frontdoor Common Stock
We cannot be certain that an active trading market for our shares of common stock will develop or be sustained after the distribution, and following the distribution, our stock price may fluctuate significantly.
A public market for our shares of common stock does not currently exist. We anticipate that on or about the record date for the distribution, trading in shares of Frontdoor common stock will begin on a "when-issued" basis, which will continue through the distribution date. However, we cannot guarantee that an active trading market will develop or be sustained for shares of Frontdoor common stock after the distribution. Nor can we predict the prices at which shares of Frontdoor common stock may trade after the distribution. Similarly, we cannot predict the effect of the distribution on the trading prices of shares of Frontdoor common stock or whether the combined market value of the shares of Frontdoor common stock and ServiceMaster common stock will be less than, equal to or greater than the market value of shares of ServiceMaster common stock prior to the distribution.
Until the market has fully evaluated ServiceMaster's remaining businesses without Frontdoor, the price at which shares of ServiceMaster common stock trade may fluctuate more significantly than might otherwise be typical, even with other market conditions, including general volatility, held constant. Similarly, until the market has fully evaluated our business as a stand-alone entity, the prices at which shares of Frontdoor common stock trade may fluctuate more significantly than might otherwise be typical, even with other market conditions, including general volatility, held constant. The increased volatility of our stock price following the distribution may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The market price of shares of Frontdoor common stock may decline or fluctuate significantly due to a number of factors, some of which may be beyond our control, including:
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A significant number of our shares of common stock are or will be eligible for future sale, including the disposition by ServiceMaster of the shares of Frontdoor common stock that it may retain after the distribution, which may cause the market price for Frontdoor common stock to decline.
Upon completion of the separation and distribution, we will have an aggregate of approximately [ ] million shares of common stock outstanding. Virtually all of those shares will be freely tradable without restriction or registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), except for the shares of Frontdoor retained by ServiceMaster. We are unable to predict whether large amounts of Frontdoor common stock will be sold in the open market following the separation and distribution. We are also unable to predict whether a sufficient number of buyers of Frontdoor common stock to meet the demand to sell shares of Frontdoor common stock at attractive prices would exist at that time. It is possible that ServiceMaster stockholders will sell the shares of Frontdoor common stock they receive in the distribution for various reasons. For example, such stockholders may not believe that our business profile or our level of market capitalization as an independent company fits their investment objectives. The sale of significant amounts of Frontdoor common stock or the perception in the market that this will occur may lower the market price of Frontdoor common stock.
Following the distribution, ServiceMaster will retain approximately 19.9 percent of the outstanding shares of Frontdoor common stock. We understand that ServiceMaster currently intends to responsibly dispose of all of the Frontdoor common stock that it retains after the distribution through one or more subsequent exchanges for debt by June 14, 2019 in accordance with the terms of the private letter ruling. We will agree that, upon the request of ServiceMaster, we will use our reasonable best efforts to effect a registration under applicable federal and state securities laws of any shares of Frontdoor common stock retained by ServiceMaster. See "Certain Relationships and Related Persons TransactionsStockholder and Registration Rights Agreement." Any disposition by ServiceMaster, or any significant stockholder, of Frontdoor common stock in the public market, or the perception that such dispositions could occur, could adversely affect prevailing market prices for Frontdoor common stock.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish misleading or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for Frontdoor common stock will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. We do not currently have and may never obtain research coverage for Frontdoor common stock. If there is no research coverage of Frontdoor common stock, the trading price for shares of Frontdoor common stock may be negatively impacted. If we obtain research coverage for Frontdoor common stock and if one or more of the analysts downgrades our stock or publishes misleading or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of the analysts ceases coverage of Frontdoor common stock or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for Frontdoor common stock could decrease, which could cause Frontdoor common stock price or trading volume to decline.
There may be substantial changes in our stockholder base.
Many investors receiving shares of Frontdoor common stock pursuant to the distribution may hold those shares because of a decision to invest in a company with ServiceMaster's profile. Following the distribution, the shares of Frontdoor common stock held by those investors will represent an investment in a company focused on the home service plan industry, with a different profile. This may not be aligned with a holder's investment strategy and may cause the holder to sell the shares of Frontdoor common stock they receive in the distribution. As a result, our stock price may decline or experience volatility as our stockholder base changes.
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We do not expect to pay any cash dividends for the foreseeable future.
We currently intend to retain future earnings to finance the operation and expansion of our business. As a result, we do not expect to pay any cash dividend for the foreseeable future. All decisions regarding the payment of dividends will be made by our board of directors from time to time in accordance with applicable law. There can be no assurance that we will have sufficient surplus under Delaware law to be able to pay any dividends at any time in the future. This may result from extraordinary cash expenses, actual expenses exceeding contemplated costs, funding of capital expenditures or increases in reserves. If we do not pay dividends, the price of the shares of Frontdoor common stock that you receive in the distribution must appreciate for you to receive a gain on your investment. This appreciation may not occur. Further, you may have to sell some or all of your shares of Frontdoor common stock to generate cash flow from your investment.
Your percentage of ownership in our Company may be diluted in the future.
In the future, your percentage ownership in our Company may be diluted because of equity awards that we will be granting to our directors, officers and employees or otherwise as a result of equity issuances for acquisitions or capital market transactions. Our employees will have options to purchase shares of Frontdoor common stock after the distribution as a result of conversion of their ServiceMaster stock options (in whole or in part) to our stock options. Our employees also have restricted stock units that will vest into shares of Frontdoor common stock after the distribution as a result of the adjustments to their ServiceMaster restricted stock units. Further, we anticipate our Compensation Committee will grant additional stock-based awards to our employees after the distribution. Such awards will have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share, which could adversely affect the market price of shares of Frontdoor common stock. From time to time, we will issue additional stock-based awards to our employees under our employee benefits plans.
In addition, our certificate of incorporation will authorize us to issue, without the approval of our stockholders, one or more classes or series of preferred stock that have such designation, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, including preferences over Frontdoor common stock respecting dividends and distributions, as our board of directors generally may determine. The terms of one or more classes or series of preferred stock could dilute the voting power or reduce the value of Frontdoor common stock. Similarly, the repurchase or redemption rights or liquidation preferences we could assign to holders of preferred stock could affect the residual value of the common stock. See "Description of Our Capital Stock."
Our certificate of incorporation will designate the state courts of the State of Delaware, or, if no state court located in the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal court for the District of Delaware, as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could discourage lawsuits against us and our directors and officers.
Our certificate of incorporation will provide that, unless the board of directors otherwise determines, the state courts of the State of Delaware, or, if no state court located in the state of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal court for the District of Delaware, will be the sole and exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of our Company, any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director or officer to our Company or our stockholders, creditors or other constituents, any action asserting a claim against us or any director or officer arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended (the "DGCL"), or our certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or any action asserting a claim against us or any director or officer governed by the internal affairs doctrine. This exclusive forum provision may limit the ability of our stockholders to bring a claim in a judicial forum that such stockholders find favorable for disputes with our Company or our directors or officers, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors and officers. Alternatively, if a court outside of Delaware were to
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find this exclusive forum provision inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings described above, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and of applicable law may prevent or delay an acquisition of our Company, which could decrease the trading price of Frontdoor common stock.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and Delaware law, contain provisions that are intended to deter coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids by making such practices or bids more expensive to the acquiror and to encourage prospective acquirors to negotiate with our board of directors rather than to attempt a hostile takeover. These provisions include rules regarding how stockholders may present proposals or nominate directors for election at stockholder meetings and the right of our board of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval. Delaware law also imposes some restrictions on mergers and other business combinations between any holder of 15 percent or more of our outstanding common stock and us. For more information, see "Description of Our Capital StockAnti-Takeover Effects of Various Provisions of Delaware Law and our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws."
We believe these provisions protect our stockholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirors to negotiate with our board of directors and by providing our board of directors with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not intended to make us immune from takeovers. However, these provisions apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders and could delay or prevent an acquisition that our board of directors determines is not in the best interests of our Company and our stockholders. Accordingly, in the event that our board of directors determines that a potential business combination transaction is not in the best interests of our Company and our stockholders but certain stockholders believe that such a transaction would be beneficial to us and our stockholders, such stockholders may elect to sell their shares in our Company and the trading price of Frontdoor common stock could decrease.
These and other provisions of our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and the DGCL could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or other change in control, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, because we are regulated by state regulators in certain states, we are subject to certain state statutes that generally require any person or entity desiring to acquire direct or indirect control of certain of our subsidiaries obtain prior approval from the applicable regulator. Control is generally presumed to exist under these state laws with the acquisition of 10 percent or more of our outstanding voting securities of either the subsidiary or its controlling parent. Applicable state insurance laws and regulations could delay or impede a change of control of the Company.
Furthermore, an acquisition or further issuance of our stock could trigger the application of Section 355(e) of the Code, causing the distribution to be taxable to ServiceMaster. For a discussion of Section 355(e) of the Code, see "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences." Under the tax matters agreement, and as described in more detail above, we would be required to indemnify ServiceMaster for the resulting taxes and related amount, and this indemnity obligation might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control that you may consider favorable.
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This information statement and other materials we and ServiceMaster have filed or will file with the SEC contain, or will contain, certain forward-looking statements regarding business strategies, market potential, future financial performance and other matters. The words "believe," "expect," "estimate," "could," "should," "intend," "may," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify "forward-looking statements," which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. In particular, information included under "Risk Factors," "The Separation and Distribution," "Capitalization," "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements," "Business," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and other sections of this information statement contain forward-looking statements. Where, in any forward-looking statement, an expectation or belief as to future results or events is expressed, such expectation or belief is based on the current plans and expectations of our management and expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. Whether any such forward-looking statements are in fact achieved will depend on future events, some of which are beyond our control. Except as may be required by law, we undertake no obligation to modify or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances occurring after the date of this information statement. Factors, risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated include the matters described under "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," in addition to the following other factors, risks, trends and uncertainties:
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You should read this information statement completely and with the understanding that actual future results may be materially different from expectations. All forward-looking statements made in this information statement are qualified by these cautionary statements. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this information statement, and we do not undertake any obligation, other than as may be required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking or cautionary statements to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of events, unanticipated or otherwise, and changes in future operating results over time or otherwise.
Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends, or indications of future performance, unless expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data.
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THE SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION
Overview
On July 26, 2017, ServiceMaster announced its intention to separate its American Home Shield business from its Terminix and FSG businesses. ServiceMaster intends to effect the separation through a pro rata distribution of at least 80.1 percent of the outstanding shares of common stock of a new entity, Frontdoor. Frontdoor was formed to hold the assets and liabilities associated with the American Home Shield business of ServiceMaster. Following the distribution, ServiceMaster stockholders will directly own at least 80.1 percent of the outstanding shares of Frontdoor common stock, and Frontdoor will be a separate public company from ServiceMaster. ServiceMaster will retain no more than 19.9 percent of the outstanding shares of Frontdoor common stock following the distribution. Prior to completing the separation, ServiceMaster may adjust the percentage of Frontdoor common stock to be distributed to ServiceMaster stockholders and retained by ServiceMaster in response to market and other factors, and it will amend this information statement to reflect any such adjustment. The number of shares of ServiceMaster common stock you own will not change as a result of the separation.
On [ ], the ServiceMaster board of directors approved the distribution of at least 80.1 percent of the issued and outstanding shares of Frontdoor common stock, on the basis of [ ] share of Frontdoor common stock for each share of ServiceMaster common stock held as of the close of business on the record date of [ ], subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the distribution as described in this information statement.
At [ ] Eastern Time, on [ ], the distribution date, each ServiceMaster stockholder will receive [ ] share of Frontdoor common stock for each share of ServiceMaster common stock held at the close of business on the record date for the distribution, as described below. ServiceMaster stockholders will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Frontdoor common stock that they would have received after application of this ratio. ServiceMaster stockholders will not be required to make any payment, surrender or exchange their shares of ServiceMaster common stock or take any other action to receive their shares of Frontdoor common stock in the distribution. The distribution of Frontdoor common stock as described in this information statement is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions. For a more detailed description of these conditions, see "Conditions to the Distribution."
Reasons for the Separation
The ServiceMaster board of directors determined that the separation of ServiceMaster's American Home Shield business from its Terminix and FSG businesses would be in the best interests of ServiceMaster and its stockholders and approved the separation. A wide variety of factors were considered by the ServiceMaster board of directors in evaluating the separation. Among other things, the ServiceMaster board of directors considered the following potential benefits of the separation:
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properly assessed the value of the American Home Shield business relative to the value it is currently accorded as part of ServiceMaster.
Neither we nor ServiceMaster can assure you that, following the separation, any of the benefits described above or otherwise will be realized to the extent anticipated or at all.
The ServiceMaster board of directors also considered a number of potentially unfavorable factors in evaluating the separation, including the potential loss of synergies, time and effort required to be dedicated to this transaction by ServiceMaster's and our management and the potential diversion of their attention away from their respective businesses, increased costs resulting from operating as a separate public entity, one-time costs of the separation, the risk of not realizing the anticipated benefits of the separation and limitations placed upon us as a result of the tax matters agreement that ServiceMaster and we will enter into prior to the distribution. The ServiceMaster board of directors concluded that the potential benefits of the separation significantly outweighed these negative factors.
Reasons for ServiceMaster's Retention of up to 19.9 Percent of Frontdoor Common Stock
In considering the appropriate structure for the separation, ServiceMaster determined that, immediately after the distribution becomes effective, ServiceMaster will own no more than 19.9 percent of the outstanding shares of Frontdoor common stock. The retention of Frontdoor common stock strengthens ServiceMaster's balance sheet by providing ServiceMaster a security that can be exchanged to accelerate debt reduction, thereby facilitating an appropriate capital structure and financial flexibility necessary for ServiceMaster to execute its growth strategy. We understand that ServiceMaster currently intends to responsibly dispose of all of the Frontdoor common stock that it retains after the distribution through one or more subsequent exchanges for debt by June 14, 2019 in accordance with the terms of
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the private letter ruling. Following any such debt-for-equity exchange, it is anticipated that any creditors that are investment banks would sell such shares to public investors in a pre-marketed equity offering. We anticipate that Frontdoor would benefit from increased equity research coverage in connection with such an offering. ServiceMaster intends to continue to monitor market conditions for Frontdoor, in the home service plan industry generally, and in the high-yield debt market, and to assess the impact of each on the ultimate structure of the separation.
Formation of frontdoor, inc. and Internal Reorganization
AHS Holding Company, Inc. was formed as a Delaware corporation on January 2, 2018 for the purpose of holding ServiceMaster's American Home Shield business, and its certificate of incorporation was amended on July 26, 2018 to change its name to frontdoor, inc. As part of the plan to separate the American Home Shield business from the remainder of its businesses, pursuant to the separation and distribution agreement that we and ServiceMaster will enter into prior to the distribution, ServiceMaster plans to transfer the equity interests of certain entities that operate the American Home Shield business and the assets and liabilities of the American Home Shield business to us prior to the distribution. Following the distribution, ServiceMaster will continue to own the Terminix and FSG businesses.
When and How You Will Receive the Distribution
With the assistance of Computershare, ServiceMaster expects to distribute at least 80.1 percent of the outstanding shares of Frontdoor common stock at [ ] Eastern Time, on [ ], the distribution date, to all holders of outstanding shares of ServiceMaster common stock as of the close of business on [ ], the record date for the distribution. Computershare, which currently serves as the transfer agent and registrar for ServiceMaster common stock, will serve as the settlement and distribution agent in connection with the distribution and the transfer agent and registrar for Frontdoor common stock.
If you own shares of ServiceMaster common stock as of the close of business on the record date for the distribution, the shares of Frontdoor common stock that you will be entitled to receive in the distribution will be issued electronically, as of the distribution date, to you in direct registration form or to your bank or brokerage firm on your behalf. If you are a registered holder, Computershare will then mail you a direct registration account statement that reflects your shares of Frontdoor common stock. If you hold your shares through a bank or brokerage firm, your bank or brokerage firm will credit your account for the shares. Direct registration form refers to a method of recording share ownership when no physical share certificates are issued to stockholders, as is the case in this distribution. If you sell shares of ServiceMaster common stock in the "regular-way" market up to and including the distribution date, you will be selling your right to receive shares of Frontdoor common stock in the distribution.
Most ServiceMaster stockholders hold their shares of ServiceMaster common stock through a bank or brokerage firm. In such cases, the bank or brokerage firm would be said to hold the shares in "street name" and ownership would be recorded on the bank or brokerage firm's books. If you hold your shares of common stock through a bank or brokerage firm, your bank or brokerage firm will credit your account for shares of Frontdoor common stock that you are entitled to receive in the distribution. If you have any questions concerning the mechanics of having shares held in "street name," please contact your bank or brokerage firm.
Transferability of Shares You Receive
Shares of Frontdoor common stock distributed to holders in connection with the distribution will be transferable without registration under the Securities Act, except for shares received by persons who may be deemed to be our affiliates. Persons who may be deemed to be our affiliates after the
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distribution generally include individuals or entities that control, are controlled by or are under common control with us, which may include certain of our executive officers, directors or principal stockholders. Securities held by our affiliates will be subject to resale restrictions under the Securities Act. Our affiliates will be permitted to sell shares of Frontdoor common stock only pursuant to an effective registration statement or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, such as the exemption afforded by Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
Number of Shares of Frontdoor Common Stock You Will Receive
For each share of ServiceMaster common stock that you own at the close of business on [ ], the record date for the distribution, you will receive [ ] share of Frontdoor common stock on the distribution date. ServiceMaster will not distribute any fractional shares of Frontdoor common stock to its stockholders. Instead, if you are a registered holder, Computershare (which is sometimes referred to herein as the distribution agent) will aggregate fractional shares into whole shares, sell the whole shares in the open market at prevailing market prices and distribute the aggregate cash proceeds (net of discounts and commissions) of the sales pro rata (based on the fractional share such holder would otherwise be entitled to receive) to each holder who otherwise would have been entitled to receive a fractional share in the distribution. The distribution agent, in its sole discretion, without any influence by ServiceMaster or us, will determine when, how, and through which broker-dealer and at what price to sell the whole shares. Any broker-dealer used by the distribution agent will not be an affiliate of either ServiceMaster or us. Computershare is not an affiliate of either ServiceMaster or us. Neither we nor ServiceMaster will be able to guarantee any minimum sale price in connection with the sale of these shares. Recipients of cash in lieu of fractional shares will not be entitled to any interest on the amounts of payment made in lieu of fractional shares.
The aggregate net cash proceeds of these sales of fractional shares will be taxable for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences" for an explanation of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the distribution. We estimate that it will take approximately two weeks from the distribution date for the distribution agent to complete the distributions of the aggregate net cash proceeds. If you hold your shares of ServiceMaster common stock through a bank or brokerage firm, your bank or brokerage firm will receive, on your behalf, your pro rata share of the aggregate net cash proceeds of the sales and will credit your account for your share of such proceeds.
Treatment of Equity-Based Compensation
Outstanding ServiceMaster equity awards held by employees and nonemployee directors of ServiceMaster and Frontdoor are expected to be treated as follows:
Stock Options Held by ServiceMaster and Former Employees
Each ServiceMaster stock option held by a ServiceMaster employee, and each vested and exercisable ServiceMaster stock option held by a former employee of ServiceMaster and its affiliates (including Frontdoor employees who terminate pre-spin), will remain an option to purchase shares of ServiceMaster common stock. However, the exercise price and number of shares subject to each such ServiceMaster stock option will be adjusted as described in the employee matters agreement in order to preserve the aggregate value of the original ServiceMaster stock option, as measured immediately before and immediately after the distribution date, subject to rounding. The vesting terms and life span of the stock options will not change.
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Stock Options Held by Frontdoor Employees
Each ServiceMaster stock option held by a Frontdoor employee will be converted into an option to purchase shares of Frontdoor common stock. The exercise price and number of shares subject to each such Frontdoor stock option will be adjusted as described in the employee matters agreement in order to preserve the aggregate value of the original ServiceMaster stock option, as measured immediately before and immediately after the distribution date, subject to rounding. The vesting terms and life span of the stock options will not change.
Restricted Stock Units ("RSUs") Held by ServiceMaster and Frontdoor Employees
Unless otherwise elected by a ServiceMaster or Frontdoor employee, each ServiceMaster RSU award (including performance RSU awards) held by such employee granted prior to April 23, 2018 will be converted into an award in respect of both shares of ServiceMaster common stock and shares of Frontdoor common stock. The number of shares of ServiceMaster common stock subject to each award will be the same as the number subject to the award prior to the separation, while the number of shares of Frontdoor common stock subject to the award will be determined based on the number of Frontdoor shares distributed per ServiceMaster share in the separation. The vesting terms of the awards will not change.
Each ServiceMaster RSU award (including performance RSU awards) held by a ServiceMaster employee granted on or after April 23, 2018, and, if elected by a ServiceMaster employee, such employee's RSU awards granted prior to April 23, 2018, will remain denominated in shares of ServiceMaster common stock. However, the number of shares of ServiceMaster common stock subject to the award will be adjusted as described in the employee matters agreement in order to preserve the aggregate value of the original ServiceMaster RSU award, as measured immediately before and immediately after the distribution date, subject to rounding. The vesting terms of the awards will not change.
Each ServiceMaster RSU award (including performance RSU awards) held by a Frontdoor employee granted on or after April 23, 2018 and if elected by a Frontdoor employee, such employee's RSU awards granted prior to April 23, 2018, will be converted into a Frontdoor RSU award. The number of shares of Frontdoor common stock subject to the award will be adjusted as described in the employee matters agreement in order to preserve the aggregate value of the original ServiceMaster RSU award, as measured immediately before and immediately after the distribution date, subject to rounding. The vesting terms of the awards will not change.
Director Deferred Share Equivalents
Each award of ServiceMaster deferred share equivalents held by a Frontdoor nonemployee director will be converted into a Frontdoor deferred share equivalent award. The number of shares of Frontdoor common stock subject to the award will be adjusted as described in the employee matters agreement in order to preserve the aggregate value of the original ServiceMaster deferred share unit award, as measured immediately before and immediately after the distribution date, subject to rounding. These awards will be settled upon the director's separation from the ServiceMaster board.
Each award of a ServiceMaster deferred share equivalents held by a continuing ServiceMaster nonemployee director will remain denominated in shares of ServiceMaster common stock. However, the number of shares of ServiceMaster common stock subject to the award will be adjusted as described in the employee matters agreement in order to preserve the aggregate value of the original ServiceMaster deferred share equivalent award, as measured immediately before and immediately after the distribution date, subject to rounding.
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Results of the Distribution
After the distribution, we will be an independent, publicly traded company. The actual number of shares to be distributed will be determined at the close of business on [ ], the record date for the distribution, and will reflect any exercise of ServiceMaster options prior to the record date for the distribution. The distribution will not affect the number of outstanding shares of ServiceMaster common stock or any rights of ServiceMaster stockholders. ServiceMaster will not distribute any fractional shares of Frontdoor common stock.
We will enter into a separation agreement and other related agreements with ServiceMaster before the distribution to effect the separation and provide a framework for our relationship with ServiceMaster after the separation. These agreements will provide for the allocation between ServiceMaster and us of assets, liabilities and obligations (including investments, property, employee benefits and tax-related assets and liabilities) associated with the American Home Shield business and will govern the relationship between ServiceMaster and us after the separation. For a more detailed description of these agreements, see "Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions."
Market for Frontdoor Common Stock
There is currently no public trading market for Frontdoor common stock. We have applied to list Frontdoor common stock on the NASDAQ under the symbol "FTDR." We have not and will not set the initial price of Frontdoor common stock. The initial price will be established by the public markets.
We cannot predict the price at which shares of Frontdoor common stock will trade after the distribution. In fact, the combined trading prices, after the distribution, of the shares of Frontdoor common stock that each ServiceMaster stockholder will receive in the distribution and shares of ServiceMaster common stock held at the record date for the distribution may not equal the "regular-way" trading price of shares of ServiceMaster common stock immediately prior to the distribution. The price at which shares of Frontdoor common stock trades may fluctuate significantly, particularly until an orderly public market develops. Trading prices for shares of Frontdoor common stock will be determined in the public markets and may be influenced by many factors. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Frontdoor Common Stock."
Incurrence of Debt
In connection with the separation and distribution, we anticipate that we will raise long-term debt consisting of approximately $350 million of senior unsecured notes and term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $650 million. We also anticipate entering into a revolving credit facility in aggregate principal amount of up to $250 million. We expect that approximately $350 million aggregate principal amount of notes will be issued to, and approximately $650 million aggregate principal amount of term loans will be incurred in favor of, ServiceMaster's wholly owned subsidiary, The ServiceMaster Company, as partial consideration for the contribution of the American Home Shield business assets to us. We expect that The ServiceMaster Company will exchange these notes and term loans for outstanding debt of The ServiceMaster Company.
Trading Between the Record Date and Distribution Date
Beginning on or about the record date for the distribution and continuing up to and including the distribution date, ServiceMaster expects that there will be two markets for shares of ServiceMaster common stock: a "regular-way" market and an "ex-distribution" market. Shares of ServiceMaster common stock that trade on the "regular-way" market will trade with an entitlement to shares of Frontdoor common stock to be distributed pursuant to the separation. Shares of ServiceMaster common stock that trade on the "ex-distribution" market will trade without an entitlement to shares of Frontdoor common stock to be distributed pursuant to the distribution. Therefore, if you sell shares of
57
ServiceMaster common stock in the "regular-way" market up to and including the distribution date, you will be selling your right to receive shares of Frontdoor common stock in the distribution. If you own shares of ServiceMaster common stock at the close of business on the record date and sell those shares on the "ex-distribution" market up to and including the distribution date, you will receive the shares of Frontdoor common stock that you are entitled to receive pursuant to your ownership of shares of ServiceMaster common stock as of the record date.
Furthermore, beginning on or about the record date for the distribution and continuing up to and including the distribution date, we expect that there will be a "when-issued" market in shares of Frontdoor common stock. "When-issued" trading refers to a sale or purchase made conditionally because the security has been authorized but not yet issued. The "when-issued" trading market will be a market for shares of Frontdoor common stock that will be distributed to holders of shares of ServiceMaster common stock on the distribution date. If you own shares of ServiceMaster common stock at the close of business on the record date for the distribution, you would be entitled to shares of Frontdoor common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution. You may trade this entitlement to shares of Frontdoor common stock, without the shares of ServiceMaster common stock you own, on the "when-issued" market, but your transaction will not settle until after the distribution date. On the first trading day following the distribution date, "when-issued" trading with respect to shares of Frontdoor common stock will end, and "regular-way" trading will begin.
Conditions to the Distribution
The distribution will be effective at [ ] Eastern Time, on [ ], which is the distribution date, provided that the conditions set forth in the separation agreement have been satisfied (or waived by ServiceMaster in its sole discretion), including, among others:
58
We cannot assure you that any or all of these conditions will be met. ServiceMaster will have sole discretion to waive any of the conditions to the distribution. In addition, ServiceMaster will have the sole and absolute discretion to determine (and change) the terms of, and whether to proceed with, the distribution and, to the extent it determines to so proceed, to determine the record date for the distribution, the distribution date and the distribution ratio, as well as to reduce the amount of outstanding shares of Frontdoor common stock that it will retain, if any, following the distribution. ServiceMaster may rescind or delay its declaration of the distribution even after the record date for the distribution. ServiceMaster does not intend to notify its stockholders of any modifications to the terms of the separation and distribution that, in the judgment of its board of directors, are not material. To the extent that the ServiceMaster board of directors determines that any modifications by ServiceMaster materially change the material terms of the separation and distribution, ServiceMaster will notify ServiceMaster stockholders in a manner reasonably calculated to inform them about the modification as may be required by law, by, for example, publishing a press release, filing a current report on Form 8-K, or circulating a supplement to this information statement. For example, the ServiceMaster board of directors might consider material such matters as significant changes to the distribution ratio, the assets to be contributed or the liabilities to be assumed in the separation.
Regulatory Approval
Our registration statement on Form 10, of which this information statement forms a part, must become effective prior to the distribution, and shares of Frontdoor common stock to be distributed must have been approved for listing on the NASDAQ, subject to official notice of distribution.
Additionally, as a condition to the separation and distribution, we must receive regulatory approval from certain state insurance regulatory authorities, including in California and Florida (from each of which we have received conditional approval), and we must also provide a detailed pre-separation notice to the Texas Real Estate Commission. We or certain of our subsidiaries plan to notify certain other states in which our operating entities have licenses or registrations of the planned separation prior to the separation and distribution and of the completion of the separation after the separation and distribution. Many state insurance regulators require companies operating in their states to maintain certain capitalization, net worth or reserve requirements either alone or with the parent company. To the extent that we have previously relied on our parent company in meeting such requirements, we will take steps to ensure that prior to the completion of the spin-off we meet such requirements through alternate means, such as insuring our obligations or posting a bond or a letter of credit after the distribution.
No Appraisal Rights
Under the DGCL, ServiceMaster stockholders will not have appraisal rights in connection with the distribution.
59
We currently expect to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business. We do not currently anticipate paying dividends on Frontdoor common stock following the distribution. Any declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of Frontdoor common stock will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on many factors, including our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements, level of indebtedness, statutory and contractual restrictions applying to the payment of dividends and other considerations that our board of directors deems relevant. The terms of our indebtedness may restrict us from paying dividends, or may restrict our subsidiaries from paying dividends to us. Under Delaware law, dividends may be payable only out of surplus, which is net assets minus liabilities and capital, or, if we have no surplus, out of our net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. See "Description of Material Indebtedness" and "Description of Our Capital StockCommon Stock."
60
The following table sets forth our capitalization as of June 30, 2018:
The information below is not necessarily indicative of what our capitalization would have been had the separation, distribution and related transactions been completed as of June 30, 2018. In addition, it is not indicative of our future capitalization.
This table should be read in conjunction with the "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements," "Selected Historical Combined Financial Data," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and "Description of Material Indebtedness" sections of this information statement and our unaudited condensed combined financial statements and notes thereto included in the "Index to Financial Statements" of this information statement.
|
As of June 30,
2018 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions)
|
Historical |
As
Adjusted |
|||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 314 | $ | 250 | |||
Marketable securities |
25 | 25 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total(1) |
$ | 339 | $ | 275 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Capitalization: |
|||||||
Debt: |
|||||||
Term-loan(2) |
$ | | $ | 640 | |||
Senior Unsecured Notes(2) |
| 347 | |||||
Other |
3 | 3 | |||||
Revolving credit facility(2) |
| | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total debt |
$ | 3 | 989 | ||||
| | | | | | | |
Equity: |
|||||||
Common stock ($0.01 par value per share); [ ] shares authorized, [ ] shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted |
$ | | $ | 1 | |||
Additional paid-in capital (deficit) |
| (393 | ) | ||||
Net Parent Investment(3) |
657 | | |||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
| | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total equity |
657 | (392 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | |
Total capitalization |
$ | 660 | $ | 597 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
61
SELECTED HISTORICAL COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA
Set forth below are our selected historical combined financial data for each of the five years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013. The operating data for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 were derived from our audited historical combined financial statements, which are included in the "Index to Financial Statements" section of this information statement. The selected historical combined operating data for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 and the balance sheet data as of June 30, 2018 were derived from our unaudited historical condensed combined financial statements, which are included in the "Index to Financial Statements" section of this information statement. The operating data for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 and the balance sheet data as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are unaudited and are derived from the financial records of ServiceMaster, which are not included in this information statement.
The selected historical combined financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements", and the historical combined financial data reflects our results as historically operated as a part of ServiceMaster, and these results may not be indicative of our future performance as a stand-alone company following the separation and distribution.
|
Six Months
Ended June 30, |
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions)
|
2018 | 2017 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||
Operating Results: |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 602 | $ | 553 | $ | 1,157 | $ | 1,020 | $ | 917 | $ | 828 | $ | 740 | ||||||||
Cost of services rendered |
330 | 285 | 589 | 526 | 467 | 401 | 367 | |||||||||||||||
Selling and administrative expenses |
169 | 158 | 312 | 286 | 256 | 254 | 235 | |||||||||||||||
Impairment of software and other related costs(1) |
| | | | | 47 | | |||||||||||||||
Restructuring charges(2) |
3 | 1 | 20 | 3 | | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
Spin-off charges(3) |
15 | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||
Interest expense(4) |
| | 1 | | | | | |||||||||||||||
Income before Income Taxes |
78 | 100 | 220 | 196 | 189 | 120 | 134 | |||||||||||||||
Net Income |
58 | 63 | 160 | 124 | 120 | 74 | 84 | |||||||||||||||
Financial Position (as of period end): |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 1,069 | $ | 1,358 | $ | 1,416 | $ | 1,276 | $ | 1,136 | $ | 1,063 | $ | 1,005 | ||||||||
Total long-term debt |
3 | 14 | 9 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
Total Parent's equity |
657 | 584 | 661 | 560 | 518 | 498 | 509 | |||||||||||||||
Cash Flow Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided from operating activities |
$ | 122 | $ | 112 | $ | 194 | $ | 155 | $ | 135 | $ | 142 | $ | 78 | ||||||||
Net cash (used for) provided from investing activities |
(16 | ) | (13 | ) | (11 | ) | (55 | ) | 19 | (2 | ) | (13 | ) | |||||||||
Net cash used for financing activities |
(74 | ) | (41 | ) | (68 | ) | (88 | ) | (100 | ) | (85 | ) | (74 | ) | ||||||||
Other Non-GAAP Financial Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(5) |
$ | 105 | $ | 113 | $ | 259 | $ | 218 | $ | 205 | $ | 179 | $ | 145 | ||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA Margin(6) |
17.4 | % | 20.4 | % | 22.4 | % | 21.4 | % | 22.4 | % | 21.6 | % | 19.7 | % | ||||||||
Free Cash Flow(7) |
$ | 105 | $ | 106 | $ | 179 | $ | 144 | $ | 127 | $ | 131 | $ | 65 |
62
For the year ended December 31, 2017, these comprised $13 million of spin-off costs, $5 million of severance costs, which primarily represent an allocation of severance costs and stock-based compensation expense as part of the severance agreement with ServiceMaster's former CEO and CFO, and allocations of $1 million of nonpersonnel charges and $1 million of asset write-off and other costs related to the relocation to our corporate headquarters. For the year ended December 31, 2016, these comprised lease termination, asset write-off and other costs related to the decision to consolidate the stand-alone operations of Home Security of America, Inc., acquired in February 2014, with those of the American Home Shield business and severance and other costs related to an initiative to enhance capabilities and reduce costs in ServiceMaster's headquarters functions that provide administrative services for our operations. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, restructuring charges are principally comprised of severance and other costs related to an initiative to enhance capabilities and reduce costs in ServiceMaster's headquarters functions that provide administrative services for our operations.
63
The following table reconciles Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income for the periods presented, which we consider to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure:
|
Six Months
Ended June 30, |
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions)
|
2018 | 2017 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||
Net Income |
$ | 58 | $ | 63 | $ | 160 | $ | 124 | $ | 120 | $ | 74 | $ | 84 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization expense |
9 | 9 | 17 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 8 | |||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
| | 1 | | | | | |||||||||||||||
Interest income from affiliate(a) |
(1 | ) | (1 | ) | (3 | ) | (2 | ) | | | | |||||||||||
Provision for income taxes |
20 | 37 | 60 | 71 | 69 | 46 | 50 | |||||||||||||||
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense(b) |
2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
Restructuring charges(c) |
3 | 1 | 20 | 3 | | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
Spin-Off charges(d) |
15 | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||
Impairment of software and other related costs(e) |
| | | | | 47 | | |||||||||||||||
Affiliate royalty expense(f) |
1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on insured home service plan claims(g) |
(1 | ) | | (1 | ) | 1 | | (3 | ) | | ||||||||||||
Other |
| 1 | | 1 | 1 | | | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 105 | $ | 113 | $ | 259 | $ | 218 | $ | 205 | $ | 179 | $ | 145 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
For the year ended December 31, 2017, these comprised $13 million of spin off costs, $5 million of severance costs which primarily represent an allocation of severance costs and stock based compensation expense as part of the severance agreement with ServiceMaster's former CEO and CFO, and allocations of $1 million of nonpersonnel charges and $1 million of asset write-off and other costs related to the relocation to our corporate headquarters. For the year ended December 31, 2016, these comprised lease termination, asset write-off and other costs related to the decision to consolidate the stand-alone operations of Home Security of America, Inc., acquired in February 2014, with those of the American Home Shield business and severance and other costs related to an initiative to enhance capabilities and reduce costs in ServiceMaster's headquarters functions that provide administrative services for our operations. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, restructuring charges are principally comprised of severance and other costs related to an initiative to enhance
64
capabilities and reduce costs in ServiceMaster's headquarters functions that provide administrative services for our operations. We exclude these restructuring charges from Adjusted EBITDA because we believe they do not reflect our ongoing operations and because we believe doing so is useful to investors in aiding period-to-period comparability.
The following table reconciles net cash provided from operating activities, which we consider to be the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to Free Cash Flow using data derived from our condensed combined financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 and our combined financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
|
Six Months
Ended June 30, |
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions)
|
2018 | 2017 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||
Net Cash Provided from Operating Activities |
$ | 122 | $ | 112 | $ | 194 | $ | 155 | $ | 135 | $ | 142 | $ | 78 | ||||||||
Property additions |
(17 | ) | (6 | ) | (15 | ) | (11 | ) | (7 | ) | (11 | ) | (13 | ) | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Free Cash Flow |
$ | 105 | $ | 106 | $ | 179 | $ | 144 | $ | 127 | $ | 131 | $ | 65 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
65
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2018 and the unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017 are based on our historical combined financial statements. The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements presented below should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, "Description of Material Indebtedness" and the historical combined annual financial statements and corresponding notes thereto included elsewhere in this information statement. The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements reflect certain known impacts as a result of our separation from ServiceMaster. The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements have been prepared giving effect to the separation and distribution as if the transaction had occurred as of January 1, 2017 for the unaudited pro forma combined statement of operations for six months ended June 30, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017, and as of June 30, 2018 for the unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet. The unaudited pro forma combined statements of income give effect to adjustments that are (i) directly attributable to such transactions, (ii) are factually supportable and (iii) are expected to have a continuing impact on the Company. The unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet gives effect to adjustments that (i) are directly attributable to such transactions and (ii) are factually supportable regardless of whether they have a continuing impact on the Company or are non-recurring.
The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements presented below have been derived from our historical combined financial statements included in this information statement. While the historical combined financial statements reflect the past financial results of ServiceMaster's American Home Shield business, these pro forma statements give effect to the separation of that business into an independent, publicly traded company. The pro forma adjustments to reflect the separation include:
The pro forma adjustments are based on available information and assumptions that management believes are reasonable given the information that is currently available. However, such adjustments are subject to change based on the finalization of the terms of the separation and distribution agreement and related agreements.
The costs to operate our business as an independent public entity are expected to exceed the historical allocations, including corporate and administrative charges from ServiceMaster of approximately $31 million and $60 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017, respectively, reflected in the accompanying combined financial statements presented elsewhere within this information statement, and principally relate to areas that include, but are not limited to:
66
We are currently evaluating the optimal structure of corporate functions to support the strategic objectives of our business as an independent public entity subsequent to the spin-off and estimate the increased operating costs will be approximately $5 million in 2018. Dis-synergies for the six months ended June 30, 2018 were $1 million. For full-year 2019, we currently project dis-synergies of approximately $6 million.
After the separation, subject to the terms of the separation agreement, all costs and expenses related to the separation incurred by either ServiceMaster or us will be borne by the party incurring the costs and expenses, including charges incurred by us for services provided by ServiceMaster under the Transition Services Agreement.
Subject to the terms of the separation agreement, ServiceMaster intends to settle the majority of the nonrecurring third-party costs and expenses related to the separation and incurred by us or ServiceMaster prior to the separation date. Such nonrecurring amounts include costs to separate and/or duplicate information technology systems, investment banker fees, outside legal and accounting fees, debt issuance and other similar costs. Approximately $15 million and $13 million of costs related to the separation have been incurred by AHS for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017, respectively. These costs are included within Spin-off charges in the statements of operations and comprehensive income in the unaudited interim condensed combined financial statements and within Restructuring charges in the statements of operations and comprehensive income in the audited annual combined financial statements. Frontdoor expects to incur aggregate transaction related costs of approximately $35 to $45 million in 2018.
The unaudited pro forma combined financial information is for illustrative and informational purposes only and is not intended to represent or be indicative of what our financial condition or results of operations would have been had we operated historically as a company independent of ServiceMaster or if the separation and the distribution had occurred on the dates indicated. The unaudited pro forma combined financial information also should not be considered representative of our future combined financial condition or combined results of operations.
67
frontdoor, inc.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Six months ended June 30, 2018
(In millions, except per share data)
|
Historical |
Pro Forma
Adjustments |
|
Pro Forma | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenue |
$ | 602 | $ | | $ | 602 | ||||||
Cost of services rendered |
330 | 330 | ||||||||||
Selling and administrative expenses |
169 | 169 | ||||||||||
Depreciation expense |
5 | 5 | ||||||||||
Amortization expense |
4 | 4 | ||||||||||
Restructuring charges |
3 | 3 | ||||||||||
Spin-off charges |
15 | 15 | ||||||||||
Affiliate royalty expense |
1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Interest expense |
| 31 | (A) | 31 | ||||||||
Interest income from affiliate |
(1 | ) | (1 | ) | ||||||||
Net investment income |
(1 | ) | (1 | ) | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income before Income Taxes |
78 | (31 | ) | 47 | ||||||||
Provision for income taxes |
20 | (8 | ) | (B) | 12 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Income |
$ | 58 | $ | (23 | ) | $ | 35 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unaudited Pro Forma Earnings Per Share |
||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | 0.26 | ||||||||||
Diluted |
$ | 0.26 | ||||||||||
Number of Shares used in calculating earnings per share |
||||||||||||
Basic |
(F) | 135.6 | ||||||||||
Diluted |
(G) | 135.9 |
See the accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements, which are an integral part of the financial statements.
68
frontdoor, inc.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2017
(In millions, except per share data)
|
Historical |
Pro Forma
Adjustments |
|
Pro Forma | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenue |
$ | 1,157 | $ | | $ | 1,157 | ||||||
Cost of services rendered |
589 | 589 | ||||||||||
Selling and administrative expenses |
312 | 312 | ||||||||||
Depreciation expense |
9 | 9 | ||||||||||
Amortization expense |
8 | 8 | ||||||||||
Restructuring charges |
20 | 20 | ||||||||||
Affiliate royalty expense |
2 | 2 | ||||||||||
Interest expense |
1 | 62 | (A) | 63 | ||||||||
Interest income from affiliate |
(3 | ) | (3 | ) | ||||||||
Net investment income |
(2 | ) | (2 | ) | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income before Income Taxes |
220 | (62 | ) | 159 | ||||||||
Provision for income taxes |
60 | (22 | ) | (B) | 38 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Income |
$ | 160 | $ | (39 | ) | $ | 121 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unaudited Pro Forma Earnings Per Share |
||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | 0.89 | ||||||||||
Diluted |
$ | 0.89 | ||||||||||
Number of Shares used in calculating earnings per share |
||||||||||||
Basic |
(F) | 135.1 | ||||||||||
Diluted |
(G) | 136.2 |
See the accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements, which are an integral part of the financial statements.
69
frontdoor, inc.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
As of June 30, 2018
(In millions)
|
Historical |
Pro Forma
Adjustments |
|
Pro Forma | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets: |
||||||||||||
Current Assets: |
||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 314 | $ | (64 | ) | (C) | $ | 250 | ||||
Marketable securities |
25 | 25 | ||||||||||
Receivables, less allowance of $1 |
17 | 17 | ||||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
9 | 9 | ||||||||||
Deferred customer acquisition costs |
| | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Current Assets |
366 | (64 | ) | 301 | ||||||||
Other Assets: |
||||||||||||
Property and equipment, net |
43 | 43 | ||||||||||
Goodwill |
476 | 476 | ||||||||||
Intangible assets, net |
161 | 161 | ||||||||||
Long-term marketable securities |
2 | 2 | ||||||||||
Deferred customer acquisition costs |
21 | 21 | ||||||||||
Other assets |
1 | 2 | (D) | 2 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Assets |
$ | 1,069 | $ | (62 | ) | $ | 1,007 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities and Equity: |
||||||||||||
Current Liabilities: |
||||||||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | 47 | $ | | $ | 47 | ||||||
Accrued liabilities: |
||||||||||||
Payroll and related expenses |
12 | 12 | ||||||||||
Home service plan claims |
85 | 85 | ||||||||||
Other |
21 | 21 | ||||||||||
Deferred revenue |
188 | 188 | ||||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
2 | 7 | (D) | 9 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Current Liabilities |
356 | 7 | 363 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-Term Debt |
| 980 | (D) | 980 | ||||||||
Other Long-Term Liabilities: |
||||||||||||
Deferred taxes |
42 | 42 | ||||||||||
Other long-term obligations |
13 | 13 | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Other Long-Term Liabilities |
55 | | 55 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity: |
||||||||||||
Common stock, $0.01 par value |
| 1 | (E) | 1 | ||||||||
Additional paid-in-capital |
| (393 | ) | (E) | (393 | ) | ||||||
Net Parent Investment |
657 | (657 | ) | (E) | | |||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
| | | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Equity |
657 | (1,049 | ) | (392 | ) | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Liabilities and Equity |
$ | 1,069 | $ | (62 | ) | $ | 1,007 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
See the accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements, which are an integral part of the financial statements.
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NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For further information regarding our historical combined financial statements, refer to the combined financial statements and the notes thereto in this information statement. The unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2018 and unaudited pro forma combined statements of income for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017, include adjustments related to the following:
(A) Reflects interest expense related to approximately $1 billion in debt that we expect to incur, financing fees related to entering into a revolving credit facility and related amortization of debt issuance costs. Interest expense on the new debt was computed based on a weighted average interest rate of 6.1 percent including fees. The interest rates for pro forma purposes are based on assumptions of the rates to be effective upon the issuance of the indebtedness. Actual interest expense may be higher or lower based on final terms of our debt arrangements. See "Description of Material Indebtedness." A one percent change to the annual interest rate would change income before income taxes by approximately $10 million on an annual basis.
(B) For purposes of our combined unaudited pro forma financial statements, our income tax expense and deferred tax balances have been prepared as if we filed income tax returns on a stand-alone basis separate from ServiceMaster. As an independent, publicly traded company, our deferred taxes and effective tax rate may differ significantly from those in the historical periods. Tax expense was calculated at a statutory tax rate of 25.1 percent and 36.0 percent applied to the related pre-tax pro forma adjustments for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017, respectively. This rate reflects federal and state tax impacts, taking into consideration the nature of the adjustment.
(C) Reflects cash to be transferred to ServiceMaster in order to arrive at the agreed-upon cash and cash equivalents and current marketable securities needed for working capital purposes and restricted assets required for regulatory purposes pursuant to the separation and distribution agreement.
(D) In connection with the separation, we expect that we will incur approximately $1 billion of indebtedness in the form of $650 million term loans and $350 million of senior unsecured notes, less debt issuance costs of approximately $16 million (of which $3 million relates to the revolving credit facility). The new indebtedness includes approximately $7 million that is classified as current maturities of long-term debt in the unaudited pro forma combined statement of financial position. ServiceMaster will retain an amount expected to be approximately $1 billion of the new indebtedness. ServiceMaster will use such amount to pay principal, interest, or premium on certain of its existing debt.
(E) On the distribution date, ServiceMaster's net investment in our Company will be re-designated as Stockholders' Equity and will be $1 million to common stock and $(393) million to additional paid-in capital (deficit) based on the number of shares of our common stock outstanding at the distribution date. This adjustment also reflects the impact of the other pro forma adjustments reflected within the balance sheet. The adjustments are summarized below:
Impact of pro forma adjustments as of June 30, 2018 |
$ | (1,049 | ) | |
Re-designation of net parent investment |
657 | |||
Common stock adjustment |
(1 | ) | ||
| | | | |
Total additional paid-in capital (deficit) adjustment |
$ | (393 | ) | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
(F) The number of shares of Frontdoor common stock used to compute basic earnings per share for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017 is based on 135.6 million shares and 135.1 million shares of ServiceMaster common stock issued and
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outstanding on June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, the most recent date for which information is available. We have assumed a distribution ratio of 0.801 share of Frontdoor common stock for each share of ServiceMaster common stock, and ServiceMaster's retention of 19.9 percent ownership in our Company, the calculation of basic common shares outstanding is summarized below:
Basic
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Number of ServiceMaster common shares outstanding as of June 30, 2018 |
135.6 million | |
Distribution Ratio: 0.801 share of Frontdoor common stock for each share of ServiceMaster common stock |
0.801 | |
| | |
Number of our common shares assumed to be issued by ServiceMaster |
108.6 million | |
19.9% ServiceMaster ownership retention |
27.0 million | |
| | |
Total outstanding common shares |
135.6 million | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Basic
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Number of ServiceMaster common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2017 |
135.1 million | |
Distribution Ratio: 0.801 share of Frontdoor common stock for each share of ServiceMaster common stock |
0.801 | |
| | |
Number of our common shares assumed to be issued by ServiceMaster |
108.2 million | |
19.9% ServiceMaster ownership retention |
26.9 million | |
| | |
Total outstanding common shares |
135.1 million | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
The actual number of shares of Frontdoor common stock will be dependent upon the number of shares of ServiceMaster common stock outstanding on the record date, the actual distribution ratio and the actual percentage of shares of our common stock retained by ServiceMaster.
(G) The pro forma weighted average number of shares of Frontdoor common stock used to compute diluted earnings per share is based on ServiceMaster's weighted average number of dilutive shares as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, as this is the most recent date for which information is available regarding dilution. The calculations of diluted shares outstanding is below:
Diluted
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Number of our common shares assumed to be issued from ServiceMaster stock |
135.6 million | |
| | |
Weighted average ServiceMaster diluted shares as of June 30, 2018 |
0.3 million | |
Distribution Ratio: 0.801 share of Frontdoor common stock for each share of ServiceMaster common stock |
0.801 | |
| | |
Total dilutive impact |
0.3 million | |
19.9% ServiceMaster ownership retention |
27.0 million | |
| | |
Total outstanding diluted common shares |
135.9 million | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
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Diluted
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Number of our common shares assumed to be issued from ServiceMaster stock |
135.1 million | |
| | |
Weighted average ServiceMaster diluted shares as of December 31, 2017 |
1.0 million | |
Distribution Ratio: 0.801 share of Frontdoor common stock for each share of ServiceMaster common stock |
0.801 | |
| | |
Total dilutive impact |
0.8 million | |
19.9% ServiceMaster ownership retention |
27.1 million | |
| | |
Total outstanding diluted common shares |
136.2 million | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
The actual number of diluted shares of Frontdoor common stock will be dependent upon the number of shares of ServiceMaster common stock outstanding on the record date, the actual distribution ratio and the actual percentage of shares of our common stock retained by ServiceMaster, as well as the equity awards issued on the distribution date, which will be determined after the distribution pursuant to an equitable adjustment in the separation and distribution agreement. For additional information, see "Executive CompensationCompensation Discussion and AnalysisTreatment of Holdings Equity Awards in Connection with the Distribution."
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Overview
Frontdoor is obsessed with taking the hassle out of owning a home. Frontdoor owns multiple home service brands including HSA, OneGuard, Landmark and American Home Shield, which is the largest provider of home service plans in the U.S. as measured by revenue. Through our home services platform, we respond to over four million service requests annually (or one every eight seconds) from homeowners who require assistance with technical home repair issues utilizing our nationwide network of over 15,000 pre-qualified professional contractor firms that employ more than 45,000 technicians. Our customizable home service plans help customers protect and maintain their homes, typically their most valuable asset, from costly and unplanned breakdowns of essential home systems and appliances. Our large recurring customer base provides our contractors a significant volume of work throughout the year, which is highly valued by them. We facilitate these interactions through our leading technology-enabled customer interface and service delivery platform. We will continue to leverage this technology-enabled and people-driven platform as a catalyst for future sustained growth.
For the six months ended June 30, 2018, we generated revenue, net income and Adjusted EBITDA of $602 million, $58 million and $105 million, respectively. Revenue represented year-over-year growth of nine percent while net income and Adjusted EBITDA reflected year-over-year decreases of seven percent and seven percent, respectively. The seven percent decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by $28 million of increased contract claims costs, incremental sales and marketing costs and customer service costs, offset, in part, by the impact of higher revenue. The seven percent decrease in net income was primarily driven by the above factors and $15 million of pre-tax spin-off charges, offset, in part, by lower income taxes due to U.S. Tax Reform.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, we generated revenue, net income and Adjusted EBITDA of $1,157 million, $160 million, and $259 million, respectively. Revenue, net income and Adjusted EBITDA represented year-over-year growth of 13 percent, 29 percent and 19 percent, respectively. Additionally, we have grown through various business cycles as evidenced by the fact we grew revenue from 2007 to 2017 at a CAGR of eight percent. We believe that our strong performance through these cycles is attributable to the essential nature of our services, our strong value proposition and management's focus on driving results through strategic investment and operational execution. From 2013 to 2017, we grew revenue, net income and Adjusted EBITDA at a CAGR of 12 percent, 17 percent and 16 percent, respectively. For a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to net income, see "Summary Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Data."
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Our Value Proposition
Customer value proposition. We serve approximately two million customers who subscribe to a yearly service plan agreement that covers the repair or replacement of major components of up to 21 home systems and appliances, including electrical, plumbing, central HVAC systems, water heaters, refrigerators, dishwashers and ranges/ovens/cooktops. Increasingly, these items tend to be the most critical and complicated items in a home, which lead to complex repairs. Product failures can result in significant emotional and financial inconvenience for our customers. We continuously upgrade our offerings through additional coverages and home services as homes become increasingly complex and connected. Our plans are generally structured as renewable one-year contracts, and, because our customers value the services we provide, 66 percent of our revenue base in 2017 was recurring. This drives consistency and predictability in our business performance.
Our service plans appeal to the growing segment of U.S. homeowners who want: (1) budget protection against unexpected and/or expensive home repair; and (2) the convenience of having repairs completed by experienced professionals. Given the high price of an appliance or home system breakdown, the length of time associated with vetting and hiring a qualified repairperson and, typically, the lack of formal guarantee for services performed, consumers are willing to pay for the peace of mind, convenience, repair expertise and guarantee provided by a home service plan. Our service plans appeal to a broad range of customer demographics.
From 2007 to 2017, our customer base has grown from 1.3 million to two million, representing a CAGR of four percent, our customer retention rate increased from 73 percent to 75 percent, and the annual revenue we generated from renewals grew from 60 percent to 66 percent.
Professional contractor value proposition. Our customers are serviced by a select group of high quality, pre-qualified independent contractors. Our reputation as a strong partner, our growth and our increasing scale have allowed us to attract one of the largest independent contractor networks in the U.S., which currently stands at more than 15,000 pre-qualified professional contractor firms that employ more than 45,000 technicians. Our large recurring customer base guarantees our contractors a significant volume of work throughout the year, which is highly valued by them. In return for this volume, we are able to negotiate favorable rates for work performed. We estimate that approximately 95 percent of our contractor base plans to maintain or expand their relationship with us over the next two years.
We are highly selective in onboarding new contractors into our service network and actively monitor our existing contractors through a rigorous set of performance measures including direct feedback from customer satisfaction surveys. We believe substantial time and expense would be required to develop a contractor base that has comparable national reach, experience and quality of service. Our status as the largest provider of home service plans in the U.S. provides us a significant competitive advantage. We classify a subset of our independent contractor network as "preferred," and they represent a combination of our highest quality and longest-tenured independent contractors. Historically, approximately 80 percent of work orders are assigned to our preferred contractors, driving higher customer satisfaction and ultimately retention rates. We have the opportunity to leverage this supply base for improving and maintaining our customers' homes.
From 2013 to 2017, our network of professional contractor partners has grown from approximately 10,000 to over 15,000, all of whom have performed a service order for us in the past 12 months.
Our Go-to-Market Strategy
We founded the home service plan segment (commonly referred to as "home warranties") in 1971 and benefit from significant scale advantages as the leader in this highly fragmented segment. As we have grown, a greater number of homeowners and contractors have been attracted to, and joined, our
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network. We believe there is a significant opportunity for us to build on our current leadership position by investing in our customer service experience, increasing customer retention and expanding and further refining our lead generation channels and partners. To capture this opportunity, we are focused on the following customer acquisition channels:
Real estate channel. Our plans typically have been used to provide peace of mind to potential home buyers by protecting them from large, unanticipated out-of-pocket expenses related to the breakdown of major home systems and appliances during the first year after a home purchase. We leverage marketing service agreements and a team of field-based account executives to train, educate and market our plans via real estate brokers and agents, working directly with real estate offices and participating in broker meetings and national sales events. We have long-standing relationships with seven of the 10 largest real estate brokerages in the U.S. and continue to improve relationships with other key brokers. On average, we have been in business with these real estate brokerages for 16 years, and we have strategic partnership arrangements with many of these brokerages. Our long-standing relationships help to secure and grow our position. In addition, for 15 years running, we have had a strategic alliance agreement with the National Association of Realtors, which is the largest real estate association in the U.S. representing 1.3 million realtors.
We had a 32 percent share of plans sold in connection with a home resale transaction in 2017, up from 26 percent in 2012. In 2017, 1.5 million homes were sold with a home service plan out of the approximately 5.5 million homes sold. Customers acquired through the real estate channel represented 48 percent of our customer base in 2017, down from 56 percent in 2007, as we have rapidly grown our DTC customer base. In 2017, customers in this channel renewed at 28 percent after the first contract year. Revenue from this channel, including associated renewals, was $400 million, $449 million and $533 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. Overall revenues within this channel have grown at a five percent CAGR from 2007 through 2017.
Direct-to-consumer channel. Leveraging our experience in the real estate channel, we invested significant resources to develop the DTC channel to broaden our reach beyond home resale transactions. Our value proposition resonates with a wide demographic of homeowners who find security in a plan protecting against expensive and unexpected breakdowns in the home. This strong value proposition is promoted to our potential customers through search engine marketing, content marketing, social media, direct mail and TV/radio and sold through our customer care centers and mobile-optimized e-commerce platform. Over the past decade, we have strategically invested to expand the DTC channel given its high retention rates and customer lifetime value. Our research indicates a relatively low home service plan penetration rate of four percent of occupied U.S. households. We believe that penetration rates will increase over time as consumers become more aware of, and educated about, home service plans.
Since 2012, we have maintained an over 50 percent share of home service plans purchased or renewed outside of a home resale transaction. This industry remains underpenetrated, with approximately three million homes out of the 115 million U.S. households (excluding home resales) having a home service plan. Customers acquired through the DTC channel represented 52 percent of our customer base in 2017, up from 44 percent in 2007. In 2017, customers in this channel renewed at 75 percent after the first contract year. Revenue from this channel, including associated renewals, was $513 million, $571 million and $618 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. Overall revenues within this channel have grown at a nine percent CAGR from 2007 through 2017.
Customer renewals. We generated 66 percent of our revenue through existing customer renewals for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017. We have made significant investments in our integrated technology platform, self-service capabilities, customer care center operations and contractor management systems, which we believe position us to further improve
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retention and drive consistency and predictability into our business. We estimate that each one-percent improvement in customer retention generates approximately $8 million of incremental revenue and $4 million of gross profit.
Our Opportunity
Frontdoor operates within the larger $400 billion U.S. home services market, of which the U.S. home service plan segment represents $2.3 billion. While the home service plan segment has grown at a CAGR of seven percent from 2013 to 2017, our revenue has grown at a 12 percent CAGR during the same period. We believe that we are well-positioned to capitalize on our leadership position, while leveraging our network to provide other services to consumers in the broader home services market, as it becomes more complex and connected.
We view the home service plan segment as a long-term growth space. This segment is characterized by low household penetration with approximately five million of nearly 120 million households (owner-occupied homes and rentals) covered by a home service plan, or approximately four percent of these households.
As consumer demand shifts towards more outsourced services, we believe we have an opportunity, as a reliable, scaled service provider with a national, licensed independent contractor network, to increase share and household penetration. Additionally, we believe that increasingly complex home systems and appliances may further highlight the value proposition of professional repair services and, accordingly, the coverage benefits offered by a home warranty or other service plans. We aim to capitalize on this opportunity through a comprehensive strategy built on the key strengths of our business
Strategy
We have a three-pronged strategy for penetrating the $400 million U.S. home services market:
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1. Grow our Core Business
We see an opportunity to triple the size of our core business by increasing household penetration through consumer education and improvements to the customer experience, penetrating new geographies and expanding into new segments, including convenience seekers and multi-family homes.
Increase household penetration. To accelerate new customer growth, we make strategic investments in sales, marketing and advertising to drive new business leads, brand awareness and household penetration. We will continue to rapidly expand our core business via a focused effort on our two primary channels:
We aim to increase household penetration by targeting homeowners more effectively, employing more sophisticated sales tactics, growing our product breadth and partnering with new providers. Between 2012 and 2016, such efforts have enabled us to increase our share of industry revenue from 38 percent to 46 percent, while the overall size of the home service plan category has increased from approximately three million to five million households. Increased household penetration ultimately
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allows us to build economies of scale, capitalize on our consistently high retention rates and drive long-term value to us.
Deliver superior customer experience. We will continue to improve the customer experience by investing in our integrated technology platform, self-service capabilities, customer care center operations and contractor management systems. These targeted investments deliver enhancements most valued by our customers, including providing a convenient service experience and driving contractor service improvement. We believe these initiatives will lead to improved retention rates, more word-of-mouth marketing and the opportunity to deliver additional services to satisfied customers. Our customer retention rate has steadily grown from 73 percent in 2007 to 75 percent as of June 30, 2018.
Continue digital transformation. We continue to invest in digital transformation to provide customers, contractors and realtors with a fully-integrated experience and increase profitability.
Customers. In recent years, we have developed robust customer technology platforms, which make it easy for customers to purchase from us, request service and manage their account. Approximately 40 percent of our DTC sales in 2017 were entered online, and 55 percent of our total service request volume was entered online or through our interactive voice response system. Our customer MyAccount platform had over one million active users at the end of 2017, allowing customers to pay bills, request service, review account information or chat with a representative online without calling our customer care centers.
Contractors. Our contractor technology platform makes it easier for contractors to work with us and improves communication between contractors and customers. Our contractor portal had nearly 5,000 active users at the end of 2017, and our platform sent over one million "On-My-Way" notifications to customers, letting them know their contractor was en route to their home.
Realtors. Our realtor technology platform makes it easier for realtors to work with us, and therefore recommend our products to their clients. Approximately 55 percent of real estate channel orders were placed online in 2017. Our realtor portal had over 80,000 active users at the end of 2017, allowing realtors to enter, edit and pay for orders; view or print order confirmations, invoices, and contracts for active contracts; request service on behalf of their clients; and view and manage expiring orders.
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2. Develop a broader home services offering
We see an opportunity to expand beyond repair services for home service plan customers by developing a lead generation engine for our contractor network, which we believe will increase
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customer satisfaction and enhance our contractor value proposition. Repair services make up only approximately 25 percent of the U.S. home services market, and home improvement and maintenance work is highly valued by our contractors. We see an asymmetrical opportunity to generate leads for our contractors at a low cost to them because it strengthens our relationship with our network and therefore benefits our core business.
We see a large opportunity to develop on-demand services for convenience seekers. Customers' expectations are changing and we intend to develop new services that meet those expectations. Our industry-leading contractor network will allow us to offer services that focus on speed and convenience.
Develop and expand service offerings. We intend to continue to leverage our existing sales channels and service platform to deliver additional value-added services to our customers. Our product development teams draw upon the experience of technicians in the field to both create innovative customer solutions for the existing product suite and to identify service and category adjacencies. In the real estate channel, we have recently launched a new nationwide service offering of re-keying locks for recent home buyers with a home service plan, which enhances the value proposition of our service offering and has been well received in the marketplace. We are currently piloting a new offering of central HVAC pre-season check ups, which we expect to launch nationwide in 2019. Additionally, we are testing smart home technology services, which we think will add value to our plans and result in increases in renewals.
As we seek to further expand our share in the home services market, we are exploring opportunities in on-demand service and property management to leverage our industry-leading repair services platform to provide new services to the nearly 120 million homeowners in the U.S. home services market.
Pursue selective acquisitions. We have a track record of sourcing and purchasing targets at attractive prices and successfully integrating them into our business. In 2016, we made two key acquisitions. In June 2016, we acquired OneGuard, and in November 2016, we acquired Landmark, which together resulted in over 100,000 new customers. We anticipate that the highly fragmented nature of the home service plan industry will continue to create opportunities for further consolidation, and, with our scale, we believe we are the acquirer of choice in the industry. In the future, we intend to continue to take advantage of strategic acquisition opportunities, particularly in underserved regions where we can enhance and expand service capabilities. We use acquisitions to cost-effectively grow our home service plan contract count and deepen our customer base in high-growth geographies and may consider strategic acquisitions that will expand our reach into the home services market.
3. Develop a world-class data platform that fuels our growth
We have the opportunity to become the authoritative source of home information. We are constantly looking to leverage our data, and have identified additional opportunities to use technology to capture valuable home data, make it easier for customers and contractors to interact and ultimately enable us to anticipate repair needs before the customer is aware of them. We believe these investments will both improve the customer experience and reduce our operating expenses. We believe building this data platform will provide additional revenue opportunities as real estate companies, manufacturers and other companies within the U.S. home services market see the benefit of this data. We intend for this platform to be the definitive source of information for homeowners to understand industry quality and service trends to make informed decisions to maintain, improve or repair their home.
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Strengths
We enjoy the benefits of a large and diverse base of talent, assets and service offerings, which have helped us develop into and retain our position as the established segment leader. The following strengths support our business strategies:
Strong position in large, fragmented, growing segment. We have the leading position in the U.S. home service plan segment with a 46 percent share in 2016. We have spent decades developing a reputation built on brand reputation, fairness of contract terms, including price, and timely response to service claims. As a result, we enjoy industry-leading brand awareness and a reputation for high-quality customer service, both of which serve as key drivers of our customer acquisition efforts. Our nationwide presence also allows us to effectively serve local residential customers and to capitalize on lead generation sources such as real estate agencies. We believe our size and scale provide us a competitive advantage in contractor selection, purchasing power and marketing and operating efficiencies compared to smaller local and regional competitors. Additionally, we have an opportunity to leverage our contractor network into the broader home services market.
Diverse revenue stream across geographies. We are diversified by customer acquisition channel, real estate and DTC, and geography, with operations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Our ability to acquire customers through multiple channels mitigates the effect of a downturn in the real estate market, while our nationwide presence limits the risk of poor economic conditions or adverse weather conditions in any particular geography affecting our operations. Therefore, we believe we are better insulated from adverse economic conditions than our smaller regional competitors.
High-value service offerings resulting in high customer retention and recurring revenue. We believe our high annual customer retention demonstrates the highly valued nature of our services and the high level of execution and customer service that we provide. As a result of our high retention and renewal rates and long-standing contractor and real estate relationships, we enjoy significant predictability and stability in our business. These factors limit the effect of adverse economic cycles on our revenue.
Technology-enabled platform drives efficiency, quality of service and customer retention. We believe our fully-integrated technology-enabled platform is a competitive advantage and differentiates us from our competitors. Our technology-enabled platform allows customers to procure and utilize their home service plan without ever having to use a customer care center if they so choose. Customers can purchase a home service plan, electronically chat with a representative, pay bills and track the progress of their service requests, all from their mobile device or personal computer. Further, for our contractor and real estate broker base, we have created a robust platform that allows them to serve our customers and place home service plans, respectively. We believe our fully-integrated technology-enabled platform provides a better customer experience, drives customer retention, allows for seamless interaction with our contractor and real estate broker base and provides operating efficiencies superior to our competitors.
Capital-light business model. Our business model is characterized by strong Adjusted EBITDA margins, negative working capital and limited capital expenditure requirements. Our recurring capital expenditure requirements are typically less than two percent of our annual revenue. We may, from time to time, make more significant investments in capability-expanding technology, including investments to develop a world-class data platform to fuel our growth. Net cash provided from operating activities increased by $10 million to $122 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $112 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. Net cash provided from operating activities in the six months ended June 30, 2018 comprised $92 million in earnings adjusted for non-cash charges and a $41 million decrease in cash required for working capital, offset, in part, by $11 million for cash payments
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related to restructuring and spin-off charges. Capital expenditures were $17 million and free cash flow was $105 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018.
Net cash provided from operating activities increased by $39 million to $194 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $155 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 and $135 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Net cash provided from operating activities in 2017 comprised $162 million in earnings adjusted for non-cash charges and a $31 million decrease in cash required for working capital. Capital expenditures were $15 million in 2017, $11 million in 2016, and $7 million in 2015. Free Cash Flow was $179 million, $144 million and $127 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. For a reconciliation of Free Cash Flow to net cash provided from operating activities from continuing operations, which we consider to be the most directly comparable financial measure presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, see "Selected Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Data."
Resilient financial model with track record of consistent performance.
Solid revenue, net income and Adjusted EBITDA growth through business cycles. Our combined revenue, net income and Adjusted EBITDA CAGR from 2013 through 2017 was 12 percent, 17 percent and 16 percent, respectively. Although we can be impacted by economic and housing downturns, our revenue and earnings remained stable during the last major downturn. We believe that this strong performance is attributable to the essential nature of our services, our strong value proposition and management's focus on driving results through strategic investment and operational execution.
Solid margins with attractive operating leverage and productivity improvement initiatives. Our business model enjoys inherent operating leverage stemming from fixed investments in infrastructure and technology, among other factors. We have demonstrated our ability to expand our margins through a variety of initiatives, including metric-driven continuous improvement in our customer care centers and targeted systems investments, which we believe will continue to increase self-service capabilities for our customers, and leveraging our size and scale to deepen and improve our contractor network. We estimate that we enjoy industry-leading gross margins, in many cases significantly outpacing our largest competitors in the U.S.
Enhance our profitability. We continue to invest in initiatives designed to maintain or improve our margins and drive profitable growth. We have been able to increase productivity through actions such as continuous process improvement and targeted systems investments which we believe will continue to increase self-service capabilities for our customers, contractors and realtors, resulting in lower customer acquisition and service costs. We also focus on strategically capitalizing on our purchasing power to achieve more favorable pricing and terms on repair parts and home systems and appliances when replacement is necessary. In addition, we have implemented tools and processes to centralize and systematize pricing decisions. These tools and processes enable us to optimize pricing at the geographic market and product level while creating a flexible and scalable pricing architecture that is fully scalable across our business. We intend to leverage these investments and identify further opportunities to enhance profitability.
Multi-channel marketing approach supported by sophisticated consumer analytic modeling capabilities. Our multi-channel marketing approach focuses on building the value of our brand and generating revenue by understanding the decisions consumers make at each stage in the purchase of home services. The effectiveness of our marketing efforts is demonstrated by an increase in lead generation and online sales. In the DTC channel, new home service plan lead generation has benefited from increased spending in marketing as well as improved digital marketing. Testing we have performed suggests that customers' intent to purchase increases by approximately two times after being presented with a basic description of how our home service plans work. We also have been deploying increasingly sophisticated consumer analytics models that allow us to more effectively segment our prospective
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customers and tailor campaigns towards them in order to keep cost-per-sale relatively flat. In addition, we have been successful with innovative ways of reaching and marketing to consumers, including content marketing, online reputation management and social media channels. Our marketing spend in 2017 was composed of digital (38 percent), direct mail (24 percent), broadcast (16 percent) and social & other (22 percent).
Operational and customer service excellence driven by superior contractor development. We are constantly focused on improving customer service. The customer experience is at the foundation of our business model, and we believe that each interaction between a customer and one of our independent contractors is an extension of our reputation. We employ rigorous contractor selection practices and continuously analyze ratings from customers to identify potential improvements in service and productivity.
Experienced management team. We have assembled a management team of highly experienced leaders who have track records of producing profitable growth in a wide variety of industries and economic conditions. Our management team is highly focused on execution and driving growth and profitability, and, as such, our compensation structure, including incentive compensation, is tied to key performance metrics that are designed to incentivize senior management to drive the long-term success of our business. Further, we believe that we have a deep pool of talent across our organization, including long-tenured individuals with significant expertise and knowledge of our business.
Sales and Marketing
We market our services to homeowners on a national and local level through various means, including search engine marketing, content marketing, social media, direct mail, television and radio, print advertisements, marketing partnerships and telemarketing. We sell through our customer care centers, mobile-optimized e-commerce platform and national sales teams. Additionally, we partner with various participants in the residential real estate marketplace, such as real estate brokerages and insurance carriers.
Real Estate channel. We partner with various participants in the residential real estate marketplace, and we have a national real estate sales team that build relationships with real estate agents and brokers. We have over 150 field-based account executives and sales leaders who focus on a defined geographic area, and educate real estate agents within their territory about the benefits of a home service plan. In addition to our field-based account executives, we have nine account managers who operate out of a customer care center and a team of seven providing sales and marketing support.
Direct to Consumer channel. We market our services to homeowners on a national and local level through various means, including search engine marketing, content marketing, social media, direct mail, television and radio and print advertisements. We sell through our customer care centers and our mobile-optimized e-commerce platform.
Customers, Contractors, Suppliers and Geographies
Customers. As our customers are predominantly owners of single family residences, we do not have significant customer concentration. We had 2.0 million, 1.9 million and 1.6 million customers on December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Contractors. We have a network of more than 15,000 high quality, pre-qualified independent home service contracting firms. See "Our value propositionProfessional contractor value proposition." The qualification process for a contractor includes assessing their online presence and customer reviews, gathering public information about the company, reviewing references from customers and other contractors, and confirming they meet all insurance and licensing standards. In addition, contractors must agree to our service requirements, such as timely appointments and
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follow-up with all customers, guaranteed work, professionalism, and availability. Our contractors are supported by a designated Contractor Relations Representative who guides them through the process of working with us, from on-boarding, to the first service call to continuous monitoring and training. No contractor accounts for more than five percent of our expenditures.
Suppliers. We have three national suppliers of repair parts and home systems and appliances that each account for more than 10 percent of our supplier spendGE Appliances, Carrier Corporation and Marcone. However, supplier spend makes up only 15 percent of our cost of services rendered in 2017, and, with multiple national supplier agreements in place, the loss of any of our top suppliers would not have a material adverse effect on our business.
Geographies. A significant percentage of our revenue is concentrated in the southern and western regions of the U.S. California, Texas, Arizona and Florida collectively accounted for approximately 42 percent of our revenue in 2017. California, Texas, Arizona and Florida accounted for approximately 11 percent, 20 percent, seven percent and five percent, respectively, of our revenue in 2017.
Competition
We compete in the home service plan industry and the broader U.S. home services market. The principal methods by which we differentiate ourselves from our competitors are quality and speed of service, brand awareness and reputation, customer satisfaction, pricing and promotions, contractor network and referrals. While we compete with a broad range of competitors in each locality and region, we are the only home service plan company providing home service plans in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Our primary direct competitors are First American Financial Corporation and Old Republic International Corporation. We also compete in the broader home service market with HomeAdvisor (who also recently acquired Angie's List) and HomeServe. We believe our network of over 15,000 pre-qualified professional contractor firms, in combination with our large base of contracted customers, differentiates us from other platforms in the home services market.
Employees
We expect to employ approximately 2,700 persons as of the distribution date, none of whom is represented by labor unions.
Intellectual Property
We hold various service marks, trademarks and trade names, such as Frontdoor and American Home Shield, that we deem particularly important to our advertising and marketing activities. All of our key service marks and trademarks are protected by registration in the U.S.
Properties
Our corporate headquarters is located in downtown Memphis, Tennessee, in a facility that is leased. We operate five customer care centers throughout the U.S. that field inbound claims calls and initiate sales calls. Those customer care centers are located in Carroll, Iowa; LaGrange, Georgia; Memphis, Tennessee; Phoenix, Arizona; and Salt Lake City, Utah. The facilities in Carroll and LaGrange are owned and the facilities in Memphis, Phoenix and Salt Lake City are leased. We believe that these facilities, when considered with our corporate headquarters, are suitable and adequate to support the needs of our business.
Insurance
ServiceMaster maintains insurance coverage that it believes is appropriate for the American Home Shield business, including workers' compensation, auto liability, general liability, umbrella and property
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insurance. In advance of the distribution, we intend to secure our own insurance policies, including workers' compensation, auto liability, general liability, umbrella and property insurance that will be effective as of the distribution date.
Regulatory Matters
We are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations, compliance with which increases our operating costs, limits or restricts the services we provide or the methods by which we may offer, sell and fulfill those services or conduct our business, or subjects us to the possibility of regulatory actions or proceedings. Noncompliance with these laws and regulations can subject us to fines, loss of licenses or registrations or various forms of civil or criminal prosecution, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
These federal, state and local laws and regulations include laws relating to consumer protection, deceptive trade practices, licensing, wage and hour, state contractor laws, real estate settlements, workers' safety, tax, healthcare reforms, labor laws, environmental and employee benefits. We are regulated in certain states by the applicable state insurance regulatory authority and by the Real Estate Commission in Texas.
We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations designed to protect consumers, including laws governing consumer privacy and fraud, the collection and use of consumer data, telemarketing and other forms of solicitation. The telemarketing rules adopted by the Federal Communications Commission pursuant to the Federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act and the Federal Telemarketing Sales Rule issued by the Federal Trade Commission govern our telephone sales practices. In addition, some states and local governing bodies have adopted laws and regulations targeted at direct telephone sales, i.e., "do-not-call" regulations. The implementation of these marketing regulations requires us to rely more extensively on other marketing methods and channels. In addition, if we were to fail to comply with any applicable law or regulation, we could be subject to substantial fines or damages, be involved in lawsuits, enforcement actions and other claims by third parties or governmental authorities, suffer losses to our reputation and our business or suffer the loss of licenses or registrations or incur penalties that may affect how the business is operated, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Legal Proceedings
In the ordinary course of conducting our business activities, we and our subsidiaries become involved in judicial, administrative and regulatory proceedings involving both private parties and governmental authorities. These proceedings include insured and uninsured matters that are brought on an individual, collective, representative and class action basis, and other proceedings involving regulatory, employment, general and commercial liability, automobile liability and other matters. We do not expect any of these proceedings to have a material effect on our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows; however, we can give no assurance that the results of any such proceedings will not materially affect our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following information should be read in conjunction with the combined financial statements and related notes, and the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements and corresponding notes included elsewhere in this information statement. The following discussion may contain forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those factors discussed below and elsewhere in this report, particularly in "Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors."
The Spin-Off
On July 26, 2017, ServiceMaster announced its intention to spin off the ownership and operations of its American Home Shield business into a stand-alone publicly traded company. To accomplish the separation, ServiceMaster will contribute the assets and liabilities of its American Home Shield business into Frontdoor and distribute shares of Frontdoor common stock to ServiceMaster stockholders. We have received a favorable private letter ruling from the IRS regarding the tax-free treatment of the distribution to our stockholders. See "Material U.S. Federal lncome Tax Consequences." Following the distribution, ServiceMaster stockholders will own shares in both Frontdoor and ServiceMaster.
Our financial statements include nonrecurring costs incurred to evaluate, plan and execute the spin-off. These costs are primarily related to third-party consulting and other incremental costs directly associated with the spin-off process. Our results for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017 include charges of $15 and $13 million, respectively, related to the spin-off. We expect to incur aggregate spin-off charges of $35 million to $45 million in 2018 related to the spin-off. In addition, we expect incremental capital expenditures will be required to effect the spin-off in 2018 and will range from $20 million to $30 million in the aggregate, principally reflecting costs to replicate information technology systems historically shared with ServiceMaster.
The separation into two independent public companies is expected to result in increased operating costs, which could be material to our results of operations. These increased costs are primarily associated with corporate functions such as finance, legal, information technology and human resources. We are currently evaluating the optimal structure of corporate functions to support the strategic objectives of our business as an independent public entity subsequent to the spin-off and estimate the increased operating costs will be approximately $5 million in 2018. Dis-synergies for the six months ended June 30, 2018 were $1 million. For full-year 2019, we currently project dis-synergies of approximately $6 million.
Basis of Presentation
Throughout the period covered by the combined financial statements, we did not operate as a separate entity, and stand-alone separate financial statements historically have not been prepared. We are comprised of certain stand-alone legal entities for which discrete financial information is available. The accompanying combined financial statements have been prepared on a stand-alone basis and are derived from ServiceMaster's consolidated financial statements and accounting records, using ServiceMaster's historical basis in our assets and liabilities before the distribution. These combined financial statements reflect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with GAAP. Our financial position, results of operations and cash flows may not be indicative of our condition had we been a separate stand-alone entity during the periods presented, nor are the results stated herein indicative of what our financial position, results of operations and cash flows would have been had we operated as a separate, independent company during the periods presented. The
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combined financial statements included herein do not reflect any changes that may occur in our financing and operations as a result of the distribution.
The combined financial statements include all revenues, costs, assets and liabilities directly attributable to us. The combined statements of operations and comprehensive income include allocations of certain costs from ServiceMaster incurred on our behalf. Such corporate-level costs are being allocated to us using methods based on proportionate formulas such as revenue, headcount and others. Such corporate costs include costs pertaining to: accounting and finance, legal, human resources, information technology, insurance, marketing, tax services, procurement services and other costs. We consider the expense allocation methodology and results to be reasonable for all periods presented. However, these allocations may not be indicative of the actual level of expense that we would have incurred if we had operated as a separate independent, publicly traded company during the periods presented, nor are these costs indicative of what we may incur in the future.
Current and deferred income taxes and related tax expense have been determined based on our stand-alone results by applying Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 740, "Income Taxes," issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"), as if we were a separate taxpayer, following the separate return methodology (see Note 5). Our portion of current income taxes payable is deemed to have been remitted to ServiceMaster in the period the related tax expense was recorded. Our portion of current income taxes receivable is deemed to have been remitted to us by ServiceMaster in the period to which the receivable applies only to the extent that we could have recognized a refund of such taxes on a stand-alone basis under the law of the relevant taxing jurisdiction.
Cash and cash equivalents included in the combined statements of financial position reflects cash and cash equivalents that are specifically attributable to us. ServiceMaster's debt and interest thereon has not been allocated to us for any of the periods presented since we are not the legal obligor of the debt.
ServiceMaster maintains various stock-based compensation and employee benefit plans at a corporate level. Our employees participate in those plans, and a portion of the cost of those plans is included in our combined financial statements. See Note 10 and Note 11 in the audited annual combined financial statements for a further description of the accounting for stock-based compensation and employee benefit plans, respectively.
Overview
Our core services include providing plans that cover the repair or replacement of major components of up to 21 home systems and appliances, including electrical, plumbing, central HVAC systems, water heaters, refrigerators, dishwashers and ranges/ovens/cooktops under the American Home Shield, HSA, OneGuard and Landmark brands. We serve residential customers, across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Additionally, we operate and take service calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, our total operating revenue included 66 percent of revenue derived from existing contract renewals, while 22 percent and 12 percent were derived from sales made in conjunction with existing home resale transactions and direct-to-consumer sales, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2017, our total operating revenue included 66 percent of revenue derived from existing contract renewals, while 22 percent and 12 percent were derived from sales made in conjunction with existing home resale transactions and direct-to-consumer sales, respectively. We present these operations in our combined financial statements in one reportable segment.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Reform
On December 22, 2017, U.S. Tax Reform was signed into law. The Act includes numerous changes in existing tax law, including a permanent reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from
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35 percent to 21 percent, which will reduce our effective tax rate and cash tax payments, beginning in 2018. The rate reduction took effect on January 1, 2018; however, the Act was signed in 2017 and had an immediate one-time effect of an income tax benefit of $20 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. See Note 5 to the annual combined financial statements for more details.
Some of the provisions of the Act have the potential to affect us adversely, including but not limited to an expansion to the limitation on the deductibility of certain employee compensation. We do not expect the provisions set forth by the Act to have a significant adverse impact on our effective tax rate. This list is not comprehensive and represents our current views on the potential impacts of the Act; however, these views are subject to change as additional guidance becomes available and further analysis is completed.
Key Business Metrics
We focus on a variety of indicators and key operating and financial metrics to monitor the financial condition and performance of our business. These metrics include:
To the extent applicable, these measures are evaluated with and without impairment, restructuring and other charges that management believes are not indicative of the earnings capability of our businesses. We also focus on measures designed to monitor cash flow, including net cash provided from operating activities and free cash flow.
Revenue. Our revenue is primarily a function of the volume and pricing of the services provided to our customers, as well as the mix of services provided. Our revenue volume is impacted by new unit sales, customer retention and acquisitions. We currently only serve residential customers in the U.S.
Operating Expenses. In addition to changes in our revenue, our operating results are affected by, among other things, the level of our operating expenses. A number of our operating expenses are subject to inflationary pressures, such as wages and salaries, employee benefits and health care, contractor costs, home systems, appliances and repair parts, self-insurance costs and other insurance premiums, as well as various regulatory compliance costs.
Net Income. Net income is computed by subtracting all operating and non-operating expenses and taxes from our annual total revenue. The presentation of net income provides GAAP measures of performance that are useful for investors, analysts and other interested parties in company-to-company operating performance comparisons.
Adjusted EBITDA. We evaluate performance and allocate resources based primarily on Adjusted EBITDA, which is a financial measure not calculated in accordance with GAAP. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income before: provision for income taxes; interest expense; interest income from affiliate; depreciation and amortization expense; non-cash stock-based compensation expense; restructuring charges; non-cash impairment of software and other related costs; affiliate royalty expense; spin-off charges; (gain) loss on insured home service plan claims; and other non-operating
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expenses. We believe Adjusted EBITDA is useful for investors, analysts and other interested parties as it facilitates company-to-company operating performance comparisons by excluding potential differences caused by variations in capital structures, taxation, the age and book depreciation of facilities and equipment, restructuring initiatives, spin-off charges, arrangements with affiliates and equity-based, long-term incentive plans.
Organic Revenue Growth. We evaluate organic revenue growth to track performance of our business, including the impacts of sales, pricing, new service offerings and other growth initiatives. Organic revenue growth excludes revenue from acquired customers for 12 months following the acquisition date.
Customer Retention Rates and Growth. We report our customer retention rates and growth in renewable home service plans in order to track the performance of our business. Renewable home service plans represent our recurring customer base, which includes customers with active contracts for recurring services. Retention rates are calculated as the ratio of ending renewable home service plans to the sum of beginning renewable home service plans, new sales and acquired accounts for the applicable period. These measures are presented on a rolling, 12-month basis in order to avoid seasonal anomalies.
Seasonality
Our business is subject to seasonal fluctuations, which drives variations in our revenue and Adjusted EBITDA for interim periods. In 2017, approximately 20 percent, 28 percent, 30 percent and 22 percent of our revenue and approximately 12 percent, 32 percent, 37 percent and 20 percent of our Adjusted EBITDA was recognized in the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively.
Effect of Weather Conditions
The demand for our services, and our results of operations, are affected by weather conditions. Extreme temperatures can lead to an increase in service requests related to home systems, particularly central HVAC systems, resulting in higher claim frequency and costs and lower profitability, while mild temperatures in the winters or summers can lead to lower home systems claim frequency. For example, in the second quarter of 2018, we experienced an increase in contract claims cost driven by a higher number of central HVAC work orders driven by higher summer temperatures. Weather conditions that have a potentially favorable impact to our business include mild winters or summers, which can lead to lower home systems claim frequency.
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Results of Operations
For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017
|
Six Months
Ended June 30, |
Increase
(Decrease) |
% of
Revenue |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions)
|
2018 | 2017 | 2018 vs. 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 602 | $ | 553 | 9 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||||
Cost of services rendered |
330 | 285 | 16 | 55 | 52 | |||||||||||
Selling and administrative expenses |
169 | 158 | 7 | 28 | 29 | |||||||||||
Depreciation expense |
5 | 4 | 25 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
Amortization expense |
4 | 4 | | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
Restructuring charges |
3 | 1 | * | | | |||||||||||
Spin-off charges |
15 | | * | 2 | | |||||||||||
Affiliate royalty expense |
1 | 1 | * | | | |||||||||||
Interest income from affiliate |
(1 | ) | (1 | ) | * | | | |||||||||
Interest and net investment income |
(1 | ) | (1 | ) | * | | | |||||||||
Other |
| 1 | * | | | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income before Income Taxes |
78 | 100 | (22 | ) | 13 | 18 | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Provision for income taxes |
20 | 37 | (48 | ) | 3 | 7 | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Income |
$ | 58 | $ | 63 | (7 | )% | 10 | % | 11 | % | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenue
We reported revenue of $602 million and $553 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, a nine percent increase.
|
Six months
ended June 30, |
|
|
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions)
|
2018 | 2017 | Growth | ||||||||||
Renewals |
$ | 398 | $ | 362 | $ | 36 | 10 | % | |||||
Real estate |
127 | 120 | 7 | 6 | |||||||||
Direct to consumer |
75 | 69 | 5 | 8 | |||||||||
Other |
3 | 2 | 1 | * | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total revenue |
$ | 602 | $ | 553 | $ | 49 | 9 | % | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Renewal revenue increased 10 percent reflecting the overall growth in home service plans as well as improved price realization.
Real estate and direct to consumer revenue increased six percent and eight percent, respectively, reflecting growth in new unit sales.
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The growth in renewable home service plan contract counts and customer retention are presented below.
|
As of
June 30, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2018 | 2017(1) | |||||
Growth in Home Service Plans |
6 | % | 11 | % | |||
Customer Retention Rate |
75 | % | 75 | % |
Cost of Services Rendered
We reported cost of services rendered of $330 million and $285 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The following table provides a summary of changes in cost of services rendered:
(In millions)
|
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 |
$ | 285 | ||
Impact of change in revenue |
17 | |||
Contract claims |
28 | |||
Gain on insured home service plan claims(1) |
(2 | ) | ||
Other |
1 | |||
| | | | |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 |
$ | 330 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
The increase in contract claims costs includes an adjustment of $6 million related to the adverse development of contract claim costs originally estimated and recorded in the second half of 2017, principally driven by a higher mix of appliance replacement versus repairs driven by parts availability. We estimate the impact of higher appliance replacements increased claims costs by $7 million. The increase in contract claims costs also includes normal inflationary pressure on the underlying costs of repairs totaling $7 million and a higher number of work orders driven by colder winter temperatures in the first quarter and significantly warmer summer temperatures in the second quarter of 2018, which increased claims costs by $8 million.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, we reported selling and administrative expenses of $169 million and $158 million, respectively, which comprised general and administrative expenses of $36 million and $35 million, respectively, and selling, marketing and customer service costs of
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$133 million and $123 million, respectively. The following table provides a summary of changes in selling and administrative expenses:
(In millions)
|
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 |
$ | 158 | ||
Sales and marketing costs |
6 | |||
Customer service costs |
4 | |||
Stock-based compensation expense |
1 | |||
Spin-off dis-synergies |
1 | |||
| | | | |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 |
$ | 169 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
The increase in sales and marketing costs was driven by targeted spending to drive sales growth. The increase in customer service costs was an incremental investment in customer care center costs to deliver a new level of customer service. Incremental ongoing costs related to the spin-off of $1 million were incurred, which primarily related to the separation of information technology systems historically shared with other ServiceMaster business units.
Depreciation Expense
Depreciation expense was $5 million and $4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Amortization Expense
Amortization expense was $4 million for each of the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Restructuring Charges
We incurred restructuring charges of $3 million and $1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, these charges include an allocation of $1 million of severance costs related to actions taken to enhance capabilities and reduce costs in ServiceMaster's corporate functions that provide company-wide administrative services to support operations and $2 million of nonpersonnel charges primarily related to the relocation to our corporate headquarters. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, charges primarily represent an allocation of severance costs as part of the severance agreement with ServiceMaster's former CFO.
Spin-off Charges
We incurred $15 million of charges related to the separation from ServiceMaster for the six months ended June 30, 2018. These charges primarily represent $12 million of professional fees and $3 million of other incremental costs related to the spin-off. We expect to incur aggregate charges of $35 million to $45 million in 2018 related to the spin-off.
Affiliate Royalty Expense
Represents royalty expense with ServiceMaster for the use of their trade names. We incurred $1 million in each of the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. We do not expect to incur these expenses after the distribution.
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Interest Expense
We incurred less than $1 million for each of the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Represents interest expense on seller financed debt that was used to fund a portion of the 2016 acquisitions of OneGuard and Landmark as well as the interest expense on capital lease obligations.
Interest Income from Affiliate
Interest income from affiliate was $1 million for each of the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and represents interest earned on interest-bearing related party notes receivable included within Net parent investment in the combined statements of financial position. We expect to settle these notes concurrently with the distribution.
Interest and Net Investment Income
Interest and net investment income was $1 million for each of the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and was comprised of net investment gains and interest and dividend income realized on our investment portfolio.
Income before Income Taxes
Income before income taxes was $78 million and $100 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The change in income before income taxes primarily reflects the net effect of year-over-year changes in the following items:
(In millions)
|
Six Months
Ended June 30, 2018 vs. 2017 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Adjusted EBITDA(1) |
$ | (8 | ) | |
Depreciation expense(2) |
(1 | ) | ||
Restructuring charges(3) |
(2 | ) | ||
Spin-off charges(4) |
(15 | ) | ||
Gain (loss) on insured home service plan claims(5) |
2 | |||
Other |
1 | |||
| | | | |
Decrease in income before income taxes |
$ | (22 | ) | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
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Provision for Income Taxes
On December 22, 2017, U.S. Tax Reform was signed into law. The Act includes numerous changes in existing tax law, including a permanent reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. The rate reduction took effect on January 1, 2018; however, the Act was signed in 2017 and had an immediate one-time effect of an income tax benefit of $20 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. See Note 6 to the condensed combined financial statements for more details.
Some of the provisions of the Act have the potential to affect us adversely, including but not limited to an expansion to the limitation on the deductibility of certain employee compensation. This list is not comprehensive and represents our current views on the potential impacts of the Act; however, these views are subject to change as additional guidance becomes available and further analysis is completed.
The effective tax rate on income was 25.1 percent and 37.3 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The year-over-year decrease in the effective tax rate on income for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was primarily driven by the reduction in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent.
Our condensed combined financial statements do not reflect any amounts due to ServiceMaster for income tax related matters as it is assumed that all such amounts due to ServiceMaster were settled at the end of each reporting period.
Net Income
Our net income was $58 million and $63 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The $4 million decrease for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017 was primarily driven by a $22 million decrease in income before income taxes, offset, in part, by an $18 million decrease in the provision for income taxes as a result of lower pre-tax income and U.S. Tax Reform.
Adjusted EBITDA
Our Adjusted EBITDA decreased seven percent for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017. The following table provides a summary of changes in our Adjusted EBITDA. For a reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA, see "Information Statement SummarySummary Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Data."
(In millions)
|
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 |
$ | 113 | ||
Impact of change in revenue |
31 | |||
Contract claims |
(28 | ) | ||
Sales and marketing costs |
(6 | ) | ||
Customer service costs |
(4 | ) | ||
Spin-off dis-synergies |
(1 | ) | ||
| | | | |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 |
$ | 105 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
The increase in contract claims costs includes an adjustment of $6 million related to the adverse development of contract claim costs originally estimated and recorded in the second half of 2017, principally driven by a higher mix of appliance replacement versus repairs driven by parts availability. We estimate the impact of higher appliance replacements increased claims costs by $7 million. The increase in contract claims costs also includes normal inflationary pressure on the underlying costs of
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repairs totaling $7 million and a higher number of work orders driven by colder winter temperatures in the first quarter and significantly warmer summer temperatures in the second quarter of 2018, which increased claims costs by $8 million. Extreme temperatures in the future could lead to an increase in service requests related to home systems, resulting in higher claim frequency and costs.
The increase in sales and marketing costs was driven by targeted spending to drive sales growth. The increase in customer service costs was an incremental investment in customer care center costs to deliver a new level of customer service. Incremental ongoing costs related to the spin-off of $1 million were incurred, which primarily related to the separation of information technology systems historically shared by our business units.
For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
|
|
|
|
Increase
(Decrease) |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Year Ended
December 31, |
% of
Revenue |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2017 vs. 2016 | 2016 vs. 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions)
|
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 1,157 | $ | 1,020 | $ | 917 | 13 | % | 11 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | |||||||||
Cost of services rendered |
589 | 526 | 467 | 12 | 13 | 51 | 52 | 51 | |||||||||||||||||
Selling and administrative expenses |
312 | 286 | 256 | 9 | 12 | 27 | 28 | 28 | |||||||||||||||||
Depreciation expense |
9 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 60 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
Amortization expense |
8 | 6 | 4 | 33 | 50 | 1 | 1 | | |||||||||||||||||
Restructuring charges |
20 | 3 | | * | * | 2 | | | |||||||||||||||||
Affiliate royalty expense |
2 | 2 | 1 | * | * | | | | |||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
1 | | | * | * | | | | |||||||||||||||||
Interest income from affiliate |
(3 | ) | (2 | ) | | 50 | * | | | | |||||||||||||||
Interest and net investment income |
(2 | ) | (5 | ) | (8 | ) | (60 | ) | (38 | ) | | | (1 | ) | |||||||||||
Other |
| 1 | 1 | * | * | | | | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income before Income Taxes |
220 | 196 | 189 | 12 | 4 | 19 | 19 | 21 | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Provision for income taxes |
60 | 71 | 69 | (15 | ) | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Income |
$ | 160 | $ | 124 | $ | 120 | 29 | % | 3 | % | 14 | % | 12 | % | 13 | % | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenue
We reported revenue of $1,157 million, $1,020 million and $917 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, a 13 percent and 11 percent increase, respectively.
|
Year Ended
December 31, |
Growth | ||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions)
|
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2017 vs. 2016 | 2016 vs. 2015 | |||||||||||||||||
Renewals |
$ | 759 | $ | 671 | $ | 594 | $ | 88 | 13 | % | $ | 77 | 13 | % | ||||||||
Real estate |
249 | 207 | 185 | 42 | 20 | 22 | 12 | |||||||||||||||
Direct to consumer |
144 | 142 | 133 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 7 | |||||||||||||||
Other |
5 | | 4 | 5 | * | (4 | ) | * | ||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total revenue |
$ | 1,157 | $ | 1,020 | $ | 917 | $ | 137 | 13 | % | $ | 103 | 11 | % | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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The 2017 and 2016 revenue results reflect an increase in new unit sales, improved price realization and approximately $56 million and $22 million, respectively, as a result of the OneGuard and Landmark acquisitions.
The growth in renewable home service plan contract counts and customer retention are presented below.
|
As of
December 31, |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2017(1) | 2016(1) | 2015 | |||||||
Growth in Home Service Plans |
6 | % | 15 | % | 7 | % | ||||
Customer Retention Rate |
75 | % | 76 | % | 75 | % |
Cost of Services Rendered
We reported cost of services rendered of $589 million, $526 million and $467 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The following table provides a summary of changes in cost of services rendered:
(In millions)
|
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Year Ended December 31, 2015 |
$ | 467 | ||
Impact of change in revenue(1) |
41 | |||
Contract claims |
17 | |||
(Gain) loss on insured home service plan claims(2) |
2 | |||
| | | | |
Year Ended December 31, 2016 |
$ | 526 | ||
Impact of change in revenue(1) |
58 | |||
Contract claims |
8 | |||
(Gain) loss on insured home service plan claims(2) |
(3 | ) | ||
| | | | |
Year Ended December 31, 2017 |
$ | 589 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
For the year ended December 31, 2017, the increase in contract claims costs is primarily due to normal inflationary pressure on the underlying cost of repairs, offset, in part, by a lower number of work orders driven by cooler summer temperatures in 2017.
For the year ended December 31, 2016, the increase in contract claims costs was primarily driven by normal inflationary pressure on the underlying costs of repairs.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we reported selling and administrative expenses of $312 million, $286 million and $256 million, respectively, which comprised general and administrative expenses of $67 million, $68 million and $55 million, respectively, and selling, marketing
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and customer service costs of $245 million, $218 million and $201 million, respectively. The following table provides a summary of changes in selling and administrative expenses:
(In millions)
|
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Year Ended December 31, 2015 |
$ | 256 | ||
Sales and marketing costs |
12 | |||
Technology costs |
7 | |||
Incentive compensation |
(2 | ) | ||
OneGuard and Landmark selling and administrative expenses |
8 | |||
Customer service costs |
4 | |||
Stock-based compensation expense |
1 | |||
| | | | |
Year Ended December 31, 2016 |
$ | 286 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Sales and marketing costs |
5 | |||
OneGuard and Landmark selling and administrative expenses |
20 | |||
Customer service costs |
6 | |||
Stock-based compensation expense |
(1 | ) | ||
Other |
(4 | ) | ||
| | | | |
Year Ended December 31, 2017 |
$ | 312 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
For the year ended December 31, 2017, the increase in sales and marketing costs is driven by increased sales commissions and incremental marketing spending to drive growth. We incurred incremental selling and administrative expenses as a result of the OneGuard and Landmark acquisitions. The increase in customer service costs is due to higher labor costs resulting from an acceleration of pre-season hiring and training in preparation for the high-volume summer season and an overall increase in call center staffing levels to improve response times.
For the year ended December 31, 2016, the increase in sales and marketing costs was primarily driven by the shift in timing of a holiday mail campaign from the fourth quarter of 2015 to the first quarter of 2016 and, to a lesser extent, an increase in sales commissions. The increase in technology costs was primarily due to an acceleration of investments to improve our customers' experiences through technology. Additionally, we incurred incremental selling and administrative expenses as a result of the OneGuard and Landmark acquisitions. The increase in customer service costs was due to higher labor costs resulting from an acceleration of pre-season hiring and training in preparation for the high-volume summer season.
Depreciation Expense
Depreciation expense was $9 million, $8 million and $5 million in the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increases in 2017 and 2016 were primarily due to additional depreciation expense related to increased property and equipment that resulted from the June 27, 2016 and November 30, 2016 acquisitions of OneGuard and Landmark, respectively.
Amortization Expense
Amortization expense was $8 million, $6 million and $4 million in the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increases in 2017 and 2016 were primarily due to additional amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets that resulted from the June 27, 2016 and November 30, 2016 acquisitions of OneGuard and Landmark, respectively.
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Restructuring Charges
We incurred restructuring charges of $20 million, $3 million and less than $1 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Restructuring charges were mainly comprised of the following:
|
Year Ended
December 31, |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions)
|
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
Severance cost(1) |
$ | 5 | $ | 1 | $ | | ||||
Non-personnel charges(2) |
1 | 1 | | |||||||
Asset write-offs(3) |
1 | 1 | | |||||||
Spin-off charges(4) |
13 | | | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total restructuring charges |
$ | 20 | $ | 3 | $ | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Affiliate Royalty Expense
Represents royalty expense with ServiceMaster for the use of their trade names. We incurred $2 million, $2 million and $1 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. We do not expect to incur these expenses after the distribution.
Interest Expense
Represents interest expense on seller financed debt that was used to fund a portion of the acquisitions of OneGuard and Landmark as well as the interest expense on capital lease obligations. We incurred $1 million, less than $1 million and less than $1 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Interest Income from Affiliate
Interest income from affiliate was $3 million, $2 million and less than $1 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Represents interest earned on interest-bearing
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related party notes receivable included within Net parent investment in the combined statements of financial position. We expect to settle these notes concurrently with the distribution.
Interest and net Investment Income
Interest and net investment income was $2 million, $5 million and $8 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and was comprised of net investment gains and interest and dividend income realized on our investment portfolio. The decrease in 2017 was primarily the result of sales of marketable securities that occurred in 2016.
Income before Income Taxes
Income before income taxes was $220 million, $196 million and $189 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The change in income before income taxes primarily reflects the net effect of year-over-year changes in the following items:
|
Year Ended
December 31, |
Year Ended
December 31, |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions)
|
2017 vs. 2016 | 2016 vs. 2015 | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA(1) |
$ | 41 | $ | 14 | |||
Depreciation expense(2) |
(1 | ) | (3 | ) | |||
Amortization expense(3) |
(3 | ) | (2 | ) | |||
Restructuring charges(4) |
(17 | ) | (3 | ) | |||
Interest income from affiliate(5) |
1 | 2 | |||||
Gain (loss) on insured home service plan claims(6) |
3 | (2 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | |
Increase in income before income taxes |
$ | 25 | $ | 7 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Provision for Income Taxes
On December 22, 2017, U.S. Tax Reform was signed into law. The Act includes numerous changes in existing tax law, including a permanent reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. The rate reduction took effect on January 1, 2018; however, the Act was signed in 2017 and had an immediate one-time effect of an income tax benefit of $20 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. See Note 5 to the annual combined financial statements for more details. Some of the provisions of the Act have the potential to affect us adversely, including but not
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limited to an expansion to the limitation on the deductibility of certain employee compensation. This list is not comprehensive and represents our current views on the potential impacts of the Act; however, these views are subject to change as additional guidance becomes available and further analysis is completed.
The effective tax rate on income was 27.2 percent, 36.6 percent and 36.4 percent for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The effective tax rate on income for the year ended December 31, 2017 was favorably impacted by the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities due to the 2018 reduction to the federal tax rate. Additional information on income taxes, including our effective tax rate reconciliation and liabilities for uncertain tax positions, can be found in Note 5 to the annual combined financial statements.
Our combined financial statements do not reflect any amounts due to ServiceMaster for income tax related matters as it is assumed that all such amounts due to ServiceMaster were settled on December 31st of each year.
Net Income
Our net income was $160 million, $124 million and $120 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The $36 million increase for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily driven by a $25 million increase in income before income taxes and a $11 million decrease in the provision for income taxes. The $4 million increase for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 was primarily driven by a $7 million increase in income before income taxes, offset, in part, by a $3 million increase in the provision for income taxes.
Adjusted EBITDA
The following table provides a summary of changes in our Adjusted EBITDA. For a reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA, see "Information Statement SummarySummary Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Data."
(In millions)
|
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Year Ended December 31, 2015 |
$ | 205 | ||
Impact of change in revenue |
62 | |||
Contract claims |
(17 | ) | ||
Sales and marketing costs |
(12 | ) | ||
Technology costs |
(7 | ) | ||
OneGuard and Landmark selling and administrative expenses |
(8 | ) | ||
Customer services costs |
(4 | ) | ||
Incentive compensation |
2 | |||
Interest and net investment income |
(3 | ) | ||
| | | | |
Year Ended December 31, 2016 |
$ | 218 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Impact of change in revenue |
79 | |||
Contract claims |
(8 | ) | ||
Sales and marketing costs |
(5 | ) | ||
OneGuard and Landmark selling and administrative expenses |
(20 | ) | ||
Customer services costs |
(6 | ) | ||
Interest and net investment income |
(4 | ) | ||
Other |
5 | |||
| | | | |
Year Ended December 31, 2017 |
$ | 259 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically, the primary source of liquidity for our business has been the cash flow provided by operations which has historically been transferred to ServiceMaster to support its overall cash management strategy. Prior to separation, transfers of cash to and from ServiceMaster have been reflected in Net parent investment in the historical combined statement of financial position and combined statements of cash flows. ServiceMaster's cash has not been assigned to us for any of the periods presented in the combined statement of financial position because those cash balances are not directly attributable to Frontdoor. We expect ServiceMaster to continue to fund our cash needs through the date of the separation.
Following the distribution, our capital structure and sources of liquidity will change significantly from our historical capital structure, as described in "Description of Material Indebtedness." We will no longer participate in cash management with ServiceMaster, but rather our ability to fund our cash needs will depend on our ongoing ability to generate and raise cash in the future. Although we believe that our future cash from operations, together with our access to capital markets, will provide adequate resources to fund our operating and financing needs, our access to, and the availability of, financing on acceptable terms in the future will be affected by many factors, including: (i) our credit rating, (ii) the liquidity of the overall capital markets and (iii) the current state of the economy. Moreover, to preserve the tax-free treatment of the separation, we may not be able to engage in certain strategic or capital-raising transactions following the separation, such as issuing equity securities beyond certain thresholds, which may limit our access to capital markets, ability to raise capital through equity issuances, and ability to make acquisitions using our equity as currency, potentially requiring us to issue more debt than would otherwise be optimal. There can be no assurances that we will continue to have access to capital markets on terms acceptable to us. See "Risk Factors" for a further discussion.
Cash and short- and long-term marketable securities totaled $341 and $309 million as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Cash and short- and long-term marketable securities include balances associated with regulatory requirements in our business. Our investment portfolio has been invested in a combination of high-quality debt securities and equity securities. We closely monitor the performance of the investments. From time to time, we review the statutory reserve requirements to which our regulated entities are subject and any changes to such requirements. These reviews may result in identifying current reserve levels above or below minimum statutory reserve requirements, in which case we may adjust our reserves. The reviews may also identify opportunities to satisfy certain regulatory reserve requirements through alternate financial vehicles.
Furthermore, there are third-party restrictions on the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to transfer funds to us. These restrictions are related to regulatory requirements. The payments of ordinary and extraordinary dividends by our home warranty and similar subsidiaries (through which we conduct our business) are subject to significant regulatory restrictions under the laws and regulations of the states in which they operate. Among other things, such laws and regulations require certain such subsidiaries to maintain minimum capital and net worth requirements and may limit the amount of ordinary and extraordinary dividends and other payments that these subsidiaries can pay to us. As of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the total net assets subject to these third-party restrictions was $160 and $169 million, respectively. We expect that such limitations will be in effect for the foreseeable future and in connection with the distribution minimum capital and net worth requirements may increase in certain jurisdictions. None of our subsidiaries are obligated to make funds available to us through the payment of dividends.
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Cash Flows For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017
|
Six
Months Ended June 30, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions)
|
2018 | 2017 | |||||
Net cash provided from (used for): |
|||||||
Operating activities |
$ | 122 | $ | 112 | |||
Investing activities |
(16 | ) | (13 | ) | |||
Financing activities |
(74 | ) | (41 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Cash increase during the period |
$ | 32 | $ | 58 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Operating Activities
Net cash provided from operating activities increased by $10 million to $122 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $112 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017.
Net cash provided from operating activities during the six months ended June 30, 2018 comprised $92 million in earnings adjusted for non-cash charges and a $41 million decrease in cash required for working capital, offset, in part, by $11 million for cash payments related to restructuring and spin-off charges. The decrease in cash required for working capital was driven by growth in our underlying business as we have historically operated in a negative working capital position.
Net cash provided from operating activities during the six months ended June 30, 2017 comprised $75 million in earnings adjusted for non-cash charges, $1 million for cash payments related to restructuring charges and a $37 million decrease in cash required for working capital. The decrease in cash required for working capital was driven by growth in our underlying business as we have historically operated in a negative working capital position.
Investing Activities
Net cash used for investing activities was $16 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $13 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017.
Capital expenditures increased to $17 million during the six months ended June 30, 2018 from $6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and included the headquarters relocation, information technology costs related to the separation and recurring capital needs and information technology projects. We expect incremental capital expenditures will be required to effect the spin-off in 2018 and will range from $20 million to $30 million in the aggregate, principally reflecting costs to replicate information technology systems historically shared with ServiceMaster. We have no additional material capital commitments at this time.
Cash flows used for purchases of marketable securities during the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 totaled $10 million and $22 million, respectively. Cash flows from sales and maturities of marketable securities for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 totaled $10 million and $16 million, respectively and were driven by the normal maturity of debt securities.
Financing Activities
Net cash used for financing activities was $74 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $41 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. Net transfers to Parent included in financing activities were $67 million and $41 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
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Cash Flows For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
Cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, as reflected in the accompanying combined statements of cash flows, are summarized in the following table.
|
Year Ended
December 31, |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions)
|
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
Net cash provided from (used for): |
||||||||||
Operating activities |
$ | 194 | $ | 155 | $ | 135 | ||||
Investing activities |
(11 | ) | (55 | ) | 19 | |||||
Financing activities |
(68 | ) | (88 | ) | (100 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Cash increase during the period |
$ | 114 | $ | 12 | $ | 54 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Operating Activities
Net cash provided from operating activities increased by $39 million to $194 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $155 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Net cash provided from operating activities in 2017 comprised $162 million in earnings adjusted for non-cash charges and a $31 million decrease in cash required for working capital. The decrease in cash required for working capital was driven by growth in our underlying business as we have historically operated in a negative working capital position.
Net cash provided from operating activities in 2016 comprised $142 million in earnings adjusted for non-cash charges and a $13 million decrease in cash required for working capital. The decrease in cash required for working capital was driven by growth in our underlying business as we have historically operated in a negative working capital position.
Investing Activities
Net cash used for investing activities was $11 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $55 million used by investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Capital expenditures increased to $15 million in 2017 from $11 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 and included the headquarters relocation and recurring capital needs and information technology projects.
There were no cash payments for acquisitions in 2017, compared with $87 million in 2016. On June 27, 2016, we acquired OneGuard for $61 million, consisting of net cash consideration of $52 million and deferred payments of $9 million. On November 30, 2016, we acquired Landmark for $39 million, consisting of net cash consideration of $35 million and deferred payments of $5 million. We expect to continue to periodically evaluate strategic acquisitions.
Cash flows provided from purchases, sales and maturities of securities, net, in 2017 and 2016 were $3 million and $43 million, respectively, and were driven by the maturity and sale of marketable securities.
Financing Activities
Net cash used for financing activities was $68 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $88 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Net transfers to Parent included in financing activities were $63 million and $87 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
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Contractual Obligations
The following table presents our contractual obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2017.
(In millions)
|
Total |
Less than
1 Yr |
1 - 3 Yrs | 3 - 5 Yrs |
More than
5 Yrs |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Principal repayments* |
$ | 9 | $ | 9 | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||
Estimated interest payments(1) |
| | | | | |||||||||||
Non-cancelable operating leases(2) |
34 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 16 | |||||||||||
Purchase obligations |
10 | 10 | | | | |||||||||||
Home service plan claims* |
57 | 57 | | | | |||||||||||
Other |
4 | 2 | | | 1 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total amount |
$ | 114 | $ | 83 | $ | 7 | $ | 7 | $ | 17 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Due to the uncertainty with respect to the timing of future cash flows associated with unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2017, we are unable to reasonably estimate the period of cash settlement with the respective taxing authority. Accordingly, $4 million of unrecognized tax benefits have been excluded from the contractual obligations table above. See the discussion of income taxes in Note 5 to the annual combined financial statements.
Financial Position
The following discussion describes changes in our financial position from December 31, 2017 to June 30, 2018.
Receivables and deferred revenue decreased from year end 2017 levels, as a result of the adoption of ASC 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." Contracts with customers are generally for a period of one year or less, and are generally renewable. Prior to the adoption of ASC 606 we recorded a receivable and deferred revenue for the entire home service plan contract at the commencement date. Upon adoption of ASC 606 we record the receivable related to revenue recognized once we have an unconditional right to invoice and receive payment in the future related to the services provided.
Property and equipment increased from prior year levels, reflecting purchases for the relocation of our corporate headquarters, information technology costs related to the separation and recurring capital needs and information technology projects.
Deferred tax liabilities increased from prior year levels, primarily due to property and equipment, prepaid expense, and accrued liabilities.
Home service plan liabilities increased $28 million due to an increase in contract claims costs.
The following discussion describes changes in our financial position from December 31, 2016 to December 31, 2017.
Receivables increased from prior year levels, primarily related to customer growth.
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Property and equipment increased from prior year levels, reflecting purchases for the relocation of our corporate headquarters, recurring capital needs and information technology projects and the acquisitions of OneGuard and Landmark, offset, in part, by depreciation expense.
Goodwill increased from prior year levels due to the finalization of the Landmark acquisition purchase price allocation. See Notes 4 and 6 to the annual combined financial statements for more details.
Deferred revenue increased from prior year levels, primarily reflecting customer growth.
Deferred tax liabilities decreased from prior year levels, primarily due to the remeasurement of deferred taxes based on the new 2018 federal tax rate set forth by the Act, primarily related to intangible assets. See Note 5 to the combined financial statements for more details.
Long-term debt decreased due to repayments on the seller financed debt related to the acquisitions of OneGuard and Landmark.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of June 30, 2018, we did not have any significant off-balance sheet arrangements.
We do not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. Accordingly, we are not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of the combined financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions required under GAAP, which may differ from actual results. The following are our most critical accounting policies, which are those that require management's most difficult, subjective and complex judgments, requiring the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods. The following discussion is not intended to represent a comprehensive list of our accounting policies. For a detailed description of the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 3 to the "Notes to Combined Financial Statements" for more details.
Home Service Plan Claims Accruals
Home service plan contracts are typically one year in duration. We recognize revenue at the agreed upon contractual amount over time using the input method in proportion to the costs expected to be incurred in performing services under the contracts. Those costs bear a direct relationship to the fulfillment of our obligations under the contracts and are representative of the relative value provided to the customer (proportional performance method). Home service plan claims costs are expensed as incurred. Accruals for home service plan claims are made based on our claims experience and actuarial projections. Reserves are established based on estimates of the ultimate cost to settle claims. Home service plan claims take about three months to settle, on average, and substantially all claims are settled within six months of incurrence. The amount of time required to settle a claim can vary based on a number of factors, including whether a replacement is ultimately required. Our actuary performs a reserve analysis utilizing generally accepted actuarial methods that incorporate cumulative historical claims experience and information provided by us. We regularly review our estimates of claims costs and adjust the estimates when appropriate. We believe the use of actuarial methods to account for these liabilities provides a consistent and effective way to measure these highly judgmental accruals. However, the use of any estimation technique in this area is inherently sensitive given the magnitude of
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claims involved. We believe our recorded obligations for these expenses are consistently measured. Nevertheless, changes in claims costs can materially affect the estimates for these liabilities.
Corporate Expense Allocation
The combined financial statements include transactions with ServiceMaster for services (such as executive functions, information systems, accounting and finance, human resources, and legal and general corporate expenses) that are provided to us by the centralized ServiceMaster organization. Corporate level items also include personnel related expenses of corporate employees (such as salaries, insurance coverage, stock-based compensation costs, etc.). Throughout the period covered by the financial statements, the costs of such functions, services and items have been directly charged or allocated to us using methods management believes are reasonable. The methods for allocating functions, services, and items to us are based on proportional allocation bases which include revenue, headcount and others. All such costs have been deemed to have been incurred and settled through net parent investment in the period where the costs were recorded.
Income Taxes
For purposes of these combined financial statements, our taxes are provided for on a "separate return" basis, although our operations have historically been included in the tax returns filed by ServiceMaster. Income taxes as presented herein allocate current and deferred income taxes of the business to us in a manner that is systematic, rational, and consistent with the asset and liability method prescribed by ASC 740. Accordingly, as stated in paragraph 30 of ASC 740, the sum of the amounts allocated to the carve-out tax provisions may not equal the historical consolidated provision for us. Under the separate return method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in operations in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established when management determines that it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The financial effect of changes in tax laws or rates is accounted for in the period of enactment. The settlement of tax obligations is assumed in the period incurred and included in net parent investment.
We record a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in tax returns. We recognize potential interest and penalties related to its uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
In accordance with applicable accounting standards, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized and are subject to assessment for impairment by applying a fair-value based test on an annual basis or more frequently if circumstances indicate a potential impairment. An assessment for impairment is performed on October 1 every year. There were no goodwill or trade name impairment changes recorded during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 or 2015.
Contingent Liabilities
In the ordinary course of conducting our business activities, we and our subsidiaries become involved in judicial, administrative and regulatory proceedings involving both private parties and governmental authorities. These proceedings include insured and uninsured matters that are brought on an individual, collective, representative and class action basis, and other proceedings involving
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regulatory, employment, general and commercial liability automobile liability, wage and hour and other matters. We do not expect any of these proceedings to have a material effect on its reputation, business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows; however, we can give no assurance that the results of any such proceedings will not materially affect our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Newly Issued Accounting Standards
New accounting rules and disclosure requirements can significantly impact our reported results and the comparability of our financial statements. See Note 3 to the unaudited condensed combined financial statements for further information on newly issued accounting standards.
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Executive Officers Following the Distribution
The following table sets forth the individuals who are expected to serve as our executive officers following the completion of the distribution.
Name
|
Age | Position | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rexford J. Tibbens | 49 | President and Chief Executive Officer | |||
Brian K. Turcotte | 60 | Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |||
Jeffrey A. Fiarman | 50 | Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
Set forth below is biographical information as well as background information relating to each executive officer's business experience and qualifications.
Rexford J. Tibbens
Mr. Tibbens has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Frontdoor since May 2018. From April 2015 until February 2018, he was chief operating officer of Lyft, an on-demand transportation company based in San Francisco, California. While at Lyft, Mr. Tibbens worked to expand the service to every state and launched crucial strategic initiatives, including Lyft's Nashville support center and Express Drive, a program that allowed potential Lyft drivers to rent vehicles so they could provide service in select cities. From August 2011 until March 2015, Mr. Tibbens served as a vice president at Amazon, where he led the technical and product development of Prime Now, Amazon's one-hour delivery service. Before Amazon, he spent 12 years at Dell Inc., serving in a variety of operations and logistics roles, including executive director of Global Services.
Brian K. Turcotte
Mr. Turcotte has been promoted to the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Frontdoor effective July 2018. Mr. Turcotte joined ServiceMaster in March 2013 and has served in a variety of leadership roles, most recently serving as Treasurer and Vice President of Investor Relations. He previously served as Vice President of finance for American Home Shield and Franchise Services Group, and Vice President of finance for the consolidated marketing group. Prior to joining ServiceMaster, Mr. Turcotte spent six years at Office Depot, where he served as vice president, finance and investor relations, leading the shareholder communications effort, as well as having financial reporting responsibility for the company's operations in Asia and Latin America. His career also includes time with Xylem Global Partners, a New York-based asset management firm, where he was vice president and equity analyst. Prior to that, he spent more than 25 years with International Paper holding a variety of leadership positions in investor relations, sales and marketing, global product development, and other functions at locations across the U.S.
Jeffrey A. Fiarman
Mr. Fiarman has accepted an offer of employment as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Frontdoor and is expected to join Frontdoor on August 27, 2018. Prior to joining Frontdoor, Mr. Fiarman served from July 2017 to August 2018 as general counsel for Wedgewood Pharmacy, the leading provider in the United States of customized medications for the veterinary market. Prior to joining Wedgewood Pharmacy, from September 2014 to July 2017, he advised startup companies and new business ventures, and pursued an entrepreneurial venture focused on consumer technology. From May 2013 until September 2014, Mr. Fiarman served as executive vice president, general counsel and secretary of NASDAQ-traded IDEXX Laboratories, a leader in pet healthcare innovation and the world's leading animal diagnostics healthcare provider. While at IDEXX, he oversaw the company's global legal, compliance, business development, regulatory and quality
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assurance functions. Prior to IDEXX, from June 2000 until April 2013, Mr. Fiarman served in several leadership roles with NYSE-listed Weight Watchers International, or WWI, the world's leading provider of weight management services, including seven years as executive vice president, general counsel and secretary of WWI where he provided oversight for a broad range of legal, regulatory, intellectual property and risk management functions. While at WWI, Mr. Fiarman also served as the first general counsel and a founding member of the WeightWatchers.com management team, the global cloud-based leader in consumer weight management services and products. Mr. Fiarman began his career as an attorney with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in Washington, D.C., specializing in corporate and tax law.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Board Structure and Directors Following the Distribution
The below table sets forth information as of August 1, 2018, regarding those individuals who are expected to serve on our board of directors following the completion of the distribution. All of the nominees will be presented to ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. as our Company's sole stockholder for election prior to the separation. We expect that, at the time of the distribution, the chair of the board of directors will be a different person than our chief executive officer and, to the extent the chair is not an "independent" director, that the board of directors will have a lead director empowered with robust authority and duties to facilitate the board's exercise of independent oversight.
Following the completion of the distribution, we expect our board of directors to be composed of a majority of independent directors. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides for a classified board of directors, with members of each class serving staggered three-year terms. We currently have two directors in Class I, two directors in Class II and two directors in Class III. Any additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of one-third of the directors. The terms of directors in Classes I, II and III end at the annual meetings in 2019, 2020 and 2021, as indicated below.
Director
|
Class | |
---|---|---|
Peter L. Cella | Class IExpiring 2019 Annual Meeting | |
Liane J. Pelletier |
|
Class IExpiring 2019 Annual Meeting |
Richard P. Fox |
|
Class IIExpiring 2020 Annual Meeting |
Rexford J. Tibbens |
|
Class IIExpiring 2020 Annual Meeting |
Anna C. Catalano |
|
Class IIIExpiring 2021 Annual Meeting |
William C. Cobb |
|
Class IIIExpiring 2021 Annual Meeting |
Following the completion of the distribution, at the first annual meeting of stockholders, the successors of Class I directors will be elected to serve for a term of three years each. Commencing with the second annual meeting of stockholders following the separation, directors for each class will be elected at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the year in which the term for that class expires and thereafter each director will serve for a term of one year and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Consequently, by 2022, all of our directors will stand for election each year for one-year terms, and our board will therefore no longer be divided into three classes. At any meeting of stockholders for the election of directors at which a quorum is present, the election will be determined by a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote in the election, with directors not receiving a majority of the votes cast required to tender their resignations for consideration by the board of directors, except that in the case of a contested election, the election will be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote in the election.
The number of members on our board of directors may be fixed by resolution adopted from time to time by the board of directors. Any vacancies or newly created directorships may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. Each director shall hold office until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.
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Set forth below is biographical information as well as background information relating to each director's business experience, qualifications, attributes and skills and why we believe each individual is a valuable member of the board of directors.
Class IDirectors Whose Term Expires in 2019
Name
|
Age | Principal Occupation and Other Information | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Peter L. Cella |
60 | Mr. Cella is expected to serve on our board of directors as the Chairman of the Board following the completion of the distribution. He previously served as one of the directors of ServiceMaster since February 2017. He has been a private investor since August 2017. From 2011 to August 2017, Mr. Cella served as president and chief executive officer of Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC, a global petrochemical company. Previously, he served in various executive positions at BASF Corp., INEOS Nitriles, Innovene, LLC and BP p.l.c. Mr. Cella serves on the board of directors of Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil company of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a global petroleum and chemical enterprise; and Inter Pipeline Ltd., a petroleum transportation, natural gas liquids processing and bulk liquid storage business. Mr. Cella's experience in executive leadership and running varied businesses, history of building strong leadership teams, experience on other company boards and knowledge of environmental and safety practices qualify him to serve on our board of directors. | ||
Liane J. Pelletier |
60 |
Ms. Pelletier is expected to serve on our board of directors following the completion of the distribution. Since 2011, Ms. Pelletier has served as an independent director and been a private investor and board advisor. From 2003 through 2011, Ms. Pelletier was the Chairwoman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Alaska Communications Systems, an Alaska-based telecommunications and information technology services provider. Prior to this, Ms. Pelletier held a number of executive positions at Sprint Corporation, a telecommunications company. Ms. Pelletier currently serves on the board of directors of Expeditors International of Washington, Inc., a global logistics company, and ATN International, Inc., a holding company with investments in telecommunication companies and renewable energy companies. From 2011 through 2015 she served on the board of directors of Washington Federal, Inc., a bank holding company. In 2017, she earned a professional certificate in cyber security from Carnegie Mellon's Software Engineering Institute. Ms. Pelletier's experience in executive and boardroom leadership, particularly in highly regulated industries, and expertise in cyber security oversight, business model transformation and shareholder engagement qualify her to serve on our board of directors. |
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Class IIDirectors Whose Term Expires in 2020
Name
|
Age | Principal Occupation and Other Information | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Richard P. Fox |
70 | Mr. Fox is expected to serve on our board of directors following the completion of the distribution. He previously served as one of the directors of ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. since March 2014. Since 2001, Mr. Fox has been an independent consultant. From 2000 to 2001, he was president and chief operating officer of CyberSafe Corporation, a global security software provider. Mr. Fox spent 28 years at Ernst & Young LLP, a global accounting firm, last serving as managing partner at the firm's Seattle office. He currently serves on the board of directors of Acxiom Corporation, a marketing technology and services company; Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, a vertically integrated electrical utility serving the State of Arizona; and Univar Inc., an international chemical distributor. Previously, he served on the boards of Pendrell Corporation, an intellectual property investment and advisory firm until 2014; Flow International Corporation, a machine tool manufacturer until 2014; Orbitz Worldwide, Inc. until 2011; and PopCap Games until it was acquired by Electronic Arts Inc. in 2011. He is a certified public accountant in the State of Washington. As a result of his extensive accounting and financial management experience, Mr. Fox has a deep understanding of financial reporting processes, internal accounting and financial controls, independent auditor engagements and other audit committee and board functions. Mr. Fox's financial, accounting and management expertise, along with his experience on other public company boards, qualify him to serve on our board of directors. | ||
Rexford J. Tibbens |
49 |
Mr. Tibbens is expected to serve on our board of directors following the completion of the distribution. Mr. Tibbens has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer for the American Home Shield business since May 2018. He was previously the chief operating officer of Lyft, an on-demand transportation company based in San Francisco, California. While at Lyft, Mr. Tibbens worked to expand the service to every state and launched crucial strategic initiatives, including Lyft's Nashville support center and Express Drive, a program that allowed potential Lyft drivers to rent vehicles so they could provide service in select cities. Prior to that, Mr. Tibbens served as a vice president at Amazon, where he led the technical and product development of Prime Now, Amazon's one-hour delivery service. Before Amazon, he spent twelve years at Dell, serving in a variety of operations and logistics roles, including executive director of Global Services. Mr. Tibbens' versatile experience in executive leadership, including a history of building strong cultures, repeated success in innovating and growing businesses and proven track record of delivering stockholder value, qualifies him to serve on our board of directors. |
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Class IIIDirectors Whose Term Expires in 2021
Name
|
Age | Principal Occupation and Other Information | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Anna C. Catalano |
58 | Ms. Catalano is expected to serve on our board of directors following the completion of the distribution. From 1979 until her retirement in 2003, Ms. Catalano served in various leadership roles at BP p.l.c., and its predecessor Amoco Corporation. Most recently, from 2000 to 2003, she served as Group Vice President, Global Marketing, for BP p.l.c. She has significant international business experience, having served as President of Amoco Orient Oil Company, including two years during which she lived in Beijing. Ms. Catalano has served on the boards of directors of Kraton Corporation since 2011. Willis Towers Watson p.l.c. since 2016 (having previously served on the board of directors of Willis Group from 2006 until the merger of Willis Group and Towers Watson & Co.) and HollyFrontier Corporation since November 2017. Ms. Catalano's senior leadership experience and extensive knowledge in marketing and communications, combined with her broad public company board experience and expertise in corporate governance, executive compensation and board function, qualify her to serve on our board of directors. | ||
William C. Cobb |
61 |
Mr. Cobb is expected to serve on our board of directors following the completion of the distribution. He previously served as one of the directors of ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. since April 2018. From May 2011 through July 2017, Mr. Cobb served as President and Chief Executive Officer of H&R Block, Inc. Prior to that, Mr. Cobb served in various leadership roles at eBay, Inc. from November 2000 to March 2008, including as President of eBay Marketplaces North America for four years and other senior management positions, including Senior Vice President and General Manager of eBay International and Senior Vice President of Global Marketing. Prior to joining eBay, Inc., he held various marketing and executive positions, including Chief Marketing Officer for International, at YUM! Brands (formerly Pepsico/Tricon) where he worked from 1987 until 2000. Mr. Cobb's wide array of executive leadership roles, wealth of knowledge in technology and online-focused businesses, experience at a newly spun-off company and history of service on public company boards qualify him to serve on our board of directors. |
Director Independence
A majority of our board of directors will be composed of directors who are "independent" as defined by the rules of the NASDAQ and the Corporate Governance Guidelines to be adopted by our board of directors. We will seek to have all of our nonmanagement directors qualify as "independent" under these standards. Our board of directors is expected to establish categorical standards to assist it in making its determination of director independence. We expect these standards will provide that no director qualifies as "independent" unless the board of directors affirmatively determines that the director has no material relationship with our Company or our subsidiaries (either directly or as a
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partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with our Company or any of our subsidiaries). In making this determination, our board of directors will consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including adopting standards that the following categories of relationships between a director and our Company are not material:
Our board of directors will assess on a regular basis, and at least annually, the independence of directors and, based on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, will make a determination as to which members are independent. References to "Frontdoor" or the "Company" above include any subsidiary in a consolidated group with Frontdoor. The terms "immediate family member" and "executive officer" above are expected to have the same meanings specified for such terms in the NASDAQ listing standards.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Effective upon the completion of the distribution, our board of directors will have the following standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Audit Committee. Following the completion of the distribution, our Audit Committee will be responsible, among its other duties and responsibilities, for overseeing our accounting and financial reporting processes, the audits of our financial statements, the qualifications and independence of our independent registered public accounting firm, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and the performance of our internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm. Our Audit Committee will review and assess the qualitative aspects of our financial reporting, our processes to manage business and financial risks, and our compliance with significant applicable legal, ethical and regulatory requirements. Our Audit Committee will be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of our independent registered public accounting firm. Following the completion of the distribution, the charter of our Audit Committee will be available without charge on our website at [ ].
Following the completion of the distribution, the members of the Audit Committee are expected to be Richard P. Fox (Chairman), William C. Cobb and Liane J. Pelletier. Our board of directors is expected to designate Richard P. Fox, William C. Cobb and Liane J. Pelletier as "audit committee financial experts" and to determine that each member is "financially literate" under the NASDAQ rules. Our board of directors is also expected to determine that each member of the Audit Committee is "independent" as defined under the NASDAQ rules and Exchange Act rules and regulations. The charter of our Audit Committee states that no director may serve on the Audit Committee if such director simultaneously serves on the audit committee of more than three public companies (including the Company), unless the board of directors determines that such simultaneous service would not impair the ability of such director to effectively serve on the Audit Committee.
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Compensation Committee. Following the completion of the distribution, our Compensation Committee will be responsible, among its other duties and responsibilities, for reviewing and approving all forms of compensation to be provided to, and employment agreements with, the executive officers and directors of our Company and its subsidiaries (including the CEO), establishing the general compensation policies of our Company and its subsidiaries and reviewing, approving and overseeing the administration of the employee benefits plans of our Company and its subsidiaries. Our Compensation Committee will also periodically review management development and succession plans. The charter of our Compensation Committee will be available without charge on our website at [ ].
Following the completion of the distribution, the members of the Compensation Committee are expected to be William C. Cobb (Chairman), Anna C. Catalano and Peter L. Cella. Our board of directors is expected to determine that each member of the Compensation Committee is "independent" as defined under the NASDAQ listing standards. The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain compensation consultants, outside counsel and other advisers.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Following the completion of the distribution, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will be responsible, among its other duties and responsibilities, for identifying and recommending candidates to the board of directors for election to our board of directors, reviewing the composition of the board of directors and its committees, developing and recommending to the board of directors corporate governance guidelines that are applicable to us and overseeing board of directors evaluations. The charter of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will be available without charge on our website at [ ].
Following the completion of the distribution, the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are expected to be Peter L. Cella (Chairman), Anna C. Catalano and Liane J. Pelletier. Our board of directors is expected to determine that each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is "independent" as defined under the NASDAQ listing standards.
Our board of directors is expected to adopt a written charter for each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. These charters will be posted on our investor relations website in connection with the distribution.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Our Compensation Committee will be established in 2018 in connection with the proposed distribution. During our fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, we were not an independent company, and did not have a compensation committee or any other committee serving a similar function. Decisions as to the compensation of those who currently serve as our executive officers were made by ServiceMaster, as described in the section of this information statement captioned "Executive Compensation." During 2017, no member of the Compensation Committee was at any time an officer or employee of ServiceMaster or any of our subsidiaries nor was any such person a former officer of ServiceMaster or any one of our subsidiaries. During 2017, there were no related party or conflicts of interest transactions between the Company and any of our Compensation Committee members that require disclosure under SEC rules.
Corporate Governance
Board Leadership Structure
Following the completion of the distribution, our board of directors will be led by our Chairman, Peter L. Cella. As stated in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the board has no policy with respect to the separation of the offices of Chairman of the Board and CEO. The board believes it is important to retain its flexibility to allocate the responsibilities of the offices of the Chairman and CEO in any way that is in the best interests of the Company at a given point in time. The board believes this
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governance structure currently promotes a balance between the board's independent authority to oversee our business and the CEO and his management team who manage the business on a day-to-day basis. The board expects to periodically review its leadership structure to ensure that it continues to meet our needs.
Executive Sessions
Following the completion of the distribution, our board of directors will hold regular and special meetings throughout each calendar year. In conjunction with those meetings, executive sessions, which are meetings of the independent directors, will be regularly scheduled throughout the year. Our non-executive Chairman will preside over the executive sessions of the board. The committees of the board, as described more fully below, will also be expected to meet regularly in executive sessions.
Selection of Nominees for Election to the Board
All of our current directors and those who will be elected to the board prior to the distribution will have been elected by the ServiceMaster board. Following the completion of the distribution, our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will identify and select, or recommend that the board select, board candidates who the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes are qualified and suitable to become members of the board consistent with the criteria for selection of new directors adopted from time to time by the board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider the board's current composition, including expertise, diversity, and balance of inside, outside and independent directors, and considers the general qualifications of the potential nominees, such as: integrity and honesty; the ability to exercise sound, mature and independent business judgment in the best interests of the stockholders as a whole; a background and experience with healthcare, operations, finance or marketing or other fields that will complement the talents of the other board members; willingness and capability to take the time to actively participate in board and committee meetings and related activities; ability to work professionally and effectively with other board members and the Company's management; availability to remain on the board long enough to make an effective contribution; satisfaction of applicable independence standards; and absence of material relationships with competitors or other third parties that could present realistic possibilities of conflict of interest or legal issues.
In identifying candidates for election to the board of directors, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by directors, stockholders and other sources. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will review each candidate's qualifications, including whether a candidate possesses any of the specific qualities and skills desirable in certain members of the board of directors. Evaluations of candidates generally involve a review of background materials, internal discussions and interviews with selected candidates as appropriate. Upon selection of a qualified candidate, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will recommend the candidate for consideration by the full board of directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may engage consultants or third-party search firms to assist in identifying and evaluating potential nominees.
Following the completion of the distribution, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider director candidates proposed by stockholders on the same basis as recommendations from other sources. Following the completion of the distribution, any stockholder who wishes to recommend a prospective candidate for the board of directors for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may do so by submitting the name and qualifications of the prospective candidate in writing to the following address: c/o Secretary, frontdoor, inc., 150 Peabody Place, Memphis TN 38103. Any such submission should also describe the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that make the prospective candidate a suitable nominee
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for the board of directors. Our bylaws set forth the requirements for direct nomination by a stockholder of persons for election to the board of directors.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
Our board of directors is expected to adopt Corporate Governance Guidelines to address significant corporate governance issues. Following the completion of the distribution, a copy of these guidelines will be available on our website at [ ]. These guidelines provide a framework for our corporate governance initiatives and cover topics including, but not limited to, director qualification and responsibilities, board composition, director compensation and management and succession planning. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing and reviewing the guidelines and reporting and recommending to our board of directors any changes to the guidelines.
Stockholder Engagement
We expect all of our directors to attend our annual meetings of stockholders and be available to answer questions from stockholders at the meetings. Between meetings, we expect Rexford J. Tibbens, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and/or Brian K. Turcotte, our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, to engage with stockholders on a regular basis at industry and financial conferences, road shows, and one-on-one meetings. We will also make Peter L. Cella, our non-executive Chairman, available to meet with stockholders on matters that we believe are better addressed by an independent director.
Communicating with the Board of Directors
Following the completion of the distribution, any stockholder or interested party who wishes to communicate with our board of directors as a whole, the independent directors, or any individual member of the board or any committee of the board may write to or email the Company at: [ ] or Board_of_Directors@[ ].com.
Our board of directors has designated the Company's Assistant Secretary as its agent to receive and review written communications addressed to the board, any of its committees, or any board member or group of members. The Assistant Secretary may communicate with the sender for any clarification. In addition, the Assistant Secretary will promptly forward to the chair of the Audit Committee and the Company's General Counsel any communication alleging legal, ethical or compliance issues by management or any other matter deemed by the Assistant Secretary to be potentially material to the Company. As an initial matter, the Assistant Secretary will determine whether the communication is a proper communication for the board. The Assistant Secretary will not forward to the board, any committee or any director communications of a personal nature or not related to the duties and responsibilities of the board, including, without limitation, junk mail and mass mailings, business solicitations, routine customer service complaints, new product or service suggestions, opinion survey polls or any other communications deemed by the Assistant Secretary to be immaterial to the Company.
Separately, our board of directors has established a whistleblower policy for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by associates of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
Director Qualification Standards
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee charter will set forth certain criteria for the committee to consider in evaluating potential director nominees. In addition to evaluating a potential director's independence, the committee will consider whether director candidates have
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relevant experience in business and industry, government, education and other areas, and will monitor the mix of skills and experience of directors in order to assure that our board of directors will have the necessary breadth and depth to perform its oversight function effectively. The committee may reevaluate the relevant criteria for board membership from time to time in response to changing business factors or regulatory requirements. Our full board of directors will be responsible for selecting candidates for election as directors based on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Risk Oversight
Our board of directors as a whole will have responsibility for overseeing our risk management. The board of directors will exercise this oversight responsibility directly and through its committees. The oversight responsibility of the board of directors and its committees will be informed by reports from our management team and from our internal audit department that are designed to provide visibility to the board of directors about the identification and assessment of key risks and our risk mitigation strategies. The full board of directors will have primary responsibility for evaluating strategic and operational risk management, and succession planning. Following the completion of the distribution, our Audit Committee will have the responsibility for overseeing our major financial and accounting risk exposures and the steps our management has taken to monitor and control these exposures, including policies and procedures for assessing and managing risk, including oversight on compliance related to legal and regulatory exposure, and meets regularly with our chief legal and compliance officers. Following the completion of the distribution, our Compensation Committee will evaluate risks arising from our compensation policies and practices, as more fully described below. The Audit Committee and Compensation Committee will provide reports to the full board of directors regarding these and other matters.
Code of Conduct and Financial Code of Ethics
Our board of directors is expected to adopt a Financial Code of Ethics that applies to the CEO, CFO and Controller, or persons performing similar functions, and other designated officers and associates, including the primary financial officer of each of our business units and the Treasurer. Our board of directors is also expected to adopt a Code of Conduct that applies to all of our directors, officers and associates. The Financial Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct will each address matters such as conflicts of interest, confidentiality, fair dealing and compliance with laws and regulations. Following the completion of the distribution, the Financial Code of Ethics and the Code of Conduct will be available without charge on our website at [ ].
We will promptly disclose any substantive changes in or waiver of, together with reasons for any waiver of, either of these codes granted to our executive officers, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and controller, or persons performing similar functions, and our directors, by posting such information on our website at [ ] .
Stock Ownership Guidelines
Our board of directors is expected to adopt stock ownership guidelines for members of the board of directors and for executive officers of the Company. The board believes that setting these ownership guidelines will enhance directors' and executive officers' alignment with other stockholders. The Frontdoor Compensation Committee will review director and executive officer stock ownership levels on an annual basis.
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Board of Directors
Following the completion of the distribution, members of the board of directors are expected to hold stock valued at five times the annual cash retainer. Directors will have a period of five years from the distribution or their appointment to the board, whichever is later, to meet the ownership guidelines.
Executive Officers
Following the completion of the distribution the guidelines for executive officers are based on a multiple of annual base salary with the CEO expected to own stock valued at six times his annual salary and other executive officers expected to own stock valued at three times their respective annual salaries. Until an executive officer meets these stock ownership guidelines, each executive officer is required to retain 50 percent of the shares obtained, net of the strike price and taxes, upon the exercise of stock options and upon the vesting of other equity awards that are granted after the spin-off. Shares included in the ownership guideline calculation include shares owned by the executive, unvested RSUs and 25 percent of the in-the-money value of vested options.
Certain Securities Transactions
Short Selling
Our board of directors is expected to adopt a policy that prohibits our directors and executive officers from short sales and transactions in puts and calls of our securities. Short sales of our securities evidence an expectation on the part of the seller that such securities will decline in value and signal to the market an absence of confidence in our short-term prospects. Short sales may also reduce the seller's incentive to improve our performance.
Pledges and Hedges
In addition, the policy to be adopted will strongly discourage any of our directors and executive officers from engaging in hedging transactions in our securities. Certain forms of hedging or monetization transactions (such as zero-cost collars and forward sale contracts) allow a person to lock in much of the value of his or her stock holdings, often in exchange for all or part of the potential appreciation in the stock. These transactions allow the person to continue to own the stock, but without the full risks and rewards of ownership. When that occurs, the person may no longer have the same objectives as our other stockholders.
Procedures for Treatment of Complaints Regarding Accounting, Internal Accounting Controls, and Auditing Matters
In accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we expect that the Frontdoor Audit Committee will adopt procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting controls or auditing matters and to allow for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees and others of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
As discussed above, we are currently part of ServiceMaster and not an independent company, and our Compensation Committee has not yet been formed. This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the historical compensation practices of ServiceMaster and outlines certain aspects of our anticipated compensation structure for its executive officers following separation. The compensation policies and practices discussed in this document remain subject to review and approval by the Frontdoor Compensation Committee.
This section describes the material elements of ServiceMaster's 2017 executive compensation program and the principles underlying our expected executive compensation policies and decisions. Our executive officers, who will serve in the capacity as principal executive officer (CEO) or principal financial officer (CFO) and our other most highly compensated executive officer (other than the CEO and CFO), collectively referred to as our Named Executive Officers, or "NEOs" are listed below.
Management Structure
Rexford J. Tibbens was hired to serve as our President and CEO, effective May 15, 2018.
Brian K. Turcotte was promoted to the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective July 25, 2018.
Jeffrey A. Fiarman has accepted an offer of employment as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary and is expected to start employment on August 27, 2018.
Objectives of Our Compensation Program
Our compensation plans for executive officers (including the NEOs) are designed to:
Elements of Executive Compensation, including for NEOs
To meet these objectives, our executive compensation program consists of the following:
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The ServiceMaster Compensation Committee determined a target mix of compensation delivered through the three core elements of base salary, annual cash incentive and long-term incentive awards described above based on competitive market data and internal equity, ensuring that the total compensation is heavily weighted to performance-based elements. The target mix of compensation elements for Mr. Tibbens, the CEO, and an average mix for other NEOs are pictured below. We expect that the Frontdoor Compensation Committee will compensate executives in a similar manner following the separation.
Each of these elements, discussed in more detail below, plays an integral role in our balancing of executive rewards over short- and long-term periods and our ability to attract and retain key executives. We believe the design of our executive compensation program creates alignment between performance achieved and compensation awarded and motivates achievement of both annual goals and sustainable long-term performance.
Determination of Executive Compensation
Pay Decision Process
The role of our Compensation Committee is to assist our board of directors in the discharge of its responsibilities relating to our executive compensation program. The Frontdoor Compensation Committee will be responsible for establishing, administering and monitoring our policies governing the compensation for our executive officers, including determining base salaries and short-term and long-term incentive ("LTI") awards.
The Frontdoor Compensation Committee will determine the CEO's compensation and report and discuss the approved compensation with our board of directors. Historically, in determining the CEO's compensation, the ServiceMaster Compensation Committee has considered the following factors: (1) operating and financial performance, (2) the competitive market data provided by Semler Brossy Consulting Group, LLC ("Semler Brossy"), ServiceMaster's external compensation consultant, as
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presented to the ServiceMaster Compensation Committee by its Senior Vice President, Human Resources in collaboration with Semler Brossy, (3) the assessment by the ServiceMaster Compensation Committee of the CEO's individual performance with subsequent discussion with the full board of directors and (4) prevailing economic conditions. The ServiceMaster CEO has historically recommended to the ServiceMaster Compensation Committee compensation for the other executive officers based on his assessment of each executive officer's area of responsibility, individual and business unit performance, overall contribution, the competitive market data provided by Semler Brossy and prevailing economic conditions. We expect that the Frontdoor Compensation Committee and our CEO will follow the same approach after the distribution. The Frontdoor Compensation Committee will provide all functions described in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis as provided in its charter.
We believe that our executive compensation program must be attractive to compete in the market for executive talent and must support our growth strategy. As a result of this focus, we rely on competitive pay practices and individual and business performance in determining the compensation of our executives. In making these compensation determinations, we also consider historical individual compensation levels and historical company payout levels for annual cash incentives. The executive compensation program and underlying philosophy are reviewed at least annually to determine what, if any, modifications should be considered.
Compensation Risk Assessment
Following the completion of the distribution, the Compensation Committee will assess our compensation policies and practices to evaluate whether they create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. Prior to the distribution, the ServiceMaster Compensation Committee made this assessment and they concluded that ServiceMaster's compensation policies and practices do not create incentives to take risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us. Our compensation policies and practices are substantially similar to those of ServiceMaster's and we believe we have allocated our compensation among base salary, short-term incentives and long-term equity in such a way as to not encourage excessive risk taking.
Clawback Policy
The ServiceMaster board of directors approved and implemented a clawback policy in February 2016 that provides the ServiceMaster Compensation Committee with the discretion to claw back performance-based compensation in the event of a restatement of Company financial statements or misconduct. We expect that the Frontdoor Compensation Committee will adopt a similar clawback policy.
Peer Group
The peer group was determined through inputs from members of the ServiceMaster Board of Directors, the Frontdoor CEO and outside compensation consultants and reflects a group of companies with similar or adjacent business models and who source talent from the same labor pools as
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Frontdoor. In determining the peer group, the size and performance of the companies were taken into consideration, with revenues generally ranging from .3 to 2.5 times the revenue of Frontdoor.
ANGI Homeservices | Pandora Media, Inc. | |
Chemed Corporation | Redfin Corp. | |
Etsy, Inc. | Shutterfly, Inc. | |
FirstService Corporation | Weight Watchers International, Inc. | |
GrubHub, Inc. | Yelp Inc. | |
H&R Block, Inc. | Zillow Group, Inc. | |
HomeServe Plc. |
Base Salary
We expect the Frontdoor Compensation Committee to annually review the base salaries of Frontdoor executive officers. The Frontdoor Compensation Committee may take into account numerous factors when making its determination, including the NEO's experience relative to industry peers, competitive market data, time in his or her position, individual performance, future potential and leadership qualities.
The following table sets forth information regarding the base salaries for our NEOs.
Salary Table
Named Executive Officer
|
Base Salary
as of August 1, 2018 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Rexford J. Tibbens, President and Chief Executive Officer |
$ | 800,000 | ||
Brian K. Turcotte, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
$ | 430,000 | ||
Jeffrey A. Fiarman, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
$ | 430,000 |
Annual Bonus Plan
Similar to ServiceMaster, the Company is expected to administer the Annual Incentive Plan ("AIP"), an annual cash incentive program, which is designed to reward the achievement of specific pre-set financial results measured over one fiscal year (or, as applicable, a portion of a fiscal year). Each participant will be assigned an annual incentive target expressed as a percentage of base salary. For the NEOs, these targets range from 60% percent of base salary to 100% percent of base salary. The specific target bonus for each NEO is listed in the table below:
Named Executive Officer
|
Target Bonus
as of Percent of Salary |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Rexford J. Tibbens,(1) President and Chief Executive Officer |
100 | % | ||
Brian K. Turcotte, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
60 | % | ||
Jeffrey A. Fiarman,(2) Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
60 | % |
To encourage our executive officers to focus on short-term Company goals and financial performance, incentives under the AIP are expected to be based on our performance with respect to
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the following measures and an individual performance evaluation, as determined by the Frontdoor Compensation Committee:
Adjusted EBITDA and revenue are included in the financial statements in this information statement.
The performance measures above were selected as the most appropriate measures upon which to determine annual bonuses because they are the primary metrics that management believes build value in the Company. Additionally, these measures were selected to incentivize profitable growth and fund investments for future growth. All of the opportunity for payment under the AIP to our NEOs is based on these performance measures.
Performance targets are expected to be established by the Frontdoor Compensation Committee in the first quarter of each year and will be based on expected performance in accordance with our approved business plan for the year. In the event we achieve the performance targets, payout under the AIP would be 100 percent of a specified percentage of the executive's base salary. Performance below the target goal but equal to or above the threshold amount would result in below target payouts and performance above target goals would pay above target. The components and weightings of the performance measures will be reviewed and determined annually by the Frontdoor Compensation Committee to reflect Company strategy. The Frontdoor Compensation Committee may also consider an evaluation of the individual performance for each executive officer and may adjust the formulaic bonus calculation based on its evaluation. The performance goals and relative weightings reflect the Frontdoor Compensation Committee's objective of ensuring that a substantial amount of each NEO's total compensation is tied to applicable overall performance.
Long-Term Equity Incentive Plans
Our long-term equity incentive plan will be designed to retain key executives and to align the interests of our executives with the achievement of sustainable long-term growth and performance. For 2017, the ServiceMaster Compensation Committee approved LTI awards comprised of a mix of stock options and performance share units with equal grant date value (at a 50/50 mix) to provide a long-term incentive component to the pay mix of executive officers. The Frontdoor Compensation Committee is expected to approve any Frontdoor awards to be granted following separation.
Stock options awarded are nonqualified stock options with vesting in equal installments on the first four anniversaries of the grant date. The exercise price of the stock options was the fair market value of the Company's common stock as defined in the Omnibus Incentive Plan.
Omnibus Incentive Plan
In connection with the spin-off of Frontdoor, the ServiceMaster board of directors, as sole stockholder of Frontdoor, will adopt and approve the Omnibus Incentive Plan. Our directors, officers, associates and consultants are eligible to receive awards under the Omnibus Incentive Plan. Awards under the Omnibus Incentive Plan may be made in the form of stock options, which may be either incentive stock options or non-qualified stock options; stock purchase rights; restricted stock; RSUs; performance shares; PSUs; stock appreciation rights ("SARs"); dividend equivalents; deferred share units; and other stock-based awards.
We expect the Frontdoor Compensation Committee to periodically review the equity holdings of executive officers of the Company to ensure there are appropriate levels of ownership and incentive
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and retention value. The Frontdoor Compensation Committee will also review competitive market practice regarding the awarding of LTI awards and, following its assessment of our executives' stock holdings and future long-term incentive opportunity, the Frontdoor Compensation Committee is expected to approve a LTI strategy and subsequently approve awards for the NEOs following separation. After giving effect to the distribution, a total of [ ] shares of Frontdoor common stock will be available for issuance under the Omnibus Incentive Plan as of [ ]. This figure represents approximately [ ] percent of the shares of Frontdoor common stock that will be outstanding as of [ ]. Under the Omnibus Incentive Plan: (1) the maximum number of stock options, SARs or other awards based solely on the increase in the value of common stock that a participant may receive in any year is [ ]; (2) a participant may receive a maximum of [ ] performance shares, shares of performance-based restricted stock and performance-based RSUs in any year; (3) the maximum value of performance units granted to a participant during any year may not exceed $[ ]; and (4) the maximum number of shares that may be granted to a non-employee member of the board of directors of the Company during any year is [ ], but in no event will such shares have a grant date value of more than $[ ] for any one year.
We will continue to consider the award of long-term incentives under the Omnibus Incentive Plan on an ongoing basis to certain key associates, including our NEOs, in order to recognize outstanding performance, enhance retention, assumption of additional responsibilities or otherwise as the Frontdoor Compensation Committee may determine is in our best interest.
Retirement Benefits
Associates, including the NEOs, will be generally eligible to participate in the Frontdoor Profit Sharing and Retirement Plan, as it may be amended from time to time (the "PSRP"). The PSRP will be a tax qualified 401(k) defined contribution plan under which we may make discretionary matching contributions. Similar to ServiceMaster's approach, we expect to provide for a matching contribution in the PSRP where associates receive a dollar-for-dollar match on the first one percent of their contributions, and then a $0.50 per dollar match on the next two percent to six percent contributed.
Employee Benefits and Executive Perquisites
We expect to offer a variety of health and welfare programs to all eligible associates, including the NEOs. The NEOs will be eligible for the same health and welfare benefit programs on the same basis as the rest of our associates, including medical and dental care coverage, life insurance coverage and short and long-term disability.
We expect to limit the use of perquisites as a method of compensation and provide executive officers with only those perquisites that we believe are reasonable and consistent with our compensation goal of enabling us to attract and retain superior executives for key positions.
Post Termination Compensation
Severance Benefits for NEOs
Unless modified by separate agreement, and except as described below, upon a termination of employment for any reason, we have no obligation to pay any prospective amounts or provide any benefits to our NEOs. Our obligations will consist of those obligations accrued at the date of termination, including payment of earned salary, vacation, reimbursement of expenses and obligations that may otherwise be payable in the event of death or disability.
For the purpose of the following discussion, "cause" means a material breach by the executive of the duties and responsibilities of the executive (other than as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental illness) that is demonstrably willful and deliberate on the executive's part, committed in bad faith or without reasonable belief that such breach is in our best interests and not remedied in a
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reasonable period of time after receipt of written notice from us specifying such breach; or the commission by the executive of a felony or misdemeanor involving any act of fraud, embezzlement or dishonesty or any other intentional misconduct by the executive that materially and adversely affects our business affairs or reputation. In our CEO's agreement described below, the definition of "cause" also includes any failure by the executive to cooperate with any investigation or inquiry into the executive's business practices, whether internal or external, including, but not limited to, the executive's refusal to be deposed or to provide testimony at trial or inquiry.
Upon each executive's death or disability, we will pay to the executive (or his or her executors or legal representatives, to the extent applicable) the annual bonus earned for the fiscal year immediately preceding the date of termination to the extent not previously paid; plus if the date of termination is after June 30 of a fiscal year, a prorated bonus through his or her date of termination (determined based on the target bonus, in the event of retirement or death, or actual accomplishment, in the event of disability).
Severance Arrangements
We have not historically offered severance agreements or change in control agreements to executive officers; however, the Frontdoor Compensation Committee will periodically assess the need to offer these types of arrangements as part of maintaining competitive executive compensation packages. Similar to ServiceMaster's approach, we expect our NEOs to be covered under our standard severance practices and guidelines. An officer who reports directly to our CEO is eligible to receive severance if terminated without cause (as defined above). Under our practice for executive officers, in the event of such termination, an amount equal to one times base salary plus target bonus for the year of termination will be paid out, generally in monthly installments over a period of 12 months, and, if termination occurs after June 30 of a year, a prorated portion of the bonus earned under the AIP would be payable to the terminated executive at the same time as annual bonuses are paid to other executives for the applicable year, subject to execution of a general release and observing covenants not to compete, solicit, nor disclose confidential information. In the event of a change in control, the severance for executive officers other than the CEO will generally be two times the non-change in control severance amounts for base salary and target bonus.
Omnibus Incentive Plan
If an executive's employment is terminated by us for "cause" (as defined in the Omnibus Incentive Plan) all options (vested and unvested) and unvested RSUs will be immediately cancelled.
If an executive's employment is terminated by us without "cause" or if the executive voluntarily terminates his or her employment for any reason, all unvested options and RSUs immediately terminate. Upon such a termination, the executive may exercise vested options before the first to occur of (1) the three-month anniversary of the executive's termination of employment, (2) the expiration of the options' normal term, after which date such options are cancelled or (3) the cancellation of the options in the event of a change in control in exchange for a cash payment.
If an executive's employment terminates by reason of death or disability, all unvested options will vest, and all options will remain exercisable until the first to occur of (1) the one-year anniversary of the executive's date of termination, (2) the expiration of the options' normal term, after which date such options are cancelled or (3) the cancellation of the options in the event of a change in control in exchange for a cash payment. RSUs will vest as to the number of RSUs that would have vested on the next anniversary of the grant date (assuming the executive's employment had continued through such anniversary) multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed since (x) the grant date, if the termination due to death or disability occurs on or prior to the first anniversary of the grant date, or (y) the most recent prior anniversary of the grant date, if the
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termination due to death or disability occurs after the first anniversary of the grant date, and the denominator of which was 365.
Under the Omnibus Incentive Plan, upon a "change in control" (as defined in the Omnibus Incentive Plan), unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, no cancellation, acceleration of vesting or other payment shall occur with respect to any RSU in connection with a change in control occurring prior to the third anniversary of the grant date, if the administrator reasonably determines prior to the change in control that the executive shall receive an "alternative award" meeting the requirements of the plan; provided, however, that if within two years following a change in control, the executive's employment is involuntarily terminated (other than for cause) or the executive resigns with good reason (see the description under "Mr. Tibbens' Employment Agreement" section below), at a time when any portion of the alternative award is unvested, the unvested portion of such alternative award shall immediately vest in full and such executive shall be provided with either cash or marketable stock equal to the fair market value of the stock subject to the alternative award on the date of termination. Notwithstanding the plan terms, certain legacy RSU grant agreements provide for accelerated vesting on a change in control occurring prior to vesting.
The Frontdoor Compensation Committee will also have the discretion to accelerate the vesting of options and RSUs at any time.
2018 Long-Term Incentive Awards
In 2018 the ServiceMaster Compensation Committee approved the grant of the equity awards set forth in the table below to our NEOs.
Named Executive Officer
|
Number of
Stock Options |
Number of
RSUs |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rexford J. Tibbens, President and CEO |
94,478 | 28,475 | |||||
Brian K. Turcotte, Senior Vice President and CFO |
7,449 | 6,754 |
Mr. Tibbens' equity awards are discussed below. Upon promotion as Frontdoor's CFO, Mr. Turcotte was granted 4,333 RSUs, which vest ratably over three years, subject to his continued employment. Mr. Fiarman's offer letter provides for the award of $250,000 in grant date value of RSUs, which will vest ratably over three years, subject to his continued employment.
Mr. Tibbens' Employment Agreement
Rexford J. Tibbens was hired to serve as our CEO pursuant to an employment agreement with us, effective May 15, 2018. Mr. Tibbens' agreement is initially for a term of four years subject to automatic one year renewals thereafter, absent termination notice by either party (the "Term"). Mr. Tibbens will be appointed to the Company's board of directors upon the separation and will serve on the Company's board during the Term, without additional compensation. Under his employment agreement, Mr. Tibbens receives an initial base salary of $800,000 and a target annual incentive bonus opportunity of 100 percent of his base salary. For 2018, Mr. Tibbens' annual bonus will be no less than his target bonus, prorated for his service during the fiscal year. Beginning in 2019, Mr. Tibbens will be eligible for annual equity grants having a target total grant date value equal to 250 percent of his annual base salary. Mr. Tibbens will also receive corporate housing through the first anniversary of his hire date, the reimbursement of reasonable weekly commuting expenses between Seattle, Washington, and Memphis, Tennessee through the first anniversary of his hire date and the reimbursement of COBRA premiums for the first three months of his employment.
The ServiceMaster Compensation Committee approved an initial stock option award of Parent stock options with a grant date fair value of $1,625,000 (94,478 options), an initial RSU award of Parent RSUs with a grant date fair value of $625,000 (10,952 RSUs) and a sign-on RSU award of Parent RSU with a grant date fair value of $1,000,000 (17,523 RSUs) for Mr. Tibbens as part of his employment agreement.
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These awards were approved with a grant date of May 15, 2018. The stock options awarded to Mr. Tibbens are scheduled to vest and become exercisable in equal annual installments on the first four anniversaries of the grant date (or for certain of the stock options awarded, on the first four anniversaries of February 18, 2018), subject to his continued employment with the Company. The stock options awarded on May 15, 2018 have an exercise price of $57.07. The RSUs awarded to Mr. Tibbens are scheduled to vest and become exercisable in equal annual installments on the first three anniversaries of the grant date and the sign-on RSUs, on the first three anniversaries of February 18, 2018, subject in each case, to his continued employment with the Company. As of the separation, all the then outstanding equity awards held by Mr. Tibbens will be converted into RSUs and stock options, respectively, covering solely Company stock.
Mr. Tibbens employment agreement provides that if we were to terminate Mr. Tibbens' employment without cause, or if he terminates his employment for good reason (a "Qualifying Termination"), he would receive: (1) continued payment of his monthly base salary for 12 months following the date of termination (24 months if a Qualifying Termination occurs prior to January 1, 2020); (2) a lump sum payment equal to 100 percent of his target bonus; (3) reimbursement of COBRA premiums paid by him for 12 months following the date of termination (18 months plus payment of an amount equal to the COBRA premium for up to an additional six months if a Qualifying Termination occurs prior to January 1, 2020); and (4) a prorated bonus through his date of termination. The sign-on RSUs will vest upon a Qualifying Termination. Mr. Tibbens' stock option awards (granted in connection with his employment agreement and any other stock options granted to Mr. Tibbens under the Omnibus Incentive Plan) will also vest if he is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason, within 24 months following the signing of a definitive agreement, which if consummated, would result in a change in control. The treatment of Mr. Tibbens' other equity awards is described under the "Omnibus Incentive Plan" section.
Upon Mr. Tibbens' death or disability, we shall pay to Mr. Tibbens (or his executors or legal representatives) the annual bonus earned for the fiscal year immediately preceding the date of termination to the extent not previously paid, plus a prorated bonus through his date of termination.
Payments of Mr. Tibbens' severance benefits are subject to him signing a general release of claims. Mr. Tibbens is also subject to covenants not to compete or solicit for one year following termination and an indefinite covenant not to disclose confidential information. Payments and benefits are reduced in connection with a change in control (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code) to the highest amount that may be paid to Mr. Tibbens without subjecting any payment to the excise tax, so long as he would retain a greater net after-tax payment if the payments are reduced.
Mr. Turcotte's Retention Agreement
In connection with spin-off of Frontdoor, in 2017 Mr. Turcotte was granted a cash retention award of $154,000, of which 50 percent will pay out on the spin-off of Frontdoor and the other 50 percent will pay out on the six month anniversary of the spin-off, subject to his continued employment. Upon a termination of his employment by the Company without cause or due to his death or disability, he will receive a prorated portion of the retention awards. The retention award will be forfeited if not earned prior to March 31, 2019.
Mr. Turcotte's Offer Letter
Brian Turcotte was offered the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to an offer letter dated July 17, 2018. Under his offer letter, Mr. Turcotte is entitled to a base salary of $430,000 and a target annual incentive bonus opportunity of 60 percent of his base salary. For 2018, Mr. Turcotte's annual bonus will be no less than his target bonus, prorated for his service during the fiscal year. Beginning in 2019, Mr. Turcotte will be eligible for annual equity grants having a target total grant date value equal to 125 percent of his annual base salary. Pursuant to his offer letter, the
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ServiceMaster Compensation Committee approved a grant to Mr. Turcotte of 4,333 RSUs, which vest ratably over three years, subject to his continued employment.
Mr. Fiarman's Offer Letter
Jeffrey Fiarman was offered the position of Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary pursuant to an offer letter dated July 5, 2018 and is expected to commence employment on August 27, 2018. Under his offer letter, Mr. Fiarman will receive an initial base salary of $430,000 and a target annual incentive bonus opportunity of 60 percent of his base salary. For 2018, Mr. Fiarman's annual bonus will be no less than his target bonus, prorated for his service during the fiscal year. Beginning in 2019, Mr. Fiarman will be eligible for annual equity grants having a target total grant date value equal to 100 percent of his annual base salary.
Mr. Fiarman' offer letter provides for a cash sign-on bonus of $200,000 and for the award of Parent RSUs with a grant date value of $250,000, which will vest ratably over three years, subject to his continued employment.
As none of our executive officers were previously serving as executive officers of ServiceMaster in 2017, there are no executive compensation tables provided.
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Following the completion of the distribution, members of the board of directors who are not employed by us will be entitled to receive an annual retainer of $200,000, of which $80,000 will be payable in cash in quarterly installments and the other $120,000 will be payable in shares of common stock. Each director may elect to defer the receipt of the shares of common stock as deferred stock equivalents to a point in the future. In addition to the amounts described above, the non-executive Chairman will receive an additional annual cash retainer of $50,000 and an extra $100,000 award of stock. The chairpersons of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee will each receive an additional annual cash retainer of $20,000 and the chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will receive an additional annual cash retainer of $10,000. All of our directors will be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with attending board of directors meetings and committee meetings.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS
Agreements with ServiceMaster
Following the separation and distribution, we and ServiceMaster will operate separately, each as an independent public company. ServiceMaster will retain a passive ownership interest in up to 19.9 percent of the Frontdoor common stock at the time of the distribution. ServiceMaster currently intends to responsibly dispose of all of the Frontdoor common stock that it retains after the distribution through one or more subsequent exchanges for debt by June 14, 2019 in accordance with the terms of the private letter ruling.
Prior to the distribution, we will enter into a separation and distribution agreement with ServiceMaster, which is referred to in this information statement as the "separation agreement" or the "separation and distribution agreement." We will also enter into various other agreements to provide a framework for our relationship with ServiceMaster after the separation and distribution, such as a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement, an employee matters agreement and a stockholder and registration rights agreement. These agreements will provide for the allocation between Frontdoor and ServiceMaster of assets, employees, liabilities and obligations (including investments, property and employee benefits and tax-related assets and liabilities) associated with the American Home Shield business and will govern certain relationships between Frontdoor and ServiceMaster after the separation and distribution. The agreements listed above will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement on Form 10 of which this information statement is a part.
In addition to the above agreements, ServiceMaster and Frontdoor will enter into two sublease agreements prior to the distribution, pursuant to which Frontdoor will lease from ServiceMaster a portion of ServiceMaster's current headquarters and a portion of ServiceMaster's Memphis customer care center. These sublease agreements, individually and in the aggregate, are not material to Frontdoor's business.
The summaries of each of the agreements listed above are qualified in their entireties by reference to the full text of the applicable agreements, which are incorporated by reference into this information statement. When used in this section, "distribution date" refers to the date on which ServiceMaster distributes shares of Frontdoor common stock to the holders of shares of ServiceMaster common stock.
Separation Agreement
Transfer of Assets and Assumption of Liabilities
The separation agreement will identify the assets to be transferred, the liabilities to be assumed and the contracts to be assigned to each of Frontdoor and ServiceMaster as part of the separation, and provide for when and how these transfers, assumptions and assignments will occur. In particular, the separation agreement will provide, among other things, which:
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Except as expressly set forth in the separation agreement or any ancillary agreement, neither we nor ServiceMaster will make any representation or warranty as to (1) the assets, business or liabilities transferred or assumed as part of the separation, (2) any approvals or notifications required in connection with the transfers, (3) the value of or the freedom from any security interests of any of the assets transferred, (4) the absence or presence of any defenses or right of setoff or freedom from counterclaim with respect to any claim or other asset of either us or ServiceMaster, or (5) the legal sufficiency of any assignment, document or instrument delivered to convey title to any asset or thing of value to be transferred in connection with the separation. All assets will be transferred on an "as is," "where is" basis, and the respective transferees will bear the economic and legal risks that any conveyance will prove to be insufficient to vest in the transferee good and marketable title, free and clear of all security interests, and that any necessary consents or governmental approvals are not obtained or that any requirements of laws, agreements, security interests or judgments are not complied with.
Information in this information statement with respect to the assets and liabilities of the parties following the distribution is presented based on the allocation of such assets and liabilities pursuant to the separation agreement, unless the context otherwise requires. The separation agreement will provide that, in the event that the transfer or assignment of certain assets and liabilities to us or ServiceMaster, as applicable, does not occur prior to the separation, then until such assets or liabilities are able to be transferred or assigned, we or ServiceMaster, as applicable, will hold such assets on behalf and for the benefit of the other party and will pay, perform, and discharge such liabilities, for which the other party will reimburse us or ServiceMaster, as applicable, for all commercially reasonable payments made in connection with the performance and discharge of such liabilities.
The Distribution
The separation agreement will also govern the rights and obligations of the parties regarding the distribution following the completion of the separation. On the distribution date, ServiceMaster will distribute to its stockholders that hold shares of ServiceMaster common stock as of the record date for the distribution of at least 80.1 percent of the issued and outstanding shares of Frontdoor common stock on a pro rata basis. Stockholders will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares.
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Conditions to the Distribution
The separation agreement will provide that the distribution is subject to satisfaction (or waiver by ServiceMaster) of certain conditions. These conditions are described under "The Separation and DistributionConditions to the Distribution." ServiceMaster has the sole and absolute discretion to determine (and change) the terms of, and to determine whether to proceed with, the distribution and, to the extent it determines to so proceed, to determine the record date for the distribution, the distribution date and the distribution ratio.
Financing
In connection with the separation and distribution, we anticipate that we will raise long-term debt consisting of approximately $350 million of senior unsecured notes and term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $650 million. We also anticipate entering into a revolving credit facility in aggregate principal amount of up to $250 million. We expect that approximately $350 million aggregate principal amount of notes will be issued to, and approximately $650 million aggregate principal amount of term loans will be incurred in favor of, ServiceMaster's wholly owned subsidiary, The ServiceMaster Company, as partial consideration for the contribution of the American Home Shield business assets to us. We expect that The ServiceMaster Company will exchange these notes and term loans for outstanding debt of The ServiceMaster Company.
Claims
In general, each party to the separation agreement will assume liability for all pending, threatened and unasserted legal matters related to its own business or its assumed or retained liabilities and will indemnify the other party for any liability to the extent arising out of or resulting from such assumed or retained legal matters.
Releases
The separation agreement will provide that we and our affiliates will release and discharge ServiceMaster and its affiliates from all liabilities assumed by us as part of the separation, from all acts and events occurring or failing to occur, and all conditions existing, on or before the distribution date relating to our business, and from all liabilities existing or arising in connection with the implementation of the separation, except as expressly set forth in the separation agreement. ServiceMaster and its affiliates will release and discharge us and our affiliates from all liabilities retained by ServiceMaster and its affiliates as part of the separation and from all liabilities existing or arising in connection with the implementation of the separation, except as expressly set forth in the separation agreement.
These releases will not extend to obligations or liabilities under any agreements between the parties that remain in effect following the separation, which agreements include, but are not limited to, the separation agreement, the transition services agreement, the tax matters agreement, the employee matters agreement, and certain other agreements, including the transfer documents in connection with the separation.
Indemnification
In the separation agreement, we will agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless ServiceMaster, each of its affiliates and each of their respective directors, officers and employees, from and against all liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from:
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In the separation agreement, ServiceMaster will agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless us, each of our affiliates and each of their respective directors, officers and employees from and against all liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from:
The separation agreement will also establish procedures with respect to claims subject to indemnification and related matters.
Insurance
The separation agreement will provide for the allocation between the parties of rights and obligations under existing insurance policies with respect to occurrences prior to the distribution date and sets forth procedures for the administration of insured claims and addresses certain other insurance matters.
Further Assurances
In addition to the actions specifically provided for in the separation agreement, except as otherwise set forth therein or in any ancillary agreement, both we and ServiceMaster will agree in the separation agreement to use reasonable best efforts, prior to, on and after the distribution date, to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws, regulations and agreements to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by the separation agreement and the ancillary agreements.
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Dispute Resolution
The separation agreement will contain provisions that govern, except as otherwise provided in any ancillary agreement, the resolution of disputes, controversies or claims that may arise between ServiceMaster and us related to the separation or distribution. These provisions will contemplate that efforts will be made to resolve disputes, controversies and claims by elevation of the matter to executives of ServiceMaster and us. If such efforts are not successful, either we or ServiceMaster may submit the dispute, controversy or claim to binding arbitration, subject to the provisions of the separation agreement.
Expenses
Except as expressly set forth in the separation agreement or in any ancillary agreement, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the separation and distribution, including costs and expenses relating to legal and tax counsel, financial advisors and accounting advisory work related to the separation and distribution, will be paid by the party incurring such cost and expense.
Other Matters
Other matters governed by the separation agreement will include access to financial and other information, confidentiality, access to and provision of records and treatment of outstanding guarantees and similar credit support.
Termination
The separation agreement will provide that it may be terminated, and the separation and distribution may be modified or abandoned, at any time prior to the distribution date in the sole discretion of ServiceMaster without the approval of any person, including our stockholders or ServiceMaster stockholders. In the event of a termination of the separation agreement, no party, nor any of its directors, officers, or employees, will have any liability of any kind to the other party or any other person. After the distribution date, the separation agreement may not be terminated, except by an agreement in writing signed by both ServiceMaster and us.
Transition Services Agreement
We and ServiceMaster will enter into a transition services agreement prior to the distribution pursuant to which we and ServiceMaster will provide certain services to one another, on an interim, transitional basis. The services to be provided will include certain information technology services, finance and accounting services and human resource and employee benefits services. The agreed-upon charges for such services are generally intended to allow the providing company to recover all costs and expenses of providing such services.
The transition services agreement will terminate on the expiration of the term of the last service provided under it, which will generally be no later than December 31, 2019.
Subject to certain exceptions in the case of willful misconduct or fraud, the liability of ServiceMaster and Frontdoor under the transition services agreement for the services they provide will be limited to a specified maximum amount. The transition services agreement also provides that neither company shall be liable to the other for any indirect, exemplary, incidental, consequential, remote, speculative, punitive or similar damages.
Tax Matters Agreement
We and ServiceMaster will enter into a tax matters agreement prior to the distribution that will govern the parties' respective rights, responsibilities and obligations after the distribution with respect
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to taxes (including taxes arising in the ordinary course of business and taxes, if any, incurred as a result of any failure of the distribution and certain related transactions to qualify as tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes), tax attributes, the preparation and filing of tax returns, tax elections, the control of audits and other tax proceedings and assistance and cooperation in respect of tax matters.
The tax matters agreement will also impose certain restrictions on us and our subsidiaries (including, among others, restrictions on share issuances, business combinations, sales of assets and similar transactions) designed to preserve the tax-free status of the distribution and certain related transactions. The tax matters agreement will provide special rules that allocate tax liabilities in the event the distribution, together with certain related transactions, is not tax-free. In general, under the tax matters agreement, each party is expected to be responsible for any taxes imposed on ServiceMaster or us that arise from the failure of the distribution, together with certain related transactions, to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) and certain other relevant provisions of the Code, to the extent that the failure to so qualify is attributable to actions, events or transactions relating to such party's respective stock, assets or business, or a breach of the relevant representations or covenants made by that party in the tax matters agreement. However, if such failure was the result of any acquisition of our shares or assets, or of any of our representations, statements or undertakings being incorrect, incomplete or breached, we generally will be responsible for all taxes imposed as a result of such acquisition or breach.
As discussed below under the heading "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences," notwithstanding receipt by ServiceMaster of the IRS private letter ruling and the opinion(s) of tax advisors, the IRS could assert that the distribution or certain related transactions do not qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the IRS were successful in taking this position, we, ServiceMaster, and ServiceMaster stockholders could be subject to significant U.S. federal income tax liability. In addition, certain events that may or may not be within the control of ServiceMaster or us could cause the distribution and certain related transactions to not qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Depending on the circumstances, we may be required to indemnify ServiceMaster for taxes and certain related amounts resulting from the distribution and certain related transactions not qualifying as tax-free.
Employee Matters Agreement
We and ServiceMaster will enter into an employee matters agreement prior to the distribution to allocate liabilities and responsibilities relating to employment matters, employee compensation and benefits plans and programs and other related matters. The employee matters agreement will govern certain compensation and employee benefit obligations with respect to the current and former employees and non-employee directors of each company.
The employee matters agreement will provide that, unless otherwise specified, ServiceMaster will be responsible for liabilities associated with employees who will be employed by ServiceMaster following the separation, former employees whose last employment was with the ServiceMaster businesses, and we will be responsible for liabilities associated with employees who will be employed by us following the separation and former employees whose last employment was with our businesses.
The employee matters agreement will provide for the conversion of the outstanding awards granted under ServiceMaster's equity compensation programs into adjusted awards relating to shares of ServiceMaster and/or Frontdoor common stock, as described above under the heading "The Separation and DistributionTreatment of Equity Based Compensation." The adjusted awards generally will be subject to substantially the same terms, vesting conditions, post-termination exercise rules and other restrictions that applied to the original ServiceMaster award immediately before the separation.
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Stockholder and Registration Rights Agreement
We will enter into a stockholder and registration rights agreement with ServiceMaster pursuant to which we will agree that, upon the request of ServiceMaster, we will use our reasonable best efforts to effect the registration under applicable federal and state securities laws of any shares of Frontdoor common stock retained by ServiceMaster. In addition, ServiceMaster will agree to vote any shares of Frontdoor common stock that it retains immediately after the separation in proportion to the votes cast by our other stockholders. In connection with such agreement, ServiceMaster will grant us a proxy to vote its shares of Frontdoor common stock in such proportion. This proxy, however, will be automatically revoked as to any particular share upon any sale or transfer of such share from ServiceMaster to a person other than ServiceMaster, and neither the voting agreement nor proxy will limit or prohibit any such sale or transfer.
Sublease Agreements
Frontdoor and ServiceMaster will enter into sublease agreements prior to the distribution, pursuant to which Frontdoor will sublease office and call center facilities from ServiceMaster. Frontdoor will sublease from ServiceMaster approximately 62,000 square feet, plus common area space, for its headquarters, and a portion of ServiceMaster's Memphis customer care center. Frontdoor's sublease for a portion of ServiceMaster's Peabody Place headquarters is expected to have a term of approximately 16 years, and Frontdoor's sublease for a portion of ServiceMaster's Memphis customer care center is expected to have a term of six years.
Frontdoor's rent payments to ServiceMaster will generally be adjusted each year of the subleases to reflect increases or decreases in operating and maintenance expenses and other factors. ServiceMaster may terminate the subleases in the event of a material uncured default by Frontdoor.
Procedures for Approval of Related Person Transactions
Our board of directors is expected to adopt a written policy on related person transactions. The policy will cover transactions involving us in excess of $120,000 in any year in which any director, director nominee, executive officer or greater than five percent beneficial owner of Frontdoor, or any of their respective immediate family members, has or had a direct or indirect interest, other than as a director or less than 10 percent owner, of an entity involved in the transaction. This policy will be posted to the corporate governance section of our investor relations website (www.[ ].com) as of the distribution date.
Under this policy, the general counsel must advise the Audit Committee of any related person transaction of which he or she becomes aware. The Audit Committee must then either approve or reject the transaction in accordance with the terms of the policy. In the course of making this determination, the Audit Committee will consider all relevant information available to it and, as appropriate, take into consideration the size of the transaction and the amount payable to the related person; the nature of the interest of the related person in the transaction; whether the transaction may involve a conflict of interest; the purpose, and the potential benefits to us, of the transaction; whether the transaction was undertaken in the ordinary course of business; and whether the transaction involved the provision of goods or services to us that are available from unaffiliated third parties and, if so, whether the transaction is on terms and made under circumstances that are at least as favorable to us as would be available in comparable transactions with or involving unaffiliated third parties.
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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following is a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the distribution of Frontdoor common stock to "U.S. holders" (as defined below) of ServiceMaster common stock. This discussion is based on the Code, U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all as in effect on the date of this information statement, and all of which are subject to differing interpretations and change at any time, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. This discussion applies only to U.S. holders of shares of ServiceMaster common stock who hold such shares as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment).
It is a condition to the distribution that the private letter ruling from the IRS regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters relating to the separation and distribution received by ServiceMaster remain valid and be satisfactory to the ServiceMaster board of directors and that the ServiceMaster board of directors receive one or more opinions from its tax advisors, in each case, satisfactory to the ServiceMaster board of directors, regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters relating to the separation and the distribution, including, with respect to the opinion(s).
This discussion assumes that the distribution, together with certain related transactions, will be consummated in accordance with the separation and distribution agreement and the other separation-related agreements that ServiceMaster and we will enter into prior to the distribution and as described in this information statement, and that the IRS takes no position inconsistent with the opinion(s) described above. This discussion is not a complete description of all U.S. federal income tax consequences of the separation and the distribution, nor does it address the effects of any state, local or non-U.S. tax laws or U.S. federal tax laws other than those relating to income taxes. The distribution may be taxable under such other tax laws and all holders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the applicability and effect of any such tax laws. This discussion does not discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to a particular holder in light of its particular circumstances or to holders subject to special rules under the Code (including, but not limited to, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions, broker-dealers, partners in partnerships that hold ServiceMaster or Frontdoor common stock, pass-through entities (or investors therein), traders in securities who elect to apply a mark-to-market method of accounting, holders who hold ServiceMaster or Frontdoor common stock as part of a "hedge," "straddle," "conversion," "synthetic security," "integrated investment" or "constructive sale transaction," individuals who receive Frontdoor common stock upon the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation, holders who are liable for alternative minimum tax or any holders who actually or constructively own more than five percent of ServiceMaster common stock). This discussion also does not address any tax consequences arising under the unearned Medicare contribution tax pursuant to the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. If a partnership, including for this purpose any entity or arrangement that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds ServiceMaster common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. An investor that is a partnership and the partners in such partnership should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the distribution.
For purposes of this discussion, a "U.S. holder" is any beneficial owner of ServiceMaster common stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY, AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO BE, LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE TO ANY PARTICULAR STOCKHOLDER. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU OF THE DISTRIBUTION, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX LAWS, IN LIGHT OF YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE EFFECT OF POSSIBLE CHANGES IN LAW THAT MIGHT AFFECT THE TAX CONSEQUENCES DESCRIBED IN THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT.
The IRS private letter ruling is, and the opinion(s) of tax advisors will be, based upon and rely on, among other things, various facts and assumptions, as well as certain representations, statements and undertakings of Frontdoor and ServiceMaster (including those relating to the past and future conduct of Frontdoor and ServiceMaster). If any of these representations, statements or undertakings is, or becomes, inaccurate or incomplete, or if we or ServiceMaster breach any of their respective representations or covenants contained in any of the separation-related agreements and documents or in any documents relating to the IRS private letter ruling and/or the opinion(s) of tax advisors, such IRS private letter ruling and/or the opinion(s) of tax advisors may be invalid and the conclusions reached therein could be jeopardized.
Notwithstanding receipt by ServiceMaster of the IRS private letter ruling and the opinion(s) of tax advisors, the IRS could determine that the distribution and/or certain related transactions should be treated as taxable transactions for U.S. federal income tax purposes if it determines that any of the representations, assumptions or undertakings upon which the IRS private letter ruling or the opinion(s) of tax advisors were based are false or have been violated. In addition, neither the IRS private letter ruling nor the opinion(s) of tax advisors address or will address all of the issues that are relevant to determining whether the distribution, together with certain related transactions, qualifies as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes. An opinion of a tax advisor represents the judgment of such tax advisor and is not binding on the IRS or any court, and the IRS or a court may disagree with the conclusions in the opinion(s) of tax advisors. Accordingly, notwithstanding receipt by ServiceMaster of the IRS private letter ruling and the opinion(s) of tax advisors, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not assert that the distribution and/or certain related transactions do not qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes or that a court would not sustain such a challenge. In the event the IRS were to prevail in such challenge, ServiceMaster, Frontdoor and ServiceMaster stockholders could be subject to significant U.S. federal income tax liability. Please refer to "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences if the Distribution is Taxable" below.
It is expected that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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A U.S. holder who receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of Frontdoor common stock in the distribution will be treated as having sold such fractional share for cash, and will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and such U.S. holder's adjusted tax basis in such fractional share. Such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder's holding period for its ServiceMaster common stock exceeds one year at the time of distribution.
If a U.S. holder of ServiceMaster common stock holds different blocks of ServiceMaster common stock (generally shares of ServiceMaster common stock purchased or acquired on different dates or at different prices), such holder should consult its tax advisor regarding the determination of the basis and holding period of shares of Frontdoor common stock received in the distribution in respect of particular blocks of ServiceMaster common stock.
U.S. Treasury Regulations require certain U.S. holders who receive shares of Frontdoor common stock in the distribution to attach to such U.S. holder's federal income tax return for the year in which the distribution occurs a detailed statement setting forth certain information relating to the tax-free nature of the distribution.
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences if the Distribution is Taxable.
As discussed above, notwithstanding receipt by ServiceMaster of the IRS private letter ruling and the opinion(s) of tax advisors, the IRS could assert that the distribution does not qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the IRS were successful in taking this position, some or all of the consequences described above would not apply and ServiceMaster, Frontdoor and ServiceMaster stockholders could be subject to significant U.S. federal income tax liability. In addition, certain events that may or may not be within the control of ServiceMaster or us could cause the distribution and certain related transactions to not qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Depending on the circumstances, we may be required to indemnify ServiceMaster for taxes (and certain related amounts) resulting from the distribution and certain related transactions not qualifying as tax-free.
If the distribution fails to qualify as a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in general, ServiceMaster would recognize taxable gain as if it had sold Frontdoor common stock in a taxable sale for its fair market value (unless ServiceMaster and we jointly make an election under Section 336(e) of the Code with respect to the distribution, in which case, in general, (i) the
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ServiceMaster group would recognize taxable gain as if we had sold all of its assets in a taxable sale in exchange for an amount equal to the fair market value of Frontdoor common stock and the assumption of all of our liabilities and (ii) we would obtain a related step-up in the basis of its assets) and ServiceMaster stockholders who receive Frontdoor common stock in the distribution would be subject to tax as if they had received a taxable distribution equal to the fair market value of our common stock.
Even if the distribution were to otherwise qualify as tax-free under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, it may result in taxable gain to ServiceMaster under Section 355(e) of the Code if the distribution were later deemed to be part of a plan (or series of related transactions) pursuant to which one or more persons acquire, directly or indirectly, shares representing a 50 percent or greater interest (by vote or value) in ServiceMaster or us. For this purpose, any acquisitions of ServiceMaster's or our shares within the period beginning two years before the separation and ending two years after the separation are presumed to be part of such a plan, although we or ServiceMaster may be able to rebut that presumption.
In connection with the distribution, we and ServiceMaster will enter into a tax matters agreement pursuant to which we will be responsible for certain liabilities and obligations following the distribution. In general, under the tax matters agreement, each party is expected to be responsible for any taxes imposed on ServiceMaster or us that arise from the failure of the distribution, together with certain related transactions, to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) and certain other relevant provisions of the Code (including as a result of Section 355(e) of the Code), to the extent that the failure to so qualify is attributable to actions, events or transactions relating to such party's respective stock, assets or business, or a breach of the relevant representations or covenants made by that party in the tax matters agreement. However, if such failure was the result of any acquisition of our shares or assets, or of any of our representations, statements or undertakings being incorrect, incomplete or breached, we generally will be responsible for all taxes imposed as a result of such acquisition or breach. Our indemnification obligations to ServiceMaster under the tax matters agreement are not expected to be limited in amount or subject to any cap. If we are required to pay any taxes or indemnify ServiceMaster and its subsidiaries and their respective officers and directors under the circumstances set forth in the tax matters agreement, we may be subject to substantial liabilities.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting.
Payments of cash to U.S. holders of ServiceMaster common stock in lieu of fractional shares of Frontdoor common stock may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding (currently, at a rate of 24 percent), unless such U.S. holder delivers a properly completed IRS Form W-9 certifying such U.S. holder's correct taxpayer identification number and certain other information, or otherwise establishing a basis for exemption from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be refunded or credited against a U.S. holder's U.S. federal income tax liability provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
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DESCRIPTION OF MATERIAL INDEBTEDNESS
In connection with the separation and distribution, we anticipate that we will raise long-term debt consisting of approximately $350 million of senior unsecured notes and term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $650 million. We also anticipate entering into a revolving credit facility in aggregate principal amount of up to $250 million. We expect that approximately $350 million aggregate principal amount of notes will be issued to, and approximately $[ ] aggregate principal amount of term loans will be incurred in favor of, ServiceMaster's wholly owned subsidiary, The ServiceMaster Company, as partial consideration for the contribution of the American Home Shield business assets to us. We expect that The ServiceMaster Company will exchange these notes and term loans for outstanding debt of The ServiceMaster Company.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Before the distribution, all of the outstanding shares of Frontdoor common stock will be owned beneficially and of record by ServiceMaster. Following the distribution, we expect to have outstanding an aggregate of approximately [ ] million shares of common stock based upon approximately [ ] million shares of ServiceMaster common stock outstanding on [ ], excluding treasury shares and assuming no exercise of ServiceMaster options, and applying the distribution ratio. ServiceMaster will continue to own up to 19.9 percent of the shares of Frontdoor common stock following the distribution.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
As of the date hereof, all of the issued and outstanding shares of Frontdoor common stock are owned indirectly by ServiceMaster. After the separation and distribution, ServiceMaster will own up to 19.9 percent of the shares of Frontdoor common stock. The following table reports the number of shares of Frontdoor common stock that we expect will be beneficially owned, immediately following the completion of the distribution by each person who will beneficially own more than five percent of Frontdoor common stock. The table is based upon information available as of [ ] as to those persons who beneficially own more than five percent of ServiceMaster common stock and an assumption that, for each share of ServiceMaster common stock held by such persons, they will receive [ ] share of Frontdoor common stock.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
|
Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership |
Percent of
Class |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ServiceMaster |
[ ] | [ %] |
Share Ownership of Executive Officers and Directors
The following table sets forth information, immediately following the completion of the distribution, calculated as of [ ], based upon the distribution of [ ] share of Frontdoor common stock for each share of ServiceMaster common stock, regarding (1) each of our expected directors and executive officers and (2) all of our expected directors and executive officers as a group. The address of each director, director nominee and executive officer shown in the table below is c/o frontdoor, inc., 150 Peabody Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38103, Attention: Secretary.
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
Shares Beneficially
Owned(1) |
Percent of
Class |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
[ ] |
[ ] | [ %] |
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DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws will be amended and restated prior to the completion of the distribution. The following is a summary of the material terms of our capital stock that will be contained in the amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws. The summaries and descriptions below do not purport to be complete statements of the relevant provisions of the certificate of incorporation or of the bylaws to be in effect at the time of the distribution, which you must read for complete information on our capital stock as of the time of the distribution. We have not yet finalized the terms of its certificate of incorporation and bylaws and will include descriptions thereof in an amendment to this information statement. The certificate of incorporation and bylaws, each in a form expected to be in effect at the time of the distribution, have been included as exhibits to our registration statement on Form 10, of which this information statement forms a part. The summaries and descriptions below do not purport to be complete statements of the DGCL.
General
Our authorized capital stock consists of [ ] shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 200 million shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, all of which shares of preferred stock are undesignated. Our board of directors may establish the rights and preferences of the preferred stock from time to time. Immediately following the distribution, we expect that approximately [ ] million shares of Frontdoor common stock will be issued and outstanding, based on approximately [ ] million shares of ServiceMaster common stock issued and outstanding on [ ], and that no shares of preferred stock will be issued and outstanding.
Common Stock
Each holder of shares of Frontdoor common stock will be entitled to one vote for each share on all matters to be voted upon by the common stockholders, and there will be no cumulative voting rights. Subject to any preferential rights of any outstanding preferred stock, holders of shares of Frontdoor common stock will be entitled to receive ratably the dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by its board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose. If there is a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our Company, holders of its common stock would be entitled to a ratable distribution of its assets remaining after the payment in full of liabilities and any preferential rights of any then-outstanding preferred stock.
Holders of Frontdoor common stock will have no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. After the distribution, all outstanding shares of Frontdoor common stock will be fully paid and non-assessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of Frontdoor common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.
Preferred Stock
Under the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, its board of directors will be authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by the DGCL, and by its certificate of incorporation, to issue up to 200 million shares of preferred stock in one or more series without further action by the holders of its common stock. Our board of directors will have the discretion, subject to the limitations proscribed by the DGCL and by our certificate of incorporation, to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of preferred stock.
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Corporate Governance
We will institute stockholder-friendly corporate governance practices, as described below and elsewhere in this information statement. Responsible and appropriate corporate governance will ensure that our management always keeps stockholder interests in mind when crafting value-creating strategies at all levels of the organization.
Single Class Capital Structure. We will have a single class share capital structure with all stockholders entitled to vote for director nominees and each holder of common stock entitled to one vote per share.
Director Elections. Upon completion of the separation, the Company's board of directors will initially be divided into three classes, with Class I composed of two directors, Class II composed of two directors and Class III composed of two directors. The directors designated as Class I directors will have terms expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders following the distribution, which the Company expects to hold in 2019. The directors designated as Class II directors will have terms expiring at the following year's annual meeting of stockholders, which the Company expects to hold in 2020, and the directors designated as Class III directors will have terms expiring at the following year's annual meeting of stockholders, which the Company expects to hold in 2021. At the first annual meeting of stockholders following the distribution, the successors of Class I directors will be elected to serve for a term of three years each. Commencing with the second annual meeting of stockholders following the separation, directors for each class will be elected at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the year in which the term for that class expires and thereafter each director will serve for a term of one year and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Consequently, by 2022, all of our directors will stand for election each year for one year terms, and our board will therefore no longer be divided into three classes.
At any meeting of stockholders for the election of directors at which a quorum is present, the election will be determined by a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote in the election, with directors not receiving a majority of the votes cast required to tender their resignations for consideration by the board, except that in the case of a contested election, the election will be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote in the election. Before the board is declassified, it would take at least two elections of directors for any individual or group to gain control of the Company's board of directors. Accordingly, while the classified board is in effect, these provisions could discourage a third party from initiating a proxy contest, making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to gain control of the Company.
Special Stockholder Meetings. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and/or bylaws will provide that the chairman of the board of directors or the board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the entire board of directors may call special meetings of our stockholders. Stockholders may not call special meetings of stockholders.
Majority Vote for Mergers and Other Business Combinations. Mergers and other business combinations involving the Company will generally be required to be approved by a majority vote where such stockholder approval is required.
Other Expected Corporate Governance Features. Governance features related to our board of directors are set forth in the section of this information statement captioned "Directors." In addition to the foregoing, it is expected that we will implement stock ownership guidelines for directors and senior executive officers, annual board performance evaluations, clawback and anti-hedging policies, prohibitions on option repricing in equity plans without stockholder approval, risk oversight procedures and other practices and protocols.
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Anti-Takeover Effects of Various Provisions of Delaware Law and Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Provisions of the DGCL and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws could make it more difficult to acquire our Company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, or to remove incumbent officers and directors. These provisions, summarized below and in the "Special Stockholder Meetings" section described above, may discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and takeover bids that our board of directors may consider inadequate and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of our Company to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of its ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure it outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging takeover or acquisition proposals because, among other things, negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.
Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute. We will be subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, an anti-takeover statute. In general, Section 203 of the DGCL prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a "business combination" with an "interested stockholder" for a period of three years following the time the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination or the acquisition of shares that resulted in a stockholder becoming an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. Generally, a "business combination" includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Generally, an "interested stockholder" is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own) 15 percent or more of a corporation's voting stock. The existence of this provision would be expected to have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by our board of directors, including discouraging attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by our stockholders.
Size of Board and Vacancies. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws will provide that the number of directors on its board of directors will be fixed exclusively by its board of directors. Any vacancies created in its board of directors resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or the death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause will be filled by a majority of the board of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum is present, or by a sole remaining director. Any director appointed to fill a vacancy on our board of directors will be appointed for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders, and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified.
Director Removal. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and/or bylaws will provide that (i) prior to the board being fully declassified as discussed above stockholders will be permitted to remove a director only for cause, consistent with the DGCL requirements for classified boards; and (ii) after the board has been fully declassified, stockholders may remove the Company's directors with or without cause. Removal will require the affirmative vote of at least two thirds of the Company's voting stock.
Stockholder Action by Written Consent. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will expressly eliminate the right of its stockholders to act by written consent. Stockholder action may only take place at an annual or a special meeting of our stockholders.
Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals. Our amended and restated bylaws will establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and nomination of candidates for election as directors other than nominations made by or at the direction of its board of directors or a committee of its board of directors.
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No Cumulative Voting. The DGCL provides that stockholders are denied the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors, unless the company's certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will not provide for cumulative voting.
Undesignated Preferred Stock. The authority that our board of directors will possess to issue preferred stock could potentially be used to discourage attempts by third parties to obtain control of our Company through a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise by making such attempts more difficult or more costly. Our board of directors may be able to issue preferred stock with voting rights or conversion rights that, if exercised, could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock.
Limitations on Liability, Indemnification of Officers and Directors and Insurance
The DGCL authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors' fiduciary duties as directors, and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will include such an exculpation provision. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws will include provisions that indemnify, to the fullest extent allowable under the DGCL, the personal liability of directors or officers for monetary damages for actions taken as a director or officer of our Company, or for serving at our request as a director or officer or another position at another corporation or enterprise, as the case may be. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws will also provide that we must indemnify and advance reasonable expenses to its directors and officers, subject to its receipt of an undertaking from the indemnified party as may be required under the DGCL. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will expressly authorize us to carry directors' and officers' insurance to protect our Company and our directors, officers and certain employees against some liabilities.
The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions that will be in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions may also have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit our Company and its stockholders. However, these provisions will not limit or eliminate our rights, or those of any stockholder, to seek non-monetary relief such as an injunction or rescission in the event of a breach of a director's duty of care. The provisions will not alter the liability of directors under the federal securities laws. In addition, your investment may be adversely affected to the extent that, in a class action or direct suit, we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions. There is currently no pending material litigation or proceeding against any of our directors, officers or employees for which indemnification is sought.
Exclusive Forum
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that, unless the board of directors otherwise determines, the state courts of the State of Delaware, or, if no state court located in the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal court for the District of Delaware, will be the sole and exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of our Company, any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors or officers to our Company or our stockholders, creditors or other constituents, any action asserting a claim against our Company or any of our directors or officers arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or any action asserting a claim against our Company or any of our directors or officers governed by the internal affairs doctrine.
We have included this exclusive forum provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation because such provision, in our view, is in the best interests of our Company and our
148
stockholders for the following reasons: (1) the exclusive forum provision provides that certain intra-corporate disputes will be litigated in Delaware, the state in which our Company is incorporated and whose law governs such disputes; (2) the Delaware Chancery Court has developed extensive expertise in dealing with corporate law issues, as well as a substantial and influential body of case law interpreting Delaware's corporate law; (3) the exclusive forum provision will help us avoid multiple lawsuits in numerous jurisdictions relating to the same dispute, thus preventing corporate resources from being unnecessarily diverted to address duplicative, costly and wasteful multi-forum litigation; (4) the exclusive forum provision will provide value to our Company and our stockholders by facilitating consistency and predictability in litigation outcomes and reducing the risk that the outcome of cases in multiple jurisdictions could be inconsistent, even though each jurisdiction purports to follow Delaware law; (5) the exclusive forum provision does not materially change the substantive legal claims or remedies available to our stockholders, but rather only regulates the forum in which stockholders may file claims relating to certain specified intra-corporate disputes; and (6) our board of directors has the ability to consent to an alternative forum in appropriate circumstances where the board determines that the interests of our Company and our stockholders are best served by permitting a particular dispute to proceed in a forum other than Delaware.
Authorized but Unissued Shares
Our authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock will be available for future issuance without your approval. We may use additional shares for a variety of purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, to fund acquisitions and as employee compensation. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of our Company by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Listing
We have applied to list our shares of common stock on the NASDAQ under the symbol "FTDR."
Sale of Unregistered Securities
On [ ], we issued [ ] shares of Frontdoor common stock to ServiceMaster pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. We did not register the issuance of the issued shares under the Securities Act because such issuance did not constitute a public offering.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
After the distribution, the transfer agent and registrar for shares of Frontdoor common stock will be Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
149
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed a registration statement on Form 10 with the SEC with respect to the shares of Frontdoor common stock being distributed as contemplated by this information statement. This information statement is a part of, and does not contain all of the information set forth in, the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For further information with respect to our Company and Frontdoor common stock, please refer to the registration statement, including its exhibits and schedules. Statements made in this information statement relating to any contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement include the material terms of such contract or other document. However, such statements are not necessarily complete, and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract or document. You may review a copy of the registration statement, including its exhibits and schedules, at the SEC's public reference room, located at 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549, by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 as well as on the Internet website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Information contained on any website referenced in this information statement is not incorporated by reference in this information statement.
As a result of the distribution, we will become subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance with the Exchange Act, will file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. We intend to furnish holders of our common stock with annual reports containing consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and audited and reported on, with an opinion expressed, by an independent registered public accounting firm.
You should rely only on the information contained in this information statement or to which this information statement has referred you. We have not authorized any person to provide you with different information or to make any representation not contained in this information statement.
150
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To
the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc.
Memphis, Tennessee
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying combined statements of financial position of the American Home Shield business of ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. (the "Company" or "American Home Shield") as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and the related combined statements of operations and comprehensive income, changes in parent's equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "combined financial statements"). In our opinion, the combined financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Emphasis of a Matter
As discussed in Note 2 to the combined financial statements, the accompanying combined financial statements have been prepared from separate records maintained by ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc., and may not necessarily be indicative of the financial condition, or results of operations and cash flows that would have existed had the Company been operated as a stand-alone company during the periods presented.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Memphis,
Tennessee
March 30, 2018
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2017.
F-2
American Home Shield
Combined Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
(In millions)
See accompanying Notes to the combined financial statements.
F-3
American Home Shield
Combined Statement of Financial Position
(In millions)
See accompanying Notes to the combined financial statements.
F-4
American Home Shield
Combined Statement of Changes in Parent's Equity
(In millions)
|
Net Parent
Investment |
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income |
Total Parent's
Equity |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Balance December 31, 2014 |
$ | 491 | $ | 6 | $ | 498 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net income |
120 | | 120 | |||||||
Stock-based compensation expense |
4 | | 4 | |||||||
Net transfers to Parent |
(99 | ) | | (99 | ) | |||||
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax |
| (5 | ) | (5 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Balance December 31, 2015 |
$ | 516 | $ | 2 | $ | 518 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net income |
124 | | 124 | |||||||
Stock-based compensation expense |
4 | | 4 | |||||||
Net transfers to Parent |
(84 | ) | | (84 | ) | |||||
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax |
| (2 | ) | (2 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Balance December 31, 2016 |
$ | 560 | $ | | $ | 560 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net income |
160 | | 160 | |||||||
Stock-based compensation expense |
4 | | 4 | |||||||
Net transfers to Parent |
(63 | ) | | (63 | ) | |||||
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax |
| | | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Balance December 31, 2017 |
$ | 661 | $ | | $ | 661 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
See accompanying Notes to the combined financial statements.
F-5
American Home Shield
Combined Statements of Cash Flows
(In millions)
|
Year Ended
December 31, |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period |
$ | 168 | $ | 156 | $ | 103 | ||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities |
||||||||||
Net Income |
160 | 124 | 120 | |||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operating activities: |
||||||||||
Depreciation expense |
9 | 8 | 5 | |||||||
Amortization expense |
8 | 6 | 4 | |||||||
Deferred income tax provision |
(19 | ) | 1 | 3 | ||||||
Stock-based compensation expense |
4 | 4 | 4 | |||||||
Gain on sale of marketable securities |
| (3 | ) | (6 | ) | |||||
Other |
| 2 | 1 | |||||||
Change in working capital, net of acquisitions: |
||||||||||
Receivables |
(33 | ) | (40 | ) | (35 | ) | ||||
Other current assets |
3 | 6 | 1 | |||||||
Accounts payable |
5 | | | |||||||
Deferred revenue |
44 | 43 | 36 | |||||||
Accrued liabilities |
12 | 3 | 2 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net Cash Provided from Operating Activities |
194 | 155 | 135 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Cash Flows from Investing Activities |
||||||||||
Purchases of property and equipment |
(15 | ) | (11 | ) | (7 | ) | ||||
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired |
| (87 | ) | | ||||||
Purchases of available-for-sale securities |
(44 | ) | (6 | ) | (6 | ) | ||||
Sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities |
48 | 49 | 32 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net Cash (Used for) Provided from Investing Activities |
(11 | ) | (55 | ) | 19 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Cash Flows from Financing Activities |
||||||||||
Payments on seller financed debt and capital lease obligations |
(5 | ) | (1 | ) | (1 | ) | ||||
Net transfers to Parent |
(63 | ) | (87 | ) | (99 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net Cash Used for Financing Activities |
(68 | ) | (88 | ) | (100 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Cash Increase During the Period |
114 | 12 | 54 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period |
$ | 282 | $ | 168 | $ | 156 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Supplementary Cash Flow Information: |
||||||||||
Interest and dividend income received |
$ | | $ | 2 | $ | 3 |
See accompanying Notes to the combined financial statements.
F-6
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1. Description of Business
On July 26, 2017, ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. ("ServiceMaster" or the "Parent"), announced its intention to spin off the ownership and operations of its American Home Shield business into a stand-alone publicly traded company. The accompanying combined financial statements represent, on a historical cost basis, the combined assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses related to the American Home Shield business. To accomplish the separation, ServiceMaster will contribute assets and liabilities of its American Home Shield business into AHS Holding Company, Inc. ("AHS," "we," "us," "our" or the "Company") and distribute at least 80.1 percent of the outstanding shares of AHS common stock to ServiceMaster's stockholders. The distribution is expected to qualify as a tax-free transaction. Following the distribution, ServiceMaster stockholders will own shares in both us and ServiceMaster. AHS Holding Company, Inc. was incorporated in the State of Delaware on January 2, 2018.
Our core services include providing home service plans that cover the repair or replacement of major components of up to 21 household systems and appliances, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC systems, water heaters, refrigerators, dishwashers and ovens/cooktops under the American Home Shield brand name. We serve residential customers, across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Additionally, we operate and take service calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For the year ended December 31, 2017, our total operating revenue included 66 percent of revenue derived from existing contract renewals, while 22 percent and 12 percent were derived from sales made in conjunction with existing home resale transactions and direct to consumer sales, respectively.
Note 2. Basis of Presentation
Throughout the period covered by the combined financial statements, we did not operate as a separate entity and stand-alone separate financial statements historically have not been prepared. We are comprised of certain stand-alone legal entities for which discrete financial information is available. The accompanying combined financial statements have been prepared on a stand-alone basis and are derived from ServiceMaster's consolidated financial statements and accounting records, using ServiceMaster's historical basis in our assets and liabilities before the distribution. These combined financial statements reflect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Our financial position, results of operations and cash flows may not be indicative of our condition had we been a separate stand-alone entity during the periods presented, nor are the results stated herein indicative of what our financial position, results of operations and cash flows had we operated as a separate, independent company during the periods presented. The combined financial statements included herein do not reflect any changes that may occur in our financing and operations as a result of the distribution.
The combined financial statements include all revenues, costs, assets and liabilities directly attributable to us. The combined statements of operations and comprehensive income include allocations of certain costs from ServiceMaster incurred on our behalf. Such corporate-level costs are being allocated to us using methods based on proportionate formulas such as revenue, headcount, and others. Such corporate costs include costs pertaining to: accounting and finance, legal, human resources, information technology, insurance, marketing, tax services, procurement services and other costs. We consider the expense allocation methodology and results are considered to be reasonable for all periods presented. However, these allocations may not be indicative of the actual level of expense that we would have incurred if we had operated as a separate independent, publicly traded company during the periods presented nor are these costs indicative of what we may incur in the future.
F-7
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 2. Basis of Presentation (Continued)
Current and deferred income taxes and related tax expense have been determined based on our stand-alone results by applying Accounting Standards Codification 740, Income Taxes ("ASC 740"), issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"), as if we were a separate taxpayer, following the separate return methodology (see Note 5). Our portion of current income taxes payable is deemed to have been remitted to ServiceMaster in the period the related tax expense was recorded. Our portion of current income taxes receivable is deemed to have been remitted to us by ServiceMaster in the period to which the receivable applies only to the extent that we could have recognized a refund of such taxes on a stand-alone basis under the law of the relevant taxing jurisdiction.
Cash and cash equivalents included in the combined statement of financial position reflects cash and cash equivalents that are specifically attributable to us. ServiceMaster's debt has not been allocated to us for any of the periods presented since we are not the legal obligor of the debt.
ServiceMaster maintains various stock-based compensation and employee benefit plans at a corporate level. Our employees participate in those plans and a portion of the cost of those plans is included in our combined financial statements. See Note 10 and Note 11 for a further description of the accounting for stock-based compensation and employee benefit plans, respectively.
Note 3. Significant Accounting Policies
The significant accounting policies described below, together with the other notes that follow, are an integral part of the combined financial statements.
Basis of Combination
The combined historical results of our operations, financial position and cash flows have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. All significant transactions with ServiceMaster have been included in the combined statement of financial position within net parent investment, on the combined statement of financial position and all intra-company accounts, profits and transactions among the combined entities have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the combined financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions required under GAAP that may differ from actual results. The more significant areas requiring the use of management estimates relate to revenue recognition; the allowance for uncollectible receivables; accruals for home service plans; the possible outcome of outstanding legal matters; accruals for income tax liabilities as well as deferred tax accounts; the deferral and amortization of customer acquisition costs; stock-based compensation; useful lives for depreciation and amortization expense; the valuation of marketable securities; and the valuation of tangible and intangible assets.
Revenue
Home service plan contracts are typically one year in duration. Home service plan claims costs are expensed as incurred. We recognize revenue over the life of these contracts in proportion to the expected direct costs. Those costs bear a direct relationship to the fulfillment of our obligations under
F-8
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 3. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
the contracts and are representative of the relative value provided to the customer (proportional performance method). We regularly review our estimates of claims costs and adjust the estimates when appropriate.
We had $573 million and $528 million of deferred revenue as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. When a customer elects to pay for their home service plan contract on a monthly basis, accounts receivable and deferred revenue are recorded based on the total amount due from the customer. The accounts receivable balance is reduced as amounts are paid, and the deferred revenue is amortized over the life of the contract in proportion to the expected direct costs. Payments received for home service plan contracts are deferred and recognized in revenue over the life of the contract in proportion to the expected direct costs.
Allowance for Uncollectible Receivables
The allowance for uncollectible receivables is developed based on several factors, including overall customer credit quality, historical write-off experience and specific account analyses that project the ultimate collectability of the outstanding balances. As such, these factors may change over time causing the reserve level to vary.
Deferred Customer Acquisition Costs
Customer acquisition costs, which are incremental and direct costs of obtaining a customer, are deferred and amortized over the life of the related contract in proportion to revenue recognized. These costs include sales commissions and direct selling costs which can be shown to have resulted in a successful sale. Deferred customer acquisition costs amounted to $18 million and $18 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Advertising
Advertising costs are expensed when the advertising occurs. Advertising expense is included in Selling and administrative expenses on the combined statement of comprehensive income. Advertising expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $51 million, $44 million and $38 million respectively.
F-9
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 3. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Property and Equipment, Intangible Assets and Goodwill
Property and equipment consist of the following:
|
As of
December 31, |
|
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Estimated
Useful Lives |
|||||||
(In millions)
|
2017 | 2016 | ||||||
|
|
|
(Years)
|
|||||
Buildings and improvements |
$ | 19 | $ | 12 | 5 37 | |||
Technology and communications |
51 | 46 | 3 7 | |||||
Office equipment, furniture and fixtures |
6 | 6 | 5 7 | |||||
| | | | | | | | |
|
77 | 65 | ||||||
Less accumulated depreciation |
(46 | ) | (40 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | |
Net property and equipment |
$ | 31 | $ | 24 | ||||
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Depreciation expense of property and equipment, including depreciation of assets held under capital leases; was $9 million, $8 million, and $5 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 respectively.
As of December 31, 2017, goodwill was $476 million and intangible assets consisted primarily of indefinite-lived trade names in the amount of $140 million and other definite-lived intangible assets, net in the amount of $25 million.
As of December 31, 2016, goodwill was $471 million and intangible assets consisted primarily of indefinite-lived trade names in the amount of $140 million and other definite-lived intangible assets, net in the amount of $37 million.
Fixed assets and intangible assets with finite lives are depreciated and amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. These lives are based on our previous experience for similar assets, potential market obsolescence and other industry and business data. As required by accounting standards for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets, our fixed assets and finite-lived intangible assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If the carrying value is no longer recoverable based upon the undiscounted future cash flows of the asset, an impairment loss would be recognized equal to the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the asset. Changes in the estimated useful lives or in the asset values could cause us to adjust its book value or future expense accordingly.
As required under accounting standards for goodwill and other intangibles, goodwill is not subject to amortization, and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized until their useful lives are determined to no longer be indefinite. Goodwill and intangible assets that are not subject to amortization are subject to assessment for impairment by applying a fair-value based test on an annual basis or more frequently if circumstances indicate a potential impairment. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, primarily our trade names, are assessed annually for impairment during the fourth quarter or earlier upon the occurrence of certain events or substantive changes in circumstances. The 2017 annual impairment analysis, which was performed as of October 1, did not result in any goodwill or trade name impairments.
F-10
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 3. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Restricted Net Assets
There are third-party restrictions on the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to transfer funds to us. These restrictions are related to our regulatory requirements. The payments of ordinary and extraordinary dividends by our subsidiaries are subject to significant regulatory restrictions under the laws and regulations of the states in which they operate. Among other things, such laws and regulations require certain such subsidiaries to maintain minimum capital and net worth requirements and may limit the amount of ordinary and extraordinary dividends and other payments that these subsidiaries can make to us. As of December 31, 2017, the total net assets subject to these third-party restrictions was $169 million.
Financial Instruments and Credit Risk
Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to financial and credit risk, consist principally of marketable securities and receivables. Marketable securities consist primarily of publicly traded debt, certificates of deposit and common equity securities. We periodically review our portfolio of marketable securities to determine whether there has been an other than temporary decline in the value of the marketable securities from factors such as deterioration in the financial condition of the issuer or the market(s) in which the issuer competes. The majority of our receivables have little concentration of credit risk due to the large number of customers with relatively small balances and their dispersion across geographical areas. We maintain an allowance for losses based upon the expected collectability of receivables. See Note 15 to the combined financial statements for information relating to the fair value of financial instruments.
Stock-Based Compensation
Our employees have historically participated in ServiceMaster's stock-based compensation plans. Stock-based compensation expense has been allocated to us based on the awards and terms previously granted to our employees as well as an allocation of ServiceMaster's corporate and shared functional employee expenses. Stock-based compensation expense for stock options is estimated at the grant date based on an award's fair value as calculated by the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period. The Black-Scholes model requires various highly judgmental assumptions, including expected volatility and option life. If any of the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model change significantly, stock-based compensation expense for future grants may differ materially from that recorded in the current period related to options granted to date. In addition, ServiceMaster estimates the expected forfeiture rate and only recognizes expense for those shares expected to vest. ServiceMaster estimates the forfeiture rate based on historical experience. To the extent the actual forfeiture rate is different from the estimate, stock-based compensation expense is adjusted accordingly.
Income Taxes
For purposes of these combined financial statements, our taxes are provided for on a "separate return" basis, although the company's operations have historically been included in the tax returns filed by ServiceMaster. Income taxes as presented herein allocate current and deferred income taxes of the business to us in a manner that is systematic, rational, and consistent with the asset and liability method prescribed by ASC 740. Accordingly, as stated in paragraph 30 of ASC 740, the sum of the
F-11
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 3. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
amounts allocated to the carve-out tax provisions may not equal the historical consolidated provision for us. Under the separate return method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in operations in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established when management determines that it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The financial effect of changes in tax laws or rates is accounted for in the period of enactment. The settlement of tax obligations is assumed in the period incurred and included in net parent investment.
We record a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in tax returns. We recognize potential interest and penalties related to its uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.
Net Parent Investment
Our equity on the combined statement of financial position represents ServiceMaster's net investment in us and is presented as Net parent investment in lieu of stockholders' equity. Net parent investment includes net cash transfers and other property transfers to and from ServiceMaster and us. All transactions reflected in Net parent investment in the accompanying combined statement of financial position have been considered cash receipts and payments for purposes of the combined statements of cash flows and are reflected in financing activities in the accompanying combined statements of cash flows.
Segment reporting
A public company is required to report annual and interim financial and descriptive information about its reportable operating segments. Operating segments, as defined, are components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Aggregation of similar operating segments into a single reportable operating segment is permitted if the businesses have similar economic characteristics and meet the criteria established by GAAP.
Our operations are conducted as one reportable segment. We derive all of our revenue from customers in the United States.
Newly Issued Accounting Standards
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" to provide a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. This model supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the revenue model is that "an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services." Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or modified approach to adopt the
F-12
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 3. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
guidance. The Company will adopt the new revenue guidance effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method.
The Company has completed its evaluation of the impact of ASU 2014-09. The most significant impact relates to the reclassification of approximately $390 million of accounts receivable to contract assets that will be presented net of approximately $390 million of contract liabilities currently recorded as deferred revenue. Currently, when a customer elects to pay for their home service plan contract on a monthly basis, accounts receivable and deferred revenue are recorded based on the total amount due from the customer. The accounts receivable balance is reduced as amounts are paid, and the deferred revenue is amortized over the life of the contract. Under the new revenue guidance, only the portion of the contract that is due in the current month will be recorded within accounts receivable. The remaining portion of the contract will be separately recorded as a contract asset.
The adoption will not have a significant impact on revenue or net income. The amount of customer acquisition costs deferred and the amortization period for such costs will change under ASU 2014-09. Costs of obtaining a contract that would have been incurred regardless of whether the contract was obtained, such as direct mail and digital advertising, will be expensed as incurred. Incremental direct costs, such as commissions, will be amortized over the expected life of the contract, including anticipated renewals. We expect the adjustment to our opening balance of accumulated deficit to be approximately $3 million, net of tax, upon adoption. We have implemented necessary changes to our business processes, systems and controls to support recognition and disclosure of this ASU upon adoption on January 1, 2018.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, "Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" to change how entities measure certain equity investments, to require the disclosure of changes in the fair value of financial liabilities measured under the fair value option that are attributable to a company's own credit, and to change certain other disclosure requirements. The changes in ASU 2016-01 specifically require that the changes in fair value of all investments in equity securities be recognized in net income. Net investment income and other comprehensive income within the statement of operations and comprehensive income will be impacted as unrealized gains or losses on the Company's available-for-sale securities are currently recognized in other comprehensive income. The amendments in ASU 2016-01 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, and will be adopted prospectively.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)," which is the final standard on accounting for leases. While both lessees and lessors are affected by the new guidance, the effects on lessees are much more significant. The most significant change for lessees is the requirement under the new guidance to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for all leases not considered short-term leases. Entities are required to use a modified retrospective approach to adopt the guidance. The amendments in ASU 2016-02 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-02 on the Company's combined financial statements and currently expects that most of the operating lease commitments will be subject to the new standard and recognized as operating lease liabilities and right-of-use assets upon adoption of ASU 2016-02, which will increase the amount of total assets and total liabilities that is reported relative to such amounts prior to adoption.
F-13
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 3. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, "Income StatementReporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income," allowing a reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") to Retained Earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the corporate income tax rate change in U.S. Tax Reform. It is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company currently expects to early adopt this guidance in the first quarter of 2018, and will reclassify less than $1 million of unrealized losses from AOCI to Retained Earnings.
Subsequent Events
We have evaluated events subsequent to December 31, 2017 through March 30, 2018, which is the date these combined financial statements were available to be issued.
Note 4. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
In accordance with applicable accounting standards, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized and are subject to assessment for impairment by applying a fair-value based test on an annual basis or more frequently if circumstances indicate a potential impairment. An assessment for impairment is performed on October 1 every year. There were no goodwill or trade name impairment charges recorded during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. There were no accumulated impairment losses recorded as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.
The table below summarizes the changes in our goodwill balance for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:
(In millions)
|
Total | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Balance as of December 31, 2015 |
$ | 381 | ||
Acquisitions |
90 | |||
| | | | |
Balance as of December 31, 2016 |
471 | |||
Acquisitions(1) |
4 | |||
| | | | |
Balance as of December 31, 2017 |
$ | 476 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
F-14
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 4. Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Continued)
The table below summarizes the other intangible asset balances:
|
As of December 31, 2017 | As of December 31, 2016 | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions)
|
Gross |
Accumulated
Amortization |
Net | Gross |
Accumulated
Amortization |
Net | |||||||||||||
Trade names(1) |
$ | 140 | $ | | $ | 140 | $ | 140 | $ | | $ | 140 | |||||||
Customer relationships |
172 | (160 | ) | 12 | 180 | (155 | ) | 26 | |||||||||||
Other |
32 | (19 | ) | 13 | 27 | (16 | ) | 11 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
$ | 344 | $ | (179 | ) | $ | 165 | $ | 348 | $ | (170 | ) | $ | 177 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amortization expense of $8 million and $6 million was recorded in the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. For the existing intangible assets, we anticipate amortization expense of $8 million, $6 million, $5 million, $4 million and $1 million in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Note 5. Income Taxes
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the tax reform bill (the "Act" or "U.S. Tax Reform") was signed into law. The Act includes numerous changes in existing tax law, including a permanent reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, effective January 1, 2018. The adjustments to deferred tax assets and liabilities are provisional amounts estimated based on information available as of December 31, 2017. As described below, we have made reasonable estimates. These amounts are subject to change as we obtain information necessary to complete the calculations. We will recognize any changes to the provisional amounts as we refine our estimates of our deferred tax assets and liabilities and our interpretations of the application of the Act. We expect to complete our analysis of the provisional items during the second half of 2018. The effects of other provisions of the Act are not expected to have a material impact on our combined financial statements.
Corporate Tax Rate Change
The Company is subject to the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC 740-10, Income Taxes, which requires that the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates be recognized in the period the tax rate change was enacted. The Company remeasured deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the new U.S. tax rates at which they are expected to reverse in the future, which is generally 21 percent. The provisional amount recorded relating to the remeasurement of these deferred tax balances was a net reduction of total deferred tax liabilities of $20 million. We are still analyzing certain aspects of the Act and refining our calculations, which could potentially affect these deferred tax balances or potentially give rise to changes in existing deferred tax amounts.
F-15
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 5. Income Taxes (Continued)
Deferred Tax Analysis
The Act changes the treatment of certain income and expense items for which the Company records deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company has assessed its valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2017, as well as valuation allowance analyses affected by various aspects of the Act. The Company has recorded no provisional amounts related to valuation allowances and revaluation of deferred tax assets affected by various aspects of the Act. However, we are still analyzing certain aspects of the Act and refining our calculations, which could potentially affect the valuation of these balances.
As previously discussed in Note 3, although we were historically included in consolidated income tax returns of ServiceMaster, our income taxes are computed and reported herein under the "separate return method." Use of the separate return method may result in differences when the sum of the amounts allocated to stand-alone tax provisions are compared with amounts presented in financial statements. In that event, the related deferred tax assets and liabilities could be significantly different from those presented herein. Certain tax attributes, e.g., net operating loss carryforwards, which were actually reflected in ServiceMaster's consolidated financial statements may or may not exist at the stand-alone AHS level.
As of December 31, 2017 we had $4 million of tax benefits primarily reflected in federal and state tax returns that have not been recognized for financial reporting purposes ("unrecognized tax benefits"). As of December 31, 2016, we had $2 million of unrecognized tax benefits primarily reflected in state tax returns. At December 31, 2017 and 2016 we had $2 million and $1 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits would impact the effective tax rate if recognized. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
|
Year Ended
December 31, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions)
|
2017 | 2016 | |||||
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of period |
$ | 2 | $ | 1 | |||
Increases in tax positions for prior years |
| | |||||
Increases in tax positions for current year |
2 | 1 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at end of period |
$ | 4 | $ | 2 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Our policy is to recognize potential interest and penalties related to our tax positions within the tax provision. Total interest and penalties included in the combined statements of operations are immaterial.
We are subject to taxation in the United States and various states. We are no longer subject to federal examination by the Internal Revenue Service for the years before 2014. We are no longer subject to state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for the years before 2008.
All of our income before income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was generated in the United States.
F-16
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 5. Income Taxes (Continued)
The reconciliation of income tax computed at the U.S. federal statutory tax rate to our effective income tax rate is as follows:
|
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
Tax at U.S. federal statutory rate |
35.0 | % | 35.0 | % | 35.0 | % | ||||
State and local income taxes, net of U.S. federal benefit |
1.5 | 2.1 | 1.8 | |||||||
Tax credits |
| | | |||||||
Other permanent items |
2.1 | 0.6 | 1.0 | |||||||
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation |
(2.5 | ) | (1.1 | ) | (1.4 | ) | ||||
U.S. Tax Reform rate change(1) |
(8.9 | ) | | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Effective rate |
27.2 | % | 36.6 | % | 36.4 | % | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Income tax expense is as follows:
|
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions)
|
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
Current: |
||||||||||
U.S. federal |
$ | 71 | $ | 63 | $ | 60 | ||||
State and local |
7 | 7 | 6 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
78 | 70 | 66 | |||||||
Deferred: |
||||||||||
U.S. federal |
(20 | ) | 1 | 3 | ||||||
State and local |
1 | | | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
(19 | ) | 1 | 3 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Provision for income taxes |
$ | 60 | $ | 71 | $ | 69 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Deferred income tax expense results from timing differences in the recognition of income and expense for income tax and financial reporting purposes. Deferred income tax balances reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and income tax purposes. The deferred tax asset primarily reflects the impact of future tax deductions related to our accruals and other long-term obligations, including stock options and restricted stock units. The deferred tax liability is primarily attributable to the basis differences related to intangible assets.
F-17
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 5. Income Taxes (Continued)
Significant components of our deferred tax balances are as follows:
|
As of
December 31, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions)
|
2017 | 2016 | |||||
Long-term deferred tax assets (liabilities): |
|||||||
Intangible assets(1) |
$ | (37 | ) | $ | (54 | ) | |
Property and equipment |
(2 | ) | (3 | ) | |||
Prepaid expenses and deferred customer acquisition costs |
(5 | ) | (8 | ) | |||
Receivables allowances |
| 1 | |||||
Claims and related expenses |
1 | 1 | |||||
Accrued liabilities |
2 | 2 | |||||
Other long-term obligations |
3 | 4 | |||||
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards |
1 | 1 | |||||
Less valuation allowance |
| | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Net Long-term deferred tax liability |
$ | (38 | ) | $ | (56 | ) | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2017, we had deferred tax assets of less than $1 million for state credit carryforwards, which expire at various dates up to 2026.
Note 6. Acquisitions
2017
No acquisitions occurred during 2017.
Prior Years
Acquisitions have been accounted for using the acquisition method and, accordingly, the results of operations of the acquired businesses have been included in the combined financial statements since their dates of acquisition. The assets and liabilities of these businesses were recorded in the financial statements at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition dates.
On June 27, 2016, we acquired OneGuard for a total purchase price of $61 million. We recorded goodwill of $57 million and other intangibles, primarily customer relationships, of $15 million related to this acquisition.
On November 30, 2016, we acquired Landmark for a total purchase price of $39 million. We recorded goodwill of $33 million and other intangibles, primarily customer relationships, of $17 million related to this acquisition. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we finalized our assessment of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as a result of the acquisition of Landmark. We updated our preliminary allocation and reclassified approximately $9 million from customer relationships, $5 million to other and $4 million to goodwill.
F-18
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 6. Acquisitions (Continued)
The weighted-average useful life for each class of definite-lived intangible asset recorded for both the OneGuard and Landmark acquisitions was five years.
Supplemental cash flow information regarding our acquisitions is as follows:
(In millions)
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2016 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Assets acquired |
$ | 140 | ||
Liabilities assumed |
(40 | ) | ||
| | | | |
Net assets acquired |
$ | 101 | ||
| | | | |
Net cash paid |
$ | 87 | ||
Seller financed debt |
14 | |||
| | | | |
Purchase price |
$ | 101 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Note 7. Restructuring Charges
We incurred restructuring charges of $20 million ($13 million, net of tax), $3 million ($2 million, net of tax) and less than $1 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Of these restructuring charges $5 million and $1 million were allocated corporate charges incurred by ServiceMaster for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2017, these charges included costs related to the spin-off of $13 million, severance costs of $5 million, nonpersonnel charges of $1 million and asset write-off charges of $1 million. Spin-off costs primarily consist of legal and professional fees. Nonpersonnel charges primarily consist of lease termination costs related to the relocation to our Global Service Center. For the year ended December 31, 2016, these charges included severance costs of $1 million and nonpersonnel charges and asset write-offs of $2 million. Nonpersonnel charges primarily consist of lease and contract termination costs.
The pretax charges discussed above are reported in restructuring charges in the combined statements of operations and comprehensive income.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of accrued restructuring charges, which are included in "Accrued liabilitiesother" on the combined statement of financial position, is presented as follows:
(In millions)
|
Accrued
Restructuring Charges |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Balance as of December 31, 2015 |
$ | | ||
Costs incurred |
3 | |||
Costs paid or otherwise settled |
(3 | ) | ||
| | | | |
Balance as of December 31, 2016 |
| |||
Costs incurred |
20 | |||
Costs paid or otherwise settled |
(16 | ) | ||
| | | | |
Balance as of December 31, 2017 |
$ | 4 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
F-19
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 8. Commitments and Contingencies
We lease certain property and equipment under various operating lease arrangements. Most of the property leases provide that we pay taxes, insurance and maintenance applicable to the leased premises. As leases for existing locations expire, we expect to renew the leases or substitute another location and lease.
Rental expense, including allocated corporate rent for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, was $5 million, $4 million and $3 million, respectively. Based on leases in place as of December 31, 2017, future long-term noncancelable operating lease payments will be approximately $4 million in 2018, $4 million in 2019, $3 million in 2020, $4 million in 2021, $3 million in 2022 and $16 million in 2023 and thereafter.
Accruals for home service plan claims are made based on claims experience and actuarial projections. We have certain liabilities with respect to existing or potential claims, lawsuits and other proceedings. We accrue for these liabilities when it is probable that future costs will be incurred and such costs can be reasonably estimated. Any resulting adjustments, which could be material, are recorded in the period the adjustments are identified.
In the ordinary course of conducting business activities, we and our subsidiaries become involved in judicial, administrative and regulatory proceedings involving both private parties and governmental authorities. These proceedings include insured and uninsured matters that are brought on an individual, collective, representative and class action basis, or other proceedings involving regulatory, employment, general and commercial liability, automobile liability, wage and hour and other matters. We do not expect any of these proceedings to have a material effect on our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows; however, we can give no assurance that the results of any such proceedings will not materially affect our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Note 9. Related Party Transactions
We have historically been managed and operated in the normal course of business by ServiceMaster along with other businesses. Accordingly, certain shared costs have been allocated to us and reflected as expenses in these combined financial statements. Our management and the management of ServiceMaster consider the expenses included and the allocation methodologies used to be reasonable and appropriate reflections of the historical ServiceMaster expenses attributable to us for purposes of the stand-alone financial statements; however, the expenses reflected in the stand-alone financial statements may not be indicative of the actual expenses that would have been incurred during the periods presented if we historically operated as a separate, stand-alone entity. In addition, the expenses reflected in the financial statements may not be indicative of related expenses that we could incur in the future.
The combined financial statements include transactions with ServiceMaster for services (such as executive functions, information systems, accounting and finance, human resources, and legal and general corporate expenses) that are provided to us by the centralized ServiceMaster organization. Corporate level items also include personnel related expenses of Corporate employees (such as salaries, insurance coverage, stock-based compensation costs, etc.). Throughout the period covered by the financial statements, the costs of such functions,
F-20
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 9. Related Party Transactions (Continued)
services and items have been directly charged or allocated to us using methods management believes are reasonable. The methods for allocating functions, services, and items to us are based on proportional allocation bases which include revenue, headcount, and others. All such costs have been deemed to have been incurred and settled through net parent investment in the period where the costs were recorded.
Directly charged corporate expenses are included in selling and administrative expenses in the combined statements of operations and comprehensive income in the amounts of $13 million, $12 million and $13 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Allocated corporate expenses are also included in selling and administrative expense and in the combined statements of operations and comprehensive income in the amounts of $47 million, $45 million and $32 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
We have a trademark license agreement with ServiceMaster in which we are charged a royalty fee for the usage of ServiceMaster owned trade and service marks. The royalty fee is 0.175 percent of AHS's customer revenues for the period. The royalty fee is included within affiliate royalty expense in the combined statements of operations and comprehensive income in the amounts of $2 million, $2 million and $1 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
ServiceMaster administers a self-insured health insurance program for its employees, including our employees. We pay premiums to ServiceMaster for this coverage, which are based on the number of our employees in the medical plan. These premiums are reflected in our combined statements of operations and comprehensive income in the amounts of $8 million, $6 million and $6 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. In addition to these costs, a portion of medical insurance costs for corporate employees have been allocated to us through the corporate expense allocation discussed in (a) Corporate expenses above.
Insurance coverageServiceMaster carries insurance policies on insurable risks at levels which it believes to be appropriate. ServiceMaster purchases insurance policies from third-party insurance carriers, which typically incorporate significant deductibles or self-insured retentions. AHS pays a premium to ServiceMaster in exchange for the coverage provided. Expenses related to coverage provided by ServiceMaster and changes in ultimate losses relating to self-insured programs, are reflected in the combined statements of operations and comprehensive income in the amounts of $3 million, $4 million and $2 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
F-21
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 10. Stock-Based Compensation
Certain of our employees participate in stock-based compensation plans sponsored by ServiceMaster. ServiceMaster's stock-based compensation plans include incentive compensation plans. All awards granted under the plans are based on ServiceMaster's common shares and, as such, are reflected in ServiceMaster's consolidated statements of stockholders' equity and not in our combined statements of stockholders' equity. Stock-based compensation expense includes expense attributable to us based on the awards and terms previously granted to our employees and an allocation of ServiceMaster's corporate and shared functional employee expenses.
Stock-based compensation expense was $4 million ($3 million, net of tax), $4 million ($3 million net of tax), and $4 million ($2 million, net of tax) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These charges were recorded within selling and administrative expenses. Stock-based compensation expense includes an allocation of ServiceMaster's corporate and shared functional employees expense of $2 million, $3 million and $2 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Stock Options
The executives, officers and employees of ServiceMaster, including AHS, were granted options to purchase 747,761 684,329 and 411,506 shares of ServiceMaster common stock in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, at a weighted-average exercise price of $39.27 per share for options issued in 2017, $39.54 per share for options issued in 2016 and $32.70 per share for options issued in 2015. These options are subject to and governed by the terms of the Amended and Restated ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "ServiceMaster Omnibus Incentive Plan"). The per share purchase price and exercise price was based on the determination by the ServiceMaster's Compensation Committee of the fair market value of the ServiceMaster common stock as of the purchase/grant dates. All options granted to date will vest in four equal annual installments, subject to an employee's continued employment. The four-year vesting period is the requisite service period over which compensation cost will be recognized on a straight-line basis for all grants. All options issued are accounted for as equity-classified awards.
The value of each option award was estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option valuation model that incorporates the assumptions noted in the following table. For options granted in 2017, 2016 and 2015, the expected volatility was based on historical and implied volatilities of ServiceMaster's publicly traded stock. The expected life represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding and was calculated using the simplified method as outlined by the SEC in Staff Accounting Bulletins Nos. 107 and 110 as ServiceMaster does not have sufficient historical experience to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected life due to the limited period of time ServiceMaster's equity shares have been publicly traded. The risk-free interest rates were based on the U.S. Treasury securities with terms similar to the expected lives of the options as of the grant dates.
|
Year Ended December 31, | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assumption
|
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||
Expected volatility |
27.7% | 32.3% | 34.1% | |||
Expected dividend yield |
0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | |||
Expected life (in years) |
6.3 | 6.3 | 6.3 | |||
Risk-free interest rate |
1.83% 2.29% | 1.25% 1.46% | 1.50% 1.83% |
F-22
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 10. Stock-Based Compensation (Continued)
The weighted-average grant-date fair value of the options granted during 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $12.45, $13.58 and $11.91 per option, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2017, ServiceMaster applied a forfeiture assumption of 18.34 percent per annum in the recognition of the expense related to these options, with the exception of the options held by the Parent's CEO for which ServiceMaster has applied a forfeiture rate of zero. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $60 million, $20 million and $25 million, respectively. The total fair value of stock options vested during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $6 million, $6 million and $5 million, respectively.
A summary of consolidated ServiceMaster option activity under the ServiceMaster Omnibus Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2017 and changes during the year then ended is presented below:
RSUs
The executives, officers and employees of ServiceMaster, including AHS, were granted 416,604, 267,739 and 304,680 RSUs in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, with weighted-average grant date fair values of $40.51 per unit for 2017 $39.15 per unit for 2016 and $32.55 per unit for 2015, which was equivalent to the then current fair value of the ServiceMaster common stock at the grant date. All RSUs outstanding as of December 31, 2017 will vest in three equal annual installments, subject to an employee's continued employment. Upon vesting, each RSU will be converted into one share ServiceMaster's common stock. The three-year vesting period is the requisite service period over which compensation cost will be recognized on a straight-line basis for all grants. The total fair value of RSUs vested during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $7 million, $10 million and $7 million, respectively.
F-23
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 10. Stock-Based Compensation (Continued)
A summary of consolidated ServiceMaster RSU activity under the ServiceMaster Omnibus Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2017 and changes during the year then ended is presented below:
|
RSUs |
Weighted Avg.
Grant Date Fair Value |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total outstanding, December 31, 2016 |
439,134 | $ | 35.63 | ||||
Granted to employees |
416,604 | $ | 40.51 | ||||
Vested |
(184,151 | ) | $ | 33.71 | |||
Forfeited |
(99,663 | ) | $ | 38.77 | |||
| | | | | | | |
Total outstanding, December 31, 2017 |
571,924 | $ | 39.26 | ||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Included within the summary of RSU activity above are 162,172 grants of performance RSUs to certain executives who are key to the American Home Shield spin-off transaction, subject to the employee's continued employment. All RSUs are contingent upon the successful completion of the spin-off transaction. For certain grants, all RSUs vest on the date of the spin-off. For the remainder of these grants, the RSUs vest one-half on the date of the spin-off and one-half one year subsequent to the date of the spin-off. As vesting of these grants is contingent on the closing of the spin-off compensation cost will be recognized on the date of the spin-off and straight-line over the one-year period thereafter, as applicable.
Performance Shares
The executives of ServiceMaster, including AHS, were granted 120,778 performance shares in 2017 with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $38.98 per share and 131,352 performance shares in 2016 with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $39.59 per share, which were equivalent to the then current fair value of the Company's common stock at the grant date. The performance shares vest at the end of a three-year period based on the achievement of a cumulative adjusted EPS target established at the grant date and subject to an executive's continued employment. As the performance shares contain a performance condition, stock-based compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, is recorded over the requisite service period based on the number of awards expected to vest. No performance shares were granted in 2015.
A summary of consolidated ServiceMaster performance share activity under the ServiceMaster Omnibus Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2017 and changes during the year then ended is presented below:
|
Performance
Shares |
Weighted Avg.
Grant Date Fair Value |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total outstanding, December 31, 2016 |
109,881 | $ | 39.59 | ||||
Granted to executives |
120,778 | $ | 38.98 | ||||
Forfeited |
(136,731 | ) | $ | 39.55 | |||
| | | | | | | |
Total outstanding, December 31, 2017 |
93,928 | $ | 38.86 | ||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
F-24
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 11. Employee Benefit Plans
Our employees participate in ServiceMaster's Profit Sharing and Retirement Plan ("ServiceMaster PSRP"), which is a tax-qualified 401(k) defined contribution plan. ServiceMaster's discretionary contributions to the ServiceMaster PSRP for our employees were $2 million, $2 million and $2 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. In addition to these costs, a portion of ServiceMaster's discretionary contributions to the ServiceMaster PSRP for corporate employees have been allocated to us through the allocation of corporate expenses. These charges were recorded within selling and administrative expenses.
Our employees also participate in ServiceMaster's Deferred Compensation Plan ("DCP"), which is a nonqualified deferred compensation program. The DCP is not funded by ServiceMaster and all plan assets are held in a trust by ServiceMaster. The fair value of the investment securities held in the trust was $1 million and $1 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Note 12. Long-Term Debt
In connection with the 2016 acquisitions of OneGuard and Landmark, we have used seller financed debt to fund a portion of its acquisitions. The seller financed debt consists of future payments owed to sellers, with no stated interest rate. We have estimated the fair value of the notes at closing based on ServiceMaster's weighted-average cost of capital, which was five percent during 2016. We accrete the discount on seller financed debt and recognize interest expense through the end of the payment period using the effective interest rate.
The future scheduled long-term payments are $9 million and less than $1 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, and 2019, respectively. Interest expense on the seller financed debt was $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to less than $1 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
Note 13. Cash and Marketable Securities
Cash, money market funds and certificates of deposits with maturities of three months or less when purchased are included in Cash and cash equivalents on the combined statement of financial position. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, marketable securities consisted primarily of treasury bills ("Debt securities") and common equity securities ("Equity securities"). The amortized cost, fair value
F-25
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 13. Cash and Marketable Securities (Continued)
and gross unrealized gains and losses of our short- and long-term investments in Debt and Equity securities are as follows:
(In millions)
|
Amortized
Cost |
Gross
Unrealized Gains |
Gross
Unrealized Losses |
Fair
Value |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Available-for-sale securities, December 31, 2017: |
|||||||||||||
Debt securities |
$ | 25 | $ | | $ | | $ | 25 | |||||
Equity securities |
2 | | | 2 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total securities |
$ | 27 | $ | | $ | | $ | 27 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Available-for-sale securities, December 31, 2016: |
|||||||||||||
Debt securities |
$ | 27 | $ | | $ | | $ | 27 | |||||
Equity securities |
4 | | | 4 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total securities |
$ | 31 | $ | | $ | | $ | 31 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
There were no unrealized losses that had been in a loss position for more than one year as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.
Gains and losses on sales of investments, as determined on a specific identification basis, are included in investment income in the period they are realized. We periodically review its portfolio of investments to determine whether there has been any other than temporary decline in the value of the investments from factors such as deterioration in the financial condition of the issuer or the market(s) in which the issuer competes. The table below summarizes proceeds, gross realized gains and gross realized losses resulting from sales of available-for-sale securities. There were no impairment charges due to other than temporary declines in the value of certain investments for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.
|
Year Ended
December 31, |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions)
|
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
Proceeds from sale of securities |
$ | 12 | $ | 42 | $ | 22 | ||||
Maturities of securities |
36 | 7 | 10 | |||||||
Gross realized gains, pre-tax |
| 4 | 7 | |||||||
Gross realized gains, net of tax |
| 2 | 4 | |||||||
Gross realized losses, pre-tax |
| | | |||||||
Gross realized losses, net of tax |
| | |
Note 14. Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income, which primarily includes net income and unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities is disclosed in the combined statements of operations and comprehensive income and the combined statement of changes in Parent's equity.
F-26
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 14. Comprehensive Income (Continued)
The following tables summarize the activity in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of the related tax effects:
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income included the following components for the periods indicated.
|
Amounts
Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income As of December 31, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions)
|
2017 | 2016 | |||||
Gains on available-for-sale securities |
$ | | $ | 3 | |||
Impact of income taxes |
| (1 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | |
Total reclassifications related to securities |
$ | | $ | 2 | |||
| | | | | | | |
Total reclassifications for the period |
$ | | $ | 2 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
F-27
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 15. Fair Value Measurements
AHS estimates fair value at a price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the principal market for the asset or liability. The valuation techniques require inputs that the Business categorizes using a three-level hierarchy, from highest to lowest level of observable inputs, as follows: (1) unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets ("Level 1"), (2) direct or indirect observable inputs, including quoted prices or other market data, for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or identical assets or liabilities in less active markets ("Level 2") and (3) unobservable inputs that require significant judgment for which there is little or no market data ("Level 3"). When multiple input levels are required for a valuation, AHS categorizes the entire fair value measurement according to the lowest level of input that is significant to the measurement, even though AHS may have also utilized significant inputs that are more readily observable.
The period-end carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. The period-end carrying amounts of long-term notes receivable approximate fair value as the effective interest rates for these instruments are comparable to period-end market rates. The period-end carrying amounts of short- and long-term marketable securities also approximate fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported net of tax as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income on the combined statements of financial position, or, for certain unrealized losses, reported in interest and net investment income in the combined statements of operations and comprehensive income if the decline in value is other than temporary. The carrying amount and the estimated fair value of total debt was $9 million as of December 31, 2017. The fair value of our debt is estimated based on available market prices for the same or similar instruments that are considered significant other observable inputs (Level 2) within the fair value hierarchy. The fair values presented reflect the amounts that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). The fair value estimates presented in this report are based on information available to us as of December 31, 2017.
F-28
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 15. Fair Value Measurements (Continued)
The carrying amount and estimated fair value of our financial instruments that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis for the periods presented are as follows:
|
|
|
Estimated Fair Value Measurements | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions)
|
Statement of
Financial Position Location |
Carrying
Value |
Quoted Prices
In Active Markets (Level 1) |
Significant
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
||||||||||
As of December 31, 2017: |
|||||||||||||||
Financial Assets: |
|||||||||||||||
Deferred compensation trust assets |
Long-term marketable securities | $ | 1 | $ | 1 | $ | | $ | | ||||||
Investments in marketable securities |
Marketable securities and Long-term marketable securities | 26 | 25 | 1 | | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total financial assets |
$ | 27 | $ | 26 | $ | 1 | $ | | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2016: |
|||||||||||||||
Financial Assets: |
|||||||||||||||
Deferred compensation trust assets |
Long-term marketable securities | $ | 1 | $ | 1 | $ | | $ | | ||||||
Investments in marketable securities |
Marketable securities and Long-term marketable securities | 29 | 26 | 3 | | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total financial assets |
$ | 31 | $ | 27 | $ | 3 | $ | | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
F-29
American Home Shield
Condensed Combined Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
(In millions)
|
Six Months
Ended June 30, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2018 | 2017 | |||||
Revenue |
$ | 602 | $ | 553 | |||
Cost of services rendered |
330 | 285 | |||||
Selling and administrative expenses |
169 | 158 | |||||
Depreciation expense |
5 | 4 | |||||
Amortization expense |
4 | 4 | |||||
Restructuring charges |
3 | 1 | |||||
Spin-off charges |
15 | | |||||
Affiliate royalty expense |
1 | 1 | |||||
Interest income from affiliate |
(1 | ) | (1 | ) | |||
Interest and net investment income |
(1 | ) | (1 | ) | |||
Other |
| 1 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Income before Income Taxes |
78 | 100 | |||||
Provision for income taxes |
20 | 37 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Net Income |
$ | 58 | $ | 63 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Total Comprehensive Income |
$ | 58 | $ | 63 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
See accompanying Notes to the unaudited condensed combined financial statements.
F-30
American Home Shield
Condensed Combined Statements of Financial Position (Unaudited)
(In millions)
See accompanying Notes to the unaudited condensed combined financial statements.
F-31
American Home Shield
Condensed Combined Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(In millions)
|
Six Months
Ended June 30, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2018 | 2017 | |||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period |
$ | 282 | $ | 168 | |||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities |
|||||||
Net Income |
58 | 63 | |||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operating activities: |
|||||||
Depreciation expense |
5 | 4 | |||||
Amortization expense |
4 | 4 | |||||
Deferred income tax provision |
4 | | |||||
Stock-based compensation expense |
2 | 3 | |||||
Restructuring charges |
3 | 1 | |||||
Payments for restructuring charges |
(4 | ) | (1 | ) | |||
Spin-off charges |
15 | | |||||
Payments for spin-off charges |
(7 | ) | | ||||
Change in working capital, net of acquisitions: |
|||||||
Receivables |
(2 | ) | (19 | ) | |||
Other current assets |
(1 | ) | (0 | ) | |||
Accounts payable |
12 | 9 | |||||
Deferred revenue |
5 | 24 | |||||
Accrued liabilities |
26 | 23 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Net Cash Provided from Operating Activities |
122 | 112 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Cash Flows from Investing Activities |
|||||||
Purchases of property and equipment |
(17 | ) | (6 | ) | |||
Purchases of available-for-sale securities |
(10 | ) | (22 | ) | |||
Sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities |
10 | 16 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Net Cash Used for Investing Activities |
(16 | ) | (13 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Cash Flows from Financing Activities |
|||||||
Payments on seller financed debt and capital lease obligations |
(6 | ) | | ||||
Net transfers to Parent |
(67 | ) | (41 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Net Cash Used for Financing Activities |
(74 | ) | (41 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Cash Increase During the Period |
32 | 58 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period |
$ | 314 | $ | 226 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Supplementary Cash Flow Information: |
|||||||
Interest and dividend income received |
$ | | $ | | |||
Cash paid for interest |
$ | 1 | $ | |
See accompanying Notes to the unaudited condensed combined financial statements.
F-32
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1. Description of Business
On July 26, 2017, ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. ("ServiceMaster" or the "Parent"), announced its intention to spin off the ownership and operations of its American Home Shield business into a stand-alone publicly traded company. The accompanying condensed combined financial statements represent, on a historical cost basis, the combined assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses related to the American Home Shield business. To accomplish the separation, ServiceMaster will contribute assets and liabilities of its American Home Shield business into AHS Holding Company, Inc. ("AHS," "we," "us," "our" or the "Company") and distribute at least 80.1 percent of the outstanding shares of AHS common stock to ServiceMaster's stockholders. On June 1, 2018, the Internal Revenue Service provided a Private Letter Ruling confirming that the proposed transaction qualifies as a tax-free distribution to our stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Following the distribution, ServiceMaster stockholders will own shares in both us and ServiceMaster. AHS Holding Company, Inc. was incorporated in the State of Delaware on January 2, 2018.
Our core services include providing home service plans that cover the repair or replacement of major components of up to 21 home systems and appliances, including electrical, plumbing, central HVAC systems, water heaters, refrigerators, dishwashers and ovens/cooktops under the American Home Shield, HSA, OneGuard and Landmark brands. We serve residential customers across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Additionally, we operate and take service calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, our total operating revenue included 66 percent of revenue derived from existing contract renewals, while 22 percent and 12 percent were derived from sales made in conjunction with existing home resale transactions and direct to consumer sales, respectively.
Note 2. Basis of Presentation
The unaudited condensed combined financial statements of AHS as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 and for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017 have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). The Company recommends that the quarterly unaudited condensed combined financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited combined financial statements and the notes thereto as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for the three years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 included elsewhere in this Information Statement. The unaudited condensed combined financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for any interim period are not indicative of the results that might be achieved for a full year.
Throughout the period covered by the condensed combined financial statements, we did not operate as a separate entity, and stand-alone separate financial statements historically have not been prepared. We are comprised of certain stand-alone legal entities for which discrete financial information is available. The accompanying condensed combined financial statements have been prepared on a stand-alone basis and are derived from ServiceMaster's consolidated financial statements and accounting records, using ServiceMaster's historical basis in our assets and liabilities before the distribution. These condensed combined financial statements reflect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with U.S. GAAP. Our financial position, results of operations
F-33
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 2. Basis of Presentation (Continued)
and cash flows may not be indicative of our condition had we been a separate stand-alone entity during the periods presented, nor are the results stated herein indicative of what our financial position, results of operations and cash flows would have been had we operated as a separate, independent company during the periods presented. The condensed combined financial statements included herein do not reflect any changes that may occur in our financing and operations as a result of the distribution.
The condensed combined financial statements include all revenues, costs, assets and liabilities directly attributable to us. The condensed combined statements of operations and comprehensive income include allocations of certain costs from ServiceMaster incurred on our behalf. Such corporate-level costs are being allocated to us using methods based on proportionate formulas such as revenue, headcount and others. Such corporate costs include costs pertaining to: accounting and finance, legal, human resources, information technology, insurance, marketing, tax services, procurement services and other costs. We consider the expense allocation methodology and results to be reasonable for all periods presented. However, these allocations may not be indicative of the actual level of expense that we would have incurred if we had operated as a separate independent, publicly traded company during the periods presented, nor are these costs indicative of what we may incur in the future.
Current and deferred income taxes and related tax expense have been determined based on our stand-alone results by applying Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 740, "Income Taxes," issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"), as if we were a separate taxpayer, following the separate return methodology (see Note 6). Our portion of current income taxes payable is deemed to have been remitted to ServiceMaster in the period the related tax expense was recorded. Our portion of current income taxes receivable is deemed to have been remitted to us by ServiceMaster in the period to which the receivable applies only to the extent that we could have recognized a refund of such taxes on a stand-alone basis under the law of the relevant taxing jurisdiction.
Cash and cash equivalents included in the condensed combined statements of financial position reflects cash and cash equivalents that are specifically attributable to us. ServiceMaster's debt has not been allocated to us for any of the periods presented since we are not the legal obligor of the debt.
ServiceMaster maintains various stock-based compensation and employee benefit plans at a corporate level. Our employees participate in those plans, and a portion of the cost of those plans is included in our condensed combined financial statements.
Note 3. Significant Accounting Policies
The significant accounting policies are described in Note 3 to the annual combined financial statements included elsewhere in this Information Statement. There have been no other material changes to the significant accounting policies for the six months ended June 30, 2018 other than those described below.
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, " Revenue from Contracts with Customers ," to provide a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC 606 using the modified retrospective method to those
F-34
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 3. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the Company's historic accounting under ASC 605 " Revenue Recognition ." The Company implemented internal controls and system functionality where necessary to enable the preparation of financial information on adoption. See Note 4 to the condensed combined financial statements for more details.
In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-01, " Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities ," to change how entities measure certain equity investments, to require the disclosure of changes in the fair value of financial liabilities measured under the fair value option that are attributable to a company's own credit, and to change certain other disclosure requirements. The changes in ASU 2016-01 specifically require that the changes in fair value of all investments in equity securities be recognized in net income. In March 2018, the FASB issued an amendment to this standard (ASU No. 2018-03), which provides further clarification regarding this standard. The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2018. There was an insignificant impact to the condensed combined financial statements as a result of the Company's adoption of this standard.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, " Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business ." The ASU clarifies the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses by providing a screen to determine when an integrated set of assets or activities is not a business. The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2018. There was no impact to the condensed combined financial statements as a result of the Company's adoption of this standard. The condensed combined financial statements may be impacted if an acquisition does not qualify as a business combination under the ASU. Such acquisitions would be accounted for as asset purchases.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, " Stock CompensationScope of Modification Accounting ." The ASU clarifies the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements. Specifically, an entity would not apply modification accounting if the fair value, vesting conditions and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification. The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2018 with no impact to the condensed combined financial statements as a result of the Company's adoption of this standard and will apply the guidance prospectively to awards modified on or after the adoption date.
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, " Income StatementReporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ," allowing a reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") to Retained Earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the corporate income tax rate change in U.S. Tax Reform. It is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. As allowed by the ASU, the Company elected to early adopt the amendments of this ASU in the first quarter of 2018, and there was an insignificant impact to the condensed combined financial statements as a result of the Company's adoption of this standard.
F-35
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 3. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Effective
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, " Leases (Topic 842) ," which is the final standard on accounting for leases. While both lessees and lessors are affected by the new guidance, the effects on lessees are much more significant. The most significant change for lessees is the requirement under the new guidance to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for all leases not considered short-term leases. Entities are required to use a modified retrospective approach to adopt the guidance. The amendments in ASU 2016-02 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-02 on the Company's condensed combined financial statements and currently expects that most of the operating lease commitments will be subject to the new standard and recognized as operating lease liabilities and right-of-use assets upon adoption of ASU 2016-02, which will increase the amount of total assets and total liabilities that is reported relative to such amounts prior to adoption.
To date, the Company has performed the following: A transition team has been established to implement the required changes; the Company has substantially completed its inventory of all leases; an initial assessment of the Company's leases and embedded leases is underway; and the Company has begun the process of implementing new controls to assist in the measurement of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities and related disclosures. The Company plans to adopt the new lease standard in the first quarter of 2019. The Company expects the adoption will increase the amount of total assets and total liabilities that is reported relative to such amounts prior to adoption and is currently evaluating the impact of adoption on its condensed combined statements of operations and comprehensive income.
In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-09, " Codification Improvements ." This ASU does not prescribe any new accounting guidance, but instead makes minor improvements and clarifications of several different FASB Accounting Standards Codification areas based on comments and suggestions made by various stakeholders. Certain updates are applicable immediately while others provide for a transition period to adopt as part of the next fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance to determine the impact it may have on its condensed combined financial statements.
The Company has reviewed all other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements and does not expect the future adoption of any such pronouncements will have a material impact on its financial condition or the results of its operations.
Subsequent Events
We have evaluated events subsequent to June 30, 2018 through August 1, 2018, which is the date these condensed combined financial statements were available to be issued.
Note 4. Revenue
The following table presents the Company's revenues, disaggregated by revenue source. The Company disaggregates revenue from contracts with customers into major customer acquisition channels. We determined that disaggregating revenue into these categories achieves the disclosure
F-36
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 4. Revenue (Continued)
objective to depict how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors.
|
Six months
ended June 30, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions)
|
2018 | 2017 | |||||
Major customer acquisition channels |
|||||||
Renewals |
$ | 398 | $ | 362 | |||
Real estate |
127 | 120 | |||||
Direct to consumer |
75 | 69 | |||||
Other |
3 | 2 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total |
$ | 602 | $ | 553 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
At contract inception, the Company assesses the goods and services promised in its contracts with customers and identifies a performance obligation for each promise to transfer to the customer a good or service (or a bundle of goods and services) that is distinct. To identify the performance obligation, the Company considers all of the goods and services promised in the contract regardless of whether they are explicitly stated or are implied by customary business practices.
Renewals
Revenue from all customer renewals, whether initiated via the real estate or direct to consumer channel, are classified as renewals above. Customer payments for renewals are received either at the commencement of the renewal period or in installments over the contract period, which generates a contract liability.
Real estate
Real estate home service plan contracts are sold through annual renewable contracts in connection with a real estate sale, and payments are typically paid in full at closing, which generates a contract liability.
Direct to consumer
Direct to consumer home service plan contracts are sold through annual renewable contracts when customers request a service plan in response to marketing efforts or when third party resellers make a sale. Customer payments are received either at the commencement of the contract or in installments over the contract period, which generates a contract liability.
The Company recognizes revenue related to each type of contract at the agreed-upon contractual amount over time using the input method in proportion to the costs expected to be incurred in performing services under the contracts. As the costs to fulfill the obligations of the service plan contracts are incurred on an other than straight-line basis, the Company utilizes historical evidence to estimate the expected claims expense and related timing of such costs. This adjustment to the straight-line revenue creates a contract asset or contract liability. The Company regularly reviews its estimates of claims costs and adjusts the estimates when appropriate.
F-37
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 4. Revenue (Continued)
Costs to obtain a contract with a customer
The Company capitalizes the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer, primarily commissions, and recognizes the expense on a straight-line basis, as adjusted to match the timing of revenue recognition, over the expected customer relationship period. As of January 1, 2018, the date the Company adopted ASC 606, we capitalized a total of $21 million in deferred customer acquisition costs related to contracts that were not completed. As of June 30, 2018, the Company had capitalized a total of $21 million in deferred customer acquisition costs related to contracts that were not completed. In the six months ended June 30, 2018, the amount of amortization was $11 million, and there was no impairment loss in relation to costs capitalized.
Contract balances
Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. Contracts with customers are generally for a period of one year or less, and are generally renewable. The Company records a receivable related to revenue recognized on services once the Company has an unconditional right to invoice and receive payment in the future related to the services provided. All accounts receivables are recorded within Receivables, less allowance, in the condensed combined statements of financial position.
Deferred revenue represents a contract liability and is recognized when cash payments are received in advance of the performance of services, including when the amounts are refundable. Amounts are recognized as revenue in proportion to the costs expected to be incurred in performing services under the Company's contracts.
Deferred revenue was $188 million and $573 million as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, and includes a net contract liability of $8 million as of June 30, 2018 related to the recognition of monthly pay-customer revenue on an other than straight-line basis to match the timing of cost recognition.
Changes in deferred revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2018, including after adoption of ASC 606, were as follows (in millions):
(In millions)
|
Deferred revenue | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Balance, January 1, 2018 |
$ | 183 | ||
Deferral of revenue |
207 | |||
Recognition of deferred revenue |
(201 | ) | ||
| | | | |
Balance, June 30, 2018 |
$ | 188 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Revenue of $142 million was recognized in the six months ended June 30, 2018 that was included in the deferred revenue balance as of January 1, 2018.
F-38
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 4. Revenue (Continued)
Arrangements with Multiple Performance Obligations
The Company's contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations. For such arrangements, we allocate revenue to each performance obligation based on its relative stand-alone selling price. Any discounts given are allocated to the services to which the discounts relate.
Practical Expedients and Exemptions
The Company offers certain interest-free contracts to customers where payments are received over a period not exceeding one year. Additionally, customers have the option to pay for an annual home service plan in advance. The Company does not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of these financing components. At contract inception, the period of time between the performance of services and the customer payment is one year or less.
Revenue is recognized net of any taxes collected from customers, which are subsequently remitted to taxing authorities.
We do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected length of one year or less.
Certain non-commission related incremental costs to obtain a contract with a customer are expensed as incurred because the amortization period would have been one year or less. These costs are included in Selling and administrative expenses in the condensed combined statements of operations and comprehensive income.
We utilize the portfolio approach to recognize revenue in situations where a portfolio of contracts have similar characteristics. The revenue recognized under the portfolio approach is not materially different than if every individual contract in the portfolio was accounted for separately.
Impact of ASC 606 on the Condensed Combined Financial Statements
The Company recorded a net increase to opening net parent investment of $2 million, net of tax, as of January 1, 2018 due to the cumulative impact of adopting ASC 606. Under ASC 606, commission costs incremental to a successful sale are deferred and recognized in the condensed combined statements of operations and comprehensive income over the expected customer relationship period. Previously, commissions and other sales-related costs were deferred and recognized over the initial contract period.
Changes to the condensed combined statements of financial position include: i) the reclassification of Receivables to contract assets which are presented net of contract liabilities within Deferred revenue and ii) the reclassification of Deferred customer acquisition costs to long-term assets as costs are recognized over the expected customer relationship period, which is in excess of one year. Previously, when a customer elected to pay for their home service plan contract on a monthly basis, Receivables and Deferred revenue were recorded based on the total amount due from the customer. Receivables were reduced as amounts were paid, and Deferred revenue was amortized over the life of the contract. Currently, only the portion of the contract that is due in the current month will be recorded within Receivables.
F-39
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 4. Revenue (Continued)
The following tables compare affected lines of the condensed combined financial statements as prepared under the provisions of ASC 606 to a presentation of these financial statements under the prior revenue recognition guidance:
|
As of June 30, 2018 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Condensed Combined Statement of Financial Position
|
As reported |
Under Prior Revenue
Recognition Guidance |
|||||
Current Assets: |
|||||||
Receivables |
$ | 17 | $ | 428 | |||
Deferred customer acquisition costs |
| 19 | |||||
Other Assets: |
|||||||
Deferred customer acquisition costs |
21 | | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total Assets |
$ | 1,069 | $ | 1,478 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Current Liabilities: |
|||||||
Deferred revenue |
$ | 188 | $ | 599 | |||
Other Long-Term Liabilities: |
|||||||
Deferred taxes |
42 | 41 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total Liabilities |
412 | 822 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Net parent investment |
657 | 655 | |||||
Net Income |
58 | 58 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Liabilities and Parent's Equity |
$ | 1,069 | $ | 1,478 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|
Six months ended June 30, 2018 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Condensed Combined Statement of Operations and
Comprehensive Income |
As reported |
Under Prior Revenue
Recognition Guidance |
|||||
Selling and administrative expenses |
$ | 169 | $ | 169 | |||
Provision for income taxes |
20 | 20 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Net Income |
$ | 58 | $ | 58 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
The adoption of ASC 606 had no significant impact on the Company's cash flows. The aforementioned impacts resulted in offsetting shifts in cash flows from operations between net income and various change in working capital line items.
Note 5. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized and are subject to assessment for impairment by applying a fair-value based test on an annual basis or more frequently if circumstances indicate a potential impairment. The Company's annual assessment date is October 1. There were no goodwill or trade name impairment charges recorded in the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. There were no accumulated impairment losses recorded as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
F-40
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 5. Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Continued)
The table below summarizes the other intangible asset balances:
|
As of June 30, 2018 | As of December 31, 2017 | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions)
|
Gross |
Accumulated
Amortization |
Net | Gross |
Accumulated
Amortization |
Net | |||||||||||||
Trade names(1) |
$ | 140 | $ | | $ | 140 | $ | 140 | $ | | $ | 140 | |||||||
Customer relationships |
172 | (162 | ) | 9 | 172 | (160 | ) | 12 | |||||||||||
Other |
32 | (21 | ) | 11 | 32 | (19 | ) | 13 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
$ | 344 | $ | (183 | ) | $ | 161 | $ | 344 | $ | (179 | ) | $ | 165 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amortization expense of $4 million was recorded for each of the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. For the existing intangible assets, we anticipate amortization expense for the remainder of 2018 and each of the next five years of $4 million, $6 million, $5 million, $4 million, $1 million and $1 million, respectively.
Note 6. Income Taxes
As required by ASC 740, "Income Taxes," the Company computes interim period income taxes by applying an anticipated annual effective tax rate to the Company's year-to-date income or loss from continuing operations before income taxes, except for significant unusual or infrequently occurring items. The Company's estimated tax rate is adjusted each quarter in accordance with ASC 740.
The effective tax rate on income was 25.1 percent and 37.3 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The year-over-year decrease in the effective tax rate on income for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was primarily driven by the reduction in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent.
As of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had $5 million and $4 million, respectively, of tax benefits primarily reflected in federal and state tax returns that have not been recognized for financial reporting purposes ("unrecognized tax benefits"). Our policy is to recognize potential interest and penalties related to our tax positions within the tax provision. Total interest and penalties included in the condensed combined statements of operations and comprehensive income are immaterial.
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the tax reform bill (the "Act" or "U.S. Tax Reform") was signed into law. The Act includes numerous changes in existing tax law, including a permanent reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, effective January 1, 2018. The adjustments to deferred tax assets and liabilities are provisional amounts estimated based on information available as of December 31, 2017. As described below, we have made reasonable estimates. At June 30, 2018, we have considered all available information and no adjustments to our original provisional amounts were identified. These amounts are subject to change as we obtain information necessary to complete the calculations. We will recognize any changes to the provisional amounts as we refine our estimates of our deferred tax assets and liabilities and our interpretations of the application of the Act. We expect to complete our analysis of the provisional
F-41
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 6. Income Taxes (Continued)
items during the second half of 2018. The effects of other provisions of the Act are not expected to have a material impact on our condensed combined financial statements.
The Company is subject to the provisions of ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes," which requires that the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates be recognized in the period the tax rate change was enacted. The Company remeasured deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the new U.S. tax rates at which they are expected to reverse in the future, which is generally 21 percent. The provisional amount recorded at December 31, 2017 relating to the remeasurement of these deferred tax balances was a net reduction of total deferred tax liabilities of $20 million. We are still analyzing certain aspects of the Act and refining our calculations, which could potentially affect these deferred tax balances or potentially give rise to changes in existing deferred tax amounts.
Deferred Tax Analysis
The Act changes the treatment of certain income and expense items for which the Company records deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company has assessed its valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities at June 30, 2018, as well as valuation allowance analyses affected by various aspects of the Act. The Company has recorded no provisional amounts related to valuation allowances and revaluation of deferred tax assets affected by various aspects of the Act. However, we are still analyzing certain aspects of the Act and refining our calculations, which could potentially affect the valuation of these balances.
Note 7. Restructuring Charges
We incurred restructuring charges of $3 million ($2 million, net of tax) and $1 million (less than $1 million, net of tax) for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, these charges include an allocation of $1 million of severance costs related to actions taken to enhance capabilities and reduce costs in ServiceMaster's corporate functions that provide company-wide administrative services to support operations and $2 million of nonpersonnel charges primarily relating to the relocation to our corporate headquarters. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, charges primarily represent an allocation of severance costs as part of the severance agreement with ServiceMaster's former Chief Financial Officer.
The pre-tax charges discussed above are reported in Restructuring charges in the condensed combined statements of operations and comprehensive income. Certain restructuring comparative figures in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
F-42
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 7. Restructuring Charges (Continued)
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of accrued restructuring charges, which are included in "Accrued liabilitiesOther" in the condensed combined statements of financial position, is presented as follows:
(In millions)
|
Accrued
Restructuring Charges |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Balance as of December 31, 2017 |
$ | 3 | ||
Costs incurred |
3 | |||
Costs paid or otherwise settled |
(4 | ) | ||
| | | | |
Balance as of June 30, 2018 |
$ | 2 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Balance as of December 31, 2016 |
$ | | ||
Costs incurred |
1 | |||
Costs paid or otherwise settled |
(1 | ) | ||
| | | | |
Balance as of June 30, 2017 |
$ | | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Note 8. Spin-off Charges
Our financial statements include nonrecurring costs incurred to evaluate, plan and execute the spin-off to company ServiceMaster stockholders. These costs are primarily related to third-party consulting and other incremental costs directly associated with the spin-off process. At December 31, 2017, we had $1 million of spin-off charges accrued and $2 million of prepaid spin-off charges which were recognized during the six months ended June 30, 2018. The Company's results for the six months ended June 30, 2018 include spin-off charges of $15 million ($12 million, net of tax). These charges primarily represent $12 million of professional fees and $3 million of other incremental costs related to the spin-off. Of this amount, $4 million was unpaid and accrued at June 30, 2018 in Accrued liabilitiesOther and $3 million was unpaid and accrued in Accounts payable in the condensed consolidated statements of financial position. The Company expects substantially all of the spin-off charges to be paid within one year.
We expect to incur aggregate charges related to the spin-off of $35 million to $45 million in 2018. In addition, incremental capital expenditures will be required to effect the spin-off in 2018 and will range from $20 million to $30 million, principally reflecting costs to replicate information technology systems historically shared by the Company's business units.
Note 9. Commitments and Contingencies
We lease certain property and equipment under various operating lease arrangements. Most of the property leases provide that we pay taxes, insurance and maintenance applicable to the leased premises. As leases for existing locations expire, we expect to renew the leases or substitute another location and lease. Rental expense, including allocated corporate rent was $3 million for each of the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
The Company also accrues for home service plan claims in Accrued liabilitiesHome service plan claims. Accruals for home service plan claims are made based on the Company's claims experience and
F-43
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 9. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)
actuarial projections. The Company's actuary performs a reserve analysis utilizing generally accepted actuarial methods that incorporates cumulative historical claims experience and information provided by the Company. The Company regularly reviews its estimates of claims costs and adjust the estimates when appropriate. During 2018, the Company revised its previous estimate of contract claims and increased contract claims accruals by $6 million. Current activity could differ causing further changes in estimates.
In the ordinary course of conducting business activities, we and our subsidiaries become involved in judicial, administrative and regulatory proceedings involving both private parties and governmental authorities. These proceedings include insured and uninsured matters that are brought on an individual, collective, representative and class action basis, or other proceedings involving regulatory, employment, general and commercial liability, automobile liability, wage and hour and other matters. We do not expect any of these proceedings to have a material effect on our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows; however, we can give no assurance that the results of any such proceedings will not materially affect our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Note 10. Related Party Transactions
We have historically been managed and operated in the normal course of business by ServiceMaster along with other businesses. Accordingly, certain shared costs have been allocated to us and reflected as expenses in these condensed combined financial statements. Our management and the management of ServiceMaster consider the expenses included and the allocation methodologies used to be reasonable and appropriate reflections of the historical ServiceMaster expenses attributable to us for purposes of the stand-alone financial statements; however, the expenses reflected in the stand-alone financial statements may not be indicative of the actual expenses that would have been incurred during the periods presented if we historically operated as a separate, stand-alone entity. In addition, the expenses reflected in the financial statements may not be indicative of related expenses that we could incur in the future.
The condensed combined financial statements include transactions with ServiceMaster for services (such as executive functions, information systems, accounting and finance, human resources, legal and general corporate expenses) that are provided to us by the centralized ServiceMaster organization. Corporate level items also include personnel related expenses of Corporate employees (such as salaries, insurance coverage, stock-based compensation costs, etc.). Throughout the period covered by the financial statements, the costs of such functions, services and items have been directly charged or allocated to us using methods management believes are reasonable. The methods for allocating functions, services and items to us are based on proportional allocation bases which include revenue, headcount and others. All such costs have been deemed to have been incurred and settled through net parent investment in the period in which the costs were recorded. Directly charged corporate expenses are included in Selling and administrative expenses in the condensed combined statements of operations and comprehensive income in the amounts of $7 million and $6 million for the six months
F-44
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 10. Related Party Transactions (Continued)
ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Allocated corporate expenses are also included in Selling and administrative expenses in the condensed combined statements of operations and comprehensive income in the amounts of $24 million and $25 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
We have a trademark license agreement with ServiceMaster in which we are charged a royalty fee for the usage of ServiceMaster owned trade and service marks. The royalty fee is 0.175 percent of AHS's customer revenues for the period. The royalty fee is included within Affiliate royalty expense in the condensed combined statements of operations and comprehensive income in the amounts $1 million for each of the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017.
ServiceMaster administers a self-insured health insurance program for its employees, including our employees. We pay premiums to ServiceMaster for this coverage, which are based on the number of our employees in the medical plan. These premiums are reflected in our condensed combined statements of operations and comprehensive income in the amounts of $4 million for each of the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. In addition to these costs, a portion of medical insurance costs for corporate employees have been allocated to us through the corporate expense allocation discussed in (a) Corporate expenses above.
Insurance coverageServiceMaster carries insurance policies on insurable risks at levels which it believes to be appropriate. ServiceMaster purchases insurance policies from third-party insurance carriers, which typically incorporate significant deductibles or self-insured retentions. AHS pays a premium to ServiceMaster in exchange for the coverage provided. Expenses related to coverage provided by ServiceMaster and changes in ultimate losses relating to self-insured programs are reflected in the condensed combined statements of operations and comprehensive income in the amounts of $2 million and $1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Note 11. Stock-Based Compensation
For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $2 million ($1 million, net of tax) and $3 million ($2 million, net of tax). These charges are included in Selling and administrative expenses in the condensed combined statements of operations and comprehensive income.
Note 12. Long-Term Debt
Debt consists of seller financed debt that was used to fund a portion of our 2016 acquisitions. The seller financed debt consists of future payments owed to sellers, with no stated interest rate. We accrete
F-45
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 12. Long-Term Debt (Continued)
the discount on seller financed debt and recognize interest expense through the end of the payment period using the effective interest rate.
Note 13. Cash and Marketable Securities
Cash, money market funds and certificates of deposits with maturities of three months or less when purchased are included in Cash and cash equivalents in the condensed combined statements of financial position. As of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, marketable securities consisted primarily of treasury bills and common equity securities and are classified as available-for-sale securities. Marketable securities of $25 million in each of the periods ended June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 primarily represent the Company's investments in treasury bills with maturities of less than one year. Long-term marketable securities of $2 million in each of the periods ended June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 primarily represent common equity securities held in a trust for the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan. The common equity securities are remeasured at fair value with less than $1 million of realized gains and losses recognized in Interest and net investment income in the condensed combined statements of operations and comprehensive income in the periods ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. Unrealized gains and losses on Marketable securities of less than $1 million were recognized in the condensed combined statements of financial position as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
The Company periodically reviews its debt securities to determine whether there has been an other than temporary decline in value. There were no impairment charges due to declines in the value of these investments for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017.
The table below summarizes proceeds from sale of securities, maturities of available-for-sale securities and gross realized (gains) losses:
|
Six Months
Ended June 30, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions)
|
2018 | 2017 | |||||
Proceeds from sale of securities |
$ | 1 | $ | 1 | |||
Maturities of securities |
9 | 15 | |||||
Gross realized (gains) losses |
| |
Note 14. Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income, which primarily includes net income and unrealized gains on Marketable securities, is disclosed in the condensed combined statements of operations and comprehensive income. Amounts included in other comprehensive income including unrealized gains on marketable securities, as well as reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income upon the adoption of ASU 2016-01 on January 1, 2018, were less than $1 million, net of taxes, for each of the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017.
F-46
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 15. Fair Value Measurement
AHS estimates fair value at a price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the principal market for the asset or liability. The valuation techniques require inputs that the business categorizes using a three-level hierarchy, from highest to lowest level of observable inputs, as follows: (1) unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets ("Level 1"), (2) direct or indirect observable inputs, including quoted prices or other market data, for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or identical assets or liabilities in less active markets ("Level 2") and (3) unobservable inputs that require significant judgment for which there is little or no market data ("Level 3"). When multiple input levels are required for a valuation, AHS categorizes the entire fair value measurement according to the lowest level of input that is significant to the measurement, even though AHS may have also utilized significant inputs that are more readily observable.
The period-end carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. For investments in Long-term marketable securities, primarily consisting of deferred compensation trust assets, which are carried at fair value, the Company's fair value estimates incorporate quoted market prices at the balance sheet date, with unrealized gains and losses reported in Interest and net investment income in the condensed combined statements of operations and comprehensive income. The period-end carrying amount of Marketable securities approximates fair value and primarily consists of available-for-sale debt securities. Unrealized gains and losses are reported net of tax as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income in the condensed combined statements of financial position. Any unrealized losses where the decline in value is other than temporary are reported in Interest and net investment income in the condensed combined statements of operations and comprehensive income. There were no other than temporary declines in value for the periods ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. The carrying amount and the estimated fair value of total debt was $3 million as of June 30, 2018. The fair value of our debt is estimated based on available market prices for the same or similar instruments that are considered significant other observable inputs (Level 2) within the fair value hierarchy. The fair values presented reflect the amounts that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). The fair value estimates presented in this report are based on information available to us as of June 30, 2018.
F-47
AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 15. Fair Value Measurement (Continued)
The carrying amount and estimated fair value of our financial instruments that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis for the periods presented are as follows:
|
|
|
Estimated Fair Value Measurements | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In millions)
|
Statement of Financial
Position Location |
Carrying
Value |
Quoted Prices
In Active Markets (Level 1) |
Significant
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
||||||||||
As of June 30, 2018: |
|||||||||||||||
Financial Assets: |
|||||||||||||||
Deferred compensation trust assets |
Long-term marketable securities | $ | 2 | $ | 2 | $ | | $ | | ||||||
Investments in marketable securities |
Marketable securities | 25 | 25 | | | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total financial assets |
$ | 27 | $ | 27 | $ | | $ | | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2017: |
|||||||||||||||
Financial Assets: |
|||||||||||||||
Deferred compensation trust assets |
Long-term marketable securities | $ | 1 | $ | 1 | $ | | $ | | ||||||
Investments in marketable securities |
Marketable securities and Long-term marketable securities | 26 | 25 | 1 | | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total financial assets |
$ | 27 | $ | 26 | $ | 1 | $ | | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
F-48
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To
the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc.
Memphis, Tennessee
Opinion on the Financial Statement
We have audited the accompanying combined statement of financial position of frontdoor, inc., (f/k/a AHS Holding Company, Inc.) (the "Company") as of June 30, 2018 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statement"). In our opinion, the financial statement present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 30, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
The financial statement is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statement based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statement are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statement, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statement. We believe that our audit provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Memphis, Tennessee
August 1, 2018
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2018.
F-49
frontdoor, inc.
Balance Sheet
(In millions)
|
As of
June 30, 2018 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Assets |
||||
| | | | |
Total Assets |
$ | | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity |
||||
Commitments and Contingencies |
||||
Equity: |
||||
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 1,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding |
$ | | ||
Common stock subscription receivable |
| |||
| | | | |
Total Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity |
$ | | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
See accompanying Notes to the Balance Sheet.
F-50
frontdoor, inc.
NOTES TO BALANCE SHEET
Note 1. Description of Business
frontdoor, inc. (f/k/a AHS Holding Company, Inc.) (the "Company") was incorporated as a Delaware corporation on January 2, 2018. Pursuant to a reorganization, the Company will become a holding corporation whose assets are expected to include all of the outstanding equity interest of American Home Shield. The Company will, through American Home Shield, continue to conduct the business now conducted by such entities. ServiceMaster intends to transfer all of the assets and liabilities of the American Home Shield Business to the Company on August 9, 2018.
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The balance sheet has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Separate statements of operations, changes in stockholder's equity and cash flows have not been presented in the financial statements because there have been no activities in this entity during the period from January 2, 2018 (date of inception) and June 30, 2018.
Note 3. Stockholder's Equity
The Company is authorized to issue 1,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Common Stock"). Under the Corporation's certificate of incorporation in effect as of January 2, 2018, all shares of Common Stock are identical. The Corporation has issued 1,000 shares of Common Stock in exchange for $10.00, all of which were held by ServiceMaster Company, LLC at June 30, 2018.
Note 4. Subsequent Event
On July 25, 2018, the Company named Brian K. Turcotte as its Chief Financial Officer. On July 26, 2018, AHS Holding Company, Inc. changed its corporate name to frontdoor, inc.
F-51